Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon 45
半妖の夜叉姫 弐の章 21
Hanyou no Yashahime: Sengoku Otogizoushi episode 45

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

In the present, the yashahime go to the Higurashi shrine residence with Kagome’s mom and grandfather. They discuss the situation and the girls decide to spend the night. In the past, Kirinmaru and Kirin-sensei battle youkai as Riku and Rion approach. Kirin-sensei puts Kirinmaru to sleep and prevents Rion from carrying out her mission. Instead, Kirin-sensei encourages her to do something new.

Back in the present, the yashahime plead to Akuru via the Tree of Ages. Akuru breaks through and opens a path to the past. However, Akuru apparently dies in the process. Kagome’s mom gives Moroha a large backpack full of stuff. The trio say their goodbyes and return to the past. Meanwhile, Rion uses her apple to send energy to the Grim Comet. This causes a giant butterfly to emerge and start slaying youkai. Rion and Kirin-sensei are taken into the butterfly over Riku’s objection.

A bit later, Kirinmaru wakes up and tears his way into the butterfly to confront his right arm and daughter. Riku joins Towa and explains things. They are met by Inuyasha, Kagome, and Shippou, then by Kohaku and Hisui. Inside the Tree of Ages, Sesshoumaru recovers. He and Rin emerge as Kirinmaru arrives, prompted by Kirin-sensei to kill Sesshoumaru.

Thoughts/Review:

Well, there was a lot that went on in Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon 45. So lets get to it.

Kirin-sensei and Kirinmaru

It really is hard to get a bead on Kirin-sensei in Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon 45. On one hand, I do think he cares for Rion. And I do think he probably wants what he thinks will be a good world for her. And killing all of the youkai in the past would explain why the modern world has no youkai.

On the other, he is very manipulative. The way he won over Rion was very calculated, and it worked. Now she’s apparently part of the giant butterfly. He also used his guile to get Kirinmaru to go after Sesshoumaru. And then after that, no doubt Kirinmaru would go after Inuyasha, Setsuna, Towa, and Moroha.

As to Kirinmaru, he does come off as weak when facing his “right arm”. That felt more like a convenient plot device than anything.

The Yashahime Interlude

I don’t know if it will be the yashahime’s last trip to the present, but Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon 45 gave us at least one more trip. Considering how emotional the production team attempting to make their farewell, it would seem they want us to believe the girls won’t return to the present.

That aside, the writers still push Towa as the Mary Sue. She gets her replacement sword, so no doubt, she’ll have some shiny, new power to save the universe with. I’ve said this repeatedly, but I don’t want to dislike Towa. I just can’t understand why she’s the indispensable girl when she’s still the least experienced.

Final Thought and Conclusion

Let me wrap up my review of Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon 45 with some final thoughts.

• Glad to see Inuyasha and Kagome return, even if only for a cameo. Kinda wish Moroha had hugged her parents. Also, I had hoped to see Sango and Miroku return for a full Inuyasha reunion.
• Also, I was happy to see Sesshoumaru return, even if it was convenient. I liked how Sesshoumaru didn’t have Rin flee back inside the Tree of Ages, but instead, stand behind him as he prepared to battle Kirinmaru.
• Souta’s final words to Towa were nice. She truly was like a daughter to him and Moe, and a sister to Mei.
• And finally, I’m glad Riku and Towa were reunited.

In the end, Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon 45 was an enjoyable episode. Everything has apparently been set for the final showdowns.