Characters
Kirinmaru
Kirinmaru is a great yokai from the "eastern lands". He had previous interactions with Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's father, who was his counterpart as ruler of the "western lands". Long ago the pair drove away the shards of the Grim Comet, a celetial body that returns every 500 years and rains devastating meteorites down onto the earth.
With the death of Sesshomaru and Inuyasha's father, Kirinmaru finds he has no powerful ally he can turn to anymore to aid with the Grim Meteor. He has a dislike of half-demons and pits himself against not only Inuyasha, but Towa, Setsuna and Moroha. Consequently he has estranged himself from Sesshomaru, the only pure-blooded demon that could aid him in the same way Sesshomaru's father once did. Kirinmaru's sister, Zero, uses her hold over Rin to try and intimidate Sesshomaru into allying with Kirinmaru regardless of his attempts to murder his daughters. There is a prophecy that states Kirinmaru will be killed by a half-demon, a prophecy he puts little stock in when compared to Zero who emphatically believes it will come to pass. Even when he finds himself at odds with Sesshomaru, he treats him respectfully and with honor and is angered by his sister's underhanded dealings.
For many recent centuries Kirinmaru has been in a slumber as he allows his Four Perils- Totetsu, Tokotsu, Kyuki and Konton, to act on his behalf at the direction of his sister, Zero.
The Meaning Behind the Name - 麒麟丸
"Kirin" (麒麟丸) is the Japanese word for "giraffe" and also for a Chinese unicorn-like creature. "Maru" (丸) is a common naming suffix, particularly for swords, boats and armor.
Voices:
Yoshimasa Hosoya
Crispin Freeman