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Viz Media to Release Inuyasha Anime on Blu-ray Disc This Fall

Viz Media announced during its panel at Anime Central on Friday that it will release the Inuyasha anime on Blu-ray Disc this fall. The release will be the first time the anime is released on Blu-ray Disc in North America.

The 167-episode anime series based on Rumiko Takahashi's manga of the same name ran from 2000-2004. A 26-episode sequel anime titled InuYasha: The Final Act then ran from 2009-2010.

Netflix streamed the original series as part of its Instant Watch library. Adult Swim's Toonami network broadcasted the original series in North America until 2014, and broadcasted the sequel series from 2014-2015. Viz Media streamed the sequel series as it released in Japan, and later released an English-dubbed version of the series in 2012. Viz also licensed and released the original anime series for DVD and the sequel series for DVD and Blu-ray Disc in 2012.

The series has inspired four movies and a 30-minute anime short. Takahashi released a special one-shot charity manga chapter of the series in 2013 to raise money to help areas devastated by the March 2011 tsunami and earthquake in Japan.

Takahashi launched the manga in Weekly Shonen Sunday in 1996, and ended it in 2008. Viz Media licensed and published all 56 volumes of the manga in North America, and it describes the series:

After falling into an old well and into ancient Japan, Kagome discovers that her destiny is linked to the dog-like half demon called Inuyasha! As Kagome learns more about her connection to the past and to Inuyasha, she comes into conflict with the terrible demons that are drawn to the Shikon Jewel, including Inuyasha's own half brother, Sesshomaru. Finding the shards of the Shikon Jewel is going to require powerful magic, strange allies, and a strong heart. Kagome's got plenty of heart, but she's going to need Inuyasha's help for the rest of it, and he may not be so willing to lend a hand!

Source: Email correspondence