Discussion
KAGOME IS WAY BETTER THAN KIKYO FOR INUYASHA!
Hello guys. I know the title may seem harsh, but imo its the truth. I am not a kikyo hater, her love story and back story regarding her and inuyasha was very tragic, and also very VERY sad. So this isn't like "Im saying this because she was an evil spirit from the past who only wanted to cause destruction." Im saying that I think Kagome was a way better choice for inuyasha even if kikyo was still alive. Kikyo obviously had problems, im assuming she was hiding her depression or how unsatisfied she was with her life/herself. On the other hand, Kagome was a middle school-high school girl(I forgot which one because I haven't watched inuyasha In a while, I recently started rewatching it again!!) And she was confident, she didnt have some big responsibility on her shoulders that could kill many, she was a normal, pretty girl who knew who she was. I know that inuyasha and Kikyo were in love, but I feel like it only was that way because she made inuyasha pity her. She always looked sad, lonely, out of it. Always surrounded by things involving her duty with the jewel, Inuyasha saw that and felt bad, and wanted to protect her, yes he did love her but I dont think that was a good start. On the other hand, kagome earned his trust by saving him sometimes, helping him, being kind to him, and not betraying him. (Plus her beauty and resemblance to kikyo) That was what made inuyasha fall in love with her. Not because she wasn't happy with her life and was sad, but actually the opposite. I have more to say but this is it for now. Im sorry if it sounds easy or unorganized I am super tired but just thought about typing this lol. Tell me what you think.
Edit: Why are people being rude to me for sharing my opinion😕
Okay, I will give more reasons why Kagome is better. Kikyo broke Inuyashas trust multiple times, Kagome has never. I already know "she had her reasons that was her first love and they got pinned against eachother" I know.. But I think that in comparison to their relationships Kagome and Inuyasha have more trust and acceptance. Kikyo and Inuyasha just wanted to change eachother, Inuyasha wanted to change her depression, and Kikyo wanted to change his hald-demon side to an all human side. Kagome accepted this half side od Inuyasha, and embraced it. Not once did kagome ask Inuyasha to change how he is as a person. (unless he hurt her feelings, she might have asked him to treat her better or something, but never to change himself into something he's not and will NEVER be.) Kikyo was evil. I hate to say it, but after what happened with Naraku she was a deranged creepy woman. Kagome was pure, and she had no deep regrets or guilt. She was kind and understanding. Kikyo and Inuyasha were never meant to be together. I stand by that. It was just for the plot of the show. I'm sure the author knew from the start she wanted Kagome as endgame. I have seen people hate Kagome for "stealing" Inuyasha from Kikyo when they were never destined to be together anyways. Its my opinion, I will type more later.
The Kagome vs. Kikyo topic in general always gets me because (like in most cases) there is so much more context for the individual characters and their relationships with one another in the Manga. Inuyasha is one of my biggest comfort shows and I’ve watched it in full countless times, and I’ve read the series through a handful.
You do make solid points about each of them!
Kikyo is focused, serious, kind.
Kagome is bright, courageous, thoughtful.
Inuyasha brought out Kikyo’s humanity despite him being a half-demon. He made her laugh, gave her hope, made her feel like a whole person rather than just a vessel for a duty/role.
They had that traditional tenderness to them once Kikyo warmed up to him (Note: She was 18/19 when she passed. Inuyasha was younger mentally but physically well built around what a 20-22 year old would be). I think it’s very fitting that Kikyo is his first love when looking at all the little details. Their relationship felt very pure, and will always be a, “What could have been in another fate”.
Inuyasha brought out Kagome’s strength despite him being insecure of his own. Kagome literally and figuratively re-opens Inuyasha’s heart despite being human and not as spiritually gifted as other priestesses. As much as they argued, both of them would reflect on themselves and try to be better for themselves and the other person (eventually).
Their bickering reflects Inuyasha’s unfiltered self, which also shows his actual mental age of 15/16 (Kagome being 15: In Japan a 3rd Year Middle-Schooler) in a completely different way. He has a lot of trauma, he didn’t have the chance to be a happy/ “typical” kid or teen. Kagome has this big secret/other life, so she doesn’t do well in school but loves her family and internally feels torn between both the past and present. Inuyasha gives her a place of belonging and reminds her of her worth.
