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Season Five Episodes Summary (cont')
Episodes 116 to 125
Opening Theme: Grip! (96-127)
Ending Themes: Shinjutsu no Uta (86-108) & Itazura na Kiss (109-127)
Series Director: Yasunao Aoki
Producers: Michihiko Suwa, Hideyuki Tomioka
Music: Kaoru Wada
Character Designs: Yoshihito Hishinuma
Art Director: Shigemi Ikeda
Episode 116
Aired: 6/23/03
Sarakeda sareta shinjutsu kao
The Real Face: Exposed
Inuyasha and Kagome find refuge in a secluded cave near a mountain stream. The cavern is a perfect place to drop off an injured wolf demon, which is exactly what Inuyasha does after hauling the unconscious Koga to safety. While the group settles in to recuperate, back in the mountain village the paralyzed Suikotsu menaces the cowering orphans. Jakotsu observes the scene as Rin struggles in his clutches. A single Saimyousho buzzes in, communicating to Jakotsu Sessho-maru is on his way. Jakotsu orders Suikotsu to forget the children and they leave: killing Sessho-maru is the new priority. They plan to lure him into Mt. Hakurei’s demon damaging barrier, using Rin as bait. What the Shichinin-tai duo doesn’t realize is that Sessho-maru has already breached the warding, intent on rescuing Rin and exacting revenge on her kidnappers. Kikyo arrives in the village shortly after the Shichinin-tai’s departure and finds the children huddled together, horrified, after witnessing the bloodshed caused by Suikotsu. The children tell her although Suikotsu looked like the kindly doctor they all loved, a different, evil Suikotsu murdered the village elders and tried to kill them. Kikyo warns the children to leave the village: it’s too dangerous for them to stay, and embarks in search of Suikotsu. Elsewhere, the two Shichinin-tai prepare to spring their trap. Jakotsu doubts Sessho-maru’s ability to enter the barrier; Sessho-maru however, materializes out of the mist proving him wrong. Jakotsu wastes no time in drawing Jakotsutuo and attacking. The snake sword slashes lethally at Sessho-maru, but he dodges its blades elegantly -- or so it seems ... The Jakotsutuo manages to strike him, finally tasting demon blood. Jakotsu is elated and confident Mt. Hakurei has affected Sessho-maru and made him vulnerable to attack. Sango is feeling vulnerable too; Miroku has gotten them lost inside the cave they were investigating. As they search for an exit, they spot someone or something, glowing, beckoning them to follow. Sensing no demon, the duo decides to go in pursuit. The source of the glow is Kohaku wearing a luminescent cloak. He wants to lead them out of, and away from the cavern. The clash between Sessho-maru and Jakotsu escalates. Jakotsu is eager to exploit the demon’s diminished capacity, but Sessho-maru wages a strong offensive. Jakotsu taunts Sessho-maru, threatening to kill the captive Rin if he makes a wrong move. Sessho-maru smirks in reply. Angered by his reaction, Jakotsu swings his sword. Sessho-maru launches his defense flinging Toukijin aside, and charging Jakotsu headlong. Sessho-maru’s strategy finds two marks - the Toukijin plunges into Suikotsu’s chest and Sessho-maru’s claws thrust into Jakotsu’s torso. Although wounded, the Shichinin-tai are still determined make good their threat to kill Rin. Suikotsu is about to cleave the cringing Rin when an arrow streaks through the air, striking him in the throat. It’s Kikyo‘s arrow, fired to cleanse the corrupted jewel shard. Against the agonizing influence of the barrier, Kikyo makes her way to the wounded Suikotsu while Jakotsu flees in fear. Kikyo’s arrow has restored the “good” Suikotsu. He asks Kikyo to remove the Shikon shard because he wants to die again and finally end the misery of his two personalities. Suikotsu tells her the story of how a traumatic incident caused his personality to shatter and what led him to become one of the Shichinin-tai. Helpless against the sins of his evil self, Suikotsu wants the peace of oblivion. As Kikyo tentatively reaches to take the shard, a flash of metal streaks towards Suikotsu, fatally slicing open his throat. The jewel shard pops free into Jakotsu’s eager grasp. Jakotsu dashes off, abandoning his withered comrade. Back at the mountain cave, Miroku and Sango have followed the strange glow to safety. Outside the fissure, Sango discovers a special, luminescent cloak the demon slayer’s use. All signs point to Kohaku. In another cave on the mountain, Koga slowly recovers under the care of Kagome and his pack mates. Outside, Shippo spies on a pensive Inuyasha, floating on his back in the steam, obviously preoccupied. Shippo wonders what Inuyasha is thinking so hard about but only we know the answer: he‘s simply admiring the beautiful day.
