Frequently Asked Questions about this Inuyasha Webpage

Important Definitions

First, a few definitions for those who think that, if they don't know Japanese, they can only watch the Cartoon Network version:

Anime Dub: Anime that has had English-speaking voices dubbed over the original Japanese voice track. This usually involves translating Japanese into English, not so that we understand what the characters are actually saying, but so that the English fits the mouth movements of the animation.

I have no doubt that Anime dubbing companies and English Voice Actors do their best. It's their bread-and-butter, after all, and they are professionals. However, having had more than one opportunity to hang out behind the scenes with the voice actor guests at a few cons, as nice as these people are, they often have little to no emotional investment in their anime dubbed characters. They put on good faces for the fans, but their dubbing work and con appearances are "just part of the effort to get a decent paycheck."

Unless dubbers make some serious changes in the way they prepare their VAs for their dubbing work, English VAs rarely, if ever, are familiarized with a series and their characters before go in and start recording. According to Scott McNeil, among others, they often don't even have a script until the day of recording, and then they're so busy trying to fit the words to mouth movements, there's very little chance for character development. That's why there have been so many anime dubs where the voices are little more than caricatures pulled out of a VA's pre-existing repertoire. And this is why I will, with very few exceptions, prefer a subtitled anime to a dubbed anime.

Anime Sub (or Subtitle): Anime that has the original Japanese voice track, with English subtitles. In other words, if you can read the English words that appear at the bottom of the screen, you can not only get a better translation of what the characters are actually saying (rather than words forced to fit mouth movements that you hear in dubs), you'll actually get to hear that Inuyasha is not, in fact, some snotty California surfer dude, but rather a gruff Japanese Feudal Era demon. You'll find out that Kagome's name is not pronounced KaGOme. You'll hear that Sango actually has a sweet voice, rather than an annoying, bitchy voice. You'll hear all the nuances of conflicted hate, love and suffering in Kikyou's voice. You'll absolutely swoon at Sesshoumaru's deep and resonant voice. And you'll get to see scenes that the Cartoon Network cut out for reasons I can't comprehend except perhaps to save time for commercial breaks.

Common Questions & Answers:

Q: Do you like Inuyasha?

A: Yes, I do. In fact, I liked it when the first issue manga hit the stands in Japan, long before Cartoon Network brought the anime to America's airwaves in the form of an absolutely hideous dub. I cannot stand to watch Inuyasha with those horrible English voices. The Cartoon Network version makes me cringe.

Q: But I like the Cartoon Network version! Are you insulting me for liking it?

A: Of course not. Why should I care if you like Cartoon Network Inuyasha? That's your business, not mine. Different strokes for different folks and all that.

Q: Do you find it amusing that so many people are offended that you do not like the Cartoon Network (Viz-produced) dub, and that you have the unmitigated gall to say so?

A: Yes. Very. So many people are so easily offended these days. One would think they could find something more worthwhile to get their panties in a bunch over, than my opinion of the Cartoon Network dub.

I'm not a big fan of tomatoes either. In fact, they make me gag.

Hope I'm not offending any tomato lovers out there. ^_~

Q: "How can u dis the Cartoon Network?!!!!111 ur insulting the only inu yasha we have!!!!11111"

A: Sorry, but anyone who thinks that the Cartoon Network is the sole source of Inuyasha in the US is sadly misinformed. So for those of you who really want to get your hands on some pure, untainted Inuyasha, let me help you out a bit here.

I am constantly discovering new and wonderful anime series that are not available in the US at all, because I know how to get my hands on fansubs.

Fansubs of Inuyasha, episodes 38-100+, plus the two Inuyasha Movies are available for the mere cost of shipping and the CDs they're burned on, at Filia Fansubs. Click on the link to go to their website.

Filia Fansubs are an extremely ethical fansub group who take their fansubs out of distribution as soon as the episodes are released in the US. So as soon as the episodes air on the Cartoon Network, you won't be able to get them from Filia Fansubs.

Q: Getting fansubs sounds complicated. Isn't there any other way to get my hands on English subtitled Inuyasha?

A: Fear not! Viz Video, which is the domestic company that has been so kind to bring both the Inuyasha manga and anime to the US, is now releasing Inuyasha on DVD! These DVDs not only have the English dub for those of you who like that kind of thing, but it will also have a Japanese language track with English subtitles, for purist anime snobs like me.

Buying Inuyasha on Viz DVD is one of the best ways to support the domestic anime industry, and one of the best ways to thank them for bringing Inuyasha to the USA in the first place (even if I don't like their dubbed version that they show on the Cartoon Network). ^_^

Q: Where can I get Viz's English translated Inuyasha graphic novels?

A: You can find them at any Barnes and Noble or Borders Bookstore. Both usually have a rather large manga section near the science fiction and fantasy books, and are usually right by the role-playing manuals. And, by some chance you can't find what you need, the bookstore will be more than happy to order the books for you at no extra cost. And then of course, you could just order them from Amazon.com, the internet's largest bookseller. Amazon.com could have the whole series on your doorstep in just a few days.

Q: Where can I buy the original, untranslated Japanese manga?

A: I order all my Japanese manga from the Sasuga Japanese Bookstore in Cambridge, MA. (Click on the link to go to their website.) They ship anywhere in the US and Canada, which is a good thing, since I live in Utah and Utah is virtually an anime and manga wasteland.

Q: Why don't you have more pictures on your site?

A: Because I have neither the time nor the patience to scan all my Inuyasha pictures. There are plenty of other sites that have literally tons of Inuyasha pictures for your viewing pleasure. Do a Google search on "Inuyasha gallery" and you'll find tons of Inuyasha pics for your viewing pleasure. As for this page, what you see is what you get.

Q: Are you ever going to finish your Half Breed and Vigil fanfics?

A: Yes, eventually, but right now I have other projects that I'm focusing on; namely, my webcomic, Utukki, and my Ranma 1/2 fanfic, Hearts of Ice.

Q: Ranma 1/2? What's that?

A: It's the 38 volume manga that Rumiko Takahashi made before she started Inuyasha.

Q: How old are you?

A: I'm 33. Yes, that's right. I'm a cranky old lady. ^_^

Please do not email me with any of the following questions, as I will not respond:

1) "When is the Cartoon Network going to show new Inuyasha Episodes?"

I can't figure out why anyone would ask me this. Do people not understand from my lengthy diatribe that I do not like the Cartoon Network version of Inuyasha? Why on earth would I keep track of their schedule? I kindly suggest that if you want to know the Cartoon Network's plans for showing future Inuyasha episodes, you go to the Cartoon Network website and ask them, as they are far more likely to know. I am definitely not the person to ask about anything regarding the Cartoon Network's showing of Inuyasha. Sorry. ^_^

2) "Why don't you like the Cartoon Network version?"

I have explained that here on my website. I'm not going spend time answering emails sent to me by people who don't bother to read my FAQ.

3) "Where can I get manga/videos/fansubs/whatever?"

I have also explained this here on my website. I put this information on my website precisely so I wouldn't have to spend every moment of my free time answering emails. So please, please read the FAQ before emailing me. And even then, keep in mind that I am a very busy person and may not have time to answer.