犬夜叉 1

i just finished the last volume, i can say i'm happy i got to the end and proud of myself for finishing such a long series. the first volume was quite a struggle for me, but when i got into the habit of reading everyday my speed got much faster, as the language used is very repetitive and the fighting scenes don't have much dialogue in them, i think the 26 score is inflated, but not many people have rated this yet, i'd think it's more around 22-23

i found the feudal japan setting really visually pleasing, and i liked the youkai designs and the way the author is not scared to get really gory sometimes. i also loved all of the main cast and the way they develop throughout

that being said it's got filler in the way some of the villains and powerups could've been skipped altogether without much being lost, funnily enough some of the "relaxing/break" filler sections were some of the best in the whole manga, so not all filler was bad

it wasn't the kinda series that hooked me so much it made me read 5 volumes a day, and i normally had to take breaks while reading a single volume, but it was captivating enough that i felt like reading everyday, so i'm thankful to it for letting me improve at the language.

also, most of the op/eds from the anime are great, i recommend listening while reading!

Classic manga which is great for picking up used

If you are ever visiting japan, make sure to take a trip to the local book-off or other used book store, to pick up some old manga. I bought 6 volumes of this for 100 yen each, easily my most worthwhile purchase yet.

The story is a lot darker and bloodier than I expected, but it still has the signature Rumiko Takahashi charm. I think this is a great foray for a first fantasy manga, as the medieval/paranormal terms are not too difficult.

Exciting start to a classic series!

If you've seen the anime, this volume is pretty much identical.

Overall: The series overall is incredible - the artwork especially is some of the most beautiful manga artwork I've seen. The characters, their relationships with each other, and how they mature over the course of the series are what really seals the deal though. The ensemble cast is really enjoyable, and Kagome (a 15 year old suddenly transported to the Sengoku period, who now has to travel around with a half-demon) is an especially inspiring protagonist (Inuyasha too). Kagome's character, as well as the romantic development, is portrayed much better and healthier in the manga. The very rich cast of side characters really adds a lot as well. I love reading almost every character (even the ones I can't stand). While the series can feel a bit long sometimes (particularly later on), it never felt like a drag to read. I know I'll definitely reread the whole series at some point.

Language: most of it takes place in the 戦国時代 (Warring States era), so the various dialects and styles might be a bit tricky until you get used to it. There's plenty of interesting vocab to pick up (common and uncommon), and some made up fantasy vocab, youkai names, etc. Sometimes names will reference specific concepts in Shinto or Buddhism, or other similar things. Surprisingly though, I found it easier to understand than らんま 1/2 | L23, by the same author.