“Farewell Under the Lunar Eclipse”
What They Say:
Set in feudal Japan, half-demon twins Towa and Setsuna are separated from each other during a forest fire. While desperately searching for her younger sister, Towa wanders into a mysterious tunnel that sends her into present-day Japan, where she is found by Kagome Higurashi’s brother, Sota, and his family. Ten years later, the tunnel that connects the two eras had reopened, allowing Towa to be reunited with Setsuna, who is now a demon slayer working for Kohaku. But to Towa’s shock, Setsuna appears to have lost all memories of her older sister.
Content (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Recalling the events from eighteen years ago, Riku visits the Purveyor of Jewels Hosenki II to check on the progress of a new Black Pearl, which would have taken one hundred years to create, but this artisan somehow been able to complete it in four, all thanks to the loan of a Rainbow Pearl and the rouge from Lady Izayoi. The Pirate Washed Shore is happy for the accomplishment, asking what will become of this powerful item, to which the jewel smith proclaims he will deliver it to Inuyasha as planned, which prompts the wander to ask for the cosmetic to also be given to the half demon. Upon gifting the commission to Inuyasha, he speculates that the Black Pearl was originally tears from the Great Dog Demon’s wife Lady Izayoi after he passed away, with the path to the his grave and Tessaiga sealed away inside of it, then placed within the new owner’s right eye. It is then when Kagome asks about the shell which accompanied the jewel, to which the demon explains in order to create a new Pearl, he needed the rouge contained therein since is an embodiment of the widow’s deep sadness. And while his wife is pleased to have two of his mother’s keepsakes, Inuyasha could care less for such sentimental nonsense and promptly places the jewel inside of his eye, with Kagome warning him that the cosmetic is off limits.
As the days continue, the twins Kin’u and Gyokuto are rushing ahead as Kaede tries to keep up with the excited children, with the girls wanting to be in time to see the birth of Rin’s child, claiming they will pay more attention to it than their own brother Hisui. Meanwhile Sango is explaining the news to Kagome, which causes the former demon slayer to ask about her own pregnancy, which appears to progressing along nicely, but they are alarmed when the sisters come to fetch their mother due to problems with the delivery. But as the priestess walks by herself and gazes up at the dimness of was supposed to be a full moon, she then remembers that the waning light must be due to a lunar eclipse, only to be surprised as she is addressed by name from a complete stranger. The man introduces himself as Riku and warns of a great cataclysm which is to come – a celestial visitor called the Grim Comet nears the Earth every five hundred years and with huge fragments break off and hurling toward the planet. During its last visit this disaster was prevented by the two Beast Kings the Great Dog Demon and Kirinmaru joining forces, however this time with former deceased and the latter under a long slumber, they cannot be relied upon to stop the impending devastation seven days from now. And so it is left to the sons of the Great Dog Demon to combine their strength, but can Kagome convince the brothers Sesshomaru and Inuyasha to stop fight each other long enough to duplicate the feat which saved the world so long ago?
In Summary:
While it is sincerely fulfilling to finally find out what happened to the original cast, at the same time this episode is essentially filler with a multitude of confusing backgrounds and new characters introduced which will likely play important roles in the near future. But as we attempt to absorb all of this seemingly inconsequential information showing how the demon princesses were left behind as their parents had their own plans, there are still too many questions left unanswered within the rushed events, especially how Sesshomaru’s schemes are never revealed considering his involvement with his father’s old enemy Kirinmaru and Zero. As such, although this nostalgic episode is a refreshing escape from repetitive enemies and schemes, it still leaves viewers with a hollow feeling that nothing has been resolved, resulting in ever more confusion which will hopefully be addressed.
Grade: A-
Streamed By: Crunchyroll
