"Rurouni Kenshin" is made up of several long episodes, but the most popular of these is undoubtedly the "Kyoto Arc." It is a long episode packed with many elements, including Kenshin coming to terms with his own past and the appearance of Shishio Makoto, known as Kenshin's greatest enemy. In this article, I would like to briefly introduce the outline of "Kyoto Arc," a long episode that is known as the best of Rurouni Kenshin!
Shishio Makoto, Battousai's successor!!
Kenshin was active as a swordsman named Battousai during the late Edo period, but in fact there was a person who was Kenshin's successor and carried out assassinations. Kenshin's successor, Shishio Makoto, was so skilled that people who knew him at the time considered him to be "on the same level as Kenshin." However, unlike Kenshin, Shishio had great ambitions of his own, and it was believed that he was assassinated because a key figure in the Meiji Restoration government noticed this.
He was alive!?
Shishio was betrayed by his comrades during the battle, taken by surprise, and then covered in oil and set on fire. However, despite all that, he managed to survive with his strong mind and body. After that, even though his entire body was wrapped in bandages, he wandered around for a long time, gathering new comrades and steadily gaining strength.
Back to the turbulent times again! !
Even after the Boshin War ended, Shishio was looking for a turbulent era in which he could play an active role, and he planned to overthrow the Meiji government and rule Japan himself. Shishio was not just an assassin, but many strong people were attracted to his high charisma and made him into a person that the Meiji government could never ignore.
Himura Kenshin and Shishio Makoto
Due to the threat of Shishio, Okubo Toshimichi, a powerful man at the time, asked Kenshin, who had the same level of ability as Shishio at the time, for help. While it was outwardly for the sake of peace, it seems that behind the scenes there was also the intention that it would be bad if information about the assassinations carried out by the past Meiji Restoration government were made public.
Mugen Blade
Kenshin is known for using a reverse-edged sword, which has a blade that is reversed so as not to inflict fatal damage on his opponent, but Shishio prefers to use the Mugen Blade, which has a saw-like blade. The Mugen Blade is an excellent weapon that can be used semi-permanently without being affected by chipping of the blade because the blade is saw-like from the beginning. In addition, both the Mugen Blade and the reverse-edged sword were created by the same person, and both are said to be top-class swords.
Okubo Toshimichi is assassinated
Okubo Toshimichi, who had encouraged Kenshin to defeat Shishio, was assassinated by Shishio's subordinates while traveling in a carriage. Shishio was a stronger opponent than Okubo had expected.
Shishio Makoto's right-hand man, Seta Sojiro, appears
When Okubo was assassinated, Seta Sojiro, also known as "Heavenly Sword Sojiro," was one of Shishio's subordinates who assassinated him. Sojiro's great abilities can be seen from the fact that he was able to reach Okubo without the attendants around him noticing him.
The Kioizaka Incident
The assassination of Okubo Toshimichi is historically called the "Kioizaka Incident" and is said to have been carried out by samurai who were dissatisfied with Okubo's policies, but in "Rurouni Kenshin" it was carried out by Shishio, who was plotting to overthrow the Meiji government. In the story, after Okubo is assassinated by Sojiro, other disgruntled samurai appear and take credit for the crime, and the discrepancy with historical fact is explained in a way that makes it easy to understand.
Kenshin heads to Kyoto alone
After hearing Shishio's story from Okubo, Kenshin leaves Kamiya Dojo alone and decides to fight Shishio. Until now, Kenshin has been active as Himura Kenshin, who fights to protect his friends, not as Battousai the Assassin, but this time he seems to have decided that he has no chance of winning if he protects his friends.
Saying goodbye to Kaoru
Kenshin said goodbye to Kaoru, who had been living with him for a long time, and headed to Kyoto alone. Kaoru was so shocked afterwards that she was so depressed that she couldn't even eat properly, which shows how important Kenshin's presence at Kamiya Dojo is.
A new friend, Misao Makimachi!!
After saying goodbye to Kaoru, Kenshin heads for Kyoto alone, but by chance he meets Makimachi Misao, the granddaughter of the previous head of the Oniwabanshu, and they end up traveling together. Makimachi Misao ends up traveling with Kenshin, unaware that all of Soji's comrades were killed in a battle with Kenshin.
Kaoru and the others follow Kenshin! !
Kaoru was depressed after Kenshin said goodbye to her, but she was persuaded by many of her companions and set off to Kyoto to follow Kenshin. This scene is also the first time that Kaoru, who had not been able to act independently against Kenshin until now, took action against Kenshin's will.
