Inuyasha: Why Did Sesshomaru Hate Inuyasha So Much?

Highlights

Sesshomaru despised Inuyasha because he inherited their father's powerful sword, Tessaiga, while he was given a sword that didn't align with his desire to kill.
Sesshomaru viewed Inuyasha as inferior and impure due to his half-demon heritage and human mother, leading to constant belittlement and disdain.
Sesshomaru initially hated humans and saw them as weak, but his relationship with Rin and acts of compassion challenged his rigid beliefs and softened his heart towards humans.

In the world of shonen anime, brotherly rivalries like Naruto’s Sasuke Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha, Hunter x Hunter’s Killua Zoldyck and Illumi Zoldyck, and My Hero Academia’s Touya Todoroki and Shoto Todoroki are often showcased. Yet, one brother vs. brother rivalry is often overlooked - Sesshomaru and Inuyasha in Inuyasha.

But, what is the source of this demon-filled drama? Why does Sesshomaru despise his half-demon sibling so much? From familial pride to battles over ancient artifacts, the layers of Sesshomaru and InYasha’s rivalry in Inuyasha add a unique dimension to the series, exploring themes of power, identity, and the ties that bind them as brothers.

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Who is Sesshomaru?

Sesshomaru is the older half-brother of Inuyasha. He is the eldest son of Toga, also known as Inu no Taishō, and another powerful demon. After Toga’s death, Sesshomaru became the Lord of the Western Lands. Accompanied by Jaken, an imp, and Rin, a young human girl whom Sesshomaru saves during his travels, he embarks on a journey. Throughout the series, Sesshomaru undergoes tremendous character development. However, initially, his relationship with his brother is a source of significant conflict in the series, with them often fighting to the brink of death. The question arises: why did Sesshomaru harbor such hate for his younger brother?

Sesshomaru Desperately Wanted Tessaiga

Sesshomaru was extremely jealous that Inuyasha inherited their father's powerful sword - Tessaiga. Tessaiga was crafted from one of the fangs of their father. The fang itself possessed demon energy, and this essence was transferred into the sword during its creation. The sword has the ability to absorb the powers of its enemies during a fight, making it stronger with each battle.It repel enemies, as well, with powerful attacks and energy waves. Tessaiga is very effective against demons and supernatural entities as it can cut through demonic powers and barriers. Tessaiga can also transform and unlock new abilities, such as the Dragon-scaled Tessaiga and the Adamant Barrage. Not only that, Sesshomaru initially hated the sword that he was given by their father - Tenseiga. Tenseiga had the unique power to bring people back to life. To him, Tenseiga did not align with what he wanted to do - kill. Sesshomaru did not feel as though Inuyasha was worthy of the sword, as he was a half demon and therefore, in his eye, was weaker.

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Inuyasha Being a Half-Demon Didn't Help Things

Sesshomaru hates Inuyasha because he is a half-demon. While they both have the same father, the very powerful dog demon, Inu no Taisho. However, while Sesshomaru’s mother is also a dog demon, or an inu daiyōkai, Inuyasha’s mother is a human named Izayoi. As a pure-blood demon, Sesshomaru views half-demons as inferior and impure. To him, he sees Inuyasha as an embarrassment and a stain on their father's legacy. Early in the series, Sesshomaru looks down on Inuyasha for his human-like qualities and constantly belittles him every chance he gets.

Sesshomaru Hates Humans - Or At Least He Used To

Sesshomaru's dislike of humans runs deep. He sees them as weak and is initially unwilling to protect or even associate with them. His pure-blooded demon heritage fosters this hatred, creating a barrier between him and the human world. Sesshomaru truly believes that demons are superior. In contrast, Inuyasha, despite being a half-demon, doesn't share Sesshomaru's this view. Throughout his journey, Inuyasha forms close bonds with human characters such as Kagome, Miroku, and Sango. His experiences challenge the traditional demon prejudice against humans, showcasing a more open-minded perspective. Inuyasha's ability to connect with and care for humans becomes a defining aspect of his character, highlighting the stark contrast with Sesshomaru's initial reluctance and is a source of Sesshomaru’s contempt towards his brother.

However, Sesshomaru does eventually become more compassionate toward humans, as shown through his relationship with Rin. a young human girl he saves from wolves. This act of compassion, initially surprising given his disdain for humans, marks the beginning of a shift in his perspective. Over time, as he travels with Rin, Sesshomaru's heart softens, and he starts to question his rigid beliefs about strength and superiority. Rin is a young human girl who was orphaned and left for dead after being attacked by wolves. Sesshomaru sees her lifeless body and revives her using Tenseiga, which has the ability to bring the dead back to life. Sesshomaru uses this power to revive Rin, showcasing a side of him that goes against the traditional demon ideology. This act of compassion and mercy becomes a pivotal moment in both Sesshomaru and Rin's lives, setting the stage for the evolution of their relationship and Sesshomaru's character development throughout the series, which is shown to be even stronger in the sequel anime -Yashahime.