Inuyasha is the second in an ongoing series of anime based on the manga by the same name. The series follows Inuyasha and his friends on their quest to find the Shikon Jewel’s fragments, which can grant any person’s wish.

Rumiko Takahashi created Inuyasha. The series first began in Weekly Shonen Sunday, a weekly manga magazine. The series serialized from 2000 to 2010 and was collected into 193 episodes. The series has been released in North America by Viz Media, the largest distributor of Japanese manga in the United States. Viz has also released the Inuyasha anime on DVD and VHS, and the episodes are currently available for streaming on Hulu and Netflix.

Inuyasha Plot

The story opens with a group of five men battling a demon in their feudal era village. They kill the demon, and its head is cut off, but the head continues to speak. The head states that if they kill the one who has been sealed in a cave for over 500 years, the Shikon Jewel will be released, and they can make their wish come true. The five men enter the cave and find a sleeping girl they call Kikyo. Kikyo kills them all with her arrow, but their blood awakens Inuyasha, who also kills Kikyo as she flees.

In present-day Japan, Kagome Higurashi is at her family’s shrine at Kaede’s request to see any signs of an ancient demon nearby sealed inside a well by a priestess long ago. Kagome opens the well and releases the demon named Inuyasha. Once freed, he breaks through Kagome’s time slip (the way she returns to her own time) and steals her jewel shards to re-assemble his sword Tetsusaiga with which he wishes to kill the man who sealed him: Kikyo.

Kagome follows Inuyasha back in time 500 years into feudal Japan, where she meets Inuyasha and his friends – Kaede, Sango, Miroku, and Shippo. Kagome learns that Inuyasha has been searching for a way to destroy the demon Naraku for 500 years, who is responsible for Kikyo’s death. Naraku was accountable for his father and mother’s death, but he also killed Kikyo because she was also looking for Naraku to avenge her family’s death.

How Much Filler is in Inuyasha?

There are a total of 20% filler episodes in the Inuyasha anime series.

