Between Life and Death: Master the Ultimate Technique, Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki! is the 43rd episode of the Rurouni Kenshin anime series.
Synopsis[]
Battered, weary, and unable to touch his mentor Hiko Seijūrō, even at his level of skill, Kenshin is granted the final window of opportunity to prove to his master his worth to learn the ultimate technique of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū. As the following days of his training pass, eventually, life comes to gather all summoned to the call of destiny in Kyōto, good and evil. With the true battle only days ahead, there is no turning back now- Will Kenshin be able to master the ultimate technique? What will be the cost of learning this ōgi?
Plot[]
A flashback of Hiko about to kill some thieves
Under an early morning, a country road turns into the sight of a bloody massacre. Strewn about are a caravan of slave traders, and lastly, three young women and a boy remain. The young boy, wishing to protect the young women, picks up a sword and dashes at the bandits, but is pulled back. Under their safety, they huddle over him, and pray for them to spare his life. Crying, they whisper to him how he must live, and that he has much to live for. One by one, the young women do all they can, but are also slain. As the young boy remains, traumatized, a bandit desires to end his misery, but appearing out of the dark, a man in a white cape slays his gang. Desiring to know who he is, the caped man refuses to give his name to someone soon to die. Charging headfirst, the caped man then immediately slays him.
Wiping the blood off of his sword, the caped man tells the young boy, that even if he hated or loved them, the dead cannot be brought back to life. Walking away, he departs with words to look on the brighter side of things, and to go to the nearby village for their help.
A flashback of Kid Kenshin lamenting his companions' death
As the morning sun rises, the caped man asks a brewery if a child has been seen or found. Without confirmation, he is saddened, and departs along the road decorated with Jizo. Weary of the world, he concludes that the grief must have been too great for the young boy, and that he committed suicide. Though sorrowful, the bitterness remains for him to know that in life, such things happen everyday. Though the caped man wields a sword of such a style to protect people, he is disappointed and doubtful, not even able of fulfilling his sworn duty. As all he can do now is to bury the dead, he makes his way to the scene of the crime- And as the morning sun hits the hill before him, he is in surprise.
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Hiko decides to take Kenshin as a pupil
The barren hill lit by the morning sun, lay marked with graves. The young boy that survived, properly dug graves for all, slave trader or bandit. Asking the young boy if they were his family, he mentions that his mother and father died a long time ago, succumbed to the disease of cholera. The three young women that gave their lives to protect him, Kasumi, Akane, and Sakura, he wished to protect them, left alive as the only male, even at the expense of his own life. Wishing he had more beautiful things to mark their graves, only with stones he found, the caped man opens his jug. The caped man states that one mustn't live life without knowing the taste of good sake, pouring his sake out onto their graves as tribute for what they have done for the young boy. Wishing to know the child's name, his name is Shinta, but the caped man decrees that is too soft of a name for a swordsman- He shall now be named Kenshin, and the caped man promises to give the young boy his best training under his tutelage, taking him under his care.
In the present day, Kenshin struggles to properly land even a single blow on Hiko. It has been a few days since his arrival, and still, his shinsoku and techniques pale when pitted against his master. As he is knocked out from every blow, the past comes back to him, and Hiko, though tough on his student, wakes him up after every session. As Hiko's patience wears thin, he wakes up his apprentice by reminiscing of the past, such as when a young Kenshin wet the bed, to even having eaten dangerously "funny" mushrooms when he was hungry and shrewish.
Ryū Tsui Sen versus Ryū Shō Sen
Mentioning in turn of how grand, yet, twisted, antisocial, brusque, and vindictive to the near point of misanthropy Hiko is as a master, Hiko turns the conversation around, mentioning that there isn't a more forgiving master around for a "stupid apprentice" that abandoned him, and that he is growing bored of his apprentice's struggle to keep up with him. Making a make or break ultimatum that he is giving Kenshin a final chance to land even a single attack onto him to accept his pleas, Kenshin soars into the sky. Hiko, eying his apprentice, soars after him. The two collide in midair, with Kenshin intent on dropping a Ryū Tsui Sen and his master countering with a Ryū Shō Sen, their clash winding throughout the waterfall valley.
Over his student's passed out body, Hiko and Kenshin collide heads upon the latter's surprise awakening. Though Kenshin forgot to land safely, having nearly gotten a concussion after dropping after the attack, Hiko shows him his bracer- A single graze has been made by Kenshin, having put all of his heart and soul into that one attack, an attempt better than any Kenshin has given so far and a chance that would have not seen any odds of success should he had gone attempts otherwise.
