Inuyasha the Movie 3: Swords of an Honorable Ruler (2003)

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

It was weird looking back at a time when this show was everywhere and everyone was talking about it. Now that it's been over for awhile now, people are just more interested in currently running anime. I remember reading a magazine that talked all about the anime and explained all the characters. I feel bad for forgetting a lot of the plot. Then again, I never watched a single episode. I did end up reading the final chapter of the manga. I mean, that was so significant even as someone who wasn't a fan I had to see that! Well, my movie certainly jogged my memory. Maybe the best part is how it begins by giving Inuyasha's origin story.We even get Kagome tell us about everything that's going on in the show so it's very easy for non fans to catch up with everything! Thanks, Kagome! This was my first time watching "Inuyasha" and it's great to be watching something so popular. The best part about this was probably the animation. I mean, everything is so gorgeous here. It looks brand new! I was able to remember the characters and am glad they all contributed to the plot. This movie's plot features a magic sword that corrupts its users. We get zombies which is always a plus. I rarely see that in anime, so thank you, Inuyasha! ***1/2

-THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS SPOILERS REGARDING FILM PLOT/CHARACTERS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED-...Inuyasha 3, Swords of an Honorable Ruler!!! -applause- It's true folks, from all the Inuyasha films, this film is the best of all the installments, (includes the 1st, 2nd, and the 4th) This is because the story didn't resolve around Kagome being a damsel in distress or drama in the never ending love triangle of Kagome/Kikyo/Inuyasha. No, we are finally given a story that reveals just what is special of the swords Inuyasha and Sesshomaru possess and a third sword which belonged to the siblings father that is the trouble in the story.. The film focuses on the 'mysterious sword' later to be revealed as Sounga, the demon possessed soul looking to conquer the lands. What's amazing about this film is the fact sounga is a demon possessed sword that can control the dead as well as fight so well that even Inuyasha and Sesshomaru aren't able to defeat without working together. but there the question is: will the siblings put their own grudges aside and fight side-by-side with the swords given to them by their father, (whom we get to see in the film briefly in the intro and conclusion), without killing each other? It really is an amazing film for the story line and actual character development in the film. Sesshomaru's character throughout the show has always been dark and secret, yet in the film we see more to what his father meant to him and just what kind of a person he is. Another plus side to the film is the action build-up where our heroes, along with sesshoumaru and his crew of Rin, Jaken and Ah-Uhn, along with the sword maker Totosai -i think i spelled his name right- fight the army of the dead, literally, controlled by Sounga and the man known as Takemaru. (a samurai who battled against Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's dad and lost) As great as this film is, it only gets 9/10 only because of one character who remains consistently annoying throughout the film in my opinion.KAGOME just can't seem to remember the hero's name, since she's constantly shouting/screaming/saying/whispering his name at least 100 times in just one sentence. Like, i'm glad she's no damsel in this film and actually does some ass-kicking with a headstrong attitude. But it's not needed to have someone shout the hero's name, especially when the hero is either fighting, saving someone, trying to get something done, does his own thing, or is busy. The old gang, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo are great too, with the role of supporting our hero. Miroku and Sango even have their moment which is really sweet to watch. So all-in-all, watch the film cause it's great from start to finish with fantastic action and a few romantic moments. A must for any Inuyasha fan.

This had to be the best of any Inuyasha movie released in English thus far. Even if you haven't been a geek sworn in to the series, you'll understand the basic storyline, very much unlike the previous two.This is not for the lovebirds in the audience, it's more for the series' main genre, the action (battle of the brothers to be precise). The movie's OC villain, Takemaru, was surprisingly deep and had an exceptional storyline laced with Izayoi, Inuyasha's mother. The father of Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, however, was probably the highlight of this feature, he himself was worth seeing the entire movie for.However, there were one or two things that troubled me about this story. There were many out-of-character moments that just irked me, but that's to be expected by the people who write the movies, and are not too familiar with the original manga.Though, I'm happy to say that this movie's animation is much more consistent and mirrors both the manga and anime stylings very well. The music is amazing, I was happy to see some of the old stuff from the first season mixed in there. "Four Seasons" at the end was also a very nice treat.All and all, I would say that this is one that needs to be seen by any fan, avid or not.

yes. i am such a die-hard inuyasha fan i'm gonna label this the best anime movie ever (however i'm aware my biased opinion will not convince everyone). still, out of the 4 inuyasha movies out there, this 3rd movie contains all the good qualities an anime movie should have. let me start by saying the movie can be almost written as canon (meaning, it follows somewhat the original storyline). it is well animated (althought the 4th movie has the best animation)... and the fact that sesshoumaru here has so many screen minutes. in this film, you can also see sesshoumaru realizing he does care for someone (albeit trying hard to maintain his aloofness and denying it). it's also surprising in one of the battle scenes that he took the hit for inuyasha - showing he does not really HATE inuyasha that much.if there's only one thing that 'dirties' this movie, it's whenever kagome is on the scene. granted, i really despised her character. she did nothing in this movie that actually helped except for the fact she screamed to sesshoumaru to actually help inuyasha (much to my fave half-demon's ire). even rin had a use in this movie.. kagome: just plain useless.but don't let kagome's uselessness (note to all kagome-haters) deter you from watching or owning a DVD of this film. if you liked the two previous inu movies (this one is a guarantee to be your favourite). i have the dvds of the two films and cant wait for the sept 6 release of this film.then, i'll be patiently waiting for the 4th one!!!