Kyōto, the Engraved Memory (京都...刻まれた記憶· 想いを馳せた出発 Kyōto... Kizamareta Kioku, Omoi o Haseta Shuppatsu) is the 62nd episode of the Rurouni Kenshin anime.
Synopsis[]
All memories, whether bitter or sweet, fade into the light. As the Kansai Obon Festival nears and as the sunny days of summer shine at their brightest before the coming of Autumn, sadly, this will be the last day that the Kenshingumi will be in Kyōto for. But, before they all go home... What lies on their minds, under that beautiful day?
Plot[]
Okina presenting a map of some tourist attractions in Kyōto
It's announced by Kaoru that she and the others will be leaving for Tokyo the following day. Misao and Okina are a bit depressed when they hear the news, but they immediately tell Kaoru to round up everyone so they can take a grand tour of Kyōto together. Kaoru goes off to do so, but all she finds is Yahiko. Kenshin had left very early in the morning and Sano went off by himself. Yahiko leaves as well, off to the Hiei Mountains. With Kaoru left alone, Megumi comes up from behind and asks to speak with her, alone.
Yahiko standing at the entrance of Shishio's hideout
Yahiko ventures to Shishio's burnt down shrine, only to find Sano exiting from the inside. Both are surprised to see each other. Yahiko gives Sano some food he brought along with him and explains that he felt left alone, not even seeing Shishio's face and all, so he came to just look at the battle scene Sano reminds Yahiko that he did beat one Jūppongatana member and saved the day. Once finished with his food, Sano invites Yahiko to join him to look over the area where Kenshin and Shishio fought. Once there, Sanosuke looks it over and leaves. Yahiko remains confused, wondering if Sano came to Shishio's headquarters just to find out if Saitō Hajime was still alive or not. However, once outside, Sanosuke explains that he's going to train hard to surpass the Miburo. At last, Yahiko understands and decides to follow Sanosuke's way of thought. No longer does Sano want to beat Saitō, but he wants to surpass him in everything. Yahiko figures that if he does the same, perhaps he can became as good as Kenshin, if the attitude is dropped.
Kaoru and Megumi talking heart to heart
Underneath a bridge, Kaoru and Megumi converse. Kaoru starts off by thanking Megumi for what she's done, but the foxy doctor doesn't seem to take the thanks so kindly. Megumi is concerned with the well-being of Kenshin. She explains that Kenshin's wounds were great and his body was completely worn out as if it was all of his fights put together. Kenshin is a normal human being who just pushes his body harder than normal. If perhaps Kenshin fights another battle like the one he fought with Shishio, he may actually die, Megumi predicts. Even though Kenshin is not one who would want to fight, he'll push himself to protect his friends and loved ones. Kenshin will always survive because that is the way he thinks. Megumi thinks that people like Kaoru who doubted his return are the foolish ones. Kaoru was the only one who Kenshin said goodbye to. Not only that, but Kaoru is the only one that can hold Kenshin back from a fight and strengthen his will to live.
Kenshin praying at Tomoe's grave in the rain
As for Kenshin, he returns to the grave of Yukishiro Tomoe with flowers. Rain begins to fall from the sky upon Kenshin's arrival. Hiko joins his pupil's side. It's been ten years since the death of Tomoe and still Kenshin prays at her grave. Before, when he returned to Kyōto, Kenshin avoided coming to the grave, but somehow, he found courage. Hiko tosses Kenshin a parasol he brought along once the rainfall ends, reminding Kenshin not to ask him to save anyone next time if Kenshin is so sure he can win by himself. Kenshin nods and walks off, telling Tomoe he'll see her again.
Misao running behind the departing train
With a rainbow high in the sky, Sanosuke and Yahiko join up with Kaoru and Megumi after wandering around lost for quite a while. Soon enough, Kenshin joins the party and nighttime falls. Quickly it goes by. The day of the Kenshingumi's departure arrives. Kenshin thanks Okina, Misao, and everyone else for their hospitality. Before leaving the Aoiya, Kenshin tells Aoshi that he'll drink with him next time they meet. Once at the train station, good-byes are said to Misao, who escorted them, and off Kenshin, Kaoru, Yahiko, Sanosuke, and Megumi go, back to Tokyo. One mystery remains and that's if Saitō is alive or not. Indeed the former Shinsengumi Captain is still alive; Chō is his apprentice, somewhat. However, Saitō plans to keep himself away from Kenshin until the time comes where he plans to conclude the battle from the Bakumatsu.
Kaoru and Kenshin walking home in Tokyo
A familiar path is walked by the Kenshingumi when they return to Tokyo. Megumi had informed Doctor Gensai and Tae that they would be returning, so she expects that they have a welcome party. Kenshin and Kaoru stop by a spot on the path. That spot is where Kenshin told Kaoru good-bye. Kaoru admits she had a loss for words back then, but now that she doesn't, she extends her hand and welcomes Kenshin back home. Kenshin clasps Kaoru's hand and thanks her, finally saying that he is, without a doubt, home.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Himura Kenshin
- Takani Megumi
- Masukami
- Makimachi Misao
- Kamiya Kaoru
- Myōjin Yahiko
- Kashiwazaki Nenji
- Shinomori Aoshi
- Sagara Sanosuke
- Hiko Seijūrō XIII
- Sawagejō Chō
- Saitō Hajime
Anime Notes[]
- There are several differences between the original manga and the events of this anime episode:
- In the original manga, in the scene where the Kyōto Oniwabanshū say goodbye to the Kenshingumi at the train station Misao and Okina are present. This is in contrast with the anime episode where only Misao is present.
- In the same scene, in the original manga Misao busts into crying standing next to Okina. This is in contrast with the anime where she runs chasing the train.
Trivia[]
- In Okina's map of Kyōto touristic attactions there are a couple of famous places of the city:
- Kinkaku-ji Temple that is a temple built in 1397 and completely covered in golden leaf.
- The Kyoto imperial palace, home of the imperial family until the end of the Tokugawa regime in 1868.
- And (most likely) Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a Buddhist temple established in the year 778.
- The scene where Sanosuke and Yahiko spot everyone on the street takes place on a real Kyōto street called Sannenzaka-Ninenzaka. It is a stone-paved pedestrian road lined with traditional buildings.
- In the scene where the Kenshingumi travel at Tokyo, arrive, walk home and Kaoru greets Kenshin back home, the music used at the last scene of the episode is the famous "Intermezzo" of the Italian opera "Cavalleria Rusticana" (lit. "Rustic Chivalry"). This contrasts that moment in Episode 31 where Kenshin said goodbye to Kaoru parting to Kyōto.
- This episode marks the end of the Kyōto Arc.
Gallery[]
