Unveiling Shippo’s Star Moments: 3 Times the Adorable Fox Demon Outshined Inuyasha

Mascot characters hold a special place in the realm of shonen anime and manga, often serving as sources of comic relief while sometimes contributing to the plot’s evolution. Take Kurama from Naruto, who transforms from a furious beast into the protagonist’s staunchest ally. Similarly, Sadaharu from Gintama consistently risks his life to safeguard his Odd Jobs companions. Meanwhile, characters like Shippo from Inuyasha transcend their mascot roles, becoming beloved cast members that fans cherish.

Shippo is responsible for many of Inuyasha‘s iconic moments. Initially an orphaned kitsune with designs on the Shikon Jewel Shards to gain strength and avenge his father’s death, he soon became integral to the group. The lively exchanges between Shippo and Inuyasha are particularly memorable, with the small kitsune often stealing the spotlight from the series’ main character.

The ninth and tenth episodes of Inuyasha introduce the young kitsune as Shippo tries to swipe the Shikon Jewel Shards from Kagome and Inuyasha. Though his attempt to steal them fails, it sparks a lasting dynamic between him and Inuyasha that endures throughout the series. Despite his initial thievery, Kagome insists on hearing his story, and as Shippo’s touching tale unfolds, it’s impossible not to empathize with his plight.

Shippo’s Entrance Brought Him Into the Spotlight for the First Time

Image via Studio Sunrise

Inuyasha‘s ninth and tenth episodes introduced the young kitsune when Shippo attempted to swipe the Shikon Jewel Shards from Kagome and Inuyasha. His failure to snatch them launches ongoing banter between Inuyasha and Shippo that carries on throughout the entire series. Even though he attempted to steal the shards, Kagome insists that they hear him out, and as Shippo’s heart-wrenching story comes out, it’s hard not to feel his sorrow.

The murderous Thunder Brothers killed Shippo’s father, and he wants vengeance. There’s no way he could do it as he is. He’s just a little boy who hasn’t fully come into his own abilities as a fox demon yet. His shapeshifting is unreliable, often leaving his fluffy fox tail in plain sight and giving him away. At best, he’s an accomplished trickster, but trickery only goes so far in serious matters of vengeance. Add to that his obvious weakness and innocent cowardice, and Shippo couldn’t get vengeance on his own, no matter how hard he tried.

When Kagome gets nabbed by the Thunder Brothers, Shippo has to convince Inuyasha to save her and help him get his vengeance. In classic Inuyasha fashion, he plays indifference about Kagome’s abduction, saying he’ll only help if Shippo begs for forgiveness. When they finally meet up with the Thunder Brothers, it’s only thanks to Inuyasha’s help that Shippo sees his father’s killers slain. It’s an emotional two episodes, balanced by the comedic banter between Shippo and Inuyasha that becomes a staple across the entire series.

Facing Sesshomaru In a Time of Need Took Great Courage

Image via Studio Sunrise

In Episode 143, “3000 Leagues In Search of Father,” Inuyasha and the group come across a young otter demon named Kanta. Kanta’s father was beheaded, and when the head fell into the river, he chased after it. When he returned, however, his father’s headless body was gone. Believing it could save him if his father’s still moving body could be reattached to his head, they set out to find the body of Kanta’s father.

Meanwhile, Sesshomaru, Rin and Jaken are at their camp when a spear-riddled, headless body collapses at Sesshomaru’s feet. Inuyasha and friends arrive, with Kanta immediately trying to reattach his father’s head, but to no avail. There is no life left in him, which is devastating for Kanta, who’d been holding out hope all along.

Kagome tries to appeal to Sesshomaru’s better nature, asking him to use Tensaiga to heal the otter demon, but he silently refuses. It’s at this moment Shippo steals the spotlight, rushing in and begging the terrifying Dog Demon to reconsider on behalf of a friend he can relate to all too easily. Shippo’s plea goes unanswered, but this time when Sesshomaru turns to walk away, Tenseiga pulses. Drawing out the blade, he cuts away the afterlife emissaries surrounding the otter demon, reviving him and giving him his life back.

This may not directly be Shippo’s victory, as it acts more like affirmation that there is more to Sesshomaru than he would have his younger half-brother and friends believe. That being said, Shippo is not very good at facing his fears, and Sesshomaru is definitely terrifying. The fact that he stood up for his new friend, trying to appeal to Sesshomaru’s better nature is an unforgettable spotlight moment for the little fox demon.

Shippo Finds Himself on the Other Side of Vengeance

When Shippo gets a sudden invitation to duel Sato, the last remaining Thunder Brother, it’s a horrific notion. The last battle was only won thanks to Inuyasha, but Shippo has no choice. Honor demands it, and with Inuyasha and friends quickly separated from Shippo by Sato’s sneaky tactics, he has no choice but to face the final Thunder Brother alone.

Expecting the worst, Shippo’s relieved when he arrives at the invitation location only to discover that his opponent is just another kid. The two enter into a pretty ridiculous battle of drawings, flashing them at each other until both collapse from sheer exhaustion. Sato is completely enamored with Shippo’s drawings, which are so vibrant and colorful. When he admits it’s because of the crayons Kagome gave him, Sato decides that they have to duel for the crayons.

Shippo agrees, and the pair head back outside to throw down. They slam each other with every childish trick they have up their sleeves, proving to be pretty evenly matched. By the time Inuyasha and Kagome arrive at the duel location, Sato and Shippo are both lying flat on their backs in exhaustion, having worn each other. Seeing that Sato is just a child may annoy Inuyasha, but Kagome makes a beeline for the little boy, hugging him. It isn’t until Kagome calls Sato a boy that she gets an earful.

Sato is not a boy. She’s a girl, and that news is enough to fluster (and annoy) Shippo so deeply that he concedes the duel and just gives the crayons to Sato before walking off. As if his duel wasn’t enough to steal the spotlight for an entire episode, the fact that Sato uses her prized crayons to draw an adorable picture of Shippo in the closing scene suggests that the little fox demon is going to have a whole new set of troubles from the Thunder Tribe’s remaining member one day.

Release Date

2000 – 2010-00-00

Network

ANIMAX, Nippon TV, YTV

Directors

Masashi Ikeda, Yasunao Aoki, Akira Toba, Hirofumi Ogura, Takashi Ikehata, Kunihiro Mori, Noriaki Saito, Naoki Hishikawa, Teruo Satou

Writers

Katsuhiko Chiba, Akatsuki Yamatoya

• Ai Kobayashi

  Akago (voice)

• 

  Kappei Yamaguchi

  InuYasha (voice)