Inuyasha is a half-demon born to the powerful dog demon Tōga and the human noblewoman Izayoi. His birth unfolded tragically when Izayoi suffered fatal wounds from her guardsman Takemaru during a lunar eclipse. Tōga resurrected Izayoi using his sword Tenseiga but succumbed soon after, leaving Inuyasha to be raised solely by his human mother. As a hanyō, he endured rejection from both humans and demons throughout his childhood. After his mother's early death, he grew up isolated and defensive, adopting a hostile personality for survival. This loneliness fueled his initial quest for the Shikon Jewel, believing its power could make him a full demon and earn him acceptance. His life shifted upon meeting Kikyō, the priestess guarding the Shikon Jewel. Though he first intended to steal the Jewel, mutual romantic feelings blossomed. Inuyasha abandoned his goal of full demonhood, agreeing instead to let Kikyō use the Jewel's power to make him fully human so they could be together. This plan was sabotaged by Naraku, a half-demon born from the bandit Onigumo's obsession with Kikyō. Naraku manipulated events to make each believe the other had betrayed them: mortally wounding Kikyō while disguised as Inuyasha, then tricking Inuyasha into stealing the Jewel by posing as Kikyō. In despair over Kikyō's apparent betrayal, Inuyasha took the Jewel but was sealed to the Sacred Tree of Ages by Kikyō's arrow – a sealing arrow that placed him in an enchanted sleep instead of killing him. Kikyō died shortly after, requesting her body and the Jewel be cremated together. Inuyasha remained bound to the tree for 50 years with a peaceful expression, still loving Kikyō. Fifty years later, Kikyō's modern-day reincarnation, Kagome Higurashi, traveled to the feudal era through the Bone-Eater's Well. Attacked by the demon Mistress Centipede, Kagome freed Inuyasha for protection. After defeating the demon, Inuyasha tried to take the Shikon Jewel from Kagome but was subdued by the elderly Kaede, who bound him with Kikyō's "Beads of Subjugation." This allowed Kagome to control him with the command "Sit!" Soon after, the Jewel shattered into fragments from Kagome's arrow, scattering across feudal Japan. Inuyasha reluctantly partnered with Kagome to retrieve the shards, initially viewing her as a tool but gradually developing respect and affection. They were later joined by allies including the fox demon Shippō, the monk Miroku, and the demon slayer Sango. During this quest, Inuyasha learned the truth of Naraku's role in Kikyō's death and shifted his primary goal from collecting Jewel shards to defeating Naraku. Inuyasha's combat abilities evolved significantly. He inherited the fang-sword Tessaiga from his father, which absorbed demonic powers and possessed multiple transformative states: - Its base form unleashed the "Wind Scar" (Kaze no Kizu) technique. - The "Red Tessaiga" sliced through barriers. - The "Diamond Tessaiga" unleashed diamond shrapnel ("Adamant Barrage"). - The "Dragon-Scaled Tessaiga" absorbed enemy demonic energy. - The "Black Tessaiga" gained the "Meidō Zangetsuha" technique, opening portals to the netherworld. His signature Fire Rat fur robe provided protection and regenerated if damaged. As a half-demon, he lost all powers during the new moon, becoming fully human and vulnerable. Conversely, near-death experiences without Tessaiga could trigger a feral full-demon transformation, granting enhanced strength and healing but erasing his rationality until calmed by Kagome or the sword. His character development centered on overcoming isolation and learning trust. He initially declared survival depended on trusting no one, yet gradually relied on Kagome and his allies. Kagome's influence guided him toward self-acceptance as a half-demon, diminishing his desire for full demonhood. He evolved from a selfish loner into a protective leader who valued companionship. His romantic conflict between lingering feelings for Kikyō and growing love for Kagome resolved after Kikyō's permanent death, sacrificing herself to save Kohaku. Following Naraku's defeat and the Shikon Jewel's destruction, Inuyasha was separated from Kagome for three years when the Bone-Eater's Well closed. Upon its reopening, he reunited with Kagome, married her, and became the father of their daughter, Moroha. This future was confirmed in the sequel series Yashahime.