You could say, this is like the Saiyan stages of Inuyasha. Demon Types, the place where we describe different types of demons. From human to demon, we got it all!
When Kagome Higurashi was pulled into the well on her family’s shrine, she found a bit more in the bottom than old murky water. She was transported to the Sengoku Jidai period: the Warring States, the feudal era of Japan. In this world before time, the war-struck land is plagued by a far worse threat: demons.
Demons (in Japanese, this word is ‘youkai’) are actually an intricate part in Japanese lore. Common folktales have mixed with the teachings of Buddhism, Shinto, and Taoism to create an interesting mythology that includes a multitude of stories of demons and spirits. In “Inuyasha”, Kagome meets up with various types of demons, many of which are true to these magnificent tales.
Granted, the artist and writer, Rumiko Takahashi, took some liberties to turn the ‘facts’ into fiction. The demons in “Inuyasha” do not all necessarily reflect demons of Japanese lore. Half-demons are not very well depicted in Japanese mythology; however, we all know that our favorite dog-demon Inuyasha is a half-demon, with a human mother and demon father. Another half-demon we are introduced to early in the series is Jineji, who also has a human mother and demon father.
In Takahashi’s world, some demons can take the form of humans. Inuyasha’s half-brother Sesshomaru has a very powerful dog form, large and intimidating, but usually travels around in his mostly human form. Kouga, the wolf-demon who has taken a romantic interest in Kagome, is said to have a full wolf form, although this is never seen in the series. Also, Naraku has a somewhat human form, which he sometimes scuttles around in.
On the other side of the coin, many of the demons we are exposed to are real legends in Japan. For example, Hachi, Miroku’s strange demon friend, is a Tanuki. Tanuki are raccoon demons and are shape-shifters who can take many forms. In “Inuyasha”, Hachi transforms into a boulder, as well as a strange flying object that serves as a transport for the Inuyasha gang.
Another sort of demon we are very familiar with is Shippo’s kind, the fox demons. These are called ‘kitsunes’ in Japanese. Just like Shippo, they are tricksters, and can also shift shapes like the Tanuki. Shippo has a variety of toys, like tops and crying acorns, and can take other forms, like a giant leaf, a pink balloon, or even Kagome! Fox demons will lead men astray and then disappear in a bright flash of light called ‘kitsune bi’, or ‘foxfire’, which is also the name of Shippo’s major attack.
Both the Tanuki and the kitsune are often portrayed as dangerous magical creatures that like to devour men and wreak havoc. On the other hand, in “Inuyasha”, they serve as lovable sidekicks.
The majority of demons we see in Inuyasha, however, are part of a group of demons commonly called Oni, which translates to ‘ogre’ or ‘monster’. These are the nameless demons we see getting slaughtered or being summoned. They come in many forms, with horns, manes, scales, and numerous arms/legs/eyes. These demons are violent; they cause plagues and sickness, and drag the souls of men to hell.
Other demons we encounter are ones that take after insects, such as the centipede monster in the first episode. Spider demons are also present in the series. We meet a toad demon in episode 8. Miroku exorcises a weasel demon in episode 16. A crow demon is partly responsible for the destruction of the Shikon jewel in the first place. Kouga and his lupine brethren have trouble with bird-like demons as well. Dragons and serpents are other creatures living in feudal Japan. In the first episode, Kagome’s grandfather gives her the ‘mummified hand of a water imp’, which is known as a ‘kappa’ in Japan. Rouyakan (although not directly taken from Japanese mythology) was a peaceful guardian of the forest, driven mad by Naraku’s Shikon shard. Kilala is a cat demon with two-tails and two forms, a giant and a small one.
In Japanese mythology, demons can be either good or evil. This is somewhat true in “Inuyasha”. Rouyakan was naturally calm and good, evil only by Naraku’s manipulation. Jineji is sweet and good-natured as well. Kouga, although some of his wolves did slaughter a village, has never shown much outward hostility towards him, and even seems to be ‘in love’ with Kagome. And our supposedly human-hating Inuyasha appears to have his resolve melting. And again, some demons are evil through and through, such as Naraku. Priests, like Miroku, had the ability to exorcise the evil and unwanted demons with spells and wards, as seen in the series.
Indeed, Takahashi’s “Inuyasha” is a world filled with wondrous and exciting creatures, from the despicable Naraku to the hapless Kouga, and a variety of interesting mythology and fictional creatures to spice up the background. Quite an enjoyable fairy tale!
