WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Episode 46 of Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon, "The Grim Butterfly of Despair," now streaming on Crunchyroll, Funimation and Hulu.
Both Inuyasha and Yashahime are known for blurring the lines between good and evil in a feudal era overrun by demons living alongside humans. While demons were first introduced as evil creatures that attack Kagome in the modern era and force her into the past through the Bone Eater's Well, the Inuyasha protagonist soon meets the half-demon she will eventually marry and have a child with.
Decades later, Yashahime is still tackling the age-old question of whether demons are good or evil. As Rion takes over the Grim Butterfly to purge the world of demons and create a world of peace she's always dreamed of, viewers are left wondering if she's really a hero or a villain.
After Mr. Kirin brings the Grim Comet to the feudal era from the modern era, he reunites with Rion to convince her to use the Kyuyokon fruit from Mount Musubi for his own twisted purposes. Together, they help the Grim Butterfly hatch from its massive cocoon, tying their fates to the creature while getting absorbed inside of it. Inside the Grim Butterfly, Rion acts as its heart and mind as Mr. Kirin declares her the new "king" of the world.
With her newfound powers as the Grim Butterfly, Rion is able to utilize its abilities to purge any demons that are nearby. Demons who go near the Grim Butterfly's power and aura are instantly killed, pulverized without a trace. While the majority of these demons being killed are considered unnecessary and lowly demons, no one knows where Rion is going to draw the line. Her demon purge becomes increasingly alarming when she threatens and nears Mamiana Island, the home of the raccoon dog demon clan, including Takechiyo and Hachi.
Not only are they cleansing the world of demons, but Mr. Kirin also reveals that they aim to take control of humans. He reminds Towa of the times she was bullied by humans and how they have the power to destroy themselves with nuclear weapons in the modern Reiwa Era. After emphasizing how many wars were waged throughout human history, he declares that humans aren't capable of maintaining peace themselves and must be controlled by their new ruler.
Mr. Kirin explains to Towa how demons have saved humans countless times throughout human history but were never mentioned in history books. Throughout history, the narrative was altered into fictional stories and fairytales to spin demons as the bad guys who needed to be slain. With the desire to create a true and new history, Mr. Kirin and Rion bring the question of morality between humans and demons to the forefront of the series once again.
Despite having a righteous goal of wanting humans, animals and plants to thrive in a peaceful world without demon interference, Rion's radical desire to annihilate demons can lead to the demise of the series' beloved protagonists, who have proven that demons are capable of love and great deeds. As Kirinmaru's only daughter directly defies the Great Dog Demon family, she may be a greater threat to them than Kirinmaru himself. The three half-demon princesses must work together with Inuyasha's original cast to put a stop to Rion's demon purge and destroy the Grim Butterfly.
