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And we can continue: Moe Higurashi, whom Towa also considers a mother figure. Kaede, who is already established as one of the important figures who helped raise Setsuna.

We have Koga, Ayame and Yawaragi, who were in charge of raising Moroha. And the role of Kohaku who serves as a guide, teacher and even (perhaps) a father figure for Hisui and Setsuna.

All of them are adults (even though some are very young) who helped raise one or more children. And it is not necessary for them to have a legal document saying “adoptive father / mother” like Sota, for they already represent maternal and paternal figures. They are adults who are representing the biological fathers and mothers who are NOT present in the children’s lives.

And Sunrise knows it. That is why it bothers me so much that they did not understand that this totally applies to Sesshoumaru and Rin.

Episode 45. Sesshomaru Wields Tokijin: When Sesshomaru senses someone’s presence (Kagura) he orders Rin to keep still. And she is so young she understands it literally, so she stands right where she is.

It is only when Sesshomaru has finished talking to Kagura (another adult) that he tells Rin she can move again. And she obeys immediately. Again, Sesshomaru and Rin’s interactions are those of an adult in authority over a child he cares for.

Episode 52. The Demon’s True Nature: I love this scene. When Sesshomaru returns from stopping Inuyasha (who had turned into a full demon), Rin cheerfully welcomes him, as she always does when he arrives. And he asks Rin if she has been good. And she’s so young she even includes Ah-Un in her answer (who, by that time, has become her watchdog).  This scene makes me think of a father who returns from his job and is greeted by his daughter, whom he left with the babysitter (Jaken) and asks her if she has been good. For me, this scene completely establishes Sesshoumaru and Rin as father and daughter. I can’t imagine two “friends” interacting like this.

Episode 66.  Naraku’s Barrier - Kagura’s Decision: This is another scene that reminds me of a father taking care of his daughter. Rin stays behind because she wish upon a star, so Sesshoumaru tells her to walk along with everyone, like any parent would. Once again, Rin immediately obeys.

Episode 79.  Jaken’s Plan To Steal The Tetsusaiga: Sesshomaru listens to Rin’s stomach and encourages her to look for food on her own (To me, this seems like a father trying to encourage independence in his daughter). And she, again, says “all right” without question. 

But Sesshomaru doesn’t send her alone, he orders Jaken (the babysitter) to go with her and help her, and they take Ah-Un, so she doesn’t get tired of walking. Sesshomaru actually cares about her safety and well-being, like any parent would.

Throughout the entire series, Sesshomaru acts the same way a father figure would: he provides protection, gives her instructions, makes it easy for her to find food, gives her clothes, shoes, a safe place, a babysitter, and even a pet. In a way, Sesshomaru gives her a family and he continues to care for her even years later. Rin goes from being a child who suffered abuse and malnutrition to looking happy and healthy. A grown man who does all this for a child, cannot be seen as someone who, at least in part, supported the raising of said child?

At the end, we finally find out how much Sesshomaru loves Rin (who has always been just a 7 year old girl). So, Would it be logical to think that someone who is only a “companion” can feel that love? For me, if an adult does all this for a child and it´s also clear that he loves that child, the healthiest thing would be to think that he sees her as his own child. Not as a future wife. I don’t understand how anyone could have seen a potential romance in all of this.

★ STUDIO GHIBLI + STREAMS ★