Two Men at the End of an Era, The Final: Kenshin vs. Shishio (幕末を駆けた二人· 志々雄対剣心 最終戦! Bakumatsu o Kaketa Futari: Shishio Tai Kenshin Saishūsen!) is the 57th episode of the Rurouni Kenshin 1996 anime.
Synopsis[]
Kenshin and Sanosuke have surpassed the last of the Jūppongatana's strongest, and have now reached Shishio Makoto! Entering the Inferno Room, the hallmark where the last of the Ishin Shishi's strongest will now clash, Kenshin however, is nowhere as he was at the beginning of this duel. Will Kenshin be able to survive his successor's onslaught?
Plot[]
Kenshin and Sanosuke going up the stairs to the fight
Yumi leads Kenshin and Sanosuke through a stone bridge and up the stairs where Shishio and Hōji await on the field. Petroleum is what fuels the fire that keeps bursting out of pipes around the arena. Yumi explains to Kenshin and Sano that Shishio's first goal is to build a petroleum industry, since it will become a major source of fuel in the future. On the field, Hōji expresses his excitement about the battle to Shishio. He wants to witness firsthand Shishio killing Kenshin so that plans may progress faster without the former Battōsai around.
Kenshin and Sanosuke arriving to the arena
Kenshin thinks to himself about how this fight all began as he walks up the long flight of stairs. When at the top, Kenshin reminds himself that everything is riding on the line in this fight. The first thing Shishio does is greet Kenshin and Sanosuke. He compliments Kenshin for beating Sōjirō without killing him, but asks that he put aside his "stupid" philosophy and fight him with all his strength. Sanosuke butts in, shouting that Shishio is a bit arrogant for someone who's on a losing streak. For that, Hōji promises that Sanosuke, the one who ruined the Rengoku operation, will not escape alive, just like Kenshin. Yumi is thanked by both Kenshin and Sano as she walks over to the side of Shishio.
Shishio blocking Kenshin's Ryū Tsui Sen
With a watch in hand, Yumi asks that Shishio not forget about the time. Shishio kisses his love before he walks into the center of the field with Kenshin. Both look evenly the same; Kenshin with many bandages around his wounds and Shishio with bandages all over his body. However, when the fight begins, Shishio founds out that both are evenly matched. Even if Kenshin has gone through grueling battles with Aoshi and Sōjirō, he still has his strength and speed. Kenshin and Shishio connect swords a few times, and he even blocks Kenshin's Ryū Tsui Sen (Dragon Hammer Flash). But then suddenly, Shishio's sword catches on fire as he slashes Kenshin. This is the technique Shishio calls Homura Dama (Blazing Soul).
Shishio stoppping Kenshin's attack with his bare hand
It takes a little while until Kenshin finds out what's lighting Shishio's sword, human oil. Shishio is impressed with Kenshin's observation skill as Sanosuke almost throws up. Shishio has killed much in the past, but he surprises Kenshin when he tells him that the sword he currently wields is Arai Shakkū's final sword meant for killing, the twin of Kenshin's new Sakabatō, Mugenjin (Infinity Blade). The battle resumes shortly after. Kenshin foolishly goes for the Ryū Shō Sen (Dragon Soaring Flash); foolish because Shishio had seen the technique already. For his mistake, Shishio catches Kenshin's sword and takes a big bite out of the left side of his neck. Kenshin falls over in severe pain while Shishio wipes away the blood filled in his mouth. The battle has already started and things don't look good for Kenshin.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Himura Kenshin
- Sagara Sanosuke
- Shishio Makoto
- Sadojima Hōji
- Komagata Yumi
- Masukami
- Myōjin Yahiko
- Kamiya Kaoru
- Ōkubo Toshimichi
- Seta Sōjirō
- Saitō Hajime
- Senkaku
- Hiko Seijūrō XIII
- Kashiwazaki Nenji
- Makimachi Misao
- Ōmime
- Kurojō
- Shirojō
- Arai Iori
- Arai Azusa
- Arai Seikū
- Sanjō Tsubame
- Oguni Ayame
- Oguni Suzume
- Sekihara Tae
- Oguni Gensai
- Takani Megumi
Anime Notes[]
To be added
Trivia[]
- Yumi mentions the fact that Shishio wants to explore the posibility of using Petroleum as a future source of energy for Japan. This is a historical fact, since the use of Petroleum goes back to the second half of the 19th century throughout the world.
- It's important to realize the fact Japan does not have oil reserves of its own.
Gallery[]