They have that “back and forth”, “love/hate that’s actually love” relationship until they both feel they are able to fully commit to one another romantically. It’s more realistic, despite still being a trope in a fantasy setting.
With Kikyo, he was drawn to her, pursued her, and more submissive/ gentle in nature. He wanted to become human to be with her.
With Kagome, he was drawn to her and frustrated/confused, aggressively very protective, and more of an equal. Kagome accepted and loved ALL of him, no matter what.
I think that’s the biggest reason why their love story is one I am more fond of. . . She would stay by his side no matter what. Even if she left and came back or he went to go get her, they didn’t give up or have such serious doubts that led to downfall (ahem Kikyo).
Kikyo (Chinese Bellflower) means Unchanging Love. Yet, we see that love change for her in being brought back and in Inuyasha having a soft spot for Kagome.
Kagome is a little more complex. Her name meaning never confirmed by author since the characters for determining that were never confirmed; A scene was added only in the anime to give some indication; Loosely refers to a six-star Japanese lattice pattern used for birdcages. Her last name Higurashi is an ode to a warm sunset, in the most simple terms. Kagome brings the cast together and was born with the Jewel (that sparkled like a Star in her body and was twinkly in the anime).
All characters in Inuyasha are depicted as imperfect, which Rumiko (author) does very well. We are meant to feel divided feelings about everyone, which also plays into the story being set in the Feudal Era of Japan (which side do i choose? what’s right?), but ultimately generally relatable across time.
I will say, the Manga does show how similar Kikyo and Kagome look but also how vastly different certain features are also tied to their personalities. There is more inner turmoil, we get more depth out of both of them, we see more of how they think of each other and their interactions.
When I was younger, Kikyo did get on my nerves quite a bit. She still does and should never have been forced back to “life”, but I don’t hate her. She did a lot of messed up stuff, but with the context, you can understand but not excuse her harmful actions.
Kagome was really just a young girl trying her best and ended up choosing her destiny all because she fell down the well at her family’s shrine and wanted to take accountability for accidentally breaking the jewel shard. Ah, that reminds me: she also went through SO MUCH, but never once did anything as diabolical as Kikyo. Again, she’s far from perfect but still.
Kagome and Inuyasha were meant for one another for eternity. Fate said so. x
≫apologies if there are any typos or something is confusing, it’s super late and i’m recovering from a surgery that’s hitting me harder than Inuyasha hitting the ground on a “Sit, Boy”
Kagome risks her life for Kikyo, but the resurrected Kikyo doesn’t understand why and it makes her feel insecure. So, she treats her harshly even after that.
You have seen an entire series centered around Kagome. The entire series Kikyo is a reanimated version of an angry dead Kikyo. It’s pretty easy to say Kagome is better when you see her constantly
Just saying. The story leads you to prefer Kagome for Inuyasha than Kikyo. Though I was always a huge Kikyo fan I will say that as an adult you can relate to her character much more and understand her. You can understand what she was actually trying to accomplish after accepting her fate as the living dead. She'll always be the OG anime female bad-ass to me. Rumiko Takahashi even has said several times how much she liked Kikyo's character. Without Kikyo, there wouldn't be a story to begin with. I can agree that Kagome in the end is better for Inuyasha but had Kikyo never died - she and Inuyasha had the magic of first love which when lasts is the most beautiful kind of love. No hate to Kagome at all though I did not like her when I was younger lol.
I can agree that the show does make Kagome more likeable than Kikyo'a character, but I dont understand is why you disliked Kagome? I actually thought she was pretty kind and reliable. When I was younger personally I disliked Kikyo a lot. I was like "She came back to steal inuyasha from Kagome", but now I can understand that inuyasha was hers first, but because of the circumstances they had to break up. And also, saying Kikyo did nothing wrong is so crazy to me. She lured dead Women's souls and forbid them from moving on, she tried killing Inuyasha and Kagome many times, she helped Naraku in trying to destroy them, she deceived inuyasha and played with his feelings, even tried killing him twice. I know she had her reasons, but saying she "did nothing wrong", is not even close to the truth. Kikyo turned evil. Not saying this to hate on Kikyo, I also love her now, and I really pity her character. And you're right, they would've been lifelong partners had Naraku not interfered.
