English Dub Review: Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon “Since Then”

Overview (Spoilers Below)

The series opens with two figures running through the forest, while Towa is being questioned by her captors about a tour guide she had with her. She tells the shogun and his teamaster they should let her go, or they’ll regret it when her friends get there. The teamaster brings in a bicycle seat, to Towa’s shock. The teamaster goes on to tell the decade-old tale of a priestess who came through the Bone-Eater’s Well, and a half-demon, Inuyasha. From here we go straight into the flashback of Kagoma choosing to live in the feudal era with Inuyasha, going about her days being a priestess and hanging out with Sango and her brood of little ones. Shortly after she explains to the girls that a “Kikyo root” can be used to make a good medicine, Miroku and Inuyasha are investigating a gruesome attack by a demon that was thought to be sealed away by Kikyo. The crew reunites to take on the demon “Roothead”, with even Kohaku and Sesshomaru making their premier appearances for the reboot. It’s revealed that Miroku no longer has his Wind Tunnel, after the curse has been lifted. Inuyasha employs his signature “Wind Scar!” move with the Tessaiga, while Kagome is able to draw out the demon’s main body by using herself as bait, with a little help from Kaede, who fires the arrow Kikyo had previously used to seal the demon away into the mix. The old crew reunites to take out the demon, with Inuyasha banishing it to…uh…space? I guess? While Kagome purifies the land. She reminds Inuyasha that he could have a little more faith in her, and is excited to spend her life by his side. A remaining root from Roothead is shown to have survived, and combined with the Bone-Eater’s Well. At this point, we’re taken back to the present, where Moroha and Setsuna run in to save Towa. The girls make short work of the guards, reveal the teamaster as an owl demon, and head on their way to capture him, in their next adventure. While they’re all friends at this point, the post-credit scene reveals that Towa and Setsuna are twins who were separated when Towa was sent through the Bone-Eater’s Well into the future, and unknowingly attacks her sister upon her return to the feudal era.

Our take

Miroku sums it up when he says, “Y’know, this makes me feel a bit nostalgic somehow.” but this series isn’t simply banking on a nostalgia overload to keep fans intrigued. This sequel makes the smart move of staying true to the original art style’s flat, bright colors, and over-exaggerated, puffy bangs, rather than falling in line with the sparkly aesthetic of more modern anime styles. Also, managing to bring back most of the original voice cast for the dub is a treat that takes me back to middle school, when I’d stay up wayyy too late to watch the original series with my bestie. Although, did Kirby Morrow always make Miroku’s voice this deep? I clearly need to revisit the old series to compare and contrast. Richard Ian Cox and David Kaye reprising their roles as Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, respectively is so essential to this series’ success, as I (and I’m sure many other fans) just couldn’t imagine these roles with any other voices.

While this episode is meant to reintroduce the old cast and fill the audience in on what’s been going on since we last saw everyone, it raises more questions than it answers. And honestly? That’s ok. The action sequences (complete with the original musical themes!) have allowed me to effortlessly slip back into this obsession, and I’m excited to see this Powerpuff Girls-esque trio take on demons of their own.

One slight that I *do* have with this first episode is Sango’s (re-)introduction as “Miroku’s Wife”, instead of her rightful title of “Badass Demon Slayer Lady With A Kickass Cat Demon and Also Now A Family.” I know it’s a little longer, but please, have some respect. Coming to Miroku’s aid is a classic Sango move, and I love that she gets to tease him about it as well. Kelly Sheridan is able to pick this iconic role back up effortlessly, and I’m so glad to hear this character with the same voice that I grew up with.

While it’s too bad that Moneca Stori didn’t come back to voice Kagome (which I’m sure would have THRILLED the fanbase), she didn’t reprise the role for The Final Act either, so it was kind of expected. Kira Tozer does an excellent job of bringing this character to life, and in my opinion even lends a little more of a softer, more mature tone to our arrow-wielding priestess-in-training.

Moroha’s introduction and voice casting is perfect. Morgan Berry yelling “shut up!” as she takes out the guards and then “oh shit!” when realizing the teamaster’s true identity leaves no doubt: this is DEFINITELY Inuyasha and Kagome’s kid. The rest of the new cast is also fantastic, and I’m excited to hear more from them when we see how this group initially formed, presumably in the next episode.