by “Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story” depicts the story of Himura Kenshin (CV: Saito Soma), who was feared as “Battousai the Assassin” during the turbulent times of the late Edo period, as a wanderer who “doesn’t kill” and tries to live in a new era. This hugely popular work, which has been loved throughout the ages through stage plays and live-action films, will be revived as a new anime in 2023.
From October 2024, the second season, “Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story: Kyoto Disturbance” (every Thursday from 1:05 a.m., Fuji TV and others / ABEMA, FOD, Hulu, Lemino, and others) will be broadcast for two consecutive seasons. Episode 28 (the fourth episode of the second season) is “Portrait of an Ambitious Man,” which depicts the encounter between Kenshin and Shishio Makoto (CV: Furukawa Makoto). (The following contains spoilers)
. The fear of violence robs people of their dignity. Having received information that Shishio is in Shingetsu Village, Saito Hajime (CV: Hino Satoshi) travels alone and reunites with Kenshin there. Kenshin is about to offer a funeral for the bodies of Eiji Mishima’s (CV: Chiba Shoya) parents, who are hanging in the square, but the villagers, fearful of Kenkaku (CV: Tsuruoka Satoshi), tell him not to touch the bodies and advise Kenshin, Eiji, and the others to leave the village. Kenshin, however, does not listen to them and takes the bodies down without saying a word. Saito tells Kenshin that ten villages, including Shingetsu Village, have already fallen into Shishio’s hands and that the appearance of this village is “the appearance of Japan in the new era that Shishio will create.”
In the beginning, the villagers of Shingetsu Village appear and are depicted as having completely lost their dignity as humans due to Kenkaku’s tyranny. Here, the exchange between Misao Makimachi (CV: Yamane Ki), who cannot accept the pathetic attitude of the villagers, and Saito, who reprimands her, is memorable. To Misao, who has never been overwhelmed by absurd violence, the villagers’ behavior certainly seems pathetic. However, Saito, who has lived through the turmoil of the end of the Edo period, knows how the fear of violence can rob people of their pride and dignity.
That is why he reprimands Misao instead of yelling at the villagers. Kenshin, who lived in the same era as Saito, is well aware and does not ask the villagers for anything. Nevertheless, it can be said that Kenshin’s behavior is very typical of him when he cuts the rope that hangs the bodies, even against the wishes of the villagers.
This series of scenes clearly shows how violence and war affect ordinary, powerless people. Interestingly, he does not dismiss the villagers with words such as “cold-hearted” or “cowardly.” On social media, there were comments such as “It’s sad, but is this reality?” and “That’s why Misao’s words are so illuminating.”
Kenshin and Shishio finally meet for the first time. To save Shingetsu Village, which the government has abandoned, and to clear Eiji’s regrets, Kenshin and Saito head to the mansion where Shishio is staying. The two are welcomed by Shishio’s aide, Seta Sojiro (CV: Yamashita Daiki), and Shishio is confronted in a tatami room inside the mansion. In front of Kenshin, a senior assassin, Shishio again declares his justice. It is not revenge against the Meiji government, which was almost assassinated. Still, instead, he will take the place of the weak government concerned about the eyes of the Western powers and rule himself to create a more assertive Japan.
However, Kenshin draws his reverse-blade sword, saying, “I cannot let any more blood be shed for your justice alone.” Then, Sharp Kaku, who rules Shingetsu Village, appears and challenges Kenshin to a fight. Kenshin and Shishio finally face off. Shishio, who likes unrest and pretends to be righteous by making a weak country strong, and Kenshin, who hates the blood of people living in peace, are like oil and water. Although they are senior and junior assassins, it is a scene that makes it clear that they are opposite characters.
That being said, Shishio, the enemy boss of this episode, is also a beautiful character. He is not simply a villain, but he is selfish. He has a sense of justice and humor, such as teasing his senior Kenshin. Shishio is one of the most popular characters in the series, and this scene gives a glimpse of why. On social media, there were comments such as “He’s so cool as a villain” and “I like how he has so much leeway.”
Will Kenshin be even more impressive in the new anime? The battle between Kenshin and Kenshin has begun. Kenshin boasts a considerable body, but contrary to his appearance, he has excellent speed, and it seems he is on par with Kenshin. Meanwhile, Kenshin tries to avoid Kenkaku’s attacks and not show his sword movements in front of Shishio. When Kenkaku seems to be on the defensive, his body cannot withstand the intense movements, and he breaks his leg.
Kenshin gradually increases his speed during the fight, and Kenkaku’s body, not realizing this, unknowingly exceeds its limits. It seems impossible to continue the battle, but Kenkaku, who Shishio threatened to kill if he lost without allowing Kenshin to use his technique, musters his last strength and unleashes his secret technique, the “Super Human Crossbow.” Then Kenshin unleashes his “Ryusho Flash” and knocks Kenkaku unconscious.
The battle between Kenshin and Kenkaku ends with a crushing victory for Kenshin. Kenshin does not attack himself to hide his tricks and instead waits for Kenkaku to destroy himself, showing his high battle IQ and well-thought-out fighting style.
Although he used “Ryusho Sen” before Kenkaku’s secret technique at the end, this was probably due to his vow of “non-killing.” Defeating Kenkaku without showing his technique until the end was entirely possible. Still, Shishio would have killed Kenkaku if he had done so, so he chose to show “Ryusho Sen.” It is clear that this will put Kenshin at a disadvantage when fighting Shishio in the future, and Kenkaku is the one who killed Eiji’s parents in the first place.
Nevertheless, Kenshin’s determination to prioritize “non-killing” is considerable. By the way, Kenkaku, who appeared in this anime, showed off new techniques one after another, such as “Kenkaku-ryu: Chokaku-uchi” and “Kenkaku-ryu: Ningen-body,” which surprised fans of the original work, who said, “Kenkaku is getting interesting” and “Was there such a thing as a Kenkaku-ryu?” The next episode, episode 29 (episode 5 of the second season), “Back to Kyoto,” will be broadcast on October 31st. Let’s wait with anticipation! Text by Okamoto Daisuke
