The thing that differs Inu Yasha from anime series such as Kenshin, is that the Inu Yasha TV series is actually following the manga in terms of plot, so the manga's to blame for being so long. It's quite similar to Naruto, which is also following the manga quite closely. I admit, the story sometimes frustrated me, since even at episode 160 (yes, I've been following the series for several years now), Naraku is still alive and getting his henchmen to do his dirty work for him (the bastard needs to DIE!). However, when the anime is long because it's closely following the manga, there's no reason to complain, unless you want what happened to Kenshin or Chobits happen to Inu Yasha. Alas, I'm uncertain right now whether the IY anime series is ending because the manga is ending or if the producers finally decided to call it quits (though, I'm guess the former).
The Rurouni Kenshin TV series, on the other hand, had its second half (after the Shishio arc) completely made up by producers, since the mangaka (manga artist) who drew the Kenshin manga took a small break from drawing the manga, and the TV series had already caught up to the manga at that point. So instead of waiting for the mangaka to resume the manga and allowing the TV series to likewise take a break, the producers decided to forward with the series and make up their own stories. That's what annoys me so much about Kenshin. If the TV series had followed the Jinchuu Arc, where Enishi comes back and 'kills' Kaoru as a form of punishing Kenshin, then I wouldn't have cared if the series went past 100 episodes, or even 120. The Jinchuu arc was easily as long as, if not longer, than the entire Kyoto arc with Shishio. That's how long and powerful that arc was.
*Spoilers*
The Rurouni Kenshin Seisouhen OVA butchered the Jinchuu story to a crumbsized morsel compared to the actual plot, which has Saitoh, Kaoru, Aoshi actually coming back to fight alongside Kenshin against Enishi and his Chinese henchmen. Plus, you see Sanosuke perfect his Futae no Kiwami (so it doesn't destroy his hand everytime he uses it), as well as Yahiko, who becomes a superb fighter who's capable of catching enemy blades with his bare fingers (eat that, Himura!).
*/Spoilers*
I'm telling you this, because most of you will probably never know what REALLY is supposed to happen in the Rurouni Kenshin storyline, unless you've read the manga.
The BOTTOM LINE is, if an anime series is long because it follows the manga's plot, then we really shouldn't complain. If a series is long because the producers altered the story or made up their own BS most of the time, then complain all you want.
Btw, I'd like to apologize for this long post, but I want you guys to appreciate how much InuYasha had stuck to the manga's storyline, and for THAT reason, it was long.
The Rurouni Kenshin TV series, on the other hand, had its second half (after the Shishio arc) completely made up by producers, since the mangaka (manga artist) who drew the Kenshin manga took a small break from drawing the manga, and the TV series had already caught up to the manga at that point. So instead of waiting for the mangaka to resume the manga and allowing the TV series to likewise take a break, the producers decided to forward with the series and make up their own stories. That's what annoys me so much about Kenshin. If the TV series had followed the Jinchuu Arc, where Enishi comes back and 'kills' Kaoru as a form of punishing Kenshin, then I wouldn't have cared if the series went past 100 episodes, or even 120. The Jinchuu arc was easily as long as, if not longer, than the entire Kyoto arc with Shishio. That's how long and powerful that arc was.
*Spoilers*
The Rurouni Kenshin Seisouhen OVA butchered the Jinchuu story to a crumbsized morsel compared to the actual plot, which has Saitoh, Kaoru, Aoshi actually coming back to fight alongside Kenshin against Enishi and his Chinese henchmen. Plus, you see Sanosuke perfect his Futae no Kiwami (so it doesn't destroy his hand everytime he uses it), as well as Yahiko, who becomes a superb fighter who's capable of catching enemy blades with his bare fingers (eat that, Himura!).
*/Spoilers*
I'm telling you this, because most of you will probably never know what REALLY is supposed to happen in the Rurouni Kenshin storyline, unless you've read the manga.
The BOTTOM LINE is, if an anime series is long because it follows the manga's plot, then we really shouldn't complain. If a series is long because the producers altered the story or made up their own BS most of the time, then complain all you want.
Btw, I'd like to apologize for this long post, but I want you guys to appreciate how much InuYasha had stuck to the manga's storyline, and for THAT reason, it was long.