Quick Filler & Canon Lists

Canon Episodes

1-58, 60-62, 66-67, 69-71, 73-74, 80-88, 102-126, 131-132, 141-161

Filler Episodes

59, 63-65, 68, 72, 75-79, 89-101, 127-130, 133-140, 162-163

Complete Filler List

#Episode TitleTypeAired
1The Girl Who Overcame Time...and the Boy Who Was Just OvercomeCanon10/16/2000
2Seekers of the Sacred JewelCanon10/23/2000
3Down the Rabbit Hole and Back AgainCanon10/30/2000
4Yura of the Demon-HairCanon11/06/2000
5Aristocratic Assassin, SesshomaruCanon11/13/2000
6Tetsusaiga, the Phantom SwordCanon11/20/2000
7Showdown! Inuyasha Vs. SesshomaruCanon11/27/2000
8The Toad Who Would Be PrinceCanon12/04/2000
9Shippo and the Thunder BrothersCanon12/11/2000
10Phantom Showdown: The Thunder Brothers Vs. TetsusaigaCanon12/18/2000
11Terror of the Ancient Noh MaskCanon01/15/2001
12The Soul Piper and the Mischievous Little SoulCanon01/22/2001
13The Mystery of the New Moon and the Black-haired InuyashaCanon01/29/2001
14Kikyo's Stolen AshesCanon02/05/2001
15Return of the Tragic Priestess, KikyoCanon02/12/2001
16Mystical Hand of the Amorous Monk, MirokuCanon02/19/2001
17The Cursed Ink of the Hell-PainterCanon02/26/2001
18Naraku and Sesshomaru Join ForcesCanon03/05/2001
19Go Back to Your Own Time, Kagome!Canon03/12/2001
20Despicable Villain! The Mystery of Onigumo!Canon03/19/2001
21Naraku's True Identity UnveiledCanon04/09/2001
22A Wicked Smile: Kikyo's Wandering SoulCanon04/09/2001
23Kagome's Voice and Kikyo's KissCanon04/16/2001
24Enter Sango, the Demon SlayerCanon04/23/2001
25Naraku's Insidious PlotCanon05/07/2001
26The Secret of the Sacred Jewel Revealed!Mostly Canon05/14/2001
27The Lake of the Evil Water GodCanon05/21/2001
28Miroku Falls Into a Dangerous TrapCanon05/28/2001
29Sango's Suffering and Kohaku's LifeCanon06/04/2001
30Tetsusaiga is Stolen! Showdown At Naraku's Castle!Canon06/11/2001
31Jinenji, Kind Yet SadCanon06/18/2001
32Kikyo and Inuyasha, Into the MiasmaCanon06/25/2001
33Kikyo, Captured by NarakuCanon07/02/2001
34Tetsusaiga and TenseigaCanon07/09/2001
35The True Owner of the Great Sword!Canon07/16/2001
36Kagome Kidnapped by Koga, the Wolf Demon!Canon07/23/2001
37The Man Who Fell In Love With Kagome!Canon07/30/2001
38Two Hearts, One MindCanon08/06/2001
39Trapped In A Duel To The Death!Canon08/13/2001
40The Deadly Trap of Kagura the Wind Sorceress!Canon08/20/2001
41Kagura's Dance and Kanna's MirrorCanon08/27/2001
42The Wind Scar FailsCanon09/03/2001
43Tetsusaiga BreaksCanon09/10/2001
44Kaijinbo's Evil SwordCanon09/17/2001
45Sesshomaru Wields TokijinCanon10/08/2001
46Juromaru and KageromaruCanon10/15/2001
47Onigumo's Heart Still Beats Within NarakuCanon10/22/2001
48Return to the Place Where We First MetCanon10/29/2001
49Kohaku's Lost MemoryCanon11/05/2001
50That Unforgettable Face!Canon11/12/2001
51Inuyasha's Soul, DevouredCanon11/19/2001
52The Demon's True NatureCanon11/26/2001
53Father's Old Enemy: RyukotsuseiCanon12/03/2001
54The Backlash Wave: Tetsusaiga's Ultimate TechniqueCanon12/10/2001
55The Stone Flower and Shippo's First LoveCanon12/17/2001
56Temptress In The MistCanon01/14/2002
57Fateful Night in Togenkyo, Part 1Mostly Canon01/21/2002
58Fateful Night in Togenkyo, Part 2Mostly Canon01/28/2002
59The Beautiful Sister ApprenticesFiller02/04/2002
60The 50 Year-Old Curse Of The Dark PriestessCanon02/11/2002
61Kikyo and the Dark PriestessCanon02/18/2002
62Tsubaki's Unrelenting Evil SpellCanon03/04/2002
63The Red and White PriestessesFiller03/11/2002
64Giant Ogre of the Forbidden TowerFiller03/18/2002
65Farewell Days of My YouthFiller04/08/2002
66Naraku's Barrier: Kagura's DecisionCanon04/15/2002
67The Howling Wind of BetrayalCanon04/22/2002
68Shippo Gets an Angry ChallengeFiller05/06/2002
69Terror of the Faceless ManMostly Canon05/13/2002
70Onigumo's Memory RestoredCanon05/20/2002
71Three-Sided Battle to the DeathCanon05/27/2002
72Totosai's Rigid TrainingFiller06/03/2002
73Shiori's Family and Inuyasha's FeelingsCanon06/10/2002
74The Red Tetsusaiga Breaks the Barrier!Canon06/17/2002
75The Plot of the Panther DevasFiller06/24/2002
76Target: Sesshomaru and InuyashaFiller07/01/2002
77The Panther Tribe and the Two Swords of the FangFiller07/08/2002
78Only You, SangoFiller07/15/2002
79Jaken's Plan to Steal TetsusaigaFiller07/22/2002
80Sesshomaru and the Abducted RinCanon07/29/2002
81Vanishing Point: Naraku DisappearsCanon08/05/2002
82Gap Between the AgesCanon08/12/2002
83The Female Wolf Demon and the Lunar Rainbow PromiseMostly Canon08/19/2002
84Koga's Bride-to-BeMostly Canon08/26/2002
85The Evil Within Demon's Head CastleCanon09/02/2002
86Secret of the Possessed PrincessCanon09/09/2002
87Kikyo's Lonely JourneyMostly Canon09/16/2002
88Three Sprites of the Monkey GodCanon10/14/2002
89Nursing Battle of the Rival LoversFiller10/21/2002
90Sota's Brave Confession of LoveFiller10/28/2002
91The Suspicious Faith Healer and the Black KiraraFiller11/04/2002
92Plot of the Walking DeadFiller11/18/2002
93The Mysterious, Lecherous MonkFiller11/25/2002
94The Sacred Jewel Maker Part IFiller12/02/2002
95The Sacred Jewel Maker Part IIFiller12/09/2002
