Inuyasha: Toki o koeru omoi

Kagome Higurashi is like any other 15 year old student. Like any other, until she discovers that she can travel through time via the Bone Eater's well...

Not unlike the series, Toki Wo Koeru Omoi takes place in Feudal Japan with a bit of Present day mixed in. Unlike the series, the first of currently three movies strays from the Naraku plot and into another enemy.

Enter Menomaru. A demon who's father, Hyoga, was sealed beneath the Tree of Ages by Inu-yasha's father 200 years past. He fools Inu-yasha into attacking the claw which sealed away Hyoga's power, thus destroying it and releasing Hyoga's power. His power takes the form of a great orb. Menomaru allows himself to be engulfed into it, thus absorbing the power of his father.

Collecting the souls of every living thing, Menomaru's power grows to immense size and soon, he becomes reborn with near limitless power as the New Hyoga.(Side note: During all this, Sango and Mirkou are fighting battles against Menomaru's servants, Ruri and Hari, who both are slain)

While this passes, Kikyo sends Kagome to her own time, as she was not meant to be there. Kagome and Inu-yasha somehow manage to contact each other, although 500 years apart. Inu-yasha gets Kagome to come back to Feudal Japan.

With the help of Kagome's arrow, Inu-yasha's Backlash Wave hits Hyoga, killing him and earning them a Shikon shard.

Overall, this is very much like what happens in the series, but with larger detail. One detail I didn't enjoy was the 3D effect on the Tree of Ages. It takes away from the overall picture. But, in a grand total, I give this movie a 9.5/10(1/2 point for 3D)

I recommend this movie to people who have met two prequisits: Those who like anime, and for those who like Anime to watch at least the first 20 or so episodes of Inuyasha. If you've watched that many or have a good understanding of the Inuyasha storyline and characters, then watch the movie too. I felt that this movie was BETTER than the series itself and was not just like a long episode. Rather, it was more of an in-depth description of the characters.

If I had to give a score, up to 100, 1 being a being a home video with the cover still on and a broken microphone, 100 being something that you will watch over and over again for eternity, I'd give it:

89/100

I give it less than 90 because the 2nd movie was better than this one.

I recommend this movie to people who have met two perquisites: Those who like anime, and for those who like Anime to watch at least the first 20 or so episodes of Inuyasha. If you've watched that many or have a good understanding of the Inuyasha storyline and characters, then watch the movie too. I felt that this movie was BETTER than the series itself and was not just like a long episode. Rather, it was more of an in-depth description of the characters.

If I had to give a score, up to 100, 1 being a being a home video with the cover still on and a broken microphone, 100 being something that you will watch over and over again for eternity, I'd give it:

89/100

I give it less than 90 because the 2nd movie was better than this one.

Inuyasha is an action fantasy tale written by the famous writer, Takahashi Rumiko, who has previous world's popular titles like Ranma1/2 and Urusei Yatsura. The Inuyasha TV anime came out in 2000 as a production of an acclaimed company, "Sunrise". The TV anime's got high-ratings and also won some awards. Following the success of the TV series, the first movie, "Inuyasha - Toki O Koeru Omoi" was released in Japan in December 2001.

Memoumaru, the movie-only character, was a decendant of one great foreign demon that invaded Japan 200 years ago. His anchester's power was sealed by Inuyasha's father. With the help of a piece of Shikon no Tama (that Kagome accidently broke), Memoumaru returned his life. He wanted Inuyasha's sword "Tessaiga" to break the sealed power so he could have an absolute power. And that's how it all began...

The story plays around the weakest points of the main characters; Kagome who always felt sad that Inuyasha was still in love with Kikyou and Inuyasha who kept on having a nightmare about how his beloved woman killed him. The overall movie is not much of a new plot since the climax is similar to Takahashi's manga works. But that doesn't mean it's not a good movie.

Toki O Koeu Omoi is actually a high-qualitied animation with the carefully-done scenery (forest, trees, & sky), exciting action scene and nice background music that fits the story perfectly. I especially admire the 'make-up theme' which is used everytime Inuyasha tries to make up with Kagome. The movie also uses a 3D technique on the growing-up forest which became more "living", (nicely done!).

The outstanding scene is when Kagome tried hard to refuse the spell of Menoumaru who tried to make her kill Inuyasha. You can actually feel her pain! Other must-see scenes are those romantic installments 'cause this is the first time you will ever hear Inuyasha confess his feeling toward Kagome!!

Though not the best Inuyasha, but there're still a lot that Inuyasha's die-hard fans shouldn't miss!

A fantastic movie. I love everything about it. Hell, the animation is some of the studios best, almost Myazaki Gibli quality.

I especially love the two driving characters, Kagome and Sango. Kagome, though being the main character of the series, she's really put to the test here and I will say that this is probably one of Monica Stori's best performances in the series.

Sango's relationship with Kirara is pushed to the limit here. Its almost if Kirara is like that friend you have that is kinda mentally ill and this is sorta there violent breakdown. And Sango really trying to save her is so touching.

There is a little nitpick of wanting a bit more Kikyo in there, being she's my favorite character in the series, but who am I to complain.

Where as Sailor Moon was the anime of my childhood, this series really treated me like an adult. I love the dark tragic backstories, the love triangle, and the villains are great.

If you wanna start watching it, this is a good place to introduce new fans. One of the best outta the four and defiantly in my Top 50 Films. 10/10