The Man Who is Chosen for Victory: Shishio versus Kenshin, Finale is the 60th episode of the Rurouni Kenshin anime series.
Synopsis[]
From the chaos of the Bakumatsu, two men now face each other in the twilight of an unknown tomorrow. One man, a wanderer with a cross shaped scar on his left cheek, a reverse bladed katana, a vow to never kill again, and with the sword that gives life deep in his heart, faces off against his brutal successor, a devil of the past, bandaged head to toe, with a katana long drenched in the blood of many, and wickedly burning ambitiously aflame with hellfire in his soul, whose sword that kills lusts for power, conquest, and strength. It is now Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki versus Kaguzuchi, and the Will to Live against Only The Strongest Survive! Between these two men who still carry the revolution deep within them and fight for the future, in the dawn of the new day that awaits, who shall be the victor? What will be the conclusion of this epic fight
Plot[]
A widescreen shot of Kenshin and Shishio
After the 5-hit combo Kenshin gave to Shishio and the Kuzu Ryū Sen (Nine-Head Dragon Flash) that apparently didn't affect Shishio at all, both opponents say they will perform their final techniques. Kenshin executes the Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki (Flash of the Heavenly Flying Dragon), but Shishio, who has some intel about its secret, manages to block the succession technique of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū. Hopes of Kenshin winning the battle are lost by all who support him that are watching on. Shishio breaks free of the Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki,raises his Mugenjin into the air and prepares to hit Kenshin with his Tsui no Hiken: Kaguzuchi (Last Secret Sword: Fire Bearing Spirit God).
A void space being created in front of Shishio
Fire begins to encircle Shishio's sword, but before him a void is created. Back at the Aoiya Hiko Seijūrō explains that the Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki is a -step move and, if its secret should be anticipated and the strike itself blocked or dodged, the second step comes immediately into effect. The power displayed by the technique somehow displaced the air, creating a vacuum-like void that sucks Shishio closer towards the rurouni. Once he is near enough the missed swing leads naturally into an accelerated spin of great centripetal force, but The added momentum of the spin in addition to the pulling force of the vacuum on both side results in a second strike that greatly dwarfs the first in power. So Kenshin slashes Shishio in the rib area, throwing him up into the air.
Yumi shields Shishio from Kenshin
Shishio is down and out, but in a few minutes, he's back to his feet. Already, his body has surpassed his limits and Shishio experiments great pain. Yumi jumps in front of Shishio and stands before Kenshin, begging that he discontinues the fight. Suddenly, Shishio takes his Mugenjin (Infinity Blade) and thrusts it forward, stabbing Yumi in the chest to reach Kenshin and stab in the stomach. Happiness is found in death as Yumi is glad that, only for once, she could help Shishio in the heat of battle. Kenshin grows to despise Shishio even more now; he has no idea where there can be joy in dying.
The burned bodies of Shishio and Yumi
The blow inflicted by Shishio hurt Kenshin more than he expected. Kenshin struggles to get to his feet. With the determination of returning to those who are waiting for him, Kenshin is able to block Shishio's downward strike. However, Shishio begins to scream in pain. His body is burning, since Shishio has surpassed his limit. In just a matter of seconds, Shishio combusts into flames. The temperature in his body rose too high, igniting the fat and oil that his body has. One final evil laugh is heard from Shishio. After that, what's left is Shishio and Yumi's corpses burnt to a crisp. Both have died and entered the gates of Hell, their new, eternal home.
Hōji breaking the pipelines to make the place explode
Hōji grows enraged, knowing that the battle belonged to Shishio. Saitō clearly states that Kenshin is the winner. The strong survive and the weak just die, therefore, since Kenshin survived, he is technically strong and Shishio is weak. Hōji won't accept the fact that Shishio had lost. In rage, he brushes past Kenshin and closes the doors of the arena, heading to a location unknown. With ease, Saitō breaks down the closed doors with his Gatotsu, but even so, the pipes around the arena with the fire begin to explode. Hōji had made his way to the system of pipes underneath the arena. With an axe, he breaks everything he can, thinking there can be no winner when everyone is dead.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Himura Kenshin
- Shishio Makoto
- Komagata Yumi
- Saitō Hajime
- Sadojima Hōji
- Sagara Sanosuke
- Shinomori Aoshi
- Seta Sōjirō
- Makimachi Misao
- Kashiwazaki Nenji
- Kamiya Kaoru
- Masukami
- Hiko Seijūrō XIII
- Ōmime
- Myōjin Yahiko
Anime Notes[]
To be added
Trivia[]
- For the second time in this series, this episode uses a "widescreen effect" in certain scenes for dramatic purposes.
- In the scene where Yumi shields Shishio from Kenshin, begs him to stop and Shishio kills her to hurt Kenshin, a piece of classical music is used: It's the second movement (Adagio Cantabile) of Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, commonly known as "Sonata Pathétique" by Ludwig van Beethoven.
Gallery[]
