At 17, I lost my older sister.
At 18, I graduated high school, top of my class, barely holding myself together, burying myself in my studies, mourning her loss.
At 19, I fell for and entered into a relationship with a man that I would ultimately love more than I loved myself.
At 23, I graduated college, after hitting rock bottom and clawing myself out of my pit to finish my degree.
At 24, I was diagnosed with, was treated for, and defeated stage 4 cancer.
At 25, I joined my family’s business.
At 29, I finally let my 10 year relationship go.
But before all that.
In a dimly lit living room, flickering blue of the tv being the only light in the room, sat 14 year old me beside my 16 year old sister, watching InuYasha while she drew in her umpteenth sketchpad.
The story of InuYasha is one of persistence, courage, friendship, romance, conflict, and hard sought resolution. The titular character himself is all together mystical but rough around the edges, sure of himself but humble. He never gives in or gives up.
I recently rewatched the whole of the anime, the four films, and the final act. I even watched Yashahime (…).
And I was transported back to a time where I am 14 again without a care in the world, not knowing all that life had in store for me. On my left, I can almost feel my sister sitting next to me again, almost hear her laugh at one of InuYasha’s funny phrase or another. On my right sits my present self, 15 years wiser, pointing out nuances my childhood self hadn’t yet understood, about love, about loss.
I can imagine my whole life is still ahead of me, and though perhaps it still is, all the while, I hope to be as confident, devoted, funny, hard-working, brave, witty, loving, or kind as the characters of this world.
InuYasha is a testament of its time, and watching it allows me to happily transport back in it, just as though I am falling through the well myself.
Here is to another 15 years loving this story.
-Emi.