Episode 117
Aired: 6/30/03
Honoo no kawa ni kieta aitsu
The Man who Disappeared into a River of Flames
Recovered from his battle with Koga, Renkotsu vows to avenge Ginkotsu’s destruction and prepares his artillery for an assault on the wolf demon and his companions. Back in the cave by the river, Koga also revives from the clash. Pack mates Hakkaku and Ginta, along with Kagome and Shippo greet his return to consciousness. As they tell him what’s occurred, Koga realizes that he’s not quite himself -- he ‘reeks like dog’, making a huge fuss. Kagome gently explains to Koga, Inuyasha carried him to safety. Infuriated, Koga reprimands Ginta and Hakkaku for their failure to transport him under the circumstances. Inuyasha interrupts Koga’s tirade, soaked from his own effort to ‘wash the wolf stink off’. Inuyasha isn‘t thrilled by Koga‘s ingratitude and demonstrates his irritation by shaking off his soggy state like an irate St. Bernard. The bickering continues until Inuyasha spots one of Naraku’s Saimyousho spying on the group. He purses the creature to destroy it before it reveals their location. But the insect is a decoy sent to lure Inuyasha away. Renkotsu is hiding near the cave waiting for the group to be left defenseless. Shippo and Kagome sense a problem when suddenly, an explosion rings out and rocks rain down, damming the river beneath the cave. Into the maelstrom created by dammed water sails a raft of flaming logs on pitch-black surf of oil. Renkotsu’s attack begins. Realizing the Saimyousho was hoax; Inuyasha rushes back to the others. Outside the cave, Renkotsu opens fire with his with weapon collection. Since Kagome is the only one left capable of defending the group, she challenges the heavily armed Renkotsu with just her bow and arrows. The Shichinin-tai member fires at her point blank, but the deadly shot is deflected by Inuyasha’s timely arrival. Wrapping Kagome in his fire-rat kimono, Inuyasha goes after Renkotsu. The Shichinin-tai’s salvos fly mercilessly as Inuyasha battles back, sword versus cannon. After a huge, final blast, it appears Renkotsu’s technology wins as Inuyasha goes down in flames. Renkotsu fires one more round into the cave harboring Kagome and company. Sauntering into the rocky ruins, Renkotsu spots the huddled bodies of his victims, congratulating himself on his success and eager to claim the Shikon shards in Koga’s legs. Renkotsu’s revelry is cut short when the business end of a long, wolf demon leg meets his chin, nearly decapitating him. Quick thinking and Inuyasha’s kimono jacket shielded the group from Renkotsu‘s attack. Dead or alive, Renkotsu is determined to possess Koga’s shards. Producing explosive sticks, he threatens to demolish the group. Once again good timing intervenes and Inuyasha arrives, seared but alive. He tackles Renkotsu and the two plummet into the river of flames, igniting the explosives and blowing the dam sky high. Frantically, Kagome and others race along the freed torrent desperately looking for Inuyasha. Hakkaku and Ginta try to be hopeful for Kagome’s sake, but Koga, the pessimist, states Inuyasha has probably been blown to bits. His harsh statement devastates Kagome, who by now believes Koga may be right. Distraught with grief and guilt because she had Inuyasha’s fireproof kimono when he needed it most, Kagome weeps bitterly. Realizing how upset Kagome is, Koga tries to comfort her, telling her Inuyasha forced the jacket on her so it wasn’t her fault. As Kagome sobs miserably Koga receives a blow to his head from behind: it’s Inuyasha. Inuyasha is still alive and ready to continue his quarrel with Koga. Overcome with relief he‘s alive, Kagome runs to embrace Inuyasha. Tearfully Kagome expresses her concern as Inuyasha holds her close, assuring her he’s okay. The touching moment is brief -- even with Kagome held tenderly in his arms, Inuyasha resumes his argument with Koga. Higher up Mt. Hakurei, Sango and Miroku approach the summit, discovering another cave. Upon entering they sense tangible evil, certain they’ll find Naraku. They will find one a part of Naraku at least -- Kagura! In the aftermath of his fight with Inuyasha, Renkotsu returns to Bankotsu, anxious the Shichinin-tai leader will sense the extra Shikon shard he possesses from Ginkotsu. After meeting Bankotsu, Renkotsu is relieved that his extra jewel shard escaped detection. Or has it?
