Ep 70. Onigumo's Memory Restored

Inuyasha season 3 episode 70: "Onigumo's Memory Restored" picks up from the previous episode where Inuyasha, Kagome, and the gang are battling against Naraku and his henchmen. Onigumo, the human who allowed himself to be possessed by a host of demons that would later become Naraku, is brought back into the story in this pivotal episode.

After a last-ditch effort to put an end to Inuyasha's group, Naraku sends his minions, Goshinki, Jakotsu, and Mukotsu to take down the gang. In a fight against Mukotsu, Kagome is poisoned and becomes increasingly weaker as she searches for a cure. Meanwhile, Onigumo's consciousness is awakened as a result of Kikyo's purified light. In his fragmented memory, Onigumo realizes that Naraku has betrayed him and caused him to live in constant pain.

As Inuyasha and his group search for a cure for Kagome, Onigumo's consciousness merges with the remaining demons inside of him, resulting in a reunification with Naraku and the creation of a new dangerous demon. A stronger Naraku emerges with a newfound power that even Inuyasha struggles to defeat.

Throughout the episode, the main focus lies on the revelation of Onigumo's backstory. Through flashbacks, the audience witnesses the young thief, Onigumo, meeting with Kikyo and attempting to manipulate her kind nature for his own gain. His plan fails, but instead of taking revenge, Kikyo pities him and nurses him to health. The incident marks the beginning of Onigumo's obsession with Kikyo and his descent into darkness, eventually leading to his being overtaken by the demons.

As the episode concludes, Naraku is injured but manages to escape before Inuyasha can finish him off. Kagome is cured from the poison, and the group appears to be on their way to defeat Naraku once and for all. However, the looming danger of Onigumo's merged demon creates a sense of urgency and uneasiness that permeates the remainder of the season.

Overall, "Onigumo's Memory Restored" is a crucial episode in the Inuyasha series, delving into the backstory of one of the show's main villains while also setting up the stakes for the final stretch of the show. The episode serves as a reminder that the past, no matter how far behind it seems, always has the potential to come back and haunt the present.