Inuyasha [167 episodes]

Inuyasha Episode 167: The Cliffhanger That Left Fans Hanging (But Ready for More)

Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re expecting a neat, tied-with-a-bow ending to Inuyasha’s 167-episode run, you’re gonna facepalm harder than Kagome when Inuyasha bails to find Kikyo. This final episode? It’s a cliffhanger—no two ways about it. But before you storm the MAL forums (like half the fans did back in 2004), let’s break down why this “non-ending” is actually… kind of genius? Or at least, a necessary evil that made The Final Act hit harder.

First, let’s set the scene. The original Inuyasha anime, produced by Sunrise and airing from 2000 to 2004, followed Kagome Higurashi—a modern-day schoolgirl who falls into a well and lands in feudal Japan—teaming up with Inuyasha, a half-dog demon, to collect shards of the Shikon Jewel. Along for the ride: Shippo (a tiny fox demon with a penchant for pranks), Miroku (a monk with a cursed wind tunnel in his hand), and Sango (a demon slayer out for revenge). For 167 episodes, they fought Naraku (the big bad made of evil and baby daddy drama), dealt with Kikyo (Inuyasha’s dead ex-girlfriend, resurrected—drama!), and bickered like a dysfunctional found family.

Then comes Episode 167. The gang’s chasing Naraku (shocker), and just when you think they might actually corner him? He escapes. Again. The episode ends with Inuyasha yelling Naraku’s name, Kagome looking determined, and… credits roll. No resolution. No “and they lived happily ever after.” Just a big, fat “to be continued.”

Fans back in 2004 lost their minds. One MAL user ranted, “THIS IS AN ANIME ONLY DISCUSSION POST. DO NOT DISCUSS THE MANGA BEYOND THIS EPISODE. A full bunch of 167 episodes and how does it end? a cliffhanger :facepalm: … well but its continued in the manga from Chapter 356.” Another fumed, “I was SO beyond pissed after I watched this episode! I was looking forward to a really happy ending and then BAM! Cliffy. -_-”

But here’s the thing: the anime didn’t end. It just… paused. The manga, written by Rumiko Takahashi, was still ongoing (it wrapped in 2008), so Sunrise couldn’t adapt the final arc without spoiling the story. Hence, the cliffhanger. Fast forward to 2009, and Inuyasha: The Final Act dropped—12 episodes that tied up every loose end (yes, even Inuyasha and Kagome’s will-they-won’t-they).

Looking back, the cliffhanger was a blessing in disguise. It kept fans invested. Imagine if the anime had forced a rushed ending—we’d be complaining about that too. Instead, it left us hungry for more, making The Final Act feel like a victory lap. As one fan put it, “it may had ended in a cliffhanger but the anime series will end truly in the next anime series of inuyasha: the final act. cant wait to see how it will all end.”

Plus, let’s be real—Inuyasha was never about the destination. It was about the journey. The filler episodes where Shippo tried (and failed) to prank Inuyasha. The moments where Miroku hit on every woman in feudal Japan (RIP his monk vows). The times Kagome yelled “SIT!” and Inuyasha face-planted into the dirt (never gets old). Those are the parts that stuck with us, not the final battle against Naraku.

Critics will say the anime dragged—167 episodes is a lot, and there were plenty of fillers. But for fans who grew up with Inuyasha on Adult Swim or Toonami, those fillers were part of the charm. They gave us more time with the characters we loved. As one nostalgic viewer wrote, “now, InuYasha will always be one of those nostalgic favorites of mine, since i always tuned in on Adult Swim to watch it. now, it’s definitely no masterpiece or great great story, but i’ll always love it and have a place for it in my heart.”

So, is Episode 167 a good ending? No. Is it a necessary one? Absolutely. It’s a reminder that some stories aren’t meant to end neatly—they’re meant to keep going, even if it takes a few years (and a sequel series) to get there.

If you’re watching Inuyasha for the first time now, count your lucky stars. You don’t have to wait 5 years for The Final Act—you can binge it right after Episode 167. But spare a thought for the fans who waited. They deserve a high-five (and maybe a box of tissues for the Kikyo feels).

Final verdict? Episode 167 is a 7/10 on its own, but as a setup for The Final Act, it’s a 10/10. It’s messy, it’s frustrating, but it’s Inuyasha—and that’s why we love it.

Now, go watch The Final Act. Your OTP (and your sanity) will thank you.

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P.S. If you’re still mad about the cliffhanger, just remember: at least it’s not as bad as the ending of Fullmetal Alchemist (2003). Trust me.