InuYasha: The Final Act Season 1, Episode 7: The Mausoleum of Mount Azusa Review - Featured

The plot again thickens and I could not be happier! Episode 7, "The Mausoleum of Mount Azusa" was another emotional episode; unlike the awesome dread that "The End of Moryomaru" brought on, though, this episode invoked feelings of courage and conviction. Honestly, from last week's trailer, I could not say that I had any idea of what would happen in this episode, so here is the breakdown for everyone as clueless as me.

The episode began as it normally does, fairly light-hearted with bickering between Koga and InuYasha; then quickly a sinister feeling washed over me as we joined Naraku back at Mount Hakurei. If you remember, he sealed his heart away there. He has finally realized what demise Kikyo has in store for him and needs his hatred-filled heart to not be purified by the Shikon no Tama. This guy is just creepy. His heart has taken the form of his own head and then transforms into a spider to burrow into his skin. Ew.

Meanwhile, we go back to where "The End of Moryomaru" left off as Kikyo absorbs and purifies the miasma from Miroku's body. Her body cannot handle it either, and she suffers. I almost started to feel myself warming up to Kikyo when she did this. She informs Miroku that if he uses the Wind Tunnel much more, the scars left by Naraku will eventually reach his heart and he will be lost. Continuing his selfless streak, he asks that Sango not be informed of his condition, because he has no regrets. Kikyo passes on that the miasma within Miroku has been cleaned, but he will still require more rest. She leaves with Kohaku, promising to herself that she will save him if she can.

InuYasha finds that he cannot sleep, and as Kagome awakens she is startled to find the woods covered in spider webs. Kikyo is also having similar issues in a neighboring village, though no one seems to see them other than her and Kagome. She is stays in her barrier until a little girl is attacked. What a nasty things to do, to use a little girls as bait; but Kikyo has no choice but to take the bait and save the child. After cleansing her, Kikyo is caught in Naraku's web. Oh no! Run, Kohaku!

InuYasha and gang are hot on her trail following the webs and, of course, InuYasha goes ahead on his own and gets himself caught as well. Naraku bombards Kagome with image and feelings from that fateful day fifty years ago when Kikyo bound InuYasha to the tree, filling her with sorrow and doubt. After waking up, Kikyo explains Naraku's very convoluted plot. Ready?

Naraku's web ignited the miasma in Kikyo's body, cause wounds to appear that would leak miasma and taint Kohaku's jewel shard, forcing Kikyo to push Kohaku away. Her wounds would lure InuYasha her way and along with him, Kagome. He needed Kagome to be contaminated as well by negative feelings toward Kikyo so that she couldn't purify her wounds. This whole scene was pretty anticlimactic and to the point. That was disappointing; but ok, we know what's wrong. What do we do now?

Why go to Mount Azusa and get a bow string of course! ...sure...ok...Kagome has InuYasha stay with Kikyo and heads toward the Mount with the remaining crew. The catch though, Kagome can only reach the summit of Mount Azusa is she really wants to save Kikyo. How many test of Kagome's convictions and soul are there going to be in this anime?!

While they are away, Kohaku is attacked by Byakuya. Even though Kikyo's minions give him a fleeting moment to run, he is caught by Byakuya and his miasma snakes. They latch on and begin to taint the jewel shard so that Byakuya can take it. But not so fast! Sesshomaru shows up and distracts him with a blow from the Tenseiga. Baykuya flies off and Sesshomaru is left with Kohaku and a snake biting Jaken.

Kikyo's wounds are getting worse and she will soon die if Kagome cannot save her. Back at Mount Azusa, Kagome begins her trial to see if she really wants to save Kikyo deep down in her heart. She is again bombarded with images and words meant to tear her down and reveal her true intentions toward Kikyo. Too bad they really are pure. Sorry, Mount Azusa. In another very emotional scene, Kagome shouts her sentiments regarding Kikyo and comes to the realization that she was once in the same position as Kikyo and vows not to abandon her because she fears InuYasha will choose her. She is judged pure of heart as she frees herself from Naraku's web and goes back to save Kikyo.

Oh no, Naraku notices and is forced to return to his original plan to kill Kikyo.

Another amazingly powerful ending and another frustrating cliffhanger. Now this is what I love and have come to expect of InuYasha! The next episode should prove very interesting. Will Naraku actually succeed in killing Kikyo?

Next time on InuYasha: The Final Act is "Among the Twinkling Stars!" Is it Saturday yet?!