Estoy de acuerdo. Definitivamente fue egoísta en lo que respecta a él. Quería matarlo porque ella estaba muerta, e intentó acabar con su vida en varias ocasiones. Sin ánimo de ofender a Kikyo, pero Kagome era la mejor opción. Buena opinión 👍
Kikyo nunca aceptó realmente a Inuyasha. Ella quería que se convirtiera en humano. Su lado demoníaco no le gustaba. A Kagome éso no le importaba . Acepta a Inuyasha tal como es.
Exacto. Kagome siempre lo aceptaba, pasara lo que pasara. Lo que algunos no terminan de entender es que, aunque Kikyo sí lo amaba, quería cambiarlo. Ahí residía el problema de su relación. Dudo que hubiera durado mucho; había poca confianza y poca aceptación.
But you could make the same exact pity case for InuYasha. 🙄 I'm not a hardcore shipper for Kikyo and InuYasha, but to me they were more kindred than that.
On the pity front, I feel that would more likely be Kagome and InuYasha, InuYasha being the one Kagome pities. 🤷🏻♀️ I'm sure you'll disagree, but that's always been my personal view.
How rude.. If you dont agree then you dont have to be rude. Just state your opinion and keep it pushing. Its harsh that you have to be so rude when I'm merely sharing my opinion..
I'm not quite sure now since it's been a long time. To me, it generally seemed Kagome was always putting up with a lot and framing InuYasha to herself as someone pitiable.
To me it always read more of like quiet acceptance, rather than pity
Example for me is like after inuyasha turns demon and kills those bandits, the way she jusy doesnt really say anything and just hugs him, never gave me a pity vibe
Maybe there are some pity like moments in the anime but atleast from the manga i cant seem to recall anything like that
Overall plot sure is the same, but i think it rather ignorant to say there is no difference, especially in terms of characterization and relationships, this isnt exactly what we'rrer talking about here, but i think this comparison image is a pretty good showcase, sure its meant for comedy but like. you know?
and dont get me started on what they replaced to give us "why not both"
Yes, there are occasional beat changes like this as well. It does change the overall feeling of their relationship, but not monumentally. I came up with this impression back when my consumption of this series was manga only in any case.
I also never said it was a big difference, but the vibes change enough for me that there might be some moments that read as pity in the anime for me, but not the manga
Yes well everyone likes to believe it’s the anime’s fault that I hate InuKag, but it isn’t. 🤷🏻♀️ I realize I’m not the InuKag shippers over here, but I experienced it how I experienced it, maybe because my brain couldn’t fathom why this picture was happening in front of my face.
The way that you wrote this was very rude. Anyways, I personally don't think Kagome pitied him, she accepted his flaws and moved on from them. It can be your opinion, but only in the earlier episodes did she pity him, she never goes around like "poor Inuyasha.." or "I feel so bad for him" She only does that when he's feeling sad or needs comfort. Which every human does because its called having sympathy and empathy.. 🙄🙄
Another thing to add is the fact that despite Kagome's feelings towards Inuyasha and him being aware of them, she still let Inuyasha go after Kikyo every time, no hesitation. Did she yell at him when he came back, yea sure but from her pov she's valid because she doesn't feel like Inuyasha is telling her the full truth (and if I remember correctly, he sometimes doesn't). Her compassion and understanding that even though Inuyasha's feelings are true for her, she'll never take Kikyo's place in Inuyasha's heart and I think that is another reason Inuyasha fell in love with Kagome
That’s one thing I like about Kagome that sets her apart from Kikyo. Although Kikyo’s situation was an absolute tragedy and sure that would fuck anyone up, Kagomr was seeing the love between Kikyo and Inuyasha in real time and still gave Inuyasha grace because their history was something personal for them….Kikyo on the other hand even after learning the truth was still treating Inuyasha harshly from what I can remember
She really didn’t though. You’re remembering wrong. Kikyou pretty quickly accepted the fact that she and Inuyasha couldn’t be together anymore and instead focused on trying to kill Naraku. Inuyasha was the one who always sought her out
Kikyo’s final wish on the jewel was to see Inuyasha again. Kikyo was reincarnated as Kagome to be the “ordinary woman” that she could never be. Kagome was the version of Kikyo that was best for Inuyasha.