Episode 118
Aired: 7/7/03
Shiro reizan no oku no oku
The Heart of Mt. Hakurei
Mt. Hakurei has drawn both good and bad to its summit, setting the stage for many dramatic encounters. Miroku and Sango charge into the heart of the holy mountain and discover a stair-ringed cavern where Kagura and a horde of demons wait in ambush. Kagura attacks, confidant Miroku will not use his Wind Tunnel attack with Saimyosho present. Kagura springs the trap, and the pair defends themselves employing Sango’s Hiraikotsu and Miroku’s Seibai attacks. During the mêlée, Kagura destroys a part of the stair pathway stranding Miroku and Sango on opposite sides of the chasm. Angered Sango hurls the Hiraikotsu at Kagura but the weapon is repelled, rebounding and wounding her. Miroku leaps the abyss to Sango’s defense as Kagura releases another demon offensive, and opens the Wind Tunnel, heedless of personal risk. As a stream of deadly demons flow into the void, Miroku weakens from the poison. Outside on the mountain, Kagome and Inuyasha wait apprehensively: too much time as passed and they suspect Miroku and Sango are in trouble. Inuyasha makes a risky decision - to search for them inside the barrier. He reasons since he’s a half-demon, the barrier can’t purify all of him so he‘s the only person for the mission. Reluctantly leaving Kagome in Koga’s care, Inuyasha races off vanishing into the mist. Inside the mountain, Miroku struggles to protect Sango, as he continues to feel the effects of the poison. Bridging the gap in the stairs with Hiraikotsu, Miroku carries Sango across the breach, warding off a horde of hovering demons with threats of the Wind Tunnel. His body diminished by the poison, Miroku finally collapses, apologizing to Sango that he can’t save her from the demons... Alone on the road to Mt. Hakurei, Jakotsu whines and shivers, his fight-tattered kimono little protection from the elements. He encounters a band of traveling merchants who posthumously provide him with a new kimono. Bankotsu discovers him at the merchant massacre, and the two rejoin forces, Jakotsu dutifully presenting Bankotsu with the Shikon shard retrieved from Suikotsu’s body. Back at Mt. Hakurei, things aren’t going very well for Inuyasha. The purifying power of the barrier is stronger than Inuyasha expected and Renkotsu has appeared. Taking advantage of Inuyasha’s weakness, Renkotsu blasts him with his cannon, sending him flying. Renkotsu’s hope for victory is short-lived after he sees Inuyasha survived his latest salvo, but he also notices something else about his young opponent ... Stunned by the blast through the barrier, Inuyasha regains his wits to discover his demon powers have been completely purified leaving him human. Believing Inuyasha is now defenseless, Renkotsu opens fire again. Although his demon power is gone, Inuyasha is still fast on his feet and darts inside a convenient crevice in the mountainside. Renkotsu is too big to pursue him, but a recently arrived Jakotsu is just the right size to follow Inuyasha inside the mountain. Inside Mt. Hakurei, Sango also wakes up to a surprise -- an unconscious Miroku lying on top of her. Sango sees Miroku is badly injured and they are threatened by a host of hovering demons, poised to kill. Tearfully, Sango revives the priest but he’s too ill to move. Miroku begs Sango to leave him and save herself, but Sango refuses: if he can’t go, she won’t go either, and will stay and die with him. Miroku holds the weeping woman, moved by her feelings. As they lay there, Miroku starts feeling better and notices the demons aren’t attacking. Miroku realizes they have passed into another, stronger purity barrier. That purity is neutralizing the poison in his body and keeping the monsters away. The duo resume their quest, and see their goal - a small cave at the top of the cavern. The situation is getting worse for Inuyasha; although he’s escaped Renkotsu and located the cavern, Jakotsu has caught up with him and he’s happy to see him again ... and delighted with Inuyasha’s “new look”.
Episode 119
Aired: 7/14/03
Kamigami shi okui no seijya
Divine Malice of the Heavenly Saint
The search for the source of the purity barrier is over. Miroku and Sango’s discovery of a hidden temple, shrouded in the mists of Mt. Hakurei lead them directly to the Living Buddha himself -- Hakushin. They are alarmed when the mummy open’s his eyes and confronts them about trespassing in his temple. Miroku replies, and asks him why a holy person such as he would ally himself with someone as evil as Naraku. Hakushin’s answer is shocking: he knows Naraku’s true nature, but doesn’t care. At the foot of the mountain, Kagome waits anxiously for Inuyasha’s return along with Shippo, Kirara, Koga and his pack mates, Ginta and Hakkaku. Both Shippo and Kirara suffer from the effect of the barrier, causing Kagome more worry about Inuyasha. Ginta and Hakkaku compound her distress, tactlessly voicing their own concerns over Inuyasha‘s fate inside the barrier. Seeing how badly their banter bothers Kagome, Koga puts a halt to the conversation with timely head-bops. Shippo tries to relive Kagome’s suffering by reassuring her Inuyasha will be just fine. However, Inuyasha isn’t fine at all ... He has transformed into a human; his fire-rat clothing and Tetsusaiga are powerless; he’s trapped in a dead end cave by Jakotsu, and Jakotsu is hitting on him -- verbally and with his sword, Jakotsuto. Driven to extremes, Inuyasha charges Jakotsu, barely able to dodge fatal blows from the snakelike Jakotsuto. Inuyasha ’s assault leaves him wounded, bleeding and exhausted. His condition delights Jakotsu, who definitely enjoys the torturous fight. While Inuyasha struggles to stay alive inside the mountain, back at it’s summit, Hakushin tell’s his story to Miroku and Sango. Hakushin devoted his life to piety and selflessness, generously giving of himself to help the suffering of others. When he fell seriously ill, his followers fretted about losing him, and his guidance. From his sickbed, Hakushin assuaged their fears, announcing his intention to become a “living Buddha” so that he could protect his people forever. Hakushin was ceremonially entombed underground with only a bell and an air pipe to connect him with the living world. When the bell stopped ringing, he would be dead, ascending into Nirvana where he would protect his followers for eternity. But as his life ebbed inside the tomb, Hakushin realized that at his final moment he didn’t want to die, resenting the circumstances of his death. Hakushin’s remains were installed as a “living Buddha, ” but his tortured soul lingered in the darkness. Naraku found it there, seducing Hakushin’s lost soul by convincing Hakushin his followers were selfish, and that even in death, they forced the responsibility of their welfare upon him. Hakushin accepted Naraku’s offer to ’live’, allowing himself to be used in exchange for freedom from his spiritual responsibility. Deep inside the mountain, freedom is the last thing available to Inuyasha; Jakotsu has him trapped and is closing in for the kill. Renkotsu has also arrived, discretely watching the battle with frustration, angry Inuyasha wasn’t able kill Jakotsu for him. As a last defense, Inuyasha springs a sneak attack on Jakotsu but his attempt fails miserably weakened by blood loss and fatigue. Jakotsu easily gains the upper hand, prepared to finish off his prey. In the temple, Miroku and Sango throw everything in their arsenal against the power of Hakushin and his barrier. Although the barrier and its source are formidable, they succeed, using Miroku’s wind tunnel as the final blow. The barrier starts to dissolve. Everyone in the vicinity of Mt. Hakurei senses the barrier’s destruction. Deep within the mountain, Renkotsu is the first to witness the result of the barrier’s dissipation as a multitude of lesser demons roils up from the bowels of the earth. Freed from their containment, they’re desperate to escape their mountain prison. Dropping his victim, Jakotsu turns his attention to the advancing demons. The rampaging monsters mean the barrier is gone along with it’s purifying properties. It also means Inuyasha get’s a major break -- his demonic power returns! Realizing Miroku and Sango were successful breaking the barrier, Inuyasha prepares to end the battle and destroy Jakotsu. The Shichinin-tai isn’t about to die easily still as passionate about his opponent’s charms as ever. He releases a final attack, binding Inuyasha in a tangle of deadly blades; one flick of Jakotsu’s wrist, and Inuyasha will be cut to ribbons.
