REVIEW: ‘Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon,’ Episode 15 – “Farewell Under the Lunar Eclipse”

Yashahime Episode 15 can essentially be summed up as: “disappointed, but not surprised,” with a flashback reveal that confirmed many fans’ worst fears. Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon is an anime-only sequel to Inuyasha from Sunrise. The story follows Sesshomaru’s daughters: Towa and Setsuna. They were separated at a young age across time, and are reunited only to discover that Setsuna has had her memories and dreams stolen. They travel across the feudal era with their cousin, Moroha, a bounty hunter and daughter of Inuyasha and Kagome.

Well, Yashahime Episode 15 made it official. Sorry, Sesshomaru fans (this reviewer included), but he is officially on the list of Bad Anime Dads/Husbands. Even though many saw it coming, it was finally confirmed that Towa and Setsuna’s mother is indeed Rin. For those of you who didn’t watch the original series, or need a refresher: Rin is the little girl who followed Sesshomaru around, that he essentially raised and protected AS A SMALL CHILD. Yes, he is a demon, and the supernatural element nullifying the age difference argument can be made (eh), but it still reads uncomfortably of grooming. No, this reviewer is not accusing the writers of condoning that. Yes, it is a serious real-life issue. Unfortunately, the elements are there, in a piece of popular media, and I feel it would be wrong to not address it in this write-up.

It also doesn’t help that Rin is so much younger than Kagome, so lord only knows how old she is when she gives birth to Towa and Setsuna (it isn’t stated exactly in this episode). Sesshomaru showed more care and emotion towards Rin in the original series, which is saying something. He barely gives her a passing glance after giving birth. Just takes the newborn girls and leaves. The cringe factor is off the charts.

If all of that wasn’t bad enough, what little plot there is in this flashback is a convoluted mess. Yashahime Episode 15’s attempt at explaining what happened to everyone in fact creates infinitely more questions. Suspicious as ever Riku comes to Kagome, foretelling of a comet that will crash into Earth. It was previously stopped by Inuyasha’s father and Kirinmaru. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru must combine their powers to save everyone. They mustn’t awaken Kirinmaru, as he detests humans. He will want to destroy not only Inuyasha, but all their children as well. Zero, the mysterious demon seen last week ordering the forest fire, approaches Sesshomaru with this information. There is apparently a prophecy that threatens Kirinmaru’s existence should human and demon offspring live. For untold reasons, Sesshomaru allows the forest fire to happen AND teams up with Kirinmaru against Kagome and Inuyasha, sealing them away this whole time.

There is clearly more to the story, but what has been given was crammed into twenty minutes and seemed to come out of nowhere. It is absolutely frustrating. Additionally, the episode is narrated by Riku, who then ends his story by breaking the fourth wall. He tells viewers that this is all he can say now, and they will just have to be “patient” for more. Sir, it has been 15 weeks. It isn’t a clever moment, just aggravating. Even if this storyline isn’t what this reviewer personally would like, it would at least be more forgivable if it was delivered decently. Key pacing decisions throughout the anime’s writing have hindered it more than anything.

Yashahime Episode 15 is one many may have seen coming, although it didn’t lessen the cringe-factor. On top of an uncomfortable relationship that has undertones of grooming, and an absolutely unsavory portrait of Sesshomaru, the plot is incredibly confusing. So many attempted explanations are crammed into a twenty-minute episode, that the results will likely confuse viewers more than provide any clarity. Fans have been waiting for the flashback, but regrettably, this is the weakest episode of Yashahime to date.

Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon is streaming now on Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Hulu.