96Jaken Falls illFiller01/13/2003
97Kirara, Come Home!Filler01/20/2003
98Kikyo and Kagome: Alone in a CaveFiller01/27/2003
99Koga and Sesshomaru, A Dangerous EncounterFiller02/03/2003
100Truth Behind the Nightmare: Battle in the Forest of SorrowFiller02/10/2003
101The Snow from Seven Years PastFiller02/17/2003
102Assault on the Wolf-Demon TribeMostly Canon02/24/2003
103The Band of Seven, ResurrectedCanon03/03/2003
104The Stealthy Poison User, MukotsuCanon03/10/2003
105The Ghastly Steel MachineCanon03/17/2003
106Kagome, Miroku, and Sango: A Desperate SituationCanon04/14/2003
107InuYasha Shows His Tears For the First TimeCanon04/21/2003
108The Secret of the Pure LightCanon04/28/2003
109Hidden in the Mist: Onward to Mt. HakureiCanon05/05/2003
110Enter Bankotsu, The Leader of the Band of SevenCanon05/12/2003
111The Big Clash: Banryu vs Wind Scar!Canon05/19/2003
112Afloat on the Lake Surface: The Barrier of Hijiri IslandCanon05/26/2003
113The Sacred Vajra and the Mystery of the Living BuddhaCanon06/02/2003
114Koga's Solitary BattleCanon06/09/2003
115Lured by the Black LightCanon06/16/2003
116The Exposed Face of TruthCanon06/23/2003
117Vanished in a River of FlamesCanon06/30/2003
118Into the Depths of Mt. HakureiCanon07/07/2003
119Divine Malice of the SaintCanon07/14/2003
120Fare Thee Well: Jakotsu's RequiemCanon07/28/2003
121Final Battle: The Last and Strongest of the Band of SevenCanon08/04/2003
122The Power of Banryu! Duel to the Death on Mt. HakureiCanon08/11/2003
123Behind the Darkness - Naraku RebornCanon08/18/2003
124Farewell Kikyo, My BelovedCanon08/25/2003
125The Darkness in Kagome's HeartCanon09/01/2003
126Transform Heartache into CourageCanon09/08/2003
127Don't Boil It! The Terrifying Dried-Up DemonFiller09/15/2003
128Battle Against the Dried-Up Demons at the Cultural FestivalFiller10/13/2003
129Chokyukai and the Abducted BrideFiller10/20/2003
130Shippo's New Technique, The Heart Scar!Filler10/27/2003
131Trap of The Cursed Wall HangingCanon11/03/2003
132Miroku's Most Dangerous ConfessionCanon11/10/2003
133The Woman Who Loved Sesshomaru (Part 1)Filler11/24/2003
134The Woman Who Loved Sesshomaru (Part 2)Filler11/24/2003
135The Last Banquet of Miroku's MasterFiller12/01/2003
136A Strange Invisible Demon Appears!Filler12/08/2003
137An Ancestor Named KagomeFiller01/12/2004
138Mountain of Demons: Survival of the DuoFiller01/19/2004
139The Great Duel at Shoun FallsFiller01/26/2004
140Eternal Love, The Naginata of KenkonFiller02/02/2004
141Entei, The Demon Horse UnleashedMostly Canon02/09/2004
142Untamed Entei and Horrible HakudoshiMostly Canon02/16/2004
1433000 Leagues in Search of FatherCanon02/23/2004
144Hosenki and the Last ShardMostly Canon03/01/2004
145Bizarre Guards at the Border of the AfterlifeCanon03/08/2004
146The Fiery Bird Master, Princess AbiCanon03/15/2004
147The Tragic Love Song of Destiny (Part 1)Mostly Canon04/19/2004
148The Tragic Love Song of Destiny (Part 2)Mostly Canon04/19/2004
149The Single Arrow of ChaosCanon04/26/2004
150The Mysterious Light that Guides the SaintCanon05/03/2004
151Kagome's Instinctive ChoiceCanon05/10/2004
152Protect and Plunder!Canon05/17/2004
153The Cruel Reunion of FateCanon05/24/2004
154The Demon Linked with the NetherworldCanon05/31/2004
155The Demon Protector of the Sacred Jewel ShardCanon06/07/2004
156Final Battle at the Graveside! Sesshomaru vs. InuyashaCanon06/14/2004
157Destroy Naraku with the Adamant BarrageCanon06/21/2004
158Stampede of the Countless Demon RatsCanon07/05/2004
159Kohaku's Decision and Sango's HeartCanon07/12/2004
160The Lucky but Two-Timing ScoundrelMostly Canon07/26/2004
161Miroku's Past MistakeCanon08/02/2004
162Forever with Lord SesshomaruFiller08/09/2004
163Kohaku, Sango and Kirara: The Secret Flower GardenFiller08/23/2004
164Possessed by a Parasite: Shippo, Our Worst Enemy!Canon08/30/2004
165The Ultimate Key to Defeating NarakuCanon09/06/2004
166The Bond Between Them, Use the Sacred Jewel Shard! Part 1Canon09/13/2004
167The Bond Between Them, Use the Sacred Jewel Shard! Part 2Canon09/13/2004
168Naraku's HeartCanon10/03/2009
169Kagura's WindCanon10/10/2009
170Meido ZangetsuhaCanon10/17/2009
171Dragon-Scaled TessaigaCanon10/24/2009
172The Great Holy Demon Spirit’s TestCanon10/31/2009
173The End of MoryomaruCanon11/07/2009
174Mausoleum of Mount AzusaCanon11/14/2009
175Among the Twinkling StarsCanon11/21/2009
176Sesshomaru in the UnderworldCanon11/28/2009
177Flowers Drenched in SadnessCanon12/05/2009
178Kanna's GravestoneCanon12/12/2009
179Sango's Feelings, Miroku's ResolveCanon12/19/2009
180A Complete MeidoCanon12/26/2009
181In Pursuit of NarakuCanon01/04/2010
182True HeirCanon01/11/2010
183Hitomiko's BarrierCanon01/18/2010
184Magatsuhi's Evil WillCanon01/25/2010
185The Day of DaysCanon02/01/2010
186Kohaku's ShardCanon02/08/2010
187When the Jewel Is WholeCanon02/15/2010
188Inside NarakuCanon02/22/2010
189Naraku's Trap of DarknessCanon03/01/2010
190Naraku's Trap of LightCanon03/08/2010
191Naraku's Uncertain WishCanon03/15/2010
192Thoughts Fall ShortCanon03/22/2010
193Toward TomorrowCanon03/29/2010

