And Then, Another is the 5th episode of the Rurouni Kenshin 2023 anime adaptation.
Synopsis[]
The fight between Kenshin and Zanza continues, where the latter reveals his true reason for fighting: his past with the Sekihōtai, where his captain and teammates were used as scapegoats by the government and then executed. Will Kenshin be able to defeat him when he uses all his sorrow and will to stand on foot? Is Zanza going to reconcile his hate after all these years?
Plot[]
The "second round" of Kenshi and Sanosuke's battle starts. Kenshin brings down his opponent with a multitude of quick strikes. Sanosuke falls, but while on the ground, he remembers his deceased Sekihōtai leader, Sagara Sōzō, who was unjustly branded a traitor by the Ishin Shishi – Kenshin's affiliates.
The rage induced by this memory makes Sanosuke stand up, swearing that he'll bring down his opponent, the strongest of the patriots, which surprises Kenshin. This prompts Hiruma Kihei to use his second hidden revolver to shoot Kenshin, who blocks the bullet just in time with the guard of his sword. Thinking quickly, Kihei points his gun at Kaoru and Yahiko, telling his brother, Gohei, to break their legs so they won't get away.
However, Sanosuke slices Gohei's face and prevents him from doing this. Meanwhile, Kihei once again points his gun at Kenshin, who calls him "a man beyond saving" and uses a technique of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, Ryū Sō Sen (Dragon Nest Flash), to hit him in the body and face, knocking him down bloody and disfigured.
Kenshin and Sanosuke then resume their fight, both determined to conclude it. Spinning his huge Zanbatō over his head, Sagara Sanosuke prepares to finish off Himura Kenshin. Kenshin, unfazed, uses the edged side of his Sakabatō to cleave Sanosuke's weapon in two; most of the weapon's blade falls to the ground.
Then, Kenshin uses a technique of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, Ryū Tsui Sen (Dragon Hammer Flash), to strike at his opponent's head from high above. Sano takes the full brunt of the hit and yet remains standing. Kenshin, impressed, declares that Sano is the first to take that attack and not fall. He then tells Sano to stay there while he goes to fetch a doctor.
Sanosuke, unwilling to let the battle end this way, declares that he will die before he loses to an Ishin Shishi Kenshin unexpectedly punches him in the face and reminds him that the Sekihōtai, Sano's former companions, were about fostering a new era, not killing the patriots. Sano protests, but is interrupted by Kaoru and Yahiko, who tell Sanosuke not to judge Kenshin merely by his affiliation with the Ishin Shishi. Kenshin reveals to Sanosuke why he has been carrying a Sakabatō: to help people in need and to make amends for the people he has killed.
Hearing this, Sanosuke gives up fighting and finally collapses, admitting his defeat to himself.
The next day, Kenshin, Kaoru, and Yahiko meet Sanosuke in front of the Akabeko as he is effortlessly knocking some thugs out of the place. He tells the three of them that he is renouncing his Zanza identity and that, to figure out if Kenshin is really different from the rest of the patriots with their "empty ideals", he will stick around. He then leaves the premises of the Akabeko without paying, as usual.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Himura Kenshin
- Sagara Sanosuke
- Hiruma Gohei
- Hiruma Kihei
- Myōjin Yahiko
- Kamiya Kaoru
- Sagara Sōzō
- Tsukioka Tsunan
- Sekihara Tae
Anime Notes[]
- There are several differences between the original manga and the events of this episode:
- In the anime, the flashback scene with the Sekihōtai is extended (showing reunions between members and meetings) compared to the manga.
- Inly, a young Sanosuke is seen in the flashback panels. In the original manga. This contrasts with the anime, where a young Tsukioka Katsuhiro is also seen (and heard) during the flashback sequence.
- In the original manga, Kenshin uses the Dō Ryū Sen (Earth/Land Dragon Flash) to bludgeon Kihei with debris. In the anime, Kenshin attacks Kihei with the Ryū Sō Sen (Dragon Nest Flash) directly in the body and face.
Trivia[]
- The episode was titled after the original of Act 8.
- The Sekihōtai (赤報隊, "Red Herald Regiment") was a real military group of the era, commanded by Sagara Sōzō. The Meiji government used them as a scapegoat, and Sagara Sōzō was captured and beheaded.
- This is the second series episode with a post-credits scene (introducing Udō Jin-e to the story).
Gallery[]
To be added