InuYasha Vol. 1 by Rumiko Takahashi
ISBN: 1-56931-947-2
Takahashi, R. (2003). (M. Morimoto, Trans.). InuYasha. San Francisco, CA: VIZ, LLC. (Original work published 1997)
Plot Summary
Kagome’s grandfather loves Japanese tales and legends, much to Kagome’s annoyance. The next morning, Kagome’s cat enters an old building and she goes inside to retrieve her pet. Instead, a kind of monstrous centipede woman emerges from an old well and attacks Kagome. Then, Kagome falls in the well, and when she climbs out realizes she is no longer in her time. Everyone around her is dressed differently, and the buildings are not the same. The Centipede Mistress returns and Kagome also notices InuYasha, a doglike half demon. Centipede Mistress attacks both Kagome and InuYasha. Kagome is cut, and a jewel comes out from her side. The townspeople and InuYasha realize it is the Shikon Jewel or “Jewel of Four Stones.” The jewel gives demons immense power, and they will be after Kagome. InuYasha defeats the Centipede Mistress, but now attacks Kagome for the jewel. Kagome is able to command InuYasha. Another demon attacks them, and as Kagome hits the crow, he also hits the jewel and it shatters. Kagome and InuYasha must now go on a mission to collect all the jewel shards and prevent them from getting into the hands of demons.
Critical Evaluation
InuYasha is read from left to right, much like a regular book. It was translated and printed differently than traditional manga, but is easier to read for new manga readers. In both modern times and Ancient Japan, magic and magical creatures are easily accepted. Kagome’s family understands the importance of her mission, and the Ancient Japanese villagers are easily welcoming to a girl they have never seen and who wears strange clothing. It is rather unlikely a family would allow their daughter to travel through a well to complete a mission, and that villagers would be welcoming to a stranger. Kagome is also rather understanding herself. She has had an impossible day, yet follows along, and fairly willingly agrees to the mission. Of course it is necessary for the next 55 titles that Kagome accept the mission, but it is rather unrealistic. It is also rather unclear just how, and why, Kagome is a reincarnation of Kikyo, and what exactly that all entails and means. The quest to find all the jewel shards also seems to be never-ending journey, as the jewel shattered in to so many pieces. Also, if Kagome can so easily control InuYasha, why does he remain a threat to her? There are many more questions that are unlikely to be answered for the next 50-some InuYasha titles.
Reader’s Annotation
Kagome finds out she is the reincarnation of a Ancient Japanese priestess who has sworn to protect a special jewel. Now, all kinds of demons and legendary creatures are after her.
About the Author
Rumiko Takahashi is a prolific and well-known creator of manga. She has written InuYasha, Ranma ½, Urusei Yatsura, and The Mermaid Saga, among others. Many of her manga have been serialized for Japanese television, and have been dubbed into different languages for her fans around the world. Her manga was first translated into English in 1989, though Uusei Yatsura was not immensely popular. In 1995, Takahashi sold her one hundred millionth book. She won the Inpot Award at the 1994 San Diego Comic Convention. InuYasha is Takahashi’s longest-running title, lasting more than a decade.
Rumiko Takahashi was born in 1957 in Niigata, Japan. Though an occasional doodler during high school, Takahashi’s interest in magna did not begin until college when she enrolled in Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school. She is a friend with other manga writers including Hanako Meijiro, Kazuo Umezu, and Reiko Hikawa. Takahashi studied for two years under Kazuo Koike, a well-known manga creator. While studying she learned the important of interesting characters and strives to make her characters unique and interesting. She also portrays female characters as tough and intelligent as male characters, unlike the traditional view of a docile Japanese woman. Takahashi has been creating manga for thirty years, is immensely popular, has never married, and is too busy to even enjoy her wealth and success.
Mari Morimoto is the translator of the InuYasha manga series. Born in Osaka, Morimoto was raised in New York. She attended Cornell University for nine years and is a veterinarian. She found her way into magna translations by chance with VIZ Media. She has translated Naruto, InuYasha, Dragon Eye, and Dragonball, to name a few. Morimoto has also served as a translator at various Anime and Comic Con events throughout the United States.
Genre
Manga/Fantasy
Curriculum Ties
Ancient Japan
Booktalking
Normal girl is a reincarnation of a warrior priestess from 500 years earlier. How does one adapt to living 500 years earlier?
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 4th grade
IL: 8th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include time travel, battling mythical creatures, and the comic form.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
Manga are very popular and I had heard of InuYasha before.
Others in the Series
There are 56 InuYasha titles in this series.
