Rin

is an orphaned little girl. She is one of Sesshomaru’s travelling companions and comes from an unnamed village of villagers that used to abuse her.

Background
At one point in her life, Rin had both of her parents and two or more siblings. Her entire family (excluding herself) was slaughtered by a thief when she was younger, and this traumatizing event that she witnessed led to her becoming mute and not speaking to anyone. Because of her family’s mutilation, Rin was ‘taken in’ and ‘raised’ by the other villagers and allowed to continue living in the village. She had her own small hut just on the outskirts of the village, and she lived alone there. It can be assumed that the villagers would often beat her. She is seen being beaten one night at the fishpond and she shows no fear and walks away in a casual manner, without a word or flinch. One of the men also claims that he had suspected she was the fish stealer culprit, suggesting that there were harsh feelings towards Rin before she stole the fish.

Appearance
Rin is a very small child who has long black hair, pale skin, and bright brown eyes. Her hair has bangs on the left side, and the bangs on the other side are tied up into a small ponytail jutting out in front of the right side of her face. This is her trademark: her long dark hair with a single, short pigtail on her right. Rin's appearance is that of a typically young, barefoot peasant girl commonly found during the Sengoku period. Despite changing her appearance on a few occasions, her overall most common style does not change.

Outfit
Rin wears a common kosode that extends just below her knees. Her initial design was that of an ordinary, tarred red color, which she wore the first time she appeared. When she begins to accompany Sesshomaru, she wears a white/orange checker patterned kosode. During Part III, she is seen wearing kimonos that Sesshomaru brings her. In every instance, Rin wears an ordinary green sash which ties at her back. Rin is one of the few non-minor characters, and one of only two female characters, to spend her time perpetually barefoot throughout the series. Despite being only a human child, she remains in her bare feet on any terrain or situation, and this habit continues through to Part III as well.

Powers & Abilities
Rin does not have any special powers or abilities, but the fact that she is one of the youngest and innocent characters in the series is a big deal. Her innocence seems to bring out the best in everyone she meets, and even Sesshomaru and Jaken seem to warm up to her and become very protective of her.

In the Story
Rin first appears when she spots Sesshomaru collapsed beneath a tree after his fight with Inuyasha, during which he had lost his arm. He, being paralyzed, had no choice but to sit through Rin bringing him human food although he did not eat any of it. Rin went through the trouble of going in the fish pond to fetch Sesshomaru some food. The other villagers caught Rin taking fish from the pond and the group of men beat her severely, telling her never to take fish again. When she returned to Sesshomaru, she had dead animals to offer him, as well as very noticeable bruises from her beating. The visible bruises on her skin sparked Sesshomaru’s curiosity, and he inquired of her injuries. She did not answer him because she did not speak at that time, but she did smile at him, causing Sesshomaru to scoff and wonder why she was suddenly so happy.

Later, she returns to her home and finds a thief inside. Koga’s wolves suddenly appear in pursuit of the man, and they massacre the town. They kill everyone there, and Rin runs into the forest to escape their wrath. However, she was caught by the wolves and she was killed. When Sesshomaru and Jaken then come across her dead body, Sesshomaru decides to ‘test’ the power of the Tenseiga and he revives her. From that point on, Rin joins Jaken and Ah-Un as Sesshomaru’s travelling companions. The next time Rin appears, she is clean and wearing a new, colorful kimono. She is talking and acting more like a typical child, having somehow overcome her silence since being revived. Throughout the series, she continues to follow Sesshomaru. When he is away on dangerous tasks, she waits for him with Ah-Un and sometimes Jaken.

Part III
Three years after the defeat of Naraku, Rin no longer travels with Sesshomaru, Jaken, and Ah-Un. Instead, she lives with Kaede in her village. Inuyasha comments this is “practice” for her to live in a human village as an adult, or whatever life she chooses (meaning when the time comes, she can either choose to stay in the human village or go with Sesshomaru, Jaken, and Ah-Un). Sesshomaru is shown visiting her and bringing her gifts, and Kaede then asks what he brought her “this time”, implying he often visits with presents for her.

Anime vs. Manga
There are no truly significant differences between Rin as she is portrayed in the anime and how she is portrayed in the manga. Both her appearance and personality are very much the same in both.

Quotes

 * “Lord Sesshōmaru!”
 * “Sesshomaru, come back for me!”

Trivia

 * Rin’s name means ‘dignified, severe, cold’ or ‘companion’ in Japanese.
 * In the manga, it is stated that “she brings out the best in him”.
 * The only time Rin is seen with her feet covered is during the second ending of InuYasha: The Final Act where she has on a pair of boots.