Jaken
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| Jaken 邪見 |
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| Alternate Name(s) | Master Jaken |
| Age | Unknown |
| Race | Demon |
| Weapons | Staff of Two Heads |
| First Appearance (Anime) | Aristocratic Assassin, Sesshomaru |
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Jaken (Japanese: 邪見, "wicked perspective") is a character in the anime and manga series InuYasha. * He is voiced by Nagashima Yuuichi in the original version and Don Brown in the English adaptation.
The assistant of Sesshomaru (Sesshōmaru), Jaken is a small green yōkai who is very loyal to Sesshomaru, primarily out of gratitude for once saving his life but also out of political ambition for himself. He occasionally mutters statements such as "Mother was right. I should have been a ferryman". He is not really a fighter. He is charged with carrying the Staff of Heads (人頭杖, nintōjō) and occasionally puts its power to use but is generally of little use in a fight. He is useful in that he verbally promotes the greatness of Sesshomaru in ways that the aristocratic Sesshomaru would never do himself. Having a former demon lord follow and serve him also increases Sesshomaru prestige. While not a fighter, Jaken is very clever in a political way in being an assistant. Sesshomaru once resurrected Jaken with the Tenseiga when he was killed by Kaijinbo when possessed by Tōkijin.
Jaken was once a lord among similar demons. A battle broke out with another demon tribe when they were trying to defend themselves from being devoured. The leader of the larger demon tribe had Jaken by his neck, when Sesshomaru appeared and told the demon to move for he was blocking Sesshomaru's path. The demon did not heed him and as soon as Sesshomaru repeated himself he used his poison whip and cut the demon to pieces.[citation needed]
Seeing all this, Jaken told his tribesmen to move out of the way. They knelt down before Sesshomaru, creating a path before him. Jaken, captivated by Sesshomaru's power, beauty and a need to repay the life-saving debt, he told his minions to "forget about me" and followed after Sesshomaru.
With perseverance, Jaken finally cracked open the door a little and Sesshomaru told him that if he could use the Staff of the Heads, then he could become his servant. Jaken was most grateful for being able to offer his service to Sesshomaru as he is the descendant of the inu taiyoukai who was famous throughout the lands.
Jaken looks up to Sesshomaru and is always looking for ways to seek his approval. Toward the end of the anime, he explained to Rin that he expected Sesshomaru to eventually found an empire and sees himself becoming the Prime Minister of that empire. Jaken is somewhat contemptuous of Rin and her affection for Sesshomaru, as he feels a human is unworthy of travelling with Sesshomaru; despite this, Jaken is also protective of Rin and seems to be forming a unique bond with her. Sesshomaru sends Jaken to perfom lesser errands not worthy of his presence. He also protects Jaken as when Naraku first emerged in his full yokai form, Sesshomaru told Jaken to stand behind him as he challenged the youkai.