Episode 120
Aired: 7/28/03
Sayonara Jakotsu no chinkon uta
Good-Bye! Jakotsu's Requiem
Inside the bowels of Mt. Hakurei, the battle between Inuyasha and Jakotsu draws to it’s close. The situation looks grim for Inuyasha; he‘s shackled by the cruel blades of the Jakotsuto and with a flick of his wrist, Jakotsu can tear him to pieces. Jakotsu is enchanted at the spectacle of Inuyasha subdued in such a manner. Inuyasha, not eager to die, stuns Jakotsu with an all-consuming Kaze no Kizu attack. Jakotsu and his vicious weapon are caught by surprise by the attack’s intensity and engulfed by its fury. When the smoke clears, what remains of the mortally wounded Jakotsu and his sword lay broken and trampled under a blanket of debris. Although Jakotsu invites Inuyasha to finish the job and kill him, Inuyasha declines, leaving to resume his search for Naraku. Out of the darkness, Renkotsu approaches his dying comrade. Jakotsu regards him with a resigned smirk: he knows Renkotsu is there to retrieve the Shikon jewel shard keeping him alive. Determined to survive, Renkotsu removes the shard from the failing Shichinin-tai’s throat and Jakotsu melts into dust. Renkotsu departs with his prize but, as soon as he leaves, a lone Saimyosho buzzes in and plucks Jakotsu’s hair ornament from his dusty remains and flies away. Outside on the mountain Kikyo searches for the object that escaped Mt. Hakurei’s barrier and discovers Hakushin, meditating inside a ‘bubble” of the remaining purity. Kikyo deduces that the monk inside the barrier was the one responsible for protecting Naraku and restraining his evil. The conversation between Kikyo and Hakushin reveals they have much in common: both strived for perfection in life only to have that perfection escape them because they gave into the needs of their humanity. Hakushin is hesitant to open up to the miko, but then realizes Kikyo can see through his facade and into his soul. She understands Hakushin’s guilt and his regret at having been seduced by Naraku’s evil. Through her empathy Kikyo provides Hakushin the forgiveness and salvation he needs to put his spirit to rest and, with Kikyo’s help, Hakushin passes into the next world. Others play out their own dramas elsewhere on the troubled mountain. Kagome anxiously waits for Inuyasha and the others to return from the barrier under the protection of Koga and his pack mates. As the mountain’s barrier deteriorates and escaping demons begin to flood out, Kagome decides she’s waited long enough. Kagome hands the ailing Shippo and Kirara off to Koga, and runs off towards the mountain in search of her companions. Unlike Kagome, Renkotsu wants to run away from Mt. Hakurei and avoid his finding his last comrade - the Shichinin-tai captain, Bankotsu. Renkotsu attempts to slip away without a confrontation, but Bankotsu intercepts him. The Shichinin-tai captain is aware of Renkotsu ‘s collection of Shikon shards, and the treacherous way he collected them. As evidence of Renkotsu’s deceit, Bankotsu holds up Jakotsu’s hair ornament. Determined to survive, Renkotsu fights for his existence, throwing his arsenal of artillery into the fight with his captain, but Bankotsu is victorious. He extracts the Shikon shards from Renkotsu and dissolves him into dust. Bankotsu has one more opponent to face -- Inuyasha. The sacred ground of Mt. Harukei continues to degenerate rapidly, until finally the barrier dissolves. A spectacular host of demons rampage through the miasma and unfortunately, Kagome has strayed into their path. Scrambling to protect herself, Kagome tries to notch an arrow into her bow, but drops it her haste. Taking advantage of her vulnerability, the advancing demons knock her to the ground, then turn back upon her. Just as they attack her, Koga appears, leaping to her defense at the last second. It seems he’s followed her up the mountain, and is determined to guard her -- for both Kagome’s sake and to keep his word to Inuyasha. Inside the mountain, Inuyasha continues to trail Naraku’s scent, calling out angry challenges to the arch demon. His challenge attracts a different, unexpected foe. Inuyasha’s path to Naraku is blocked by one last obstacle -- Bankotsu.