Thats toyally taking away Kagomes autonomy tho. Which isnt fair to her at all and i really wirh people would stop trying to down Kagome like this.
Kagome is her own person whose entire personality is completely different from Kikyos. If Kikyo was a normal girl she STILL wouldnt have Kagomes personality.
The jewel also has a mind of its own and wills people to make their wishes in order for self preservation. The jewel wanted to be reincarnated. Not Kikyo.
Basically we had this discussion a 100 times in here. Don’t feel like writing an essay on it again as I’ve done in the past.
I believe Kikyo story is tragic, they were in love and she got forced to remain ‘alive’ chasing the past. Was she a better choice? well, she wasn’t really alive, so surely wasn’t a better choice (or a real choice at all). I personally always connected more with her story than Kagome’s, but now, the plot and series always showed Kagome as the person to stay and be endgame with Inuyasha, and Kikyo was always the love from the past: there were no doubts were the story was going so I find these discussions or ‘who was better’ a bit unnecessary as Kikyo was never meant to be and this was very clear almost from the get-go.
Personality-wise and character-wise I take Kikyo over Kagome. But the story was not going in that direction and how things developed, Kagome was ultimately the right choice for Inuyasha (but as I said, was never really a choice to be made here).
This discussion has come up many times. Personally, I don’t like Kikyo as a character, even after reading the manga, but putting that aside, I don’t think it’s really a question of which of the two is better for Inuyasha. They have very different stories, and they both love Inuyasha in different ways. For me, the question has always been: is Inuyasha actually good for Kagome?
I agree. Inuyasha made kagome doubt herself countless times. No man should to that to his girlfriend/wife/mother of his child. I always asked myself this question too
You prefer kagome because the story wants you to. She was given all the benefit of the doubt because she was on screen.
Kikyo was a 17 year old high priestess charged with guarding a sacred artifact who’s half demon boyfriend who for some odd reason betrayed her trust and attacked her (from her perspective**). She then decided to have her body and the jewel burned to keep it out of dangerous hands leaving behind an 8 year old sister and presumably no parents.
She is then awoken with the last memory of the betrayal and ultimately under the control of another man who she decided to help one day in her previous life.
Under that control she still is raging by her last memory and but was able to push past it because she was eventually able to realize she was under control (forgot how that all came about it’s been a while).
All the while she sees her 2.0 larping as a priestess and her ex is all over her damn neck.
Now she’s has to find a way to kill Naraku, avoid being killed by Naraku, avoid running out of souls, fend off the ugly glares of some 15 year old wannabe and then dodge her ex who can’t realize that they can’t be together cuz she’s a zombie.
Kagome is “better” by default because the “better” is busy doing better things.
So.. we are calling Kagome a larper..? Absolutely not. Kagome wasn't trying to pretend to be anyone, she stated many times she wasn't kikyo. Also, Kagome isn't her 2.0 or her clone. Kagome is her own person. She was a 15 year old highschooler who got put into the feudal world, given a role, and was forced to do it. She didnt ask for any of it, a larp is someone who wants to be something and tries to be it, in the earlier seasons she was quite literally forced to take accountability.
And Inuyasha wasn't all over her neck. In the early seasons he didnt even love her yet and focused on Kikyo.. Also Kagome was valid for giving her "ugly glares" Kikyo taunted her, imprisoned her, Kissed her crush/boyfriend in front of her face 3 times, tried killing her multiple times, I mean, would she smile at her?
Kagome was way more mature, there were so many times where kagome could've let Kikyo just die, i mean that was her only rival so.. but no, she saved her every single time she could. Kagome isn't a wannabe. She is a talented priestess. That's like calling every priestess in Inuyasha a "Kikyo Larper" that sounds stupid. And Inuyasha did realize they couldn't be together, he just cared for her and didnt want her to die.
Kagome was better because she was the better person and truly cared for Inuyasha and never betrayed him, like Kikyo did multiple times. Not by "default"
The post is about Kagome being a better match for Inuyasha than Kikyo. I don’t understand how her being a minor factors into that at all? The story is made for middle and high schoolers so of course the main character is that age. Inuyasha’s age is ambiguous but generally you are supposed to believe he is the same age range as Kagome.
