This screenshot motivational poster is dedicated to all of my Bankotsu x Kagome-shipping friends, fans, and brethren. So, sit back, relax, and soak in that BanKag awesomeness.
Throughout my life, I went from being low-key shipping BanKag when I was fourteen years old to really high-key shipping this couple when I reached sixteen years old. My feelings for BanKag did teeter-totter from time to time, but, now as an adult, I can fully cherish this couple for everything they represent. I see them as an anti-heroic couple because they are not morally on the straight and narrow, considering Bankotsu's bloodlust and greed and Kagome's fiery temper and the harsh way she treats Inuyasha with the Beads of Subjugation even when he does not deserve to be sat on. Ergo, they may not be the super nicest people one will ever meet, but, for lack of a better expression, they do look charming together and they can exude confidence on and off the battlefield while having many nights of steamy passion.
There is no shadow of a doubt that Bankotsu will be the one to wear the pants in this relationship but he will not end up seeing Kagome as just another woman in constant need of saving. In fact, he would go out of his way and help Kagome sharpen her combat skills mainly in archery and swordsmanship, thus seeing a whole lot of potential in her. In turn, Kagome would be able to help Bankotsu realize that there is a whole lot more to life than just bloodshed, glory, and heads on pikes, but there can be joy in the simplest of pleasures such as walking in the forest, going to a nearby lake, and going to festivals, parades, and many other social events.
Because my mind functions in the alternate universe side of things, Bankotsu and Kagome would definitely start off as childhood friends with the scenario of Bankotsu defending Kagome from bullies. As a 5-year-old child, Kagome always had a fascination of all things Ancient Japanese thanks to her grandfather telling stories about all of the strange, violent yet wonderful tales of many years past. While Kagome was carrying an ancient artifact that caught her fancy, some children taunted her by grabbing the artifact and playing with it as if though it were a ball. This caused Kagome to bawl her eyes out until 7-year-old Bankotsu emerged in all of his rage ready to give the bullies a huge pounding. With several swift kicks, lightning punches, and various combat moves, Bankotsu left Kagome's bullies bruised, battered, and crying to their parents. After the bullies ran off in a flurry, Kagome hesitantly approached Bankotsu to thank him and he gave her back the artifact with his face blushing as red as a tomato. In return, Kagome hugged Bankotsu which also made him blush a lot further. She even said it was nice to have met him and parted ways. It was then that Bankotsu and Kagome started to develop feelings for each other.
By the time little Kagome was home, she excitedly told her mother and her grandfather about a boy she met who has saved her and her precious artifact from bullies. Mrs. Higurashi thought it would be a nice idea if Kagome brought her new friend over for a visit. Kagome did just that and went over to Bankotsu's home and was astounded at his "family members" from all shapes and sizes. Bankotsu introduced Kagome to his "family" in the forms of Jakotsu, Renkotsu, Mukotsu, Kyokotsu, Ginkotsu, and Suikotsu. Each of his brothers had something special in terms of weaponry and skill with Suikotsu training to be a doctor while being a superb user of his claw blades, Renkotsu being a fire-eater, Mukotsu being knowledgeable about many poisons, Ginkotsu and Kyokotsu guarding the house from intruders, Jakotsu being savvy with his snake blade and his love of fashion, and Bankotsu being a master of hand-to-hand combat and swordsmanship. Astounded at all of them, Kagome even had a go at using her toy bow and arrow to hit a bull's eye in Bankotsu's room, which all of them cheered.
From then on, Kagome became completely immersed in bettering her skills as an archer and even as a sword wielder and healer. Every morning was used for target practice via the bow and arrow, kendo, and Shaolin Kung Fu respectively with Renkotsu, Jakotsu, and Bankotsu. After those sessions of combat practice, afternoons were spent with Suikotsu to learn about medicine and how to dress wounds and precisely operate on patients and with Mukotsu to learn about which poisons can have a quick effect on eliminating her enemies. Finally, Bankotsu used the evenings with Kagome to teach her about having no fear in the face of battle, which is where Kyokotsu and Ginkotsu would come into the picture to try to terrorize Kagome. Based on his own experience with Kyokotsu and Ginkotsu, Bankotsu advised Kagome to look at them straight in the eye and not flinch one bit. She did just that and got her toy bow and arrow out to shoot at Kyokotsu and Ginkotsu who ended up falling like huge trees. Once it was done, Kyokotsu and Ginkotsu gave Kagome a thumbs up for a job well done. Kagome's days with Bankotsu and the Band of Seven certainly have been interesting and phenomenal, as she became a more formidable fighter who did not need any saving and Bankotsu and his brothers learned to appreciate the simpler things in life.