The 9 places that were attacked by the Kuzu Ryū Sen
Walking back to his home, Hiko is ready to show Kenshin the final steps of correspondence of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū. As the session begins, Hiko sternly tells his student to stand extremely still and calm- Otherwise things could get very ugly. As he readies himself, Hiko reviews to Kenshin of the nine vital targets within kenjutsu, and that all styles attempt to land on or defend those very targets. However, Hiko immediately lunges forward, and flashes by his still standing student. Having made small nicks to Kenshin's body, he reveals an attack that uses the Shinsoku of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū to simultaneously land hits on all of these nine points, rendering defense and evasion entirely useless against its power and force: The Kuzu Ryū Sen.
Hiko doing a Kuzu Ryū Sen attack
Left in utter shock and awe, Kenshin is told to perform in succession the Kuzu Ryū Sen as well. Though flabbergasted at first, and learning now that Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū's training usually involves directly experiencing the brunt force of each technique, a rather harsh but effective method, and safe due to his master's excellent control, Kenshin follows through and clashes Kuzu Ryū Sen against his master's. At the end of the split second attack however, Kenshin flies, immediately defeated in that session. Getting back up, and again in surprise upon being defeated, even after successfully performing it, Hiko reveals to him that it is not just the technique that is important- It is also the user's bodily attributes that further give the Kuzu Ryū Sen its edge, and that Kenshin's technique ultimately pales when pitted against Hiko's.
Visibly in doubt now that he cannot succeed in mastering the "ōgi" of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, Hiko reveals that there is an ultimate attack that does surpass the Kuzu Ryū Sen: The "Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki" (Flash of the Heavenly Flying Dragon). Kenshin, further surprised at the revealing of another ōgi, comes to realize that his misjudgment and assumption upon his impression of his master announcing the Kuzu Ryū Sen, lead him to see that as the "ōgi" of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū which his master states that he didn't say a word of ōgi, and laughs in his student's dullness.
Kenshin adopting a Battōjutsu stance
Revealing now that the Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki is to be an attack learned after the Kuzu Ryū Sen, and is the final test for all apprentices, to pierce through the Kuzu Ryū Sen's seemingly impenetrable onslaught, Hiko leaves the rest for Kenshin to vision and properly deduce of its true nature. Sheathing his sword for Battōjutsu, as its speed breaking past Shinsoku allows it to counter without error, however, Kenshin falls back. Putting himself into Mugyo stance with sword sheathed, he stands against his master, but reveals his eyes, as Hitokiri Battōsai. Hiko withdraws, telling his student, with his soul like that, he cannot master the Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki at all.
As the rain pours throughout the rest of the day, Hiko gives Kenshin another final opportunity to truly master the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, issuing him one night to reflect in introspection of what he is missing in his heart, or else perish in the final trial that awaits him in the morning. Sitting outside under the well, Kenshin stares into the distance. Hiko, in his house, having been 14 long years since Kenshin's departure, reflects upon the day he found him, and the times they have spent together, as guardian and student. Heavy emotions within, Hiko notes, the next day that will come, will be their last to spend together.
In Tokyo, at Gensai Oguni's establishment, Gensai-sensei, Ayame, Suzume, and Megumi, spend an evening at home. Under a clear night sky with the moon hanging over the distance, Megumi listens to Gensai's playful talk with Ayame and Suzume, teasing them of when Kenshin will come back home. Looking at the moon, Megumi eyes tearfully, and thinks of Kenshin, hoping for his safety.
At the Aoiya, Kaoru sits at the balcony. Worried for Kenshin, of his battle within his heart, and his willingness to sacrifice himself to save others, Misao comforts her, telling Kaoru that Kenshin would never come to hurt her feelings or betray her. Outside in the front, Yahiko waits in the rain, even should the cold come by its deluge, to sight Kenshin and herald his arrival.
At the Kyōto Police Jail, Saitō arrives, meeting with the head commissioner to interrogate the now incarcerated Chō. To his surprise however, in a cell, a man with the kanji Aku on his back, sits in waiting. Sanosuke as well, has now made his grand entrance into Kyōto.
Hiko and Kenshin about to make their final training lesson
As day breaks, so has the pouring rain. In the middle of the marshy field, Kenshin and Hiko confront each other. Asking Kenshin if he has found what was missing in his heart, Kenshin declines. To his disappointment, Hiko has nothing left for Kenshin other than brunt truths and intimidating speech, that Kenshin has reached his limits as a man- And that half of a man, who cannot ever hope to defeat Shishio, nor even the hitokiri within, that will threaten to consume him in agony, loneliness, and risk to have him kill for the rest of his days, cannot hope to learn the Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki. As his master, Hiko has now only one duty- To lay Kenshin in rest by death, and out of his misery as a scarred and broken man.
Hiko launching a deadly Kuzu Ryū Sen at Kenshin
As Hiko slowly walks forward, Kenshin, within, can only now stare in the eyes of death, menacingly making his way to him. Questioning himself now, afraid of death, afraid now of his master, who will end his life, Kenshin forces himself back into a hitokiri, to not fear the threat of death that comes after him. Hiko, visibly fierce and angry at his apprentice's ignorance, snaps forward, and readies himself to deliver the Kuzu Ryū Sen. Yelling to brace his master's onslaught, Kenshin's life flashes before his eyes. But, as Kenshin's heart is filled with sacrifice and darkness of weakness and worthlessness, a single light flashes brightly, echoing of compassion and love from a long time ago- And Kenshin must stay alive.
