Enemies

Naturally Miroku's main enemy is Naraku, because Naraku inflicted the curse of the kazaana on his family. Miroku is also an enemy with the many incarnations of Naraku who terrorize him and his group constantly, as well as any ‘demons of the day’ who last an episode/chapter or two and then are forgotten. If you’re wondering why Kikyou and Kouga aren't on this page it’s because they really aren't enemies with Miroku, just Inuyasha. Because this is a Miroku shrine these aren't profiles of the characters listed here just a summary of Miroku's relationships with these characters.

Naraku...

Miroku's main enemy (and pretty much everyone’s main enemy) is the evil half demon Naraku. Naraku was the one who placed the curse on Miroku's family a few generations back. It has not yet been revealed what caused the fighting between Miroku's great grandfather and Naraku, however Naraku clearly won round one. Not only did Naraku place a curse on Miroku's great grandfather but all of the generations after him, which is why Miroku still has the curse. The curse can end in one of two ways, Naraku must be destroyed, or Miroku’s family line is wiped from the face of the earth, Miroku would prefer the former. Miroku is now desperately trying to kill Naraku to remove his curse. If Miroku is unable to destroy Naraku in a certain, unrevealed period of time eventually the kazaana will grow and swallow him up, and of course, swallow up anyone or anything that is near him at the time of his death, rather like a black hole. As Naraku has proved over and over he is not easy to kill, which is, of course why no one really knows when Miroku’s kazaana is going to blow. Unfortunately if Miroku is to defeat Naraku he must use his staff, if he uses the kazaana Naraku's Saimyosho (or Poison Insects) will fly into the tunnel and poison him, potentially causing his death or at least incapacitating him. (Besides, we all know it’s Inuyasha who is going to get Naraku in the end) Miroku and Naraku first meet face to face, when Naraku tries to steal Kagome's jewel shards. This seems odd because although Miroku was hunting for Naraku he never sees him until he meets Inuyasha and Kagome. It is because of his hunt for Naraku that Miroku initially joins with Kagome and Inuyasha.

Kagura...

One of Naraku's incarnations (or ‘detachment’ if you prefer). Because of the animosity between Naraku and Miroku it seems only natural that Miroku would be against Kagura of the wind. Despite the fact that Kagura is trying her very hardest to backstab Naraku she is still technically under his control and has no regrets about attacking the monk and his companions when she needs to. Miroku meets Kagura when she and Naraku had set up the death match between Kouga and Inuyasha, which in the end turns out to be simply a way of testing the power of Inuyasha’s abilities. This meeting is brief as Miroku and Sango run off to try to find Naraku and end up fighting with one of his clay puppets, and thus leave Kagura to Inuyasha. After the initial meeting it is Miroku who figures out what Kagura really is (and of course being a pervert states "With the thoughts I was having about her, I'm sure glad she's not Naraku himself"). Kagura and Miroku don't usually battle though because Kagura is Naraku's incarnation so there are always those annoying Saimyosho around, and besides Inuyasha seems to have a monopoly on fighting the major enemies. Miroku is an enemy of Naraku though, making him an enemy of Kagura, no matter what her intentions. After Kagura’s death the rivalry (obviously) ends rather abruptly. Not perhaps a major enemy of the monk, Kagura and Miroku at the very least are not on the same side.

Kanna...

Kanna of the void is another one of Naraku's incarnations. She is the older sister of Kagura, although you wouldn’t guess it. Kanna has the appearance of a young girl. She is completely loyal to her master, Naraku. Kanna is Naraku's first incarnation, she also the only one who hasn't died yet. She even lasts more then one episode, which seems to be a great and uncommon feat among these incarnations (Between Inuyasha’s group and Naraku’s killing of his own disloyal detachments, being an incarnation is a rough, short and thankless life). Miroku's first encounter with Kanna is during the episodes with Koharu shortly after this encounter Miroku discovers what these incarnations are. As with most demons Miroku doesn't exactly "fight" Kanna because of Naraku’s insects. He does however try to loudly warn Inuyasha of the impending doom that will befall him if he tries to 'Kaze no Kizu' Kanna... that counts right? Miroku is unable to fight Kanna directly with his kazaana because of her soul stealing mirror, if he sucks her up then he is sucking the souls that she has taken into oblivion. This places him in a tight spot when faced with this demon. Basically as Kanna is a part of Naraku, loyal to Naraku, and trying to kill off as many mortals as she can Miroku and Kanna are enemies.

Sesshoumaru...

Sesshoumaru is Inuyasha's full demon older brother. Sesshoumaru is not a major enemy of Miroku, usually when Sesshoumaru shows up he wishes only to fight Inuyasha and could care less whether or not the rest of the group is there. However they do fight at some points making him an enemy, if not a major one. In volume 7 of the manga when they first meet each other Miroku at first tries not to involve himself in this family feud (wise) and essentially attempts to drag Kagome to safety. (Carting Kagome to safety is probably his main job in the series.) However, he can't sit back and watch as Inuyasha is about to be killed by Sesshoumaru. Just as Miroku is about to save the day, by sucking Sesshoumaru into his hell hole Sesshoumaru opens a gourd, given to him by Naraku, and out fly the Saimyosho (The fan girls can breath easy tonight). Miroku has his first experience with the poison that so often obstructs him being any form of hero within the group. After the insects are released Miroku is out for the battle. Miroku and Sesshoumaru rarely battle each other after this. When they have an encounter they generally ignore each other. After all we want to see Inuyasha fight Sesshoumaru not Miroku.

Jaken...

When Inuyasha is giving his brother a thrashing (or vice versa as it often happens) Miroku is usually dealing with Jaken the toad-like minion of Sesshoumaru. Miroku first meets Jaken when he first meets Sesshoumaru, that is, during one of Sesshoumaru’s many attempts to steal the Tetsusaiga. Jaken seems to stand to the side and comment on the power of the kazaana, and then when the insects are released his job then becomes to taunt Miroku about his being a human. Of course, Miroku is not one to take insults from a little toad-monster, despite being weakened considerably by the poison; he beats Jaken until Jaken tells Miroku that the insects were given to Sesshoumaru by Naraku, who knew that the insects would poison Miroku. The joint effort between Sesshoumaru and Naraku was a simple plan, to get Inuyasha, Kagome, and Miroku out of the way. After Miroku gets the information he needs he beats on Jaken again, because Jaken continues to taunt Miroku about his human frailty. Jaken appears to often be the punching bag of Miroku while Inuyasha beats or gets beaten by Sesshoumaru. Jaken’s alliance with Sesshoumaru if probably the main reason these two are enemies though.

Youkai of the Day...

These are the enemies that hardly make it past one or two episodes, and once they are defeated they are all but completely forgotten. These are often demons in filler episodes in the anime, or else they are used in character building episodes in the manga. Miroku usually carries no grudge against them and basically kills them because they're trying to kill him. Some are under the control of Naraku or his incarnations; others have nothing to do with Naraku and are free lance youkai. In Miroku's case especially, they come to him as pretty women and then show their true nature right after Miroku asks them to bear his children. Poor Monk. Many of these demons all he has to do is suck them into the kazaana so they pose no threat. Some examples are the praying mantis demons, the demon possessing the mountain princess and the spirit bear.