:Kagome and InuYasha had a rocky start. Being the reincarnation of the 50-years-dead miko Kikyo (her name literally means "reincarnation"), Kagome has a very close resemblance to her. Consequently, the resentment InuYasha held for Kikyo at that time was carried over to Kagome. Knowing Kagome had a close resemblance to the Miko Kikyo, he was very bothered by this, so he usually ignored Kagome.
:Kagome and InuYasha had a rocky start. Being the reincarnation of the 50-years-dead miko (priestess) Kikyo (her name literally means "reincarnation"), Kagome has a very close resemblance to her. Consequently, the resentment InuYasha held for Kikyo at that time was carried over to Kagome. Knowing Kagome had a close resemblance to the Miko Kikyo, he was very bothered by this, so he usually ignored Kagome.
:As the series progresses, however, the relationship between Kagome and InuYasha changes for the better. Because of her kind heart, Kagome is able to see past InuYasha’s despised mixed race, and she slowly begins to heal the emotional wounds he gathered from many years of racial persecution. InuYasha’s tough guy facade slowly dissolves as Kagome helps him mature, and they even begin to fall in love. However, when Kikyo, InuYasha’s former lover, is revived from the grave (using part of Kagome's soul) and InuYasha reveals that he still has strong feelings toward Kikyo. InuYasha encourages Kagome to stay in her time so that he may save and avenge Kikyo, but Kagome, still in love, decides to stay with him anyway, knowing that she could never break their bond. InuYasha is grateful to her and and his feelings for Kagome grow while InuYasha still holds his love for Kikyo. This intense love triangle becomes one of the main conflicts within the manga/anime.
:As the series progresses, however, the relationship between Kagome and InuYasha changes for the better. Because of her kind heart, Kagome is able to see past InuYasha’s despised mixed race, and she slowly begins to heal the emotional wounds he gathered from many years of racial persecution. InuYasha’s tough guy facade slowly dissolves as Kagome helps him mature, and they even begin to fall in love. However, when Kikyo, InuYasha’s former lover, is revived from the grave (using part of Kagome's soul) and InuYasha reveals that he still has strong feelings toward Kikyo. InuYasha encourages Kagome to stay in her time so that he may save and avenge Kikyo, but Kagome, still in love, decides to stay with him anyway, knowing that she could never break their bond. InuYasha is grateful to her and and his feelings for Kagome grow while InuYasha still holds his love for Kikyo. This intense love triangle becomes one of the main conflicts within the manga/anime.
:[[Image: Iy9.jpg|right|250px|thumb|InuYasha and Kagome as pictured in the 4th ending theme to InuYasha, ''Every Heart'']]As kind-hearted as Kagome is, InuYasha can certainly test her nerves though it is not always InuYasha’s fault. Used as a comic relief, the two argue constantly throughout the anime, which sometimes ends with Kagome saying ''osuwari'' (''Sit'' in English dub) and InuYasha splatting to the ground. However, as both characters mature the arguments slowly dissipate, something especially evident in the later chapters of the manga.
:[[Image: Iy9.jpg|right|250px|thumb|InuYasha and Kagome as pictured in the 4th ending theme to InuYasha, ''Every Heart'']]As kind-hearted as Kagome is, InuYasha can certainly test her nerves though it is not always InuYasha’s fault. Used as a comic relief, the two argue constantly throughout the anime, which sometimes ends with Kagome saying ''osuwari'' (''Sit'' in English dub) and InuYasha splatting to the ground. However, as both characters mature the arguments slowly dissipate, something especially evident in the later chapters of the manga.
Kagome Higurashi (日暮 かごめ, Higurashi Kagome) is a fictional character from the manga and anime series InuYasha. The title protagonist, InuYasha, is her love interest.
Overview
Kagome is the female protagonist of this manga and anime series. Her grandfather is the keeper of Higurashi Shrine, a shintō shrine near Tokyo. On her fifteenth birthday, she is pulled into the Bone Eater's Well by a centipede demon, called Mistress Centipede. This takes her back in time to the Sengoku period of feudal Japan. It is here that she finds the half-demon, InuYasha, in a coma — sealed to the Tree of Ages by a sacred arrow shot from the priestess Kikyo for 50 years. Kagome eventually removes the arrow from his chest, freeing InuYasha and beginning their adventures.
Abilities
Purification Powers (Hama no reiryoku)
This ability means anything Kagome touches gets purified. By gathering an enormous amount of concentrated power into her right palm, she can direct it at her opponents.[1] She also uses this to purify the Jewel.
Spiritual Powers
Kagome can pass through barriers, spells, and/or illusions. Kagome is also able to sense evil auras and is unaffected by them. If possible, she is able to surround herself with her own spiritual powers to ward off any evil.
Jewel Detecting
This allows her to senses the exact location of the Jewel shards. While other characters have shown a vague ability to see Shikon shards, only Kagome and Kikyo are able to sense the shards remotely.
Time Travel
Kagome can travel back and forth 500 years between the present and the Feudal era.[2]
Beads of Subjugation
Placed around InuYasha's neck by Kaede is empowered to "subdue" him at a word from Kagome. This slams InuYasha into the ground whenever she says the word "sit". The effect wears off quickly and InuYasha is able to get up again.
Kagome uses a basic bow as a weapon. Once she infuses her powers into the bow, she can use it to reflect an enemy's attack. Kagome uses a shortbow. This changes when later on in the manga, when Kagome loctates a longbow with special spiritual powers. [3]
Kagome infuses her powers into her arrows. This allows the arrows to penetrate demonic forces and to purify objects.
