Kurogasa (Black Hat) is the 6th episode of the Rurouni Kenshin 2023 anime adaptation.
Synopsis[]
Some government officials have been murdered lately. Kurogasa, a former hitokiri known for his ruthless attitude, is doing it, and the government asks Kenshin for help. And when Kurogasa discovers Kenshin, Kurogasa realizes he has the ultimate opponent to prove he is the best swordsman once and for all. Who is Kurogasa really, and what is his connection to Kenshin? What will Kurogasa do to secure a duel against Kenshin?
Plot[]
Himura Kenshin and his friends (Sagara Sanosuke now among them) are eating a meal in the Kamiya Dōjō, prepared by Kamiya Kaoru. Yahiko says that one must endure the worst to live on. Sanosuke is disgusted by Kaoru's meal, while Kenshin is a little more polite. Suddenly the Police Chief visits them and fills them in about the mysterious killer that has been slaying key figures among the Ishin Shishi. He calls him "Kurogasa" and says that Kenshin's help is essential to bring down this menace. He also tells them of the next victim's name and time of death (Kurogasa gives his victims a letter mentioning when he is coming for them).
Kenshin and Sanosuke are in the building, protecting a fat Ishin Shishi, who is worried to death for his safety. When Kurogasa arrives, the Ishin Shishi tells his bodyguards that he'll pay them a great deal of money and give them positions as officers in the government if they take down this threat, causing them all to jump toward their doom, as Kurogasa slays them all with ease. Sano challenges him, but he uses his Ki technique with his eyes, causing disabled movement for Sanosuke and a group of other bodyguards. Kenshin then attacks Jin-e, cutting his straw hat in two, but receiving a cut in his left hand. He identifies him as Udō Jin-e, a rogue Hitokiri during the Bakumatsu and a user of Shin-no-Ippo. This special technique causes a halt in the target's movements. Jin-e also knows that the one facing him is none other than the legendary Himura Battōsai.
Meanwhile, Yahiko is fast asleep in the Dōjō, but Kaoru waits for Kenshin, worried about his safety. She then gets up steps outside the Dōjō, and stares at the moon.
In the building, Sano and the others remain unable to move. Kurogasa goes to attack Tani, but Sanosuke breaks free of the spell, takes a marble statue, and attacks Kurogasa. His katana is broken, but then he uses the remaining piece to injure Sanosukje in the arm. He says that all the others are of no consequence to him and that he changes his target to Kenshin. Kenshin attacks Jin-e, and the two continue to exchange blades. Kenshin hits Jin-e in the head, which frees everyone from the Shin-no-Ippo technique. Jin-e says he is disappointed and has gotten very weak since abandoning his murderous ways. He then leaves the building, saying that he will return to find him again one day and that before then, he should return to being the Hitokiri he once was, saying that he wants to kill the legendary Hitokiri from the revolution. Not the man Kenshin is right now.
On the way back to the Kamiya Dōjō, Kenshin explains Jin-e's technique and also tells Sanosuke that the only way for him to beat Jin-e is to return to being the Hitokiri he was during the Bakumatsu since he stands no match for him at that point. He also requests that he tell Kaoru and Yahiko that he has left to fight Jin-e. When he does so, Kaoru is broken up by the news and is about to run off, searching for Kenshin. Sanosuke tells her that Kenshin does not want anyone to interfere in his battle, but she says that if he defeats Jin-e, he'll return to his former self and will go off wandering again and that she lost her mother and father and does not want to be left alone again.
Kaoru can find Kenshin and tells him that if he does not return to the Dōjō, then neither will she. Kenshin tells her that he cannot win against Jin-e if he is worried about her safety. Kaoru then realizes that it is best not to get in his way, but leaves him her favorite indigo ribbon, saying that if he does not return it to her, she won't forgive him. Kenshin agrees and promises to return with it to the Dōjō right after defeating Jin-e. Kaoru then smiles and holds Kenshin to his word.
Jin-e suddenly appears and captures Kaoru, knowing that Kenshin will surely fight him more seriously when he is angered and his woman's life is jeopardized. He tells Kenshin that if he wants to save her, he must