List of filler episodes for Inuyasha in chronological order – Learn if it is worth watching

Episode 59: The Beautiful Sister Apprentices

After dropping Miroku off at the village where he always is, Kagome walks back to her home and finds Sango coming in through the door. She asks her if she was on a date, to which Sango quickly responds no. She does however show Kagome the new weapon she made, but it is broken. Inuyasha and the gang arrive at the village and see that it is abandoned with only some dead bodies left behind. Inuyasha finds a scent of Naraku’s scent upon them. Inuyasha suspects that Naraku has been here. The group quickly sets out to find him when they see Sango in the distance fighting off some demons. They rush over to help her, but she tells them not to. The girl’s attack and tell them that their village was destroyed by Naraku’s horde of demons and they want revenge on him, for their father’s death in his failed attempt to kill Naraku during his raid on their home village years ago.

They took everything from their father with his last breath when he told them “Live…strongly” – including the weapons they had inherited from their ancestors; weapons that were specially designed for ninja warriors so that no one could ever steal them again. They had been waiting for the day to come when they could get their revenge on Naraku. The girls attack Sango with a barrage of weapons and the gang is shocked at what they are seeing. Sango tries to defend herself from them, but finds it hard. Inuyasha, intent on protecting Sango, goes to kill them both, but Sango tells him not to. She then starts to fight them off as they explain that they just want revenge on Naraku for destroying their home village and killing their father.

This episode is known to be a filler episode. However, it has a story that is quite deep for a filler episode.

This story relates to the “Naraku” saga from the Inuyasha manga. The girls who are attacking Sango are actually Naraku’s half-sisters (as the result of his mother eating her husband after being seduced by Naraku). The girls do not know this, and only want revenge on Naraku for destroying their village and killing their father (who was trying to kill Naraku).

This filler episode is a big turning point in the relationship between Sango and Miroku. It is revealed in this episode that Sango’s father was killed by Naraku’s “mother” who had been possessed by Naraku. Miroku then realizes that his habit of touching Sango’s butt is causing her to see him as her father, who was killed by Naraku (and thus hurting her). Miroku decides to stop it once and for all. The gang also goes out on their first group mission (using teamwork) to help Sango fight off the girls.

Episode 63: The Red and White Priestesses

Back at the school for priestesses, Botan and Momiji plan on how they will take on the demons that are after Tsubaki. Momiji tells Botan she feels really strange about all this, but Botan insists that she is fine.