Sacred Backlash Wave (Hama-Bakuryūha)
This attack is actually a combined effort between InuYasha and Kagome.[4] It consists of Kagome firing one of her Sacred Arrows into the center of InuYasha's Backlash Wave before it connects. When it hits the enemy there is a higher chance that he will be destroyed by the combined powers.
Kagome and InuYasha had a rocky start. Being the reincarnation of the 50-years-dead miko (priestess) Kikyo (her name literally means "reincarnation"), Kagome has a very close resemblance to her. Consequently, the resentment InuYasha held for Kikyo at that time was carried over to Kagome. Knowing Kagome had a close resemblance to the Miko Kikyo, he was very bothered by this, so he usually ignored Kagome.
As the series progresses, however, the relationship between Kagome and InuYasha changes for the better. Because of her kind heart, Kagome is able to see past InuYasha’s despised mixed race, and she slowly begins to heal the emotional wounds he gathered from many years of racial persecution. InuYasha’s tough guy facade slowly dissolves as Kagome helps him mature, and they even begin to fall in love. However, when Kikyo, InuYasha’s former lover, is revived from the grave (using part of Kagome's soul) and InuYasha reveals that he still has strong feelings toward Kikyo. InuYasha encourages Kagome to stay in her time so that he may save and avenge Kikyo, but Kagome, still in love, decides to stay with him anyway, knowing that she could never break their bond. InuYasha is grateful to her and and his feelings for Kagome grow while InuYasha still holds his love for Kikyo. This intense love triangle becomes one of the main conflicts within the manga/anime.
File:Iy9.jpgInuYasha and Kagome as pictured in the 4th ending theme to InuYasha, Every HeartAs kind-hearted as Kagome is, InuYasha can certainly test her nerves though it is not always InuYasha’s fault. Used as a comic relief, the two argue constantly throughout the anime, which sometimes ends with Kagome saying osuwari (Sit in English dub) and InuYasha splatting to the ground. However, as both characters mature the arguments slowly dissipate, something especially evident in the later chapters of the manga.
Other characters, such as Miroku, Sango, and Shippo, often speculate that Kagome and InuYasha are in love. The two avoid discussing their relationship, but there are clear indications in the series of their bond. This includes displays of intimacy such as holding hands, frequent physical contact below the shoulder, and Kagome allowing InuYasha to rest his head on her lap. In Japanese culture, such gestures represent obvious feelings of love between two people. This is more evident after Kikyo's death when InuYasha asks Kagome to stay in modern Tokyo until Naraku is defeated, fearing that she will suffer the same fate as Kikyo. Kagome says that she will stay with InuYasha. In response to this, he holds her hand and tells her that he will protect her with his life. At this moment, they almost kiss, but are interrupted when Sota walks into the room.
Kikyo is the origin of Kagome's powers, as she is her previous incarnation. Their relationship is uneasy due to Kikyo's past relationship with InuYasha. Kagome is upset that Kikyo still contacts InuYasha, often talking to him in private.
In the beginning of the series, Kikyo tries to take InuYasha with her to the afterlife. However, after learning the truth about Naraku's role in her death, she turns her focus from InuYasha to Naraku and the jewel.
Kagome has saved Kikyo life a couple of times. Kagome tried to save her life a third time but was unable to, Kikyo dies knowing that Kagome can finish her task of destroying Naraku and purifying the Shikon no Tama on her behalf.
Kagome treats Shippo like a little brother, bringing him candy and toys from the modern era and allowing him to sleep in her sleeping bag. Shippo is quick to take Kagome's side in an argument, but never really states how he feels about Kagome. However, it is obvious he loves her very much.
While Miroku is lecherous at times, he has great respect for Kagome and her power. Kagome is constantly trying to get Miroku and Sango together and confess their love for one another. Shortly after they met, he asked Kagome to bear his child, as he asks all attractive young women.
Sango and Kagome become close friends very quickly. Sango is the only other female character (other than Kirara who cannot talk) in the group. The two often consult and confide with each other about love interests and other important topics like the whereabouts of the the Shikon Jewel's shards. They call each other's using the -Chan honorific - a sign of close affections between the two girls.
Koga is first introduced when he tried to make Kagome his woman by kidnapping her. Eventually, as the series progresses, Koga becomes a trusted ally to the group - often arriving in the nick of time to save someone (often Kagome) from danger. However, His claims that Kagome is 'his girl' causes tension between Kagome and InuYasha. Kagome doesn't really have any interest in Koga, and tries to tell him so. Despite this, Koga continues to pursue her and Kagome still appreciates his friendship.
Ayame is Kagome's "rival" for Koga's affection. Though Kagome tries to befriend her, Ayame asserts that she does not like Kagome. Ayame loves Koga and once made him promise to marry her when she was older. Ayame blames Kagome for displacing Ayame in Koga's affections.
Hojo is one of Kagome's male classmates, and often brings herbal medicines and similar items to treat her 'sicknesses'. Kagome likes him as a friend, but is too polite to tell him she's in love with someone else.
Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi are three classmates of Kagome. They are very nosy about Kagome's "boyfriend" and wonder why she isn't interested in Hojo. At the beginning of the series, they disapprove of InuYasha and encourage Kagome to 'dump him'. However, after meeting InuYasha, they change their minds.
Notes and references
^Note: She only does this when the jewel is inside her body.
^Note: In the first part of the anime, Kagome seems to be only able to time travel when she has a Shikon Jewel shard with her or is with InuYasha. However, this restriction does not apply in the manga. Later on in the anime, this restriction is dropped and ignored.
