Common Sense Media Review
Fantasy-themed anime features strong female lead.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
InuYasha
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 20 parent reviews
Parents say the show is a mix of fun fantasy and darker themes, with strong characters and lessons about friendship, but it also contains elements that may not be suitable for younger viewers, such as violence, suggestive content, and mature language. While many parents find it enjoyable for older tweens and teens, they recommend monitoring viewing to address any inappropriate aspects.
- family-friendly themes
- strong characters
- monitor for violence
- suitable for older tweens
- cultural differences
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 101 kid reviews
Kids say the show is a beloved classic that offers a mix of adventure, humor, and some darker themes like violence and mild sexual content, making it more suitable for older kids, particularly those 11 and up. While the animation is visually appealing and the story is engaging, many reviewers warn about its occasional nudity, swearing, and some scary scenes that may not be appropriate for younger audiences without parental supervision.
- mature content
- violence present
- occasional nudity
- family friendly
- engaging story
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
INUYASHA (voiced by Richard Ian Cox) is a half-dog/half-human demon who's controlled, via magic beads, by a time-traveling Japanese schoolgirl named Kagome (Moneca Stori). Together they lead a team that includes a monk, a fox demon, and a demon slayer on a quest through feudal Japan to locate the shards of the Jewel of Four Souls. They must keep the Jewel out of the hands of Naraku, who needs all the shards to become a full demon. Kagome is a strong female character -- the reincarnation of a powerful priestess -- and possesses the strong powers to fulfill her task of protecting the Jewel. InuYasha, which has some cartoon violence and suggestive scenes, and airs as part of the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim lineup, is tamer than many of the other shows in that group.
Is It Any Good?
InuYasha features a lot of characters and a lengthy backstory, making it difficult to follow when jumping in at midpoint. Erratic scheduling doesn't help (not all episodes are broadcast, and the ones that are shown sometimes air out of order), nor does the fact that the original Japanese series ceased production before the story's natural end (four feature-length movies have been produced so far to continue the tale). Still, the show weaves an interesting tale of adventure, romance, and fantasy, and depicts strong female characters. When Kagome becomes attracted to InuYasha, her crush sometimes lends the series an air of middle-school drama, but overall the show offers teen and older tween girls a fascinating fantasy world to explore.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what this show has in common with other anime series -- and what sets it apart. What makes it more kid-friendly than other anime shows? What makes it a fantasy? What are the main differences between fantasy and science fiction genres? Families can also discuss what it means to work together as a team. What happens when one member of a team loses patience and strikes out on their own? How does that affect the rest of the team?
TV Details
- Premiere date : August 31, 2002
- Cast : Kirby Morrow , Moneca Stori , Richard Ian Cox
- Network : Cartoon Network
- Genre : Anime
- TV rating :
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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