A deadly battle with the Ten Swords! !
The Ten Swords, who have come together under Shishio's philosophy, stand in Kenshin's way. As they are all strong men selected by Shishio, Kenshin will have a hard time.
Kenshin's companions also play an active role! !
In the battle against the Ten Swords, Kenshin's companions, including Kaoru, who had become his ally up until now, also joined the fight. It was a thrilling scene in which the companions who had been saved by Kenshin up until now now risk their lives to fight for Kenshin.
The Ten Swords with Unique Personalities!!
Among the Ten Swords, there are many unique characters who appear as enemies, such as Anji, who taught Kenshin's best friend Sagara Sanosuke the trump card "Double Ultimate", Soujirou who once fought Kenshin and fought on equal terms, and Fuji, who has a huge body and even impressed Hiko Seijuro, who is famous as the strongest in the series. In particular, Seta Soujirou, also known as "Heavenly Sword Soujirou", has overwhelming popularity among women in Rurouni Kenshin, and it seems that many fans like the "Kyoto Arc" the best because they can see Soujirou's exploits.
Kenshin Awakens! !
Kenshin has been active under the banner of non-killing, but he is forced into an unexpected struggle against the Ten Swords, who have come together under Shishio's philosophy of "survival of the fittest." So, in order to become even stronger, Kenshin decides to once again receive instruction from his former master, Hiko Seijuro.
To Master Hiko Seijuro
Kenshin and Seijuro parted ways in the late Edo period, but at Kenshin's wise request, Seijuro once again taught Kenshin the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu.
Acquired the secret technique "Tenshou Ryusen"!!
During his training with Seijuro, Kenshin learns the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu secret technique "Tensho Ryusen." This technique is a technique that takes the speed of the sword drawing technique to the limit, in which the sword is slashed as the sword is unsheathed, making it a perfect technique for Kenshin, who once made a name for himself as Battousai, using the sword drawing technique frequently.
Has he surpassed the former Battousai?!
It is said that Kenshin has become even more powerful since his days as Battousai the Assassin, due to his mastery of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu secret technique "Tensho Ryusen." With the ultimate weapon necessary to defeat his greatest enemy, Shishio, Kenshin was steadily preparing for battle.
A deadly battle with Shishio Makoto!!
And finally, in the Kyoto arc, the final duel between Shishio and Kenshin will take place. Since it is a fateful battle that has continued since the end of the Edo period, it is drawn with a lot of spirit, making it a very interesting scene.
Two complete opposites
Kenshin, who advocates "no killing" and does not take the life of his enemies, and Shishio, who advocates "survival of the fittest" and believes that if you are weak, you will be abolished, are portrayed in a good contrast, and it can be said that this ingenuity helps add depth to the confrontation between these two.
Famous quote: "Don't judge me by your own standards"
Kenshin was once knocked down by Shishio's attack that made him lose consciousness, but he made a spectacular comeback with the help of his friends. After that, Shishio's girlfriend, Komagata Yumi, worried about his health as he fought Kenshin for more than 15 minutes, which was the limit of his sweating function, leaned in front of Kenshin and stopped the fight. Kenshin was confused by Komagata Yumi's desperate actions, but at that moment Shishio stabbed Kenshin with his blade, along with Komagata Yumi. Kenshin was furious that Shishio was so obsessed with victory that he sacrificed his comrades, but Shishio spat out at the enraged Kenshin, "Don't judge me by your standards." This line is one of Shishio's many famous lines that best expresses his way of thinking.
A battle of secret techniques
Kenshin and Shishio continued to fight each other, even though they lost a victim in the form of Komagata Yumi, and the battle was finally decided by exchanging their secret techniques. Shishio's secret technique, "Tensho Ryusen," was taken by surprise by Kenshin's Mitsurugi-ryu secret technique, and Shishio ran out of strength before he could use it.
Shishio engulfed in flames
After being hit by Kenshin's "Tensho Ryusen" and pushed to his limit, Shishio was eventually engulfed in flames himself and lost his life.
Each Path
After the duel with Shishio, Kenshin and his friends returned to Kamiya Dojo, and the surviving Ten Swords began to walk their own paths. The Ten Swords will also reappear in the sequel, Rurouni Kenshin: Hokkaido Arc, so be sure to check that out as well.
Summary
What did you think? This time, we've summarized the "Kyoto Arc," which is arguably the most popular of the long-running episodes from Rurouni Kenshin's Life. In addition to this, there are many other long episodes in Rurouni Kenshin, so be sure to check out Kenshin's exploits there as well.
