Since I've only read the first three volumes of the InuYasha manga series I didn't really intend to take this one home. I just happened to notice it was out of place on the library shelf and thought I'd put it in the right one. Then I noticed the cover and more so, the back blurb. Sesshomaru has long been a favorite character of mine (I've gotten much further in the anime than the manga) and this particular volume covers the kidnapping of the child, Rin, who Sesshy has inexplicably taken into his care. As this is actually one of my favorite episodes I decided to take the manga out.

The artwork in this volume seems to be much smoother and more uncluttered than in the first few volumes that I read and I liked it much better. I was surprised to find this particular volume covers just about the entire varied entourage of characters, including Koga (who is my son's favorite) and the ever annoying Kikyo. If there is ever a character who calls for me to deface her with a childish mustache it is Kikyo (I managed to restrain myself). That aside, I was surprised by how many of the anime eps were covered in this one volume. I think this pretty much catches up to where I am in the anime now. The separate stories themselves are more sparse and have been greatly elaborated on in the anime. That aside in the manga we still get all the best parts, including InuYasha's jealous attempts at keeping Koga away from Kagome and Sesshy's bitter sarcasm. I really enjoyed this and think I will continue to randomly pick up the manga series as I also go along with the anime.

Certainly this is a very likeable adventure manga (and anime) which gives a diverse setting, both modern and historical, that I would highly recommend! ( )