Swordsman of Sorrow: The Man Who Slays His Past is the third episode of the Rurouni Kenshin anime anime series.
Synopsis[]
Yahiko is discontent with the teachings of Kamiya Kasshin-ryū, wanting to just defeat his enemies over the idea of "protecting the innocent". Meanwhile, an old acquaintance of Kenshin invites him to join the military. Who is this mysterious official who knows Kenshin's past? What does it actually mean "to protect the innocent" in the everyday?
Plot[]
Kaoru and Yahiko eating at the Dōjō
Myōjin Yahiko gives Kamiya Kaoru a very difficult time, disobeying her, calling her "ugly" and refusing to take his training seriously, saying that he simply wants to learn how to beat people up and doesn't care much about the idealism of the Kamiya Kasshin-ryū (i.e. Katsujinken, or "the sword that gives life"). He also gives her a hard time about the infamous meals she prepares. Both he and Kaoru are annoyed at Himura Kenshin for having joined them together as student and teacher.
Kenshin later goes off to buy some Tofu, accompanied by Oguni Ayame and Oguni Suzume and on the way he comes across some members of the Sword Bearing Police, who tell him that it's forbidden to have a sword. They then challenge him, but he tells them that his sword is merely a Sakabatō, which causes them to laugh at him and go away.
Meanwhile, the Police Chief goes to the Kamiya Dōjō where he demands Kaoru to reveal the location of Hitokiri Battōsai. She tells him that he is not here and runs off to try and find Kenshin in order to tell him not to return, because the police are after him.
Ujiki, the commander of the Sword Bearing Police
Soon afterwards the sword bearing police notice the in an incident, involving a store owner and a thief, being settled by the Tokyo police. They butt-in and hit a policeman, for telling them that everything is under control and there's no need for them to intervene and then demand that the thief be executed immediately. The store owner then tells them that such a harsh punishment is cruel and unnecessary, causing them to attack him and also order his execution, for questioning their judgment and later his daughter for protesting. Yahiko sees what is happening and openly calls out the sword-bearing police on their injustice and unnecessary acts of aggression, eventually engaging them in battle and being defeated. He too is then about to be executed, which causes the crowds of people surrounding to protest against them. Ujiki, the leader of the sword bearing police, then orders his subordinates to arrest everyone in the crowd and to kill any who resist.
Kenshin draws his Sakabatō
Kenshin then appears and tells them that if they do not stand down, they'll suffer humiliation at his hands. Soon afterwards Kaoru to arrives at the scene and observes what is happening. The sword bearing police then try to attack Kenshin and every one of them is easily defeated. Kenshin then tells Ujiki to free Yahiko and the others and never to be oppressive, offering himself in exchange for carrying a sword and having attacked his troops. Ujiki, angered at Kenshin telling him what to do, tries to attack him using his Jigen-ryū attack, but is easily defeated.
Yamagata talking to Kenshin, Kaoru and Yahiko
Yamagata Aritomo and the police chief then arrive on the scene. The police chief falsely believes that Kenshin has been assaulting policemen, but Yamagata assures him that Kenshin is not the aggressor and that he and Kenshin have a history together (both being well renowned and high-ranking Ishin-Shishi). Yamagata asks Kenshin to become a police officer in order to help the Meiji Government run the country, but Kenshin refuses saying that he refuses to accept a reward for being a Hitokiri and intends to help save those around him without committing murder.
Yahiko, having seen and been inspired by Kenshin's acts of bravery, selflessness and courage, is influenced to properly dedicate himself to Kaoru's teachings and become a great swordsman.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Himura Kenshin
- Oguni Suzume
- Oguni Ayame
- Kamiya Kaoru
- Myōjin Yahiko
- Yamagata Aritomo
- Oguni Gensai
- Police Chief
- Ujiki
Anime Notes[]
- There are several differences between the events of this anime episode, and the manga chapter:
- In the original manga, Kenshin's encounter with Yamagata happens before they even meet Yahiko Myōjin.
- The events of the manga chapters are switched, because Yamagata is introduced in chapter two of the manga, and Yahiko is introduced in chapter three.
- In the original manga, Kenshin goes to buy stuff with Kaoru, meanwhile in the anime Kenshin goes with Ayame and Suzume.
- In the original manga the Sword Bearing Police appears during the turmoil between Kenshin and the local police, and the Sword Bearing Police abuses were just knocking down a local police officer, cut Kaoru's ribbon y ordering to kill some citizens that were witnessing the fight. This is in contrast with the anime in which the Sword Bearing Police were committing abuses against the people before Kenshin even appeared.
- In the original manga Yamagata meets Kaoru casually in downtown Tokyo, and asks her where the Police Station is located. In the anime Yamagata goes directly to the Kamiya Dōjō looking for Battōsai, and he does not talk to Kaoru, but chief Uramura and other policemen ask for Battōsai while Yamagata stays at the carriage.
- In the original manga Yamagata does not insist much when Kenshin refuses to work for the government, and goes to a meditative state. This is in contrast with the anime in which he insists several times about Kenshin joining the government to work for him.
Trivia[]
- This episode is the first instance of an actual historical character appearing in the anime: Yamagata Aritomo was in fact a key figure of the Meiji Revolution, and the chief of the army in those years.
- The Sword Bearing Police was also a real group of the era.
Gallery[]
