“Secret of the Rainbow Pearls”
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):
Off the coast of an unknown location, Kirinmaru’s ship is anchored and serenely waiting as Lady Zero tells her lord that the Dog-Demon of the West has been spotted at Kamakura, allowing Konton to further elaborate that this mighty foe was gravely injured after a battle with Shishinki and Ryokotsusei. It is after this report that he suggests to his master if they attack now while his rival is weakened, with Kyuki strengthening this suggestion knowing with his defeat they will finally be able to rule over the entire land. But as his subordinates push their obvious point across, this formidable demon berates them with his powerful voice to stop their foolish words, boldly stating he will not challenge his adversary in a weakened state since it would be dishonorable. After these forceful words he summons his retainer Riku, telling this obedient servant to find the finest medicinal herbs and deliver them to his nemesis, thereafter leaving his followers with the statement that if he won with underhanded tactics, it would not be a satisfying victory. But as the washed ashore pirate returns from his task, he is disturbed to see Lady Izayoi’s mansion in flames, knowing immediately that the Great Dog-Demon is now dead.
After returning to their ship, Riku informs Lady Zero of his observation, who in turn is shocked their powerful foe was defeated in such an unseemly manner, denying this ignoble death is possible for a formidable foe and lamenting their destiny has been denied them due to this unbearable act. Picking up the nearby Shikon Jewel the beautiful woman weeps over the senseless loss, with the emotionless servant asking what is leaking from her eyes and stating that these objects are very pretty, only to be chided for his tasteless statement. Not wanting to suffer anymore and in turn denying her own demon magic, Lady Zero makes a pledge over the glowing bauble in her hand by defiantly stating she shall never shed tears ever again, begging the Shikon Jewel to grant her wish. After an ominous flash of light the cursed object takes the last of her watery suffering and turns it into the seven Rainbow Pearls, leaving the now impassive lady to state that her desire has been granted by sealing her own powers with those of the Shikon Jewel, resulting in her now no longer being a demon. Now two hundred years later Riku is on a search to retrieve the scattered precious stones, with three now in his possession, he will not stop until finding all of them so that he may restore what was lost from his cherished mistress.
In Summary:
It was only a matter of time until the studio found a way to entangle the Shikon Jewel into the show, with it being the last of the nostalgia coming from Inuyasha, and of course, being the nexus for all of the problems for the original cast. But at the same time, the creators somehow managed to convolute this story’s reckless balance even more by slipping in the convenient plot device of Towa’s full moon vulnerability, which they utilized just nine episodes ago, all in an effort to create an opportunity to lure out Totetsu and another of the Rainbow Pearls. While the history of their creation may be interesting, the derivative manner of linking it to the Shikon Jewel detracts from any originality this opportunity may have created, thereby leaving viewers with a feeling of tedium which the series in of itself cannot leave behind.
Grade: A
Streamed By: Crunchyroll
