Review of Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon

Inuyasha was and continues to be my favourite anime. It’s one of those feel-good shows that never fails to make me smile or laugh. The use of comedy, the plot, fantastical elements, dynamic characters, and the soundtrack, allow it to be a timeless anime. I could’ve continued watching it forever but after the Final Act, I knew it had reached its end. Now, 11 years after the conclusion, we are blessed with Yashahime. The nostalgia, seeing the children of the original characters, hearing the new songs, I was here for all of it. There’s a lot of people hating on it and to be fair, theirarguments aren’t without merit but here’s the truth: Yashahime may not have delivered on all aspects, but it is an extremely enjoyable series.

So, let’s get into it. There are some plot gaps and pacing issues that I can’t overlook. Some plot points could have benefitted from being condensed and others needed to be fleshed out more, especially regarding the characters’ backstories. I personally don’t have a problem with fillers or scenes dedicated to just comedic relief, but it would have been nice if we’d gotten a little more focus on the progression of the story. For that reason, I gave the story a 6.

In terms of art and sound, I couldn’t be happier. The art style was very similar to Inuyasha: The Final Act and I loved the character designs. Some people took issue with the aging of characters but for the most part, I have no complaints. The OPs and EDs were amazing! I appreciated the use of music from the original series and was grateful for the extra dose of nostalgia.

As for the characters, I was pleased with them. Sure, there are some traits that I could do without, but I think it’s their flaws that make them so lovable and ultimately will contribute to their growth. I loved seeing little habits or similarities they shared with their parents as well as their quirks. Now for my InuKag stans, I do wish Moroha’s character and story were given a little more thought but I’m happy with Towa and loved Setsuna’s personality and development. You won’t get to see all the OCs, but for the ones you do, it’ll be nice. The scenes featuring them build a lot of intrigue and do give insight into the past and what led to the present.

I want to emphasize that this anime has the potential to be something great. Does it surpass its predecessor? Honestly, no. Is it satisfying and does it leave you wanting more? Absolutely! Thus, for now, I give Yashahime a 7.5. I immensely enjoyed the series and the characters so if you loved Inuyasha, you will as well! If nothing else, you won’t regret watching it, because I surely didn’t! With the confirmation of season 2, I am confident the best is yet to come and my love for this series will only grow.