Inuyasha’s Best Character Was Always Sesshomaru

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Even after 26 years, fans continue to love this anime for its mix of romance, action, and the ‘isekai’ genre – it’s considered one of the greatest action-adventure anime ever made. At its heart is a complex love story between Kikyo, Inuyasha, and Kagome (who is a reincarnation of Kikyo), all while they race to collect the broken pieces of the Shikon Jewel before a villain can. But this anime, set in Japan’s feudal era, offers much more than just its main character’s adventures.

Inuyasha and Kagome’s search for the jewel shards isn’t a solo journey; they encounter many allies and enemies along the way. A particularly compelling opposing group is led by Sesshomaru, Inuyasha’s cold and resentful older half-brother. Always accompanied by the mischievous imp Jaken and a young girl named Rin, Sesshomaru effortlessly captivated viewers with his presence and story.

InuYasha’s Battle Between Brothers Is An Important Part of the Series

When Sesshomaru appeared in the fifth episode of Inuyasha, fans were unsure what to expect, given the established, somewhat rough personality of the main character. It quickly became apparent that the half-brothers didn’t get along. This initial hostility sparked a long-running rivalry throughout the series, often centered around the powerful sword, Tessaiga, which belonged to Inuyasha.

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha shared the same father, a strong dog demon named Toga. While Toga tried to instill kindness in Sesshomaru, he only desired more power. He grew to dislike his father, especially after Toga sacrificed himself to protect a human woman and Inuyasha, his half-human son. Sesshomaru felt it was a foolish waste of a powerful demon’s life. His frustration deepened when, instead of the powerful swords he wanted, his father’s will left Tenseiga to him and the more desirable blades to Inuyasha.

Despite occasionally fighting alongside Inuyasha against their common enemy Naraku, Sesshomaru and his half-brother clearly disliked each other. Sesshomaru never truly came to Inuyasha’s aid, largely due to his disdain for Inuyasha’s human side – a prejudice established early on, like when he searched for their father’s grave in Episode 5. However, Sesshomaru often acted in ways that surprised viewers and challenged initial impressions of his character.

Sesshomaru’s Quiet Journey of Self-Discovery Transcends the Brotherly Rivalry

I’m totally fascinated by Sesshomaru! At first, he seems like a real antagonist to everyone, especially since the main characters are all human. But the more we see of him, the more complex he becomes – he’s not just a villain! A huge turning point for me was Episode 35, where we meet Rin, a little orphaned human girl. She’s seriously Sesshomaru’s biggest personal hurdle, and watching their relationship unfold is just incredible.

After a second battle with Inuyasha cost him an arm, he’s recovering in the forest when a young, silent orphan from a nearby village finds him and starts leaving food for him. He tries to send her away, but she keeps returning, which frustrates him. However, he notices she has visible injuries, and despite his gruff exterior, he asks her about them, hinting at a hidden kindness beneath his harshness.

Sesshomaru hadn’t been able to figure out how to use Tenseiga after receiving it, but he got a chance to test its power when wolves attacked Rin’s village and she was killed. When he found her body, the sword began to glow, and he saw spirits from the underworld trying to take her soul. He used Tenseiga to drive the spirits away, and Rin surprisingly came back to life. This act of compassion marked the beginning of a growing change within Sesshomaru throughout the series.

After seeing everything that’s happened in the series, it’s tempting to think Sesshomaru saved Rin as part of his power-seeking journey. However, that’s not the case. Throughout the anime, Sesshomaru repeatedly comes to Rin’s aid, often claiming it’s just part of his goals, but his growing fondness for her becomes clearer with each rescue.

Sesshomaru’s Character Growth Surpasses Every Other InuYasha Character

After nearly 200 episodes and four movies, it’s clear which character in InuYasha has changed the most. Sesshomaru moves past his initial dislike of humans and eventually falls in love with Rin, building a family with her. Their twin daughters, Towa and Setsuna, along with their cousin Moroha, are the focus of the sequel series, Yashahime.

Some fans think Kohaku, Sango’s brother, developed as much as Sesshomaru, but Sesshomaru’s change from a villain to a more complex character felt natural. Kohaku didn’t have control over the difficult things that happened to him, and while those experiences shaped him, his strong personal beliefs make him the most compelling character in his brother’s story.

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2026-02-17 05:40