By the time Bankotsu reached nine years old and Kagome reached seven years old, they decided to become firm on their relationship, thus making Kagome an honorary member of The Band of Seven and Bankotsu's bride. Even little Souta, Mrs. Higurashi, and Grandpa Higurashi were utterly delighted to know that Kagome found someone very special in her life and not just new friends she could relate to. Moreover, Bankotsu and his brothers gave their personal blessings to little Souta akin to what the seven fairies did for Princess Aurora in "Sleeping Beauty" albeit with no Carabosse or Maleficent or, in this case, Naraku in sight to spoil the happy moment. Kyokotsu, Ginkotsu, Mukotsu, Suikotsu, Renkotsu, Jakotsu, and Bankotsu all bestowed upon one-year-old Souta the gifts of strength, fearlessness, conscientiousness, intellect, determination, ambition, and great combat skills so that one day, when Souta became big, strong, and of age, he would become a fine and brave fighter. Mrs. Higurashi and Grandpa Higurashi also gave their blessings to Bankotsu and Kagome that they will end up loving each other unconditionally and will help each other to become better people.
As of this year, 36 going on 37-year-old Bankotsu and 35-year-old Kagome are the proud parents of 28 going on 29-year-old adopted son Hakudoushi, 28-year-old triplet sons Daisuke, Daichi, and Jinpachi, 27-year-old twin sons Jotaro and Hideo, 26 going on 27-year-old adopted son Shippou, 26-year-old twin sons Arata and Hayato, 24 going on 25-year-old triplet daughters Gijinko, Haruko, and Hokuto, and 23 going on 24-year-old twin daughters Hiroko and Asako with all of their kids being happily married with children of their own, thus making Bankotsu and Kagome equally proud grandparents, looking forward to becoming great grandparents, and the icing on top of this awesome family-sized cake is that Kyokotsu, Ginkotsu, Mukotsu, Suikotsu, Renkotsu, and Jakotsu are the grateful godfathers and happy uncles of not only Bankotsu's and Kagome's children but also the joyous great uncles of their grandchildren. Hakudoushi is truly his father's son, considering his love and lust of battle, bloodshed, glory, getting his way, and self-defense, and has ended up being happily married to 27 going on 28-year-old Satsuki while Shippou, even though he does look up to his father because of his strength and imbuing a sense of self-defense on all of his children, is much closer to his mother and has ended up being happily married to 26-year-old Souten. Ergo, Bankotsu's and Kagome's children have become determined, resilient, outspoken, inspiring fighters who are fully aware of the importance of camaraderie, teamwork, and family on and off the battlefield and they have certainly made their parents very proud of them. Even their grandchildren exhibit traits of determination, perseverance, and resilience in everything they do.
In conclusion, I am never going to tire of Bankotsu and Kagome being an awesome couple. Bankotsu can truly inspire Kagome to be a more capable and competent fighter, thus unlocking all of her potential to be strong not only for herself but also her family and friends, Kagome can truly inspire Bankotsu to never take the simpler things in life for granted such as walks in the woods and festival celebrations, and they can find a lot of harmony, synergy, and boundless gratitude with each other. In short, Bankotsu can treat Kagome like a queen and Kagome can take in a lot of what she can learn from Bankotsu both as a fighter and as a person.
I hope you all enjoyed this motivational poster dedicated to one of my all time beloved Inuyasha OTPs of all time in the form of Bankotsu x Kagome and I will see you in the next submission. Take care, everybody.
Bankotsu, Kagome Higurashi, and the screenshots from "The Power of Banryu: Duel to the Death on Mt. Hakurei" and "Seekers of the Sacred Jewel" from Inuyasha belong to Rumiko Takahashi and Sunrise.
