Highlights
- Inuyasha and Kagome are often hailed as one of the most iconic couples in anime.
- Koga could have been a better choice for Kagome due to his openness and lack of emotional baggage.
- Koga openly declares his love for Kagome and is more straightforward about his romantic intentions compared to Inuyasha.
Goku and Chi-Chi, Usagi and Mamoru, Edward and Winry, Yusuke and Keiko, Naruto and Hinata - these couples are considered iconic in the realm of anime. While numerous couples come to mind when contemplating love in anime, Inuyasha and Kagome are often hailed as one of the most iconic pairs.
However, just as Kagome wasn't Inuyasha's sole love interest (given the whole Kikyo situation), Inuyasha wasn't the only one enamored with Kagome. And no, it wasn't Miroku; he seemed to be in love with everyone. In a clash between canine demons, should Kagome have considered giving the wolf demon a chance over the dog?
What is Inuyasha About?
Inuyasha follows the journey of Higurashi Kagome, a modern-day high school girl transported to the Sengoku period of Japan after falling into a well at her family's shrine. Kagome discovers Inuyasha sealed to a tree by an enchanted arrow, and inadvertently frees him. Inuyasha was initially sealed to a tree by an enchanted arrow and bound by a sacred spell cast by the priestess Kikyo, whom Kagome is a reincarnation of, regarding a misunderstanding and perceived betrayal over the powerful Shikon Jewel.
The Shikon Jewel, also known as the Sacred Jewel, is highly sought after because it possesses the ability to amplify the power of demons and humans alike, granting immense strength and fulfilling desires. Together, Inuyasha and Kagome embark on a quest to prevent the jewel from falling into the wrong hands, initially Sesshomaru, Inuyasha's older half-brother, and for the entire series - Naraku, a cunning and powerful demon. They are joined on their journey by Miroku, a monk with a black hole-like void in his right hand; Sango, a boomerang-wielding demon slayer; and Shippo, a young fox demon with the ability to shape-shift. They face many adversaries and meet many allies on the way, with one of the most notable being Koga.
Who is Koga?
Koga is the leader of the Wolf-Demon Tribe. He is first introduced as he and his tribe attack a village where Kagome and her friends are staying. During this encounter, Koga is immediately drawn to Kagome due to the scent of the jewel shards she carries. Koga kidnaps Kagome in an attempt to take the shards for himself, as he already has three shards - one in his arm and two in his leg. However, he loses the shard in his arm during a fight and only retains the two shards in his legs for most of the story. He eventually develops romantic feelings for Kagome, becoming somewhat of a romantic rival for Inuyasha.
Why Would Koga Be Better for Kagome Than Inuyasha?
Inuyasha and Kagome are often referred to as a "toxic couple." While the two clearly care for each other, much of the series shows them fighting and arguing, and having somewhat of a co-dependency problem. While Inuyasha and Kagome are clearly endgame, as they not only end the Inuyasha series married but also have a daughter named Moroha in the sequel series Yashahime, Koga could have been a better choice for Kagome for many reasons.
Koga is More Open and Honest
Koga openly declares his love and affection for Kagome. Unlike Inuyasha, he doesn't shy away from explicitly stating his romantic interest. While it took Inuyasha almost 50 episodes to tell Kagome, "Kagome, I... I don't want you to leave. I don't want to be alone again," Koga tells her relatively early his intentions when he says, "I've got a thing for you, Kagome. Let's get married!"
Koga Has Less Baggage
Inuyasha carries a complex history with a lot of emotional baggage, most of it related to his past relationship with Kikyo. Inuyasha and Kikyo were in love. However, due to a series of unfortunate events caused by Naraku, Inuyasha and Kikyo believed that the other had betrayed them.
This resulted in a mortally wounded Kikyo shooting Inuyasha through the heart with a sacred arrow and pinning him to a tree for fifty years. Eventually, Kikyo is brought back to life and often tries to drive a wedge between Inuyasha and Kagome for much of the series, including attempting to drag Kagome into the afterlife. Kagome would never have to worry about being dragged into the underworld with Koga.
Inuyasha is now available to stream on Netflix.