25 Years Ago, The Biggest Anime Isekai Was Born

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Recently, the “Isekai” genre – where characters are transported to different worlds – has become incredibly popular in anime. Series like *Overlord*, *Sword Art Online*, *Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation*, and *The Rising of the Shield Hero* are prime examples. But among all the isekai anime released over the years, one series has remained a classic. Twenty-five years ago, anime fans met Inuyasha, a powerful demon, and the genre hasn’t been quite the same since.

Rumiko Takahashi’s manga *Inuyasha* first appeared in 1996, and the anime adaptation by Sunrise followed in 2000. Though not initially labeled as such, the story – centering on Kagome, Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, and Shippo – is now recognized as one of the earliest examples of the isekai genre. The premise of teenager Kagome being transported to a supernatural past, where she meets Inuyasha and faces demonic dangers, clearly fits the isekai mold. Since its debut in Japan, *Inuyasha* has become a hugely successful anime in North America, largely due to one major streaming platform.

In 2002, the anime *Inuyasha* came to Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, airing late at night with no censorship. Like other popular shows such as *Dragon Ball Z* and *Cowboy Bebop*, it became a huge hit, and fans still share memes about its ending online today. The original series and its continuation, *Inuyasha: The Final Act*, together have nearly 200 episodes, and several movies were also made to add to the show’s fantastical world. But the story of Inuyasha didn’t stop there.

The Sequel That Introduced The Next Inuyasha Generation

After the original *Inuyasha* anime finished in 2010, fans were surprised to learn a sequel was being made. A decade later, *Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon* arrived, introducing the daughters of Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. Although *Yashahime* wasn’t quite as popular or as long as the original series – it had a total of 48 episodes – it continued the story in unexpected ways. Sadly, since *Yashahime* ended, there haven’t been any announcements about the world of *Inuyasha* returning.

Although the story ended with Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha heading out to sea for new adventures, it doesn’t necessarily mean this is the final chapter. However, Rumiko Takahashi, the creator of the series, is already working on another exciting anime project. Her latest manga, *Mao*, began in 2019 and continues to release new installments. While *Mao* isn’t connected to the *Inuyasha* universe, it shares a similar artistic style and focuses on the supernatural, centering around its main character. An anime adaptation of *Mao* is planned for next year, produced by Sunrise – a studio that has collaborated successfully with Takahashi in the past.

It’s easy to rewatch the original *Inuyasha* these days, largely thanks to streaming services like Pluto TV, which has a dedicated 24/7 channel for the show. You can also find the first season on Amazon Prime Video and all seasons on Tubi. For those interested in the continuation, *Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon* is available on Crunchyroll, completing the story created by Rumiko Takahashi. Even if no new *Inuyasha* stories are ever made, the series’ unique world will live on thanks to its dedicated fans.

What are your thoughts on the Inuyasha anniversary? Share your opinions in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-10-17 23:11