Kagome Higurashi

Kagome Higurashi is the main female protagonist from the InuYasha anime and manga.

Kagome is the modern-day reincarnation of the feudal era miko, Kikyou. She was unknowingly born with the legendary Shikon no Tama inside her body until the day of her 15th birthday, when a yōkai pulled her into her family's sacred well, taking her roughly five hundred years back in time, and later extracted the newly reborn gem from her.

After accidentally shattered the jewel into hundreds of fragments that disperse all throughout Japan. Kagome, along with the hanyou, Inuyasha, had to recover all the shards of the Jewel before they fall into the evil influence of the evil mastermind Naraku, meeting several allies and enemies in the process.

Appearance
Kagome is a rather attractive young woman who has somewhat pale skin, and a slender yet curvaceous figure with well-toned thighs. She has long wavy black hair with a noticeably grey outline which is sometimes portrayed as blue, and big blue eyes (brown in anime). Because of her beauty and attractiveness, Kagome was one of the main targets to Miroku's comical lecherous tendencies.

Kagome usually is always seen wearing her green and white school uniform, also known as sailor fuku. It is a common style of uniform worn by female middle school and high school students. A red ribbon is tied in the front and laced through a loop attached to the blouse. On other occasions, Kagome is seen wearing other outfits that are a combination of different sweaters and skirts.

At the Feudal Era, Kagome sometimes has been seen wearing the same outfit that Kikyou and Kaede wear, which is a traditional miko red outfit. When she first wore this outfit, Inuyasha told Kagome to undress (or in other words "change into something else") because she looked like Kikyou.

Personality
Kagome's heart is pure and kind, always rich and sometimes uncontrollable, which is strangely similar to Inuyasha's lack of self-control. Because of her empathetic nature, she never hesitates to help those in need of it, treating all with warmth and respect. Even if she doesn't say a word, her feelings are easy to read due to her honest expressions, which cause those around her to soften in tough situations and be honest as well. The only dark part that Kagome ever had was her secret jealousy over Inuyasha's feelings towards her past life, but she eventually learns to be at peace with it and let go. Even with this, she wasn't without her flawed, quirky and immature side, which is typical of her age.

Kagome was never afraid to voice her mind about what is "right" and what is "wrong," making her somewhat opinionated and stubborn. She eventually learnt to not see the world in black or white, becoming the one others turn to when they need emotional support or advice as she can be direct and make hard but valid points, even to a friend. Still, Kagome is unforgiving of anyone who opposes her sense of justice until they stop, even when there was large difference in power. This was shown when she nearly killed Naraku out of her disgust and fury towards his evil, manipulative nature and had wanted him destroyed as much as her companions since then.

Although she was just a modern girl for most of her life, Kagome was strangely unfazed by the horrors, violence, and death in the Warring States era because of her strong spirit. Her reckless courage is known to "always be in full force", being impulsive and jumping into potentially dangerous situations without wait for help. Though she is usually calm and compassionate, Kagome has a hidden violent side to her when her short temper is brought into play. Inuyasha tends to be the cause due to his blunt, ill-mannered nature which she rarely tolerates nor has the patience for, clashing with her own immaturity and frequently in use "Sit!" on him (especially in the anime), which she almost never regrets (although mentally does at times) or apologizes for unless it was by accident and doesn't really seems to mean it. She was often disgusted towards Miroku's lecherous ways and didn't hesitate to criticize him, but became resigned towards it over time as she knows he was never going to change.

When she is involved in battles, Kagome uses her knowledge to the fullest and analyzes the situation to the best of her ability, unlike Inuyasha who most of the time just recklessly jumps in and acts instinctively. Even when backed into a corner, she figures out solutions and dares to execute it, often producing unexpected good results. Though she doesn't have particularly great cunning as Miroku does, Kagome's words are somehow able to move others and instill confidence as well as almost unconscious obedience due to her cheerful, positive character. She can also be slightly manipulative at times, as she would smoothly tell Koga what he wanted to hear despite they were lies, and it had the desired effect.

In the Warring States Era infested with evil spirits, Kagome gradually becomes a sort of conduit between humans and demons. With her ability to make people feel accepted and at ease despite their suffered misfortune, she could befriend Jinenji (accepting his half-demon nature and being one of the first to show kindness to him), Miroku (refusing to let him be alone after learning of his Kazaana), Sango (showing sympathy toward her after Sango's family was murdered and Kohaku was forced to become their worst enemy's subordinate), Shippo(doting on him, to point of being his mother figure), and mostly Inuyasha (breaking the tension between them despite he was gravely wounded, untrusting, and accustomed to loneliness). As Inuyasha is poor at expressing himself without pride, she uses her insight to interpret his feelings and more gentle side, though she could get exasperated with his rudeness and tactlessness.

Although she didn't know much about the Warring States era at first and people kept calling her Kikyou's reincarnation because of their striking resemblance in appearance and power, Kagome felt no fear and often handled the pain it brings on her in the best way she can. She stayed strong and took pride in her current life, being outraged at both Inuyasha (at first) and the dark priestess Tsubaki for seeing her only as a "Kikyo's look alike." Kagome has saved helped Kikyo and saved her life on several occasions and vice-versa, both for the fact that it was the right thing to do, their admiration for each other, and accepting Inuyasha's towards both of them.

