Inuyasha – Kagami no naka no mugenjou (2002)

Inuyasha – Kagami no naka no mugenjou: Directed by Toshiya Shinohara. With Kappei Yamaguchi, Satsuki Yukino, Kôji Tsujitani, Houko Kuwashima. After seemingly defeating their common enemy, Naraku, What appears to be the near-end of their journey instead leads Inuyasha and the rest facing against a new threat of an mysterious demon princess named Kaguya.

“The movie starts with the supposed killing of Naraku and then introduces a new enemy: Kaguya, who used Narakuu0026#39;s helpers Kanna and Kagura to free herself from her 1000-year prison. Her coming will mean an eternal darkness. She is supposedly the tennyo from the old legend of the angel who lost her feathered robe and was unable to return to her home in heaven.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003enInuyasha and the gang gets drawn into all of it when Kagura and Kanna appear to steal a part of the Fire Rat Robe that Inuyasha wears (wouldnu0026#39;t it have been safer just to slay a Fire Rat and rent a seamstress to make a robe of it, I wonder… doesnu0026#39;t Kagura and Kanna fear Inuyasha now that he has supposedly killed their old boss?). Anyway, Inuyasha and the gang also meet an ancestor of Houjou-kun, who posesses the tennyou0026#39;s robe that Kaguya desires. They figure out whatu0026#39;s going on and decide to prevent Kaguya from being unleashed.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe basic plot is sound, but the movie suffers slightly from involving too many of the IY-characters. Kikyouu0026#39;s scenes are completely unnecessary – the only thing they accomplish is remind us that she is wierd. The Kohaku-story was slightly far-fetched, but given itu0026#39;s final developement, it passes for accetable. At this point, Iu0026#39;m just thankful they didnu0026#39;t try and squeeze Sesshoumaru into the story as well.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe problem with the movie is that itu0026#39;s slightly too short. Another 5-10 minutes would have been enough to let the plot sink in and allow the viewer to understand what is going on. For instance, the quick 2-line explanation given as to why Kanna and Kagura starts serving Kaguya doesnu0026#39;t make any sense at all.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis movie is, despite its flaws, excellent. It has the regular nice IY-humor, the characters feel deep and real and the Kagome/Inuyasha-relationship is warmer than ever (*sweeet*). The badguy is somewhat shallow and single-minded, but she makes up for it in style. She feels even more powerful than Naraku.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis movie is a must-see for anyone who whatches the tv-series. It contains some really longed-for moments and the action is superb.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003enDonu0026#39;t miss it!”