The group arrives at the school and soon two young priestesses appear before them. They are challenged as to what they are doing there and they explain that Tsubaki is there. Botan asks if they’re demon slayers or something and Kagome explains that they’re a group of people who have been fighting demons together for a long time (which really confuses the priestesses). The two then explain that both of them have been studying to be priestesses for five years with Tsubaki being their mentor and leader of their group. The girls explain to Kagome about some of the things they’ve had to do in order to become a full fledged priestess, but Kagome figures it must be tough being one too, since she has to go through exams every month in her classes even though she’s already passed them all once before (much like when Inuyasha takes his exams but instantly fails them).

This was a rather interesting filler episode. It wasn’t as funny as some of the others, but it did have its moments. The idea that a demon slayer and monk would be intimidated by two young girls with pretty faces was amusing (especially since the girls were only supposed to be 10-13 years old and they are much bigger). It’s quite amusing when Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, and Sango all don’t know how to answer Botan’s question “Do you have any strange hobbies?” either because they all think it’s a weird question or because they can’t come up with an answer at all.

It was also interesting that Inuyasha didn’t know what shampoo was and thought it was some kind of food that Kagome might want to share. I’m sure if he knew what it really was he would’ve been more than willing to ask for some.

Botan and Momiji were very amusing characters in this episode. They certainly had the personalities of a typical pre-teen girl, but they also had the abilities of one too. I found myself laughing when Botan called her staff “Bosojimaru” and when Momiji kept saying “I’ve never felt this way before.” I’m sure she’ll have plenty of time to find out what all those feelings mean as she gets older.

Episode 64: Giant Ogre of the Forbidden Tower

Inuyasha and the others enter the “Ogre Fortress” and they encounter a priestess who was once an ogre. She transforms into an ogre after Inuyasha is tricked by her.

The reason why this is a filler episode is because the story takes place in the middle of the manga storyline which was not yet published at that time. It also continues on from episode 63 where Kagura shows up, and episode 64 has nothing to do with that plot line, or any other plot line in the manga at this time.

This episode should be viewed only after completing all of the previous episodes in order to avoid confusion as to what is going on. This anime filler episode has no relation to anything that happens in either season one or two of Inuyasha, so it should be skipped altogether for those who are interested in watching just season one or season two of Inuyasha.

Episode 65: Farewell Days of My Youth 

The episode begins with Sango and Miroku talking about having a child. Miroku is saying that they only need one between the two of them, but Sango says that they need at least two to keep up the family business. She reminds him of their families weapon shop in the demon slayer village. Meanwhile, Inuyasha and Kagome are off fighting a giant centipede. The centipede falls from a tree but it is alive still so Miroku uses his Wind Tunnel on it to finish it off for good. The villagers cheer and praise Miroku, Kagome tells him to stay at the village once again because they need someone as strong as him to protect them from other demons. However, he refuses because they don’t have any attractive women in the village.

This episode is a filler episode because of the fact that the plot doesn’t go any further than being in the feudal era with Inuyasha and his friends. This episode doesn’t go anywhere in terms of character development or the main story line. It is simply a break from Inuyasha and his friends fighting demons to make you laugh for awhile. The fact that this episode is a filler doesn’t mean that it is bad, because it is actually quite funny. The funniest parts of this episode are when Miroku says “I refuse to accept your thanks” and then says something completely different. That is probably the funniest part of the show.

Episode 68: Shippo Gets an Angry Challenge

The episode begins with an invitation to Shippō, from the last surviving Thunder Brothers, a.k.a Sōten, to engage in a battle between Thunder Brothers. The letter is carried by a dragon bird and it is delivered to Shippō while he’s walking alone through the forest. Inuyasha and the others are shown observing Shippō’s reaction, but they seem to be very keen on following the invitation and leaving for Sōten’s castle.

When they arrive at a location indicated in the letter Sōten appears before them and he tells Inuyasha that if he were to defeat him then he would be able to claim Shippō as his own property. As it turns out, Sōten had been tracking Shippō ever since he stole his thunder balls in episode 9 of the anime series, and now Sōten wants revenge for what Shippo had done to him.

This is a filler episode that was designed to increase the length of the anime series as well as to give the viewers a break from watching the ‘usual’ plot.

If you think that this episode is boring and pointless, then I suggest that you watch it again and pay attention to details. The episode gives you a glimpse into Sōten’s character and how strong he is, despite his size. It also shows how much Sōten hates Shippo for what he did in episode 9. By watching this filler episode, you will be able to understand why Shippō is so afraid of Sōten.

This particular episode has some animation errors and other errors, but it’s still worth watching!

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