Kagome is clumsy in love and shows to almost never able to hide her feelings, even when she wasn't fully conscious of it. Her curious school friends always coerced her into reporting her love life and could guess what was going on from her facial expressions, despite she didn't want nor tried to tell them anything. At first, Kagome's relationship with Inuyasha is simply companions on a journey and constantly quarreled with each other. As she came to understand his both physical and emotional reliable strength and his surprisingly vulnerable side, little feelings of love began to grow inside her which only grow stronger as time passes. All she wants for Inuyasha to is to be happy. However, Kagome became hurt by what Inuyasha said and did to protect Kikyo, but was even more hurt by the jealousy in her own heart at this. It was her first time falling in love and the first time she had ever felt genuinely bitter over something. Despite her envy, she refused to leave his side even if meant her pain, which surprised her friends. Whatever the case, Kagome keeps watching over Inuyasha and is always a source of comfort. She heals him when he is tired, embraces him when he is emotional hurt by his demon side or tragic past.

Abilities

 * Immense Spiritual Power: Kagome's most noteworthy ability is the infinite amount of spiritual power hidden within her. Her high-level spiritual power is equal to that of the priestess Kikyou, who has defeated numerous demons. However, as she hasn't had any formal training as a priestess, her skill in attacking with her bow and her technique in modifying her spiritual power are somewhat lacking. It is also revealed that her innate spiritual powers and abilities were initially sealed by Magatsuhi, the evil will of the Shikon Jewel, out of fear. After Magatsuhi was destroyed by Sesshōmaru's Tenseiga, Kagome's spiritual abilities were released to their full and maximum potential, enabling her to gain complete access to much stronger abilities she never knew she possessed. Even before her powers were unsealed, Kagome was able to pass through most spiritual shields, resist the effects of curses and illusions, and could sense evil demonic auras to some extent. Kikyō also once showed Kagome how to fuse the sacred jewel shards together through prayer.
 * Spiritual Energy Projection: Kagome can concentrate spiritual energy in the palms of her hands for defensive purposes. Kagome demonstrated this when she unconsciously released her hidden spiritual power after encountering a demon for the first time, and Mistress Centipede's arms consequently dropped like those of a wax doll. However, she has not yet been able to properly use this power consciously.
 * Spiritual Reflection: If her opponent is less powerful than her, Kagome can attack without using her own spiritual power and instead return her enemy's released spiritual power back at them. As Kikyō did before her, Kagome has successfully reflected a curse back at Tsubaki, who unleashed a shikigami serpent on Kagome.
 * Illusion and Demonic Energy Immunity: Simply being near demons' auras causes damage to people's minds and bodies; thus, normal humans cannot go near or touch demonic power sources. However, Kagome, with her strong spiritual power, is unaffected by demonic energies. By nature, Kagome doesn't easily succumb to negative feelings (e.g. dread and fear) and this nullifies the illusion powers of Mu-on'na and Naraku.
 * Purification Abilities: Kagome can purify malevolent forces, such as demonic energies or miasma, by sending out pure spiritual power. Kagome constantly releases pure spiritual power unconsciously, but it's effects are more powerful when concentrated through tools such as her arrows.
 * Spiritual Awareness: An obvious side-effect of her high-level of spiritual power, Kagome is able to perceive or sense things that are otherwise normally undetectable to ordinary humans (e.g. ghosts, spirits, and demonic or divine auras). Kagome's eyes also have the power to see where shards of the Shikon Jewel are hidden and she can even sense their presence to some degree.
 * Time Travel: Kagome could travel back and forth five hundred years between the Feudal Era and modern day Tōkyō through an ancient well called the "Bone-Eater's Well." Only she and Inuyasha were ever able to freely pass from one time to the other. While originally Kagome needed some remnant of the Sacred Jewel to traverse time through the Bone Waters Well, she, at least once, was able to do so without it.
 * Time Barrier/Shield: According to Princess Kaguya, Kagome has an unusual spiritual energy aura that does not go along the flow of time itself, making her immune into any time-stopping spell.
 * Psychic Link: Kikyō and Kagome seemed to have the ability to communicate telepathically towards the end of Kikyō's life. They first spoke mentally when Kagome was about to shoot her sacred arrow at a corrupted Sacred Jewel and once more when Kikyō was dying in Inuyasha's arms.
 * Experienced Archer and Marksman: After learning from Inuyasha that she had been an archer in her previous life, Kagome decided to take the same path. While initially not as skilled as Kikyō was, Kagome's travels throughout a warring country helped shape her into a fair marksman and skilled archer.

