Jaken (Japanese: 邪見, "wicked perspective") is a character in the anime and manga series InuYasha.

The assistant of Sesshomaru (Sesshōmaru), Jaken is a kappa demon who is very loyal to Sesshomaru, primarily of gratitude for once saving his life. He occasionally mutters statements such as "Mother was right. I should have been a ferryman". Besides being charged with carrying the Staff of Heads (人頭杖, nintōjō) and occasionally put its power to use, Jaken's presence around Sesshomaru was rather pitiful until Sesshomaru slowly understands why his father and InuYasha care about others. Jaken was slain by Kaijinbo using the newly-forged sword Tōkijin, but Sesshomaru resurrects him with the Tenseiga.

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's 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.

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 wants to know what Sesshomaru is doing next, but he is rarely told and on many occasions, left behind with Rin. He is a fairly weak demon as his only weapon is the Staff of Heads he carries. Besides that he is entirely helpless, even in water, despite the fact that he has the features that resemble a frog. However he is very knowledgeable about demonic entities.

None of the characters in the series particularly likes him, with the exception of Rin, whom he tries to lecture on the "evils of InuYasha" and the "greatness of Sesshomaru". Now that Sesshomaru gradually finds his kind nature inside him because of Rin and Kagome, Jaken's fate as the once-despised servant of the taiyōkai would seem to turn for the better.

External links

Jaken: The Other Youkai Lord