The Jūppongatana Who Remain: The Choice for Life (残された十本刀· 生きてゆくための選択 Nokosareta Juppongatana: Ikite Yuku Tame no Sentaku) is the 61st episode of the Rurouni Kenshin anime.
Synopsis[]
Sanosuke and Aoshi carry Kenshin out of the Inferno Arena, eventually escaping the eruption. Saitō is left behind due to his overly injured legs not being able to jump the collapsed bridge. The Six Torii Shrine finally demolishes, seemingly killing Saitō. Kenshin, Sanosuke, and Aoshi regroup with Kaoru, Yahiko, and Misao. Several weeks later, the the Oniwabanshū and Kenshingumi celebrates their victory until Chō appears with ascertaining news. What is the fate of those of the Jūppongatana?
Plot[]
Aoshi, Sanosuke and Kenshin escaping from Shishio's hideout
A sudden uproar of fire breaks through the bridge Kenshin, Sanosuke, Saitō, and Aoshi are on. However, the fire has separated Saitō from the group. With a cigarette in hand, Saitō takes a few puffs as Sano begins to belittle the Miburo. Sanosuke still hasn't gotten to finish the fight with Saitō, but Saitō could care less. He tells the three across from him that Aoshi has the map and they can escape from the path he made on it. Sano calls out to Saitō with an angered voice, but when the fire rises, he's gone.
Sōjirō, Anji and Hōji watching the hideout burn out
The blazes from the arena set fire to the entire base. Anji had saved Hōji at the last minute and they join Sōjirō who was watching from outside. Sōjirō takes a few seconds to look at the burning fire and sets off for his journey of truth. As for Anji, he tells Hōji that he'll be turning himself into the authorities for his crimes. Hōji agrees to do the same as Anji, but when he gets his trial, he promises to tell everyone how Shishio wished to rule the country and make fools of the Meiji Government. Later that evening, Kenshin, Sano, and Aoshi return to the Aoiya.
Kenshin and Kaoru joining the celebration downstairs
Kenshin was unconscious upon his return. A letter was sent to Megumi, who rushed over to Kyōto to treat Kenshin's wounds. A month passed by. Spring had turned into autumn. Because of the damage caused to the Aoiya, everyone was forced to stay at the Shirobeko, the Akabeko of Kyōto, the original sukiyaki restaurants set up by Tae's parents. Aoshi has spent most of his time meditating in a shrine, having much to think about. Unexpectedly, a guest no one ever thought they would see again arrives. Chō makes his presence known. First, he eats, then tells everyone what happened to the Jūppongatana.
Chō explaining about the fate of the Jūppongatana
Chō himself has become a private detective, swearing that he'll change jobs as soon as he finds something that is more of his taste. Henya, Saizuchi, and Fuji have all taken jobs like Chō because the government allowed them their freedom. The Jūppongatana was most wanted by the Meiji Government because of their exceptional abilities. As for Kamatari, he was heartbroken after hearing of Shishio's death, but it took Chō's lies to persuade him into taking the job the government offered him, a posing international exchange student that infiltrates advanced nations as a female spy.
The body of Hōji after he comitted suicide in prison
Anji had turned himself in and received twenty-five years of jail. He currently is serving time in a provincial jail in Hokkaido. Hōji, who also turned himself in, committed suicide in prison before damning the Meiji Government. The government would not allow him to have the trial he wanted. They had offered Hōji a job because of his business sense and ability to organize an army in exchange for his silence, but of course, he did not take it. Yumi was like Hōji. She had cared so much for Shishio after meeting him, even if she was really an expensive prostitute. The remaining Jūppongatana members, Sōjirō and Iwanbō are the only two that walked down a different path. Sōjirō has become a rurouni and Iwanbō just wandered off, too stupid to know what to really do, so he isn't considered a threat.
Shishio and Yumi waiting for Hōji in Hell
Before Chō leaves, Kenshin asks him to tell Hōji's grave that even though the era has tried to erase Shishio and the Jūppongatana from history, he'll remember them. Chō walks off, promising to deliver the message, even though Hōji may not be so thrilled to hear it from the rurouni. Speaking of Hōji, Shishio's faithful servant finds himself in Hell. Nearby is Shishio and Yumi, who were almost waiting for his arrival. Shishio invites Hōji to join him in his quest to have his challenge against Enma, the ruler of Hell. Hōji wastes no time in joining the two. Usui is also sought for. Shishio finally accepts the fact that the era had sided with Kenshin, but he promises that his plans won't fail in the afterlife.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Saitō Hajime
- Sagara Sanosuke
- Shinomori Aoshi
- Himura Kenshin
- Sadojima Hōji
- Yūkyūzan Anji
- Seta Sōjirō
- Kashiwazaki Nenji
- Kurojō
- Shirojō
- Ōmime
- Masukami
- Makimachi Misao
- Myōjin Yahiko
- Kamiya Kaoru
- Hiko Seijūrō XIII
- Takani Megumi
- Komagata Yumi
- Shishio Makoto
- Sekihara Sae
- Sawagejō Chō
- Kariwa Henya
- Saizuchi
- Fuji
- Honjō Kamatari
- Iwanbō
Anime Notes[]
- There are several differences from the manga and the events of this anime episode:
- In the original manga it is explained that Hōji commited suicide on prison with a hidden dagger he had. This was omitted in the anime.
- In the original manga when Chō tells the background history of Yumi, he explains about the "María Luz incident": A diplomatic incident between the early Meiji government of the Empire of Japan and the Republic of Perú over a merchant ship with Chinese indentured labourers in Yokohama in 1872. This was omitted in the anime.
- In the original manga when Chō explains about the fate of Iwanbō and the fact that he was never captured, his scene uses different panels that show that Iwanbō's laugh changes from his usual one to a more serious tone (as a tease of the fact that Iwanbō has a different nature than the one shown up to this point). This was shortened in the anime.
Trivia[]
- In the scene where Kenshin is sleeping while healing remembering all the events from the battle, 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.
- This is the only episode of the anime that features Sekihara Sae (Tae's twin sister) and the Shirobeko (the Akabeko's twin restaurant in Kyōto). Both of them were seen before in the original manga.
- This is the only episode of the anime where Kaoru wears a maid uniform: the Shirobeko uniform.
Gallery[]