Equipment

 * Bow and arrows: Like her past life, Kagome's preferred weapon of choice was a bow and an arrow. Unlike Kikyō, who used a daikyū, Kagome normally used a hankyū.
 * Sacred Arrows: Kagome can charge arrows with her spiritual powers, which allows the arrows to pulverize enemies, penetrate barriers, break spells, and purify objects such as the Shikon Jewel. The effectiveness of her sacred arrows varies depending on her emotional state, but at times her spiritual power becomes such that it can destroy buildings.
 * Sacred Wind Scar: This attack is a combination of Inuyasha's Wind Scar and Kagome's Sacred arrow, which consists of Kagome firing a Sacred Arrow, followed by Inuyasha's Wind Scar. It can also be performed when Inuyasha uses the Wind Scar before Kagome fires her arrow.
 * Sacred Backlash Wave: This attack is a combination of Inuyasha's Backlash Wave and Kagome's Sacred Arrow, which consists of Kagome firing one of her Sacred Arrows into the center of Inuyasha's Backlash Wave, creating a very powerful attack. This technique is only shown in the movies.
 * Reflection: By charging her bow with spiritual power, Kagome can reflect a weaker opponent's spiritual power back at them. She has used her bow to return Tsubaki's released shikigami serpent and damaged Tsubaki's face, revealing the spiritual scar Kikyō inflicted.
 * Enhanced Kyūdō Skills: After receiving the sacred longbow from Mount Azusa, Kagome has the power to strike evil spirits or the user's intended target bypassing others: if the opponent should happen to be using a hostage as a shield, the arrow will bypass the hostage and hit the enemy instead.
 * Medical Supplies: Kagome normally brings medicine and bandages from the modern world. These supplies have proven to help alleviate a number ailments she and her companions have faced in the harsh environment of a warring Feudal Era.

Trivia

 * While Kagome's given name is only written in hiragana is based off the stated meaning presented in the series, it is almost certainly derived from the kanji, (lit. "basket eye"), which refers to a "kagome lattice" (an arrangement of interlaced lath triangles whereat each point two laths cross has four neighboring points) and a kind of lattice-style woven basket used as a birdcage, a nod to the children's game, "kagome kagome", similar to Blind man's buff, which refers to a 'bird' trapped in a cage. This a metaphor for the fact that for most of her life, the full extent of Kagome's spiritual powers were sealed away at birth by Magatsuhi, the evil incarnation within the Shikon Jewel, and her future capacity to know where her "target" is.
 * According to the anime, Kagome's mother named her "Kagome" as in a 'kagome mon', a Star of David-like crest that appears at the intersection of patterns throughout a kagome lattice.
 * Her full name, which uses the characters for "evening" and a star shape, could plausibly be interpreted as "Evening Star", i.e. the planet Venus.
 * In the Filipino Dub, the subjugation chant or spell "Sit!" is called "Dapa!" meaning "Flounder!".
 * According to Rumiko Takahashi, in the end, Kagome's spiritual power was stronger than Kikyō's; albeit, most of Kagome's powers are currently undeveloped.
 * Kagome has a weakness for anything cute, whether a demon or otherwise, which has been shown in both the anime and manga.
 * Despite having stated in Movie 3 that she hates to fight, she would never leave Inuyasha to fight alone.


 * Both Kagome's and Kikyō's looks are based on a previous character of Takahashi's, Mana, from Mermaid Saga
 * Slight differences are present between Kagome's physical appearance in the manga as opposed to the anime. Namely, Kagome physically resembled Kikyō more so in the manage than in the anime. Also her eyes are normally colored blue-grey in the manga, while in the anime they are brown.
 * She often wore her high school uniform. In the guidebook book for the InuYasha series - InuYasha: Zusetsutaizan Ōgikaiden, Rumiko Takahashiexplains that Kagome wore her high school uniform because she enjoyed the latest style. Apart from that, her high school uniform was easy to wash.[32]
 * In the Final Act's first theme song, the ending shows Inuyasha and Kagome with the Red string of fateattached to their pinky since they are destined to meet. In the Japanese culture, it is thought to be tied around the little finger/pinky finger.
 * She, Shippō, Miroku, Tessaiga, and Inuyasha make a cameo appearance in Ranma ½ OVA Episode 13. During one of Akane Tendo's nightmares, her body is seen, but only her back is facing the viewer. She is recognized by her green school uniform. She is seen to Akane's right.
 * Kagome possess similar traits with Akane Tendo from the Ranma ½. Her physical appearance is also similar to Akari Unryu from the same show.
 * In the latest and newest OVA in Urusei Yatsura (for celebrating It's a Rumic World 30th anniversary), during Summer Festival Lum and Ataru Moroboshi appear to enjoy the fireworks. Soon, Ataru starts behaving perverted towards young ladies who also participate the Summer Festival. Kagome is the one of them, wearing her yukata and keeping her distance from Ataru.
 * In the series of The Holy Pearl, a character for which Kagome serves as inspiration is named Ding Yao.
 * Her Japanese voice actor, Satsuki Yukino, later voiced Rinne Rokudō's grandmother Tamako from Rin-ne, which is another Takasahi's work.
 * In the Live Action Play where she was portrayed by Erika Mabuchi, she had short hair and wore a yellow school uniform.