Kenshin and Hiko in the aftermath of their clash of swords
Before Hiko's blade even touches him, Kenshin grips his sword, and pulls it forward, flashing faster than Shinsoku. As Hiko immediately makes it past him, Kenshin has now survived, and passed the last trial of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū. Standing as if unfazed, Hiko weakly states now, that the hitokiri within, as it stands for his fatalism, even for his own life, is not the power within he is looking for, as self-sacrifice, even for selfless purposes, is just a tiny ripple in the ocean of life. To live on no matter what odds, the wellspring of the Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki's strength, is the true power of all of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, and is now at Kenshin's command. As Hiko is on his last legs, he smiles, and reassures Kenshin, he has nothing to worry about- His death is the fate of all of those of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, and that he should not look at this as another life taken under his vow to never kill again.
Short of breath, Hiko immediately succumbs to his pain, and lands into the large mire, unconscious. Kenshin, now realizing just what he has done, having fatally slain his adoptive master, screams in agony of his actions, and rushes to aid him by his side.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Himura Kenshin
- Hiko Seijūrō XIII
- Takani Megumi
- Oguni Gensai
- Oguni Ayame
- Oguni Suzume
- Myōjin Yahiko
- Kamiya Kaoru
- Makimachi Misao
- Kashiwazaki Nenji
- Kawaji Toshiyoshi
- Saitō Hajime
- Sagara Sanosuke
- Ōkubo Toshimichi
Anime Notes[]
There are several differences between the events of this episode in the anime and the manga:
- In the manga, some time after the fight against Okina, Shinomori Aoshi goes to the Aoiya and demands the other Oniwabanshū to tell him where Kenshin is. Kaoru and Yahiko confront Aoshi and tell him that he is training to become stronger, and that Kenhsin will indeed have a rematch against Aoshi. In response Aoshi just leaves. All of this is ommited from the anime.
- Flashbacks to Kenshin's past are played out differently in the anime:
- The flashback at the beginning of the episode has an added dialogue from a bandit, telling young Kenshin that he wishes to end his misery. At the same time, Hiko's dialogue is shortened.
- Original to the anime, young Kenshin attempts to attack the bandits with a sword, but is pulled back by his friends, wishing to save him. This plays an important role in Kenshin's mastering of Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki in the anime.
- While Hiko monologues before finding Kenshin's makeshift graveyard, Jizo statues are briefly shown, not appearing in the manga.
- Original to the anime, Kenshin's eye color changes from blue to yellow whenever he goes into the "Battousai" state.
- In the anime, it starts raining when Kenshin attempts to recklessely face Hiko's Kuzu Ryū Sen, and it rains till the tomorrow morning, whereas in the manga the sky is clear throughout the day and night.
- The scene back in Tokyo with Gensai, his granddaughters and Megumi is original to the anime.
- The conversation between Kaoru and Misao is slightly different in the anime. Misao and other Oniwabanshū are also taking care of unconscious Okina, not seen in that particular scene in the manga.
- In the manga, Yahiko is seen training outside, whereas in the anime he's at Aoiya's entrance awaiting Kenshin's return from training.
- In the manga, Kenshin and Hiko haven't slept all night before the duel. Both point this out to each other and go wash their faces. This is omitted from the anime.
- Kenshin's mastering of Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki is played out differently in the anime:
- In the manga, when Hiko is about to attack Kenshin with the Kuzu Ryū Sen for the last time, he takes off his white cloak and explains that the cloak is an heirloom of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, and is comprised of several heavy materials that weigh down the wearer, as well as counter-springs in the shoulders. This is ommited from the anime.
- Original to the anime, Hiko notices Kenshin's eyes change to the yellow "Battōsai" eyes, prompting him to launch Kuzu Ryū Sen in frustration.
- In the manga, just before Hiko strikes, Kenshin remembers various things his friends and foes told him, making him realise that he can't die just yet, thus mastering Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki. In the anime, he instead remembers the past and how he was saved by his friends, who wished for him to stay alive. He then sees a brief flash of all the people he has recently met. Just before Hiko strikes, his eye color changes back to blue.
- In the manga, after Kenshin defeats Hiko with Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki, there is a delay to when all the strikes hit his body, making at first an impression he was unfazed. This delay is not seen in the anime and Hiko simply falls over after some time.
- The flashbacks of Kenshin's past are portrayed as the opening prelude in the Trust & Betrayal OVA. The OVA incorporates many of the original elements seen in the flashbacks of the anime, some scenes even being shot for shot remakes.
Gallery[]