References
(2013). Mari morimoto. Retrieved from http://animecons.com/guests/bio.shtml/1073
Acres, H., & Acres, D. (2013). Rumiko takahashi biography. Retrieved from http://www.furinkan.com/takahashi/
ISBN: 1-56931-947-2
Takahashi, R. (2003). (M. Morimoto, Trans.). InuYasha. San Francisco, CA: VIZ, LLC. (Original work published 1997)
Plot Summary
Kagome’s grandfather loves Japanese tales and legends, much to Kagome’s annoyance. The next morning, Kagome’s cat enters an old building and she goes inside to retrieve her pet. Instead, a kind of monstrous centipede woman emerges from an old well and attacks Kagome. Then, Kagome falls in the well, and when she climbs out realizes she is no longer in her time. Everyone around her is dressed differently, and the buildings are not the same. The Centipede Mistress returns and Kagome also notices InuYasha, a doglike half demon. Centipede Mistress attacks both Kagome and InuYasha. Kagome is cut, and a jewel comes out from her side. The townspeople and InuYasha realize it is the Shikon Jewel or “Jewel of Four Stones.” The jewel gives demons immense power, and they will be after Kagome. InuYasha defeats the Centipede Mistress, but now attacks Kagome for the jewel. Kagome is able to command InuYasha. Another demon attacks them, and as Kagome hits the crow, he also hits the jewel and it shatters. Kagome and InuYasha must now go on a mission to collect all the jewel shards and prevent them from getting into the hands of demons.
Critical Evaluation
InuYasha is read from left to right, much like a regular book. It was translated and printed differently than traditional manga, but is easier to read for new manga readers. In both modern times and Ancient Japan, magic and magical creatures are easily accepted. Kagome’s family understands the importance of her mission, and the Ancient Japanese villagers are easily welcoming to a girl they have never seen and who wears strange clothing. It is rather unlikely a family would allow their daughter to travel through a well to complete a mission, and that villagers would be welcoming to a stranger. Kagome is also rather understanding herself. She has had an impossible day, yet follows along, and fairly willingly agrees to the mission. Of course it is necessary for the next 55 titles that Kagome accept the mission, but it is rather unrealistic. It is also rather unclear just how, and why, Kagome is a reincarnation of Kikyo, and what exactly that all entails and means. The quest to find all the jewel shards also seems to be never-ending journey, as the jewel shattered in to so many pieces. Also, if Kagome can so easily control InuYasha, why does he remain a threat to her? There are many more questions that are unlikely to be answered for the next 50-some InuYasha titles.
Reader’s Annotation
Kagome finds out she is the reincarnation of a Ancient Japanese priestess who has sworn to protect a special jewel. Now, all kinds of demons and legendary creatures are after her.
About the Author
Rumiko Takahashi is a prolific and well-known creator of manga. She has written InuYasha, Ranma ½, Urusei Yatsura, and The Mermaid Saga, among others. Many of her manga have been serialized for Japanese television, and have been dubbed into different languages for her fans around the world. Her manga was first translated into English in 1989, though Uusei Yatsura was not immensely popular. In 1995, Takahashi sold her one hundred millionth book. She won the Inpot Award at the 1994 San Diego Comic Convention. InuYasha is Takahashi’s longest-running title, lasting more than a decade.
Rumiko Takahashi was born in 1957 in Niigata, Japan. Though an occasional doodler during high school, Takahashi’s interest in magna did not begin until college when she enrolled in Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school. She is a friend with other manga writers including Hanako Meijiro, Kazuo Umezu, and Reiko Hikawa. Takahashi studied for two years under Kazuo Koike, a well-known manga creator. While studying she learned the important of interesting characters and strives to make her characters unique and interesting. She also portrays female characters as tough and intelligent as male characters, unlike the traditional view of a docile Japanese woman. Takahashi has been creating manga for thirty years, is immensely popular, has never married, and is too busy to even enjoy her wealth and success.
Mari Morimoto is the translator of the InuYasha manga series. Born in Osaka, Morimoto was raised in New York. She attended Cornell University for nine years and is a veterinarian. She found her way into magna translations by chance with VIZ Media. She has translated Naruto, InuYasha, Dragon Eye, and Dragonball, to name a few. Morimoto has also served as a translator at various Anime and Comic Con events throughout the United States.
Genre
Manga/Fantasy
Curriculum Ties
Ancient Japan
Booktalking
Normal girl is a reincarnation of a warrior priestess from 500 years earlier. How does one adapt to living 500 years earlier?
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 4th grade
IL: 8th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include time travel, battling mythical creatures, and the comic form.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
Manga are very popular and I had heard of InuYasha before.
Others in the Series
There are 56 InuYasha titles in this series.
References
(2013). Mari morimoto. Retrieved from http://animecons.com/guests/bio.shtml/1073
Acres, H., & Acres, D. (2013). Rumiko takahashi biography. Retrieved from http://www.furinkan.com/takahashi/
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