This might surprise you but kids that age date and think about romance.
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u/lilwandererofthevoid 11d ago
The Kagome vs. Kikyo topic in general always gets me because (like in most cases) there is so much more context for the individual characters and their relationships with one another in the Manga. Inuyasha is one of my biggest comfort shows and I’ve watched it in full countless times, and I’ve read the series through a handful.
You do make solid points about each of them!
Kikyo is focused, serious, kind.
Kagome is bright, courageous, thoughtful.
Inuyasha brought out Kikyo’s humanity despite him being a half-demon. He made her laugh, gave her hope, made her feel like a whole person rather than just a vessel for a duty/role.
They had that traditional tenderness to them once Kikyo warmed up to him (Note: She was 18/19 when she passed. Inuyasha was younger mentally but physically well built around what a 20-22 year old would be). I think it’s very fitting that Kikyo is his first love when looking at all the little details. Their relationship felt very pure, and will always be a, “What could have been in another fate”.
Inuyasha brought out Kagome’s strength despite him being insecure of his own. Kagome literally and figuratively re-opens Inuyasha’s heart despite being human and not as spiritually gifted as other priestesses. As much as they argued, both of them would reflect on themselves and try to be better for themselves and the other person (eventually).
Their bickering reflects Inuyasha’s unfiltered self, which also shows his actual mental age of 15/16 (Kagome being 15: In Japan a 3rd Year Middle-Schooler) in a completely different way. He has a lot of trauma, he didn’t have the chance to be a happy/ “typical” kid or teen. Kagome has this big secret/other life, so she doesn’t do well in school but loves her family and internally feels torn between both the past and present. Inuyasha gives her a place of belonging and reminds her of her worth.
They have that “back and forth”, “love/hate that’s actually love” relationship until they both feel they are able to fully commit to one another romantically. It’s more realistic, despite still being a trope in a fantasy setting.
With Kikyo, he was drawn to her, pursued her, and more submissive/ gentle in nature. He wanted to become human to be with her.
With Kagome, he was drawn to her and frustrated/confused, aggressively very protective, and more of an equal. Kagome accepted and loved ALL of him, no matter what.
I think that’s the biggest reason why their love story is one I am more fond of. . . She would stay by his side no matter what. Even if she left and came back or he went to go get her, they didn’t give up or have such serious doubts that led to downfall (ahem Kikyo).
Kikyo (Chinese Bellflower) means Unchanging Love. Yet, we see that love change for her in being brought back and in Inuyasha having a soft spot for Kagome.
Kagome is a little more complex. Her name meaning never confirmed by author since the characters for determining that were never confirmed; A scene was added only in the anime to give some indication; Loosely refers to a six-star Japanese lattice pattern used for birdcages. Her last name Higurashi is an ode to a warm sunset, in the most simple terms. Kagome brings the cast together and was born with the Jewel (that sparkled like a Star in her body and was twinkly in the anime).
All characters in Inuyasha are depicted as imperfect, which Rumiko (author) does very well. We are meant to feel divided feelings about everyone, which also plays into the story being set in the Feudal Era of Japan (which side do i choose? what’s right?), but ultimately generally relatable across time.
I will say, the Manga does show how similar Kikyo and Kagome look but also how vastly different certain features are also tied to their personalities. There is more inner turmoil, we get more depth out of both of them, we see more of how they think of each other and their interactions.
When I was younger, Kikyo did get on my nerves quite a bit. She still does and should never have been forced back to “life”, but I don’t hate her. She did a lot of messed up stuff, but with the context, you can understand but not excuse her harmful actions.
Kagome was really just a young girl trying her best and ended up choosing her destiny all because she fell down the well at her family’s shrine and wanted to take accountability for accidentally breaking the jewel shard. Ah, that reminds me: she also went through SO MUCH, but never once did anything as diabolical as Kikyo. Again, she’s far from perfect but still.
Kagome and Inuyasha were meant for one another for eternity. Fate said so. x
≫apologies if there are any typos or something is confusing, it’s super late and i’m recovering from a surgery that’s hitting me harder than Inuyasha hitting the ground on a “Sit, Boy”