Ep 22. The Soul of Kikyo

Inuyasha season 1 episode 22, titled "The Soul of Kikyo," follows the story of Kikyo and her relationship with Inuyasha.

Kikyo was a priestess who guarded the Shikon Jewel, which gave immense power to whoever possessed it. She fell in love with Inuyasha, a half-demon who had been sealed to a tree by her earlier. However, when he tried to steal the jewel, Kikyo was fatally injured and died shortly after.

In the present day, Kagome, a high school girl from modern-day Tokyo, is the reincarnation of Kikyo. She travels back in time through a well in her family shrine and meets Inuyasha, awakening him from his 50-year slumber. Together, they embark on a quest to find the Shikon Jewel and keep it out of the hands of those who would use it for evil.

In "The Soul of Kikyo," we see flashbacks of Kikyo and Inuyasha's time together. Kikyo's spirit is seen wandering throughout the episode, and the storyline explores her troubled relationship with Inuyasha.

The episode begins with Kikyo's spirit trapped in her own body, which had been resurrected by a witch named Urasue. Urasue tells Kikyo that she has brought her back to life so that she can take revenge on Inuyasha for betraying her. Kikyo rejects Urasue's offer to join forces and instead tries to leave, but Urasue stops her by bringing forth the soul of a demon that Kikyo had defeated in the past.

Meanwhile, Inuyasha, Kagome, and their companions are searching for the Shikon Jewel when they come across a village that is under attack by demon puppets. The group easily defeats the puppets, but they are surprised to find that the puppets had been created using Kikyo's soul.

Inuyasha decides to go to Kikyo's shrine to investigate, but Kagome becomes jealous when she learns that Inuyasha is still in love with Kikyo. The group splits up, and Kagome meets a demon named Onigumo, who had a grudge against both Inuyasha and Kikyo.

As Kagome fights off Onigumo's demon minions, Kikyo's spirit appears to her and reveals that she still loves Inuyasha. Kagome becomes upset and questions whether or not Inuyasha will ever truly love her.

Inuyasha arrives at Kikyo's shrine, where he is ambushed by Urasue and her demon puppet army. Kikyo's spirit manages to break free from Urasue's grasp, and she goes to Inuyasha's side to defend him.

The episode culminates in a showdown between Urasue and Kikyo, with Inuyasha caught in the middle. Kikyo tells Inuyasha that she still loves him, but she cannot forgive him for betraying her. Inuyasha is torn between his love for Kikyo and his loyalty to Kagome.

"The Soul of Kikyo" is a powerful episode that delves deep into the emotional turmoil of the characters. It explores themes of love, loss, and forgiveness, with a touching and poignant storyline that will leave viewers feeling both moved and satisfied. The episode is an excellent example of the show's blend of action, drama, and romance that has made it such a popular and enduring series.