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Rumiko Takahashi, the legendary manga artist behindInuyasha, is known for her unique blend of humor, drama, and folklore-inspired storytelling. From her forte, which is comedic writing, to the inspired work that is the tale of the half-dog demon, Takahashi has excelled in capturing the attention of fans in all her works.
In an interview, Takahashi addressed several intriguing aspects of her creative process and inspirations and went on to clarify misconceptions about her work. One major clarification was regarding Nobunaga Amari, a character inInuyasha, was a satire of the historical figure Nobunaga Oda.
Takahashi dismissed the idea, stating that her intention was not to create satire but to design a character that fit the bounds of the shonen genre. She impressed upon her intentions to craft a new age mythological style series.
Inuyasha was a new-age myth crafted by Takahashi
Takahashi’sInuyashais definitely deeply rooted in Japanese mythology, yet it also occasionally draws inspiration from other cultures. Scenes of major impact, such as Tessaiga’s retrieval scene, mirror the Arthurian legend of pulling the sword from the rock.
Despite such parallels intersecting with her tale,Takahashi affirmedthatInuyashais a unique narrative and has not been directly influenced by any specific myth.
I don’t really think there are any myths out there like Inuyasha.
Instead, she often createdoriginal characters and conceptsfrom both her experiences and her research with her creative imagination.
“Why isn’t this funny?”: InuYasha Is in Big Need of an Anime Revival Because of Rumihiko Takahashi’s Biggest Worry
The choice of shonen style inInuyashawas rooted in her childhood passion for shonen manga. Unlike most female manga artists who gravitated toward shojo, Takahashi preferred the dynamic and action-packed aesthetics of shonen, shaping her artistic journey. Fans are thankful for this, asInuyashais a gem thatredefined the shonen genre.
Nobunaga Amari was not meant as a satire
Takahashi’s dedication to shonen storytelling is evident from the way she approaches the character designs and narrative themes. Nobunaga Amari’s idealistic values, for example, reflect a balance of traditional and modern inspirations.
The fans had previously believed that Nobunaga Amari was the opposite of the historical figure Nobunaga Oda, who had no problem sending people to their deaths or killing. Seeing Amari with the idealistic approach of saving all and protecting instead of killing might have felt like satire from the mangaka.
Rumiko Takahashi stated that such satire was never intended by her, Nobunaga was just a character she believed would be a great addition to a shonen anime.
I did not intend any satire so really there’s no connection. I thought that Nobunaga Amari would be an ideal shonen manga character.
This decision solidified her distinctive voice in the manga industry; blending the protagonists and antagonists in a complex web that they had to navigate made the story that much more compelling.
Rumiko Takahashi Turned One Antagonist Into a Group of Villains to Make One of the Best Inuyasha Arcs Longer
At the end of the interview, Takahashi said she had no regrets; even if given a chance to relive her life, she would choose the same path, drawing stories that resonate globally.
You can readInuyashaon Viz Media.
Chandra Shekhar
Anime Writer
Articles Published :856
Chandra Shekhar is an Anime Writer at FandomWire with over 800 published articles under his belt. A law student by training but a storyteller at heart, he blends his sharp analysis with a deep love for all things anime. From the old-school Yu Yu Hakusho to the eldritch horrors of Lord of the Mysteries, his knowledge spans decades and genres. When he’s not writing, he’s likely buried in webnovels, silently hoping his favorite ones get the anime adaptation they deserve.
