InuYasha the Movie 2: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass

Although this is only the second movie in the Inuyasha movie series it was a great improvement from Inuyasha: Affections Touching Across Time. If the improvement with the fluidity in animation, the story, and pacing is any indication as to how the rest of the movies will perform then I have high hopes for the rest of the movies in the series. What made this movie better than the last one is that it focused on a canonical villain that was a worthy adversary rather than a villain with a single-minded goal. Our villain, Kaguya,was able to have other people do her bidding while only making a few false promises. Her story is so powerful that it transcends time and was incorporated into Japanese legend. She had plans, goals, objectives and she was actually a worthy adversary for Naruku to attempt to absorb her. Speaking of Naruku, I really enjoyed that we saw Naruku in a really intense boss battle. It takes so long for our wandering heroes to finally catch up with Naraku and actually fight him and not a demon puppet so when we get to see them fighting so robustly it makes it feel like the movie really matters. Movies of our favorite anime are great, but it can be awfully disappointing when they’re not canon, especially in regards to character development. I like how there was a connection of character and folklore from Kagome’s time to the feudal era. It’s not a huge deal, but it makes the story more streamlined and gives it more meaning to the characters and their motivations. (Hojo’s ancestor and the celestial robe) The only issue that I had with the movie is the artwork. It’s so contrastingly abstract compared to the tv show artwork that it’s awfully jarring when it first starts. The biggest contrast between movie and tv characters were between Inuyasha, Kagome, and momentarily Sesshomaru. I can handle thicker lines and stronger angles, but the end result looked like a really dramatic effort created by a fanartist to draw as much emotion in the characters as possible. I especially felt it in the facial features. It’s nothing to completely turn you off from the movie, but at first glance it can be quite cringey. I really hope you enjoy this movie. There is so much to digest and appreciate about this movie. Miroku and Sango shone very brightly, they were a great team and I was happy to learn more about their backstory and inner demons. The show forgets that their stories aren’t just “the wind tunnel and Sango’s brotherly torment”. We also got to see Kohaku’s inner struggles when he’s outside of Naraku’s control. If you like the Inuyasha series, at all, you will certainly enjoy this addition to the story.

This is my 2nd favorite out of the 4 movies for Inuyasha. I'm lowkey sad the movies aren't really canon, so some of the developments we get in the movies aren't reflected in the anime. On the other hand, this is definitely a good movie to watch when you approach "An Ancestor of Kagome" episode, since it gives more insight in Akitoki Hojo's character. The movie was good! I wouldn't say it was thought-provoking, but more like an extra long episode. It was fun to watch since the anime doesn't show funny stuff in midst of battles like the movies do, so it's a bitdifferent to watch. Would recommend everyone give it a chance. The type of the movie you can watch with non-Inuyasha watchers! So family and friends :)

This is the second Inu Yasha movie, taking place after the hero has learned the barrier breaker technique. The scenario takes advantage of a possible sequel after the main objective is completed. So imagine the heroes managing to destroy Naraku 200 episodes earlier and are thinking of what to do with their lives now that the threat is over. This alone gave a lot more focus to every one of them and how they are now trying to settle down in a peaceful world. Of course this is not meant to last because there is a demon who rivals Naraku’s power and whose plan can beachieved now that he is dead. So it’s like an after story scenario where trying to fix things only manages to make them worse. Also, the villain is based on a fairy tale and a poem, and her motives seem quite strange for most of the movie, so everything feels far more mysterious and elaborate. Unlike the first movie the plot is not that predictable and it is surely not about huge explosions either. The conflict is far more esoteric and despite not feeling as threatening or powerful as the villains of the first movie, it definitely manages to build up far better tension and excitement. After all, saving the flow of time sounds more cool that just saving the world once more. Plus, I liked how it took everybody’s effort to weaken the villain instead of just being about the hero and his kill-all sword as usual. Combined all that with far better production values than the tv series and you got yourself a very interesting filler mission. Although I enjoyed the whole “what happens next” flavour, the movie is otherwise not exactly trying to offer something we haven’t seen already. It would fit nicely as a final mission a little bit before the canon finale but for the time it takes place it just tells us what we already see in the main series. Also, once you see past the mysterious goals of the villain you realize that half the movie is just a dull build up. The movie will better be appreciated by those who prefer mystery or comedy than action, as there isn’t that much of the later. Plus, it is much closer to a metaphysical journey than shounen action. Nothing amazing in overall but at least it is different than the usual stuff you get in the main series.