Inuyasha (Inu dog + Yasha demon) is the main character of the anime series Inu-yasha by Rumiko Takahashi.
Inuyasha is a hanyou (half demon - 'you' is derived from youkai, which also means demon) from the Japanese feudal era who was originally going to use the Shikon no Tama (Jewel of Four Souls) to become a full youkai. The high priestess who guarded the jewel, Kikyo, whom Inuyasha fell in love with, talked him into becoming human. Another hanyou, formerly a human known only as Onigumo, but now called Naraku, made them believe they betrayed each other. Because of Naraku's schemes, the couple's romance ended when Inuyasha broke into Kikyo's village and stole the Shikon no Tama. In defense of the village, and to keep him from escaping with the jewel, Kikyo fired a magical arrow at Inuyasha, sealing him to a tree in an eternal enchanted sleep. Moments afterward, Kikyo collapses from a wound she received from Naraku -- though at first we are lead to believe that Inuyasha wounded her -- and dies within a few short moments. Part of her final instructions to her sister Kyaede was to have the jewel burned with her body so that youkai and evil men could never use it.
50 years later, Inuyasha was released from the tree by Kagome, a young girl from the present who unknowingly carried the Shikon no Tama inside her body. Kagome accidentally shattered the jewel when shooting at a demon trying to flee with it, and the shards were scattered around the world. Inuyasha and Kagome then began the search for the shards of the Shikon no Tama (Shikon no Kakera).
Japanese Seiyuu: Kappei Yamaguchi
Voice Actor:
English Voice Actor: Richard CoxInuyasha's Special Attacks
See also: Inu-yasha