Viz confirmed on Friday that Rumiko Takahashi‘s Inuyasha franchise is inspiring a new anime spinoff titled Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon (Hanyō no Yashahime). The official Japanese website for the fall television anime opened on the same day.
Viz describes “the brand new anime from the Inuyasha universe”:
The anime’s website posted character designs:
Teruo Sato (Inuyasha episode director) is directing the anime at Sunrise, and Katsuyuki Sumisawa is in charge of the series scripts after doing the same for Inuyasha and Mobile Suit Gundam Wing. Takahashi herself is credited as the main character designer, with Yoshihito Hishinuma (Yakitate!! Japan, City Hunter: Shinjuku Private Eyes) returning from Inuyasha to adapt her designs for animation. Kaoru Wada (3×3 Eyes, Battle Angel, The File of Young Kindaichi) is also back from Inuyasha to compose the music.
This year’s 24th issue of Shogakukan‘s Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine will include a poster of the anime’s teaser visual on May 13, and Takahashi’s fourth MAO manga volume will also promote the Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon anime on its wraparound jacket band on May 18.
Takahashi launched the original manga in Weekly Shonen Sunday in 1996, and ended it in 2008. Viz licensed and published all 56 volumes of the manga in North America, and it describes the series:
After falling into an old well and into ancient Japan, Kagome discovers that her destiny is linked to the dog-like half demon called Inuyasha! As Kagome learns more about her connection to the past and to Inuyasha, she comes into conflict with the terrible demons that are drawn to the Shikon Jewel, including Inuyasha’s own half brother, Sesshomaru. Finding the shards of the Shikon Jewel is going to require powerful magic, strange allies, and a strong heart. Kagome’s got plenty of heart, but she’s going to need Inuyasha’s help for the rest of it, and he may not be so willing to lend a hand!
The 167-episode anime series based on the manga ran from 2000-2004. A 26-episode sequel anime titled InuYasha: The Final Act then ran from 2009-2010. The series has inspired four movies and a 30-minute anime short. Viz began releasing the anime on Blu-ray Disc last year.
The franchise has also recently inspired a smartphone game and a stage play.
Update: Viz confirmed that it has the rights “to the digital streaming, EST, and home video” of the new anime in North and Latin American territories.
Are you excited to see Inuyasha continue with an official anime sequel? What kind of character do you think Inuyasha and Kagome’s daughter will be? What do you think the other characters will be up to when the sequel makes its big debut? Let us know your thoughts in the comments