Myōga

Myoga (冥加, Mei ka) is a flea yokai who appears randomly and gives Inuyasha information on current events, foes, and the shards of the Shikon no Tama. Assigned to protect Tessaiga's hiding place in the grave of Inuyasha's father, he runs away when Sesshomaru comes there in search of the sword. Myoga often flees before or during a battle, which the others recognize as a sign of pending danger; his mere presence in any area is enough to determine its safety. Myoga enjoys drinking yokai blood, and actually saves Inuyasha's life at one point by drinking a spider yokai's venom out of his blood. He can save the others in a similar manner, but often gets squished for drinking their blood without permission. Myoga usually leaves the group regularly to search the land for useful information, and often shows up again at unexpected moments. He is also good friends with Totosai, and often spends time with him when he is not with Inuyasha's group. In the anime series, he is engaged to another flea yokai named Shoga, but continually runs from her to avoid the marriage. In the series finale, Myoga chooses to remain living with Totosai.

Name meaning

 * Ironically, Myōga means "divine protection" but as soon as he senses danger, he flees which has been witnessed through-out the series.

Trivia

 * Myoga is voiced by Paul Dobson, who also voiced Happosai from Ranma 1/2 (a series also made by Rumiko Takahashi and came before InuYasha). Myoga and Happosai also look very similiar and share some of the same personality.
 * Myoga has Arthritis.
 * Myoga used to be a companion of Inuyasha's father, Inutaisho.