The Ribbon That Binds is the eleventh chapter of the Rurouni Kenshin manga.
Synopsis[]
The day following the incident at Tani's home, Himura Kenshin goes by himself to the riverbank to avoid putting others in danger, as he has become Udō Jin-e's target.
Learning this from Sanosuke, Kaoru runs to Kenshin. She gives him her favorite indigo blue ribbon, telling him to come back to her once he has dealt with Jin-e. Right in front of Kenshin, she is then kidnapped by Jin-e, who flees in a boat. Kenshin yells his enemy's name in anger as Kaoru is taken away from him. What will happen now that Kaoru has been kidnapped? How angry will kenshin become because of this attack at Kaoru?
Summary[]
Nine were injured by the Kurogasa at Tani's residence. On their way back to the Kamiya Dōjō, Kenshin tells Sanosuke what he knows about Jin-e. Formerly, Udō Jin-e was a member of the Shinsengumi. He had killed Ishin Shishi, but also committed other murders that were pointless. He later fled the Shinsengumi to avoid sanctions and enlisted on the side of the Ishin Shishi. Kenshin plans on dealing with the situation by himself, so he gives a message to Sanosuke.
Sanosuke later arrives at the Kamiya Dōjō, where he finds Kaoru sleeping on the porch and Yahiko, who happens to be outside as well. After waking Kaoru up, Sanosuke explains the whole Kurogasa incident from earlier in the morning and concludes that Kenshin wants to handle it alone and won't be coming home anytime soon, so he asked him to protect her. Kaoru demands to know where Kenshin might be. Sanosuke remembers what Kenshin hinted at and suggests he's somewhere riverside. Kaoru then darts out of the Kamiya Dōjō, but is told by Sanosuke to stay behind. There is a good reason Kaoru wants to go. Even though she might be in Kenshin's way, Kaoru fears that Kenshin may leave her, and would rather risk her life than be alone again.
Riverside, Kaoru finds Kenshin. Through conversation, Kaoru tells Kenshin she'll be staying with him. Kenshin doesn't really like that idea, as he mentions that if he has to protect someone during the fight, he may lose. Kaoru stands up and gives Kenshin her favorite blue ribbon, reminding him to return it. Kenshin remains confused for a bit, but soon understands. Out of the blue, Jin-e passes by on a small wooden boat and grabs ahold of Kaoru. As he floats downstream, Jin-e demands that Kenshin turn into the Hitokiri Battōsai, now that his woman is in his possession. Before he vanishes, Jin-e flicks a note of challenge at Kenshin. All Kenshin can do is helplessly watch as Kaoru is taken prisoner by the Kurogasa.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Chapter Notes[]
This chapter has several differences with other portrayals of the events of the story in different iterations of the franchise:
Differences with the 1996 anime[]
- In the manga it's shown that Kurogasa was spying Sanosuke and Kaoru's conversation in the Kamiya Dōjō (before Kaoru goes to meet Kenshin in the riverside). This was omitted in the anime.
- In the manga when Kaoru leaves the Dōjō to go meet Kenshin in the riverside, Sanosuke and Yahiko don't follow her. In the anime, both of them run after her trying to catch her.
Differences with Rurouni Kenshin: Origins[]
- In the manga Jin-e is an independent assassin who targets politicians. In the live action film Jin-e works for Takeda Kanryū.
- In the manga Jin-e targets Kenshin after discovering he is the Battōsai, and kidnaps Kaoru from the riverside. In the live action movie after Kanryū is defeated, Kenshin returns to the Kamiya Dōjō to discover that Kaoru has been kidnapped by Jin-e.
Differences with Rurouni Kenshin: Restoration[]
To be added
Differences with the 2023 anime[]
- There are basically no differences between the events of this manga chapter and the anime episode that covers them.
Trivia[]
To be added
Gallery[]
To be added