Tōran (
History[]
Many centuries ago, Tōga, Inuyasha's father battled the Panther King and killed him. The four siblings of the Panther tribe fought alongside their master in this battle, losing to Tōga and his soldiers, Sesshōmaru being among them. After the humiliating defeat, The Panther tribe swore revenge against the dog yōkai, promising that one day they would repay them for the death of their master. Many years later, about 50 years before the start of the story when Inuyasha was still bound to the Sacred Tree, the Panther tribe returned, attempting to regain control of the western lands.[1] However, Sesshōmaru stepped in and defeated them, sending them back to the east with the assistance of some other demons (notably Rōyakan) who felt grateful to his father for defeating the cats the first time.[2] According to Sesshōmaru, the Panther tribe retreated in defeat even though a large number of Sesshōmaru's perished.
Fifty years later, the Panther tribe returned for revenge a second time, planning to revive the Panther King with the Shikon Jewel shards. Although he was partially revived, he still needed souls; as a result, the King got impatient and took the souls of the four Panther Devas. Although Tōran was able to dodge the attempt, the other three did not and she was left in shock that their master would do such a thing. When Sesshōmaru used Tenseiga to weaken the Panther King and revive the other three Panther Devas members in the process, Tōran decided to take the high road by forgetting about revenge and return back to the west, on account of her being happy that her comrades and siblings were back with her and having decided that they were more important than revenge.
Personality[]
Tōran is not above mocking her opponents, teasing Sesshōmaru when she notices he is short one arm, "Who could have done such a thing to the mighty Sesshōmaru?" and taunting him about all the soldiers that died under his leadership in the battle 50 years prior. Tōran has a personallity about half way between Inuyasha and Sesshōmaru. She is less emotional than Inuyasha, but notably moreso than Sesshōmaru. She shows a firm but casual mockingness towards Sesshōmaru as well as excitement when fighting, as well as visible shock when she sees the two dog brothers fighting each other whilst in the middle of fighting the Panther Devas, something Sesshōmaru almost never does. She clearly loves her siblings, as was seen by her crying for them when her master betrayed them by killing the other three to revive himself, as well as genuine joy when they were revived.
Physical description[]
Tōran is a panther yōkai with long bright sky blue hair, blue catlike eyes, and pale skin. Like the other Panther Devas members, she has pointed ears, fangs and claws. She also has a dark blue catlike tail. Tōran wears a purple grey kimono with a short right sleeve and a long left sleeve, tied with a white obi alongside a black-furred belt where she carries a katana. On her left shoulder, she wears a silver protector with a blue detail. On the upper part of her right arm, she has two blue strips going around the limp tattooed there. Tōran also wears silver hoop earrings, a white hadagi undershirt, a long black fingerless glove on her right arm, and a pair of black boots.
Powers & Abilities[]
Like all four of the Panther Devas, Tōran's name is a reference to one of the four seasons. Tōran is associated with winter, and her powers reflect that. She has the ability to manipulate water and ice. When she walks down the river towards Sesshōmaru, ice forms wherever she steps. She can control wind as well, sending blasts of freezing cold air at her opponents. She can also fire daggers of ice at her opponents. Her weapon of choice when she battles appears to be an a spear that resembles an icicle, which freezes anything it comes into contact with.[3] Another testament to her powers and abilities is that she is able to hold her own against powerful opponents like a Tokijin wielding Sesshōmaru. In Episode 76, before engaging Inuyasha, Tōran is seen drawing the sword she carries, which might imply it has special properties. However, as lots of demons are seen carrying swords they never use, and Tōran is seen using her spear to attack Inuyasha, the swords' powers or lack there of are up for debate. It is possible she might be the strongest Panther Deva, as she is the only one who could battle Sesshomaru in equal footing while Shunran was defeated with ease.
Trivia[]
- Despite being a panther yōkai, Tōran and the others of the Panther Devas have physical features more akin to domesticated cats.
- Her seiyū, Yumi Tōma, also voiced Hinako Ninomiya from Rumiko Takahashi's previous series Ranma ½.
Media appearances[]
- Episode 75 (First appearance)
- Episode 76
- Episode 77
References[]
- ↑ InuYasha anime; Episode 76
- ↑ InuYasha anime; Episode 77
- ↑ InuYasha anime; Episode 75