Plot Summary:

 

Kagome Higurashi is a 15 year old schoolgirl who lives at a history-filled Japanese shrine. She is also the reincarnation of an ancient priestess named Kikyo, who guarded the sacred Shikon no Tama (Jewel of Four Souls), and who sealed away the half-demon Inuyasha who had tried to steal the jewel in order to become a full demon. Kikyo died of her wounds and had the jewel burned with her body. Kagome is one day pulled into the ancient well on her family's shrine and thrown into the past, 50 years after Kikyo's death. She befriends Kaede, the late Kikyo's sister, who realizes Kagome is Kikyo's reincarnation. They are attacked, and learn that Kagome has the Shikon no Tama, but it's actually inside her body! Kagome accidentally awakens the dog-demon Inuyasha, and frees him after the jewel has been ripped from her body. Now Inuyasha wants the jewel back, but Kagome can't let him have it. He is forced (by Kaede's magic) to wear a necklace that allows Kagome to control him with one word, "Sit!", which sends him face-first into the ground. Kagome accidentally shatters the jewel, and now she and Inuyasha have to work together to find all the pieces before they fall into the wrong hands. Only Kagome can "sense" where the shards are, and only Inuyasha is powerful enough to get them from the demons or people who have them. But can they stop fighting long enough to work together?

 

Main Characters:

 

Inuyasha: A hanyou(half-demon) that was pinned to the Tree of Ancients by the Priestess Kikyo for trying to steal the Shikon-no-tama 50 years before Kagome appeared through the well and released him.

 

Kagome: A ninth grade girl who is the re-incarnation of the Priestess Kikyo and was brought to the past. The Shikon-no-tama was in side her and after it was released, she accidentally shattered it.

 

Kikyo: A feudal Priestess who had charge of the Shikon-no-tama. Fell in love with Inuyasha, but they were torn apart. She died from injuries after pinning Inuyasha to the Tree of Ancients, but was brought back to life by a witch after Kagome came back to the past.

 

Kaede: Kikyo's younger sister, who is now the priestess of their village 50 years later.

 

Sesshoumaru: A Youkai(full demon) who is the taiyoukai(demon lord) of the west, and is Inuyasha's half brother. Has a tendency to want to kill Inuyasha and his party.

 

Kouga: A wolf youkai prince, who is in love with Kagome, and won't miss a chance to steal her away either to find jewel shards or for an attempt at a little 'alone time'.

 

Shippou: A young fox youkai who was orphaned. Looks up to Kagome as his mother, and often tries to help the group with his shape shifting powers and fox-fire.

 

Sango: A ta-jiya(demon slayer) who joined Kagome, Inuyasha and Shippou on their quest to find the shikon shards after it was shattered.

 

Miroku: A monk who has a wind tunnel cursed into his hand. Very...lecherous, and has a tendency to 'find' his hand on Sango's backside.

 

Naraku: An evil half demon who wants the Shikon-no-tama all to himself, so he can become a full demon with it's power. Is very very very evil.

 

There are many many many other characters such as Naraku's 'children', other demons they meet on the way, Sango's younger brother - Kohaku, and people that help Inuyasha and co. on their journey such as the flea demon called Myoga. I'm sure there might be a few I missed, since it's all from memory, hehe. (Oh! Can't forget Rin, she's just too cute. She's the little girl that Lord Sesshoumaru brought back to life.)

 

I highly recommend this anime, along with the movies going along with it. Inuyasha fans tend to be pretty fanatic (I can vouch for that, I include myself in that ). Common ships include Inuyasha/Kagome, Inuyasha/Kikyo, Sango/Miroku and Sesshoumaru/Kagome(my personal fav).

 

 It can be seen on Cartoon Network, Saturdays @ 11pm/10pm(EST/CST), or Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays @ 12:30am/11:30pm(EST/CST) for the older, rerun episodes.