The Gleaming Blade of Legends: The Mystic Swordsman Shougo Amakusa (煌めく伝説の剣! 神秘の剣士·天草翔伍 Kirameku Densetsu no Ken! Shinpi no Kenshi Amakusa Shōgo) is the 67th episode of the Rurouni Kenshin anime.
Synopsis[]
A letter from Misao reports to the Kenshingumi in Tokyo concerning a murder mystery in Kyōto, as it is witnessed that strange carvings are engraved on the back of a corpse of a politician. A politician approaches the Oniwanbashu for protection which Misao accepts after Aoshi refuses, but the assassin ultimately kills the politician and puts Misao in a comatose state. Learning of this news, the Kenshingumi arrives to Kyōto where they learn of a a startling revelation after witnessing power from the scene of the crime. What is this stranger's connections with these murders, and the Kenshingumi?
Plot[]
One of Misao's letters to Kaoru
One summer day all the Kenshingumi members are waiting for a fish to fry so they can eat it, and talking about everyday stuff, when Kenshin announces that they have received a letter from Misao, who is still in Kyōto. Altough they remember that she has sent funny letters in the past, this one is different: It's an alarming letter mentioning that there have been murders of important people in Kyōto lately. The responsible is somewhat exceptionally strong, so the police have not been able to catch him.
A politician begging to Aoshi for potection
Back in Kyōto a politician goes to the temple where Aoshi spends his days meditating and begs Aoshi to protect him as his bodyguard. Aoshi refuses and Misao stresses the fact that Aoshi will not pick up a sword again. The politician explains that he has already received threats and he knows of the killings. Misao discusses with Okina the fact that the letters are written in portuguese, and he recalls a story of the old japanese christians who travelled to countries like Netherlands and Portugal seeking for freedom of religion.
Misao being attacked by the swordsman's power
Sawagejō Chō is working with the police to find the responsible of the murders, and the night when the politician is suppoused to be killed finally arrives. Misao is hidden looking at the politician's house surrounded by guards. Suddenly a misterious man appears and kills everyone while Misao watches. She tries to stop the assassin, but he throws some kind of spell and knocks Misao out unconscious. Aoshi appears and saves her while witnessing the assassin in the distance.
Nishida Hyōei studying the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū
Back in Tokyo Kenshin and company suddenly receive the visit from Shirojō, who brings a letter from Okina, who asks them to come to Kyōto and help the Oniwabanshū in catching the criminal. They quickly travel to Kyōto and talk about the incident. Meanwhile Kenshin goes to visit his master Hiko Seijūrō XIII looking for answers. He tells Kenshin about a legendary swordsman who uses the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū: The previous student of Hiko Seijūrō XII who several years ago failed to learn the succession technique and was suppoused to be dead, but apparently survived and fled to other country. Rumors say that he taught the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū to others and has returned to Japan.
The sun almost covered entirely by the solar eclipse
In the threarening letters that the next victim has received, the criminal says that he will kill when the sun dissapears in the middle of the day in a nearby day. And that proves to be true: One day when Kenshin, Sanosuke and Yahiko are walking looking for clues about this incident, in the middle of the night the sun starts to dissapear being blocked by the moon. Then (as the eclipse is happening on the area), on a field on the countryside, Amakusa Shōgo appears near Kenshin and starts to walk towards him.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Kamiya Kaoru
- Himura Kenshin
- Myōjin Yahiko
- Sagara Sanosuke
- Makimachi Misao
- Shinomori Aoshi
- Kashiwazaki Nenji
- Amakusa Shōgo
- Shirojō
- Sawagejō Chō
- Masukami
- Ōmime
- Hiko Seijūrō XIII
- Nishida Hyōei
Anime Notes[]
- This marks the return of Hiko Seijūrō XIII since he never made any appearances after the Kyōto Arc.
Trivia[]
- This episode was the first to be animated by Studio DEEN, whose portion of the TV series deviated from the original manga's story in favor of original filler content.
- Some of the politician's bodyguards can be seen playing Hanafuda cards. They are a type of Japanese playing cards that depict plants, animals, birds, or man-made objects.
- This episode features a total solar eclipse occurring in Kyōto.
- A total solar eclipse is an astronomical event that happens when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby obscuring the view of the Sun from a small part of Earth, totally.
Gallery[]
