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Bad! Introducing Sanosuke, Fighter-for-hire is the fourth episode of the Rurouni Kenshin anime series.

Synopsis[]

Hiruma Gohei hires Sanosuke Sagara, a.k.a. Zanza (after his signature weapon, a Zanbatō) to take Kenshin down. He accepts, but not for the money. Is Zanza going to fight Kenshin after all? What is the true motive of his resentment against Kenshin?

Plot[]

Sagara Sanosuke is shown in the prologue beating up a bunch of people with his left hand, while holding the Zanbatō in the other. His victims beg him for mercy and he looks at them in disgust, saying that such weaklings aren't worth his time.

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The ink painting that Kaoru's grandfather painted

Sometime later Himura Kenshin and friends all head towards the Akabeko to eat beef hot-pot. While they are eating, a bunch of ruffians calling themselves "desperadoes for democracy" begin shouting and arguing with one another out loud and during their argument Kenshin senses an object thrown by one of them, flying towards him. Instead of dodging it, however, he sits still and it breaks on the back of his head. Kamiya Kaoru and Myōjin Yahiko are disgusted by their behavior and Yahiko demands them to apologize for what they did. In response, they start acting ruder and more boastful, saying that little children should not get in their way.

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Sanosuke picks a fight at the Akabeko

Sekihara Tae tells them to settle down and one of them punches her in the face, causing her to fly backwards. Sano, who is inside the restaurant catches Tae, preventing her from falling. Sano too is sickened by the thuggish behavior of this group and openly calls them hypocrites for using the name of democracy, while abusing the weak and innocent. They then challenge him to a fight outside, to which he agrees.

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Tae reflects on how Sanosuke did not pay his bill

Sano easily pummels the leader of the group with just a flick of his index finger and when one of his allies tries to draw a sword, Kenshin stops him and they back away. Sano then briefly meets with Kenshin, admiring him for purposely being hit rather than moving when a plate was thrown in his direction, as this would cause Kaoru's face to be bloodied. Kenshin denies this however and Sano is impressed by his humility, challenging him to a fight, which Kenshin refuses. Sano then leaves, saying that he can meet him at the "Ruffian row House" whenever he wishes and Yahiko and the others note the "Aku" symbol on the back of his shirt (meaning "Evil").

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Gohei thinking this will be Kenshin's demise

Meanwhile, Hiruma Gohei has been lurking in the shadows observing what is going on, hoping to hire Sano, then known as the street fighter Zanza, in order to get rid of Kenshin, and he can be free to wreak havoc upon the Kamiya Dōjō. After informing Sano that Kenshin is really Hitokiri Battōsai, the former is pleased and takes up Gohei's offer. As Sano walks away holding the Zanbatō, Gohei notes that everyone who has fought him are haunted by the memories day and night and that the money he charges his employers' depends entirely on how entertaining a fight is for him.

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Sanosuke uncovers his weapon

Sano reaches the Dōjō and Kenshin, sensing his presence, steps outside to see what he wants, and Sano tells him that he no longer has a choice regarding this fight, since he is now a client. He tells Kenshin that he knows who he really is and has no greater wish than to defeat the strongest of the Ishin Shishi, namely Battōsai. Sano attacks Kenshin several times, but Kenshin easily dodges, however, when Oguni Ayame and Oguni Suzume step outside to see what is happening, Sano ceases fighting and goes away, saying that he never takes part in battles with women and children nearby and then goes away.

Kenshin knows now that this is not a battle he can avoid.

Characters in Order of Appearance[]

Anime Notes[]

  • There are several differences in the events of this anime episode and the manga:
    • In the manga, Kaoru finds her grandfather's painting by chance, and instantly gets the idea to sell it. This is in contrast with the anime, where Kaoru remembers about the painting when Yahiko suggest that all of them should go out to eat.
    • In the manga, only Kenshin, Kaoru and Yahiko go to the Akabeko. In the anime, they also go out with Gensai, Ayame and Suzume.
    • In the manga, the drunks at the Akabeko throw a sake bottle at Kenshin. In the anime, they throw a sake cup instead.
    • In the anime, Hiruma Gohei watches the scene after the fight at the Akabeko, which does not happen in the manga.
    • Since Gohei's brother, Kihei, doesn't exist in the anime, it's just Gohei that hires Sanosuke to defeat Kenshin.
    • In the manga, Sanosuke first goes to Kyoto for two weeks to do research on Kenshin before fighting him, whereas in the anime Sanosuke goes to Kamiya Dojo immediately after being hired by Gohei and he already knows about the legend of Hitokiri Battōsai.
    • In the manga, Sanosuke visits Kamiya Dōjō during daylight, whereas in the anime he visits during the evening.
    • In the manga, Kenshin and Sanosuke decide to fight at riverbank because Kamiya Dōjō is too small. In the anime, they engage at Kamiya Dojo, but when Ayame and Suzume wake up Sanosuke postpones the fight for later. They fight at riverbank only in the next episode.

Trivia[]

  • One of the drunks that fight against Sanosuke at the Akabeko has a Suntetsu: A concealed weapon that is a metal rod/spike about 15 cm in length with a ring attached to it.
    • The middle finger is inserted into the ring and the suntetsu rests in the hand by various grips.
    • Suntetsu are easy to conceal and small. They are used for stabbing, poking or pinching.
    • Suntetsu can be used alone or as a pair.
  • Hiruma Gohei disguises himself as a Buddhist monk, carrying a Khakkhara (Japanese pronunciation: shakujō), a "tin stick", which is a staff topped with metal rings.
  • This episode uses the "Postcard Memory" scene effect:
    • It is a freeze-frame shot at the end of a scene where a character movements come to a stop and turn into a still image full of line shades and brightly colored.
    • Also called "Dezaki Effect" (named after anime director Ozamu Dezaki) it is used to accentuate humor, sadness, romance, or action.

Gallery[]

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