Episode 121
Aired: 8/4/03
Kessen! Saikyo saigo no Shichinin-tai
Decisive Batte! The Last & Strongest Shichinintai
The slopes of Mt. Harukei are a squirming blanket of miasma and hostile youkai as the barrier of purity dissolves. The voracious swarm doesn’t care what, or who, is in their destructive path turning the mountain into a killing field for everyone searching for Naraku. Sessho-maru and Jaken slash and burn a path through the onslaught. Kikyo’s arrows destroy multiple evil targets. Kagome, Koga and crew, hammer their way through the melee after Koga picks up both Naraku’s and Inuyasha‘s scents coming from the mountain. Only Naraku and his spawn remain, hidden inside the sacred mountain and under the protection of their champion Bankotsu. Inuyasha must cross swords with the last and strongest Shichinintai to achieve his goal - finding and destroying Naraku. Inuyasha attacks Bankotsu with the Kaze no Kizu. Enflamed by vengeance for the deaths of his comrades and powered by seven Shikon jewel shards, Bankotsu retaliates with an explosive assault of his own. Inuyasha knows Bankotsu has a huge advantage, but he’s determined to win at all costs. He charges Bankotsu and they clash in flurry of super-charged steel and personal taunts. During the verbal exchange, Bankotsu aims some low blows at Inuyasha’s self-esteem. Rather than allow his heckling to effect the fight, Inuyasha let’s Bankotsu talk. It seems that Bankotsu and Naraku are well acquainted and like to ‘chat’ about the subjects of their wrath. Bankotsu also tells Inuyasha why Naraku revived the Shichinin-tai. When Inuyasha informs Bankotsu Naraku is only manipulating him, Bankotsu blasts Inuyasha angrily, sending him flying in a torrent of flame and rocks. Emerging from the rubble Bankotsu sees a daunting sight: Inuyasha has survived the Banryuu’s latest battering. He‘s as feisty as ever and eager to finish the Shichinin-tai captain for good! While Inuyasha wages mortal combat with Bankotsu, Miroku and Sango investigate the strong youkai presence that lures them inexorably down a new path inside the heart of the sacred mountain. They follow a shaft that leads them into a large cavern containing a deep, dark pit. Peering over the edge into the black void, the pair sees a chilling spectacle -- the pale face of Naraku staring back at them! As the eerie face retreats from view, Sango and Miroku are bombarded by a new attack from Kagura. Attempting to wrestle answers about Naraku from the demon, Miroku tells Kagura he’s figured out the Naraku/Hakushin/Mt. Hakurei connection. When Inuyasha broke Naraku’s barrier with the “Red Tetsusaiga”, Naraku was forced to hide, healing his wounds and reforming his barrier. Miroku presses Kagura for information, but her response is another barrage of wind blades that shatter the cliff where Sango and Miroku stand. The pair is plunged into the foreboding abyss. Kagome, Koga, and company close in on the summit of Mt. Hakurei. Drawing near, Kagome picks up two traces of the Shikon jewel. Aware of the danger this presents, Kagome prays fervently for the safety of her companions. Kagome’s prayers better be powerful: Inuyasha’s battle with Bankotsu isn’t going well. Bankotsu pummels Inuyasha with blast after blast, tossing him around the cave walls like a rag doll. Inuyasha endures the pounding, but he knows he can’t take much more and still have strength to defeat Bankotsu. Bankotsu moves in for the kill, but Inuyasha surprises him by hurling the Tetsusaiga at him. The confusion caused by the flying katana gives Inuyasha the edge to attack barehanded with his Sankon Tetsusou. Inuyasha’s claws hit pay dirt and two of the seven jewel shards fly out of Bankotsu’s arm. Encouraged, Inuyasha goes at Bankotsu with hand-to-hand combat. Claws and fists fly in a match of even strength. Bankotsu doesn’t like to lose, and isn’t about to surrender but Inuyasha is determined to crush Bankotsu and finally reach Naraku!
Episode 122
Aired: 8/11/03
Kyurestsu Banryuu Hakureizan no shitou
Powerful Banryuu! Duel to the Death in Mt Hakurei
Sango’s quick-thinking saved she and Miroku from plummeting into Naraku’s pit; stabbing the Hiraikotsu into the crater’s wall Sango arrested their fall, but the trouble is far from over. The duo dangle precariously above an abattoir of discarded youkai body parts -- the remains of Naraku’s ‘reconstruction’. Descending to investigate the gruesome pit, Miroku and Sango discover pale, featureless, baby-like creatures swarming among the carcasses. Outside, Sessho-maru and Jaken succeed in beating back the stampede of fugitive youkai. Sessho-maru prepares to enter the mountain and continue his search for Naraku. Kikyo also destroyed her share of demons. Suspicious of Naraku’s motives, Kikyo also goes to investigate. Finally, Koga, Kagome, Shippo and Kirara arrive at the mountain. The scent trial Koga followed leads the four to a tunnel in the mountainside and they cautiously penetrate the dark, dangerous passage. Inside the heart of Mt. Hakurei the fight between Bankotsu and Inuyasha continues to rage. Bankotsu proves a formidable foe and Inuyasha suffers a relentless pounding from the Shichinin-tai. The vicious hammering buys time for Inuyasha to prepare his next assault. When Bankotsu readies the deathblow to his seemingly defeated opponent, Inuyasha surprises him, piercing Bankotsu’s throat and extracting three more jewel shards. Despite the setback, Bankotsu remains arrogant -- even after Inuyasha points out their death match is observed by a large group of youkai, just waiting in the shadows to attack the survivor. Bankotsu takes the information in stride: he never trusted Naraku and was prepared for such betrayal. Bankotsu is also prepared to kill anyone, or anything, in the way of his continued survival. The narcissistic warrior believes his hunger for life isn’t any different than that of the resurrected Hakushin, Kikyo, or even Inuyasha‘s broken seal. Inuyasha, however, sees a flawed comparison: Bankotsu is a selfish, cold-blooded killer motivated only by his greed for ’life’. Bankotsu agrees, and leaps for the discarded Banryuu. At the same time Inuyasha grabs Tetsusaiga, charging Bankotsu. Bankotsu however, rushes past Inuyasha, and starts butchering the lurking youkai. The Shichinin-tai slays 1,000 demons and, suddenly, the Banryuu pulses and glows with frightening new power. Unleashing a mammoth burst of energy, Bankotsu vaporizes the remaining youkai with the blade, and resumes his confrontation with Inuyasha. As he prepares to attack, Bankotsu explains Banryuu’s new power: the only way for a human like himself to possess supernatural strength was to empower an object, such as his weapon, Banryuu. After tasting the blood of 1,000 shogun, gaining power from the Shikon shards, and having just killed 1,000 demons, the Banryuu is transformed -- into a demon blade. Bankotsu unleashes a lethal blast of power at Inuyasha. However, now that he knows the Banryuu’s secret, Inuyasha counter attacks with the Bakuryuuha. The fireball is repelled and hurled back at Bankotsu, consuming him in an intense firestorm of energy. When the smoke clears Inuyasha is victorious. Bankotsu is vanquished, and what remains of him lays dying amid the rubble. But Inuyasha’s triumph is fleeting -- a tremor rocks the cavern and the ground softens, pulsing with a life of it’s own. Inuyasha fights, but is overwhelmed by pulsating ooze. Thick, choking tentacles rise up and coil around his body. The fleshy appendages shoot upwards, dragging the struggling Inuyasha. Changes inside the mountain effect others trapped inside its pulpy grasp. Sango and Miroku flee a tsunami of the ‘baby” creatures caused by surge of living “cave”. Elsewhere, Kagome and Koga race through the quaking cavern, but Koga is engulfed in a quagmire of the pulsing goo. Despite Kagome’s desperate efforts, Koga sinks out of sight. Certain Koga’s still alive, Kagome goes to the rescue, following Koga’s jewel-sign down the tunnel. Kagome and Shippo follow the passage to its end where they are reunited with Sango and Miroku. Another violent quake rocks the bowels of the cavern and, from deep within the pit, a writhing column of tentacle rockets up out of the darkness. Unconscious and locked in it’s crushing embrace is Inuyasha.
Episode 123
Aired: 8/18/03
Kurayami no saki ni shinsei Naraku
Naraku Reborn, Beyond the Darkness
“Inuyasha!” -- Kagome’s desperate cries reach the lifeless young half-demon, rousing him back to consciousness. Though upset with Kagome for following him to the mountain, Inuyasha is happy she’s there and very anxious to escape the constricting coils after learning Koga’s fate. As Kagome and Inuyasha struggle to free him from the fleshy bonds, a sinister laugh echoes through the cavern: Naraku! Rushing to their friends’ aid, Sango and Miroku sense an incredibly strong demon when, out of the shadows, Naraku’s face materializes. Kagome and Sango attack the apparition, but it ends badly when Sango’s Hiraikotsu cuts through Naraku’s tentacles unleashing a rain of acid. As everyone dodges the stinging spray, more of Naraku’s limbs slither into action entrapping Kagome and Shippo as well as Sango and Miroku. Naraku tells his captives that they’re caught inside his body, the interior of Mt. Hakurei. Scornfully, Naraku tells everyone how foolish their feelings are, using Bankotsu’s betrayed bond with the Shichinin-tai as an example. Naraku’s tentacle plucks the Shikon shards free from Bankotsu’s remains and what’s left of Bankotsu tumbles away: bone, dust and tattered cloth. Naraku also harvests the jewel shards from the Banryuu. Lastly, the foul appendage rips through Inuyasha’s jacket, snatching the shards he won from Bankotsu during their battle. The precious bits of gem are back in the possession of the enemy. Outside on the slopes of Hakureizan, both Kikyo and Sessho-maru arrive, lured by Naraku’s renewed presence. Kikyo spots Kagura escaping on her flying feather and notices that Kagura carries something -- something dangerous. Kikyo fires an arrow to stop the fleeing demon. Kagura dodges the assault and a new voice from inside a bundle she holds instructs her to keep going - it’s not up to her to kill Kikyo: that’s Naraku’s privilege. Inside the mountain, Kanna and Kohaku follow Kagura’s example and escape. The only ones left inside Hakureizan with Naraku are Inuyasha, Kagome, and their companions. The team watches in horror as Naraku gathers the jewel fragments into a brilliant ball of energy. Sparks radiate out from the heart of the reunited shards, exploding into a burst of creation as the new body of Naraku begins to materialize, bit by appalling bit. The new body is a monstrous travesty of the human form. Naraku now has an exoskeleton protecting his vulnerable body parts, tentacles, bony spikes on his arms, shoulders and chest, and a final ghastly new feature -- a huge red eye in the center of his chest. He also has his barrier. From the barrier’s security, Naraku taunts the captive Inuyasha, but Inuyasha won’t give into Naraku’s egotistical posturing, getting so angry that he claws himself free from the treacherous tentacles. Naraku seems amused Inuyasha would dare challenge his new form, but Inuyasha is agitated and won’t back down. Retrieving Tetsusaiga from the gooey cave walls, Inuyasha attacks Naraku with Kaze no Kizu. Unfortunately, Naraku repels the attack, directing it’s lethal energy into the flow of his own youki. The Kaze no Kizu careens wildly around the cavern, ricocheting off walls and threatening everyone EXCEPT Naraku, who is safe inside his barrier. While the Kaze no Kizu circulates violently keeping Inuyasha and the others at a distance, Naraku smugly floats away. As Naraku ascends, Kagome spots two Shikon fragments inside the barrier ’bubble” -- Koga! Kagome tells Inuyasha they have to stop the circulating Kaze no Kizu and rescue Koga before he’s absorbed into Naraku. The determined duo pursues Naraku at top speed. As they close in on the arrogant monster, Kagome takes aim and shoots an intensely strong purifying arrow at Naraku, shattering the violent swirling and piercing the barrier. Koga’s body spills out, plunging into the darkness and Inuyasha and Kagome dive into the chasm to his rescue. Affronted by the insolence of their attack, Naraku decides to destroy his young opponents by bringing down the mountain on all of them. Mt. Hakurei breaks apart while Naraku soars toward freedom and some unfinished business with Kikyo.
Episode 124
Aired: 8/25/03
Saraba itoshiki Kikyo yo
Farewell, My Beloved Kikyo
Inuyasha and Kagome chase the unconscious Koga as he plunges towards Naraku’s caustic lake of shoukai. As the mountain collapses around them, Shippo begs Kagome to abandon Koga, but she can’t. Sensing her distress, Inuyasha entrusts Kagome’s safety to Shippo and follows Koga alone. Tearfully, Kagome implores Inuyasha to be careful as he vanishes into the darkness. Outside, Kikyo watches the mountain erupt, spewing a tornado of evil. The malevolent maelstrom rolls down the slope towards her, cracking opening steaming fissures of shoukai. The evil swirl halts in front of Kikyo revealing Naraku. Inuyasha struggles through a putrid rain of viscera and boulders towards the reservoir of shoukai, finally locating Koga. He plucks Koga from the deadly, reeking lake and sprints for an exit. Higher in the cavern, all openings have vanished but Miroku creates an escape using his wind tunnel. The group reaches safety where they wait for signs of Inuyasha and Koga. Inside the decaying bowels of Mt. Hakurei, Inuyasha also searches for an opening, amid the hail of demon guts and rocks. Koga regains consciousness and complains he doesn’t want to die with Inuyasha. For once, Inuyasha agrees ... neither does he! Slashing through the debris, Inuyasha sees the way out, but in the portal he sees a brief, disturbing vision of Kikyo. Meanwhile, Kagome waits for Inuyasha’s safe return and is relieved when she senses Koga’s jewel shards on their way up. Leaping to safety, Inuyasha has another vision of Kikyo. Reunited with Kagome, Kagome proudly tells Koga that Inuyasha rescued him without her asking. Koga’s lack of appreciation sets off a new round of quarrels with Inuyasha. If Inuyasha knew what was happening elsewhere on Mt. Hakurei’s slopes, he’d ignore Koga’s antics: Inuyasha’s visions were a warning about the showdown-taking place between Kikyo and Naraku. Naraku struts his powerful new ‘body’ with smug confidence while Kikyo seethes at his audacity. Kikyo tells him she knows Kagura’s escaped with something from the mountain, and demands to know what it was and what Naraku’s real intentions are. Naraku toys with Kikyo, telling her how he manipulated her into coming to Mt. Hakurei. Naraku then savagely slashes Kikyo, severing her bow and slicing deep into her body. Kikyo collapses to her knees as her life force gushes out as Naraku tells her he is no longer controlled by Onigumo’s heart and can now destroy her. Kikyo realizes it must have been Naraku’s human heart Kagura carried away from the mountain. Naraku delivers his deathblow impaling Kikyo on his cruel claws. He propels her over the edge of the fissure and into the torrent of shoukai below. Plummeting to her death, Kikyo’s final thoughts turn to Inuyasha and she calls his name one last time. At that moment, Inuyasha is seized by a dreadful feeling and he races off abandoning a bewildered Kagome. Naraku gloats over his victory but his celebration is interrupted by Sessho-maru. Sessho-maru is eager to settle his own score with Naraku and attacks with Toukijin, but its power is repelled and blasted back at him. The arrogant Naraku is undaunted by the assault, and retreats, leaving Sessho-maru angry and frustrated. Bad timing delivers Inuyasha into his older brother’s company. Sessho-maru tells Inuyasha about Kikyo as he spots the poignant remains of Kikyo’s broken bow on the ground near the fissure. Peering into the chasm, Inuyasha’s desperate denial is replaced by profound sorrow as he watches a lone soul skimmer chase the tatters of Kikyo’s sleeve into the shoukai, vaporizing itself. Tortured by guilt, Inuyasha blames himself for failing to protect Kikyo. He lashes out angrily at Sessho-maru, accusing him of allowing Kikyo to be killed. Sessho-maru’s icy response is that Naraku killed Kikyo “and the one who wasn’t able to save her was you, Inuyasha. If you have the time to snarl at me, you would do better to spend it chasing Naraku”. Sessho-maru turns and walks away leaving Inuyasha alone and heartbroken. He falls to his knees, unable to bear his grief. When Kagome and the others arrive, Inuyasha composes himself enough to tell them Naraku achieved is goal - taking Kikyo’s life. Far from Mt. Hakurei, Kagura rests from her flight, irritated at the burden Naraku assigned to her. Suddenly, a voice from the bundle tells her Kikyo is dead. Astonished, Kagura looks at her cargo: it’s a baby, a precocious, evil baby!
Episode 125
Aired: 9/1/03
Kagome no shin no yami
The Darkness in Kagome's Heart
While Inuyasha desperately searches for any sign of Kikyo, Miroku and Sango tell Koga about Kikyo‘s relationship with Naraku. Koga learns how Naraku was created from Onigumo’s unfilled desire and jealousy for Kikyo, and how those human feelings drove the demon to destroy her. The story convinces Koga that Naraku needs to be smashed now, more than ever, and resumes his pursuit of the fiend. Kagome watches Koga leave and wonders how Inuyasha’s own search is going. Inuyasha frantically scours the shoukai polluted riverbank for traces of Kikyo. His heart is haunted by grief, guilt, and Sessho-maru‘s cruel words. Emotionally exhausted after the search, Inuyasha returns to his companion’s empty handed and discovers Kagome waiting for him. Kagome’s efforts to comfort him are strained and painful -- she’s torn between her relief Kikyo’s dead and the devastation Inuyasha feels. They pass each other in agonizing silence leaving important words left unsaid. Later in the day, during the team’s travels through the demon-ravaged villages, Inuyasha is strangely quiet and pensive, and avoids Kagome. At one of the decimated villages they meet a fellow traveler - a monk - that tells them about his recent encounter with a gravely injured miko. The miko fits Kikyo’s description and, noticing Inuyasha’s reaction to the news, it is Kagome who suggests he go investigate. The group treks on without Inuyasha but, as they journey, the samurai of a local noble arrests them. Shippo and Kirara escape and immediately set out to find Inuyasha. Sango, Miroku and Kagome are taken to a castle where they join other travelers, also captives. They watch helplessly, as travelers are put to death by order of the ruler of the castle. Inside, the sinister figure of the woman clutches a baby to her bosom as she watches the orders carried out. Under more orders from the castle’s noblewoman, the samurai separate Kagome from the others and lead her inside the castle. In the gloom of the castle, the noblewoman greets Kagome, telling her she’s the only one left who can “see’ the Shikon jewel shards. In the shadows kneels the priest Kagome recognizes from the village. The old man falls over dead at her feet and, horrified, Kagome understands it’s all a trap. Her fear is confirmed when Kagura emerges from the darkness. Kagome is told “ help won’t be coming’ and drawing ominously closer, Kagome realizes it isn’t the woman speaking, but the baby. The evil infant taunts Kagome, telling her “Inuyasha won‘t be coming because he‘s searching for Kikyo.” Kagome recognizes the ‘baby’ for what it is -- Naraku’s latest evil construct-- and it desires Kagome’s ability to see the Shikon jewel shards. Outside in the castle’s courtyard, the vassals prepare to slaughter Miroku, Sango and the captives, but Sango frees herself with a hidden blade. Dodging the guards, she frees Miroku and they fight the samurai for their lives. Within the murky castle Kagura restrains Kagome, so she can’t escape the evil baby’s embrace. The baby seizes Kagome and snuggling close and, seized in its tiny clutches, Kagome feels her heart invaded. The child searches Kagome’s heart for signs of darkness so it can infiltrate and command her soul. Kagome’s heart cries out for Inuyasha, but the realization he’s abandoned her for Kikyo gives the infant just want it wants -- a spot of darkness in Kagome’s heart. The baby clings closer, bonding with Kagome’s soul. Kagome’s broken heart calls to Inuyasha one last time before she’s overpowered by the vile child. The noblewoman falls over, dead. Kagome now holds the baby.
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