Inu-Yasha Age: Unknown, but has appearance of a 17 year old First Appearance: Episode 1 Inu-Yasha is a half-demon. His father was a powerful dog demon; his mother was human. From his father he inherited the Tetsusaiga, a powerful sword that only be used when defending humans. On the first day of the month, he loses his demon powers and becomes completely human. Of course his powers return the next morning. On the outside, Inu-Yasha is rude, crude, stubborn, quick-tempered, and arrogant. However, inside he is very protective of Kagome, and has feelings for her. However, he still has feelings for Kikyo. Fifty years before Kagome's arrival, Inu-Yasha was trying to get the Shikon no Tama (also called the Shikon Jewel or Jewel of Four Souls). However, he was sealed to a tree by a priestess named Kikyo. However, he was freed from the tree by Kagome. Along with Kagome and a cowardly flea demon named Myoga, he searches for the shards of the Shikon Jewel. Kagome Higurashi Age: 15 First Appearance: Episode 1 Kagome is a 15-year-old high school student from present-day Tokyo who is pulled into the ancient Bone-eater's Well behind her home. The well leads back in time to Japan's feudal era. She meets and frees the half demon Inu-Yasha. Kagome is the re-incarnation of Kikyo. She  was born with the Shikon Jewel embedded in her body. After accidently shattering the Shikon Jewel into many shards, she sets out with Inu-Yasha to find the jewel shards. Kagome exhibits many of the same special powers that Kikyo had. She can also sense the location of the jewel shards. Additionally, she can travel back and forth in time to pick up modern amenities such as her bike, flashlight, medical supplies and instant food. An enchanted necklace around Inu-Yasha's neck enables Kagome to control him by saying, "Sit, boy!" Kikyo Age: 17 (not including the 50 years she was dead) First Appearance: Episode 1 Kikyo is the priestess who trapped Inu-Yasha against the tree before dying of her wounds. Inu-Yasha and Kikyo had fallen in love, but Naraku turned them against each other. She was brought back to life by Naraku as a way for him to torment Inu-Yasha. However, since her soul was reincarnated in Kagome's body, she must take the souls of others to stay alive in order to seek vengence against Inu-Yasha. Inu-Yasha still has feelings for Kikyo, and still rushes to her rescue, much to Kagome's discomfort. In addition to her priestess powers, Kikyo is a skilled archer and talented doctor. She uses her skills to help the sick and injured. Shippo Age: Unknown, but he is a child. First Appearence: Episode 9 Shippo is a young fox demon who wanted to kill the Thunder Brothers, who killed his father for his shard of the Shikon jewel. However, Shippo wasn't quite strong enough to do it. After the brothers are killed by Inu-Yasha, Shippo follows Inu-Yasha and Kagome. Shippo can transform into almost anything or anyone, and can create illusions. But he is often afraid to fight. He looks up to Kagome, and teases Inu-Yasha. In return, Inu-Yasha gives him a lump on his head. Miroku Age: 19 First Appearance: Episode 16 Miroku is a low level priest. His grandfather was cursed by Naraku with Kazaana on his hand, which can suck anything into it but eventually swallows and kills its owner. It was passed down through the family to Miroku, who must kill Naraku to remove the curse before the Kazaana kills him. Aside from the praying and exorcism, Miroku is not priestly. He asks every pretty girl he meets if she will bear his child, and he's not above ripping people off. Sango Age: 16 First Appearance: Episode 24 Sango is the oldest daughter in a family of demon exterminators. Naraku laid a trap for the people of her villagers, killing all of the villagers including her father and younger brother, Kohaku. Naraku later revives Kohaku and uses him against her. Sango is devoted to her allies and harsh against her enemies. She joins Inu-Yasha and the others to seek vengence against Naraku. Sesshomaru Age: Unknown, but older than Inu-Yasha First Appearance: Episode 5 Sesshomaru is Inu-Yasha's older half-brother. This full-blooded demon despises Inu-Yasha's human blood. While attempting to steal the Tetsusaiga, he lost an arm. This does not stop him from trying to kill Inu-Yasha. He orders a sword made, called Toukijin, that is as powerful as the Tetsusaiga. Despite his deadly quest, Sesshomaru can be quite calm and logical. He posseses a sword named Tenseiga which has the ability to restore life. He saves a little human orphan girl named Rin with it. Although he deems humans as inferior beings, he lets her tag along with him and Jaken. Sesshomaru is one of the few persons in this series with no interest in the Shikon jewel. Naraku Age: a little over 50 (Counting from the time Onigumo called in the demons to devour him) First Appearence: Episide 16 Sesshomaru is pretty evil, but Naraku is worse. Naraku is the top evil demon of the series. He was born through the desires of a wild thief named Onigumo, who wanted Kikyo. He called dozens of demons into his grave to devour him. Although he has pretty much made an enemy of almost everyone he's come across, he has made extra effort to kill Inu-Yasha, or at least make his life as miserable as possible. He has the ablilty to change his form into anything he wants, which he did to trick Inu-Yasha and Kikyo into hating each other (resulting in their 'deaths'). He has used Inu-Yasha's brother Sesshomaru to try and kill Inu-Yasha, but was unsuccesful. He also has an 'army' of insect creatures, which he uses in his plots to destroy Inu-Yasha.  Naraku is also a half-demon like Inuyasha, but Naraku can choose the time of month to return to his human form. He uses this time to re-arrange his body into a stronger and more powerful form.  Naraku can also control puppets of himself, and now he can create new demon offsprings from himself, but only two of them (Kagura and Kanna) have lasted more than one fight though.