Inuyasha Kanketsu-hen Ep. 17
犬夜叉 完結編 Episode 17 Review
Inuyasha: Final Act – 17

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Sesshoumaru finds himself challenged by oni and other youkai now that Tenseiga is no longer an offensive weapon. Inuyasha’s party stop at Kaede’s village where Kagome’s sealed powers are discussed. Naraku pays a visit to cave and allows the corrupted Shikon no Tama to form a body from Naraku. Kagome senses this as do the others as does Sesshoumaru, who is the first to encounter this body, which is named Magatsuhi. Sesshoumaru finds himself being beaten by Magatsuhi, even after transforming  into his dog-youkai form.

Inuyasha and company arrive to assist but to no avail. Magatsuhi takes out Kohaku and begins corrupting his shard. Kagome attempts to counter this but is knocked out with a glance. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru continue to fight but to no avail. Sesshoumaru is determined to defeat Magatsuhi, no matter what and this is sensed by Toutousai from his workshop. Toutousai comes as Sesshoumaru  launches a final attack and slashes the spirit of the Shikon no Tama before being enveloped by Magatsuhi. Inuyasha cannot get to Sesshoumaru, but Sesshoumaru manages to break free and destroy the body. In the process, he regenerates his left arm and a new sword emerges — Bakusaiga. With that, Sesshoumaru completely destroys the borrowed flesh of Magatsuhi.

Thoughts/Review:

I remember when this story arc came out in the manga. Up until now, it had been pretty clear that Takahashi-sensei appeared to be bringing Inuyasha to a close. After all, she’d killed several detachments of Naraku. She’d killed Kikyou. She’d resolved Kouga’s character and removed him from the field. Frankly, everything was pointing to an end.

Then this story arc came out and there was a new Naraku detachment, though not exactly Naraku. That certainly muddied the waters for a bit because those of us wanting Takahashi-sensei to just end Inuyasha were afraid that maybe she’d been talked into making the manga go on a bit longer.

Fortunately, that was an unfounded fear as Takahashi-sensei ended up completing the manga.

While it is a complete moment of deus ex machina, I did like the idea of Sesshoumaru regenerating his arm. From the moment he saved Rin’s life, I’ve liked the character and his getting his arm back was a nice touch.

The idea of Sesshoumaru having a sword in him all this time is a laugher, but what the hey, right? It is a sword and it is a cool sword and that’s what matters. ^_~

So now another piece for ending Naraku is in place for the anime. Nothing for me to do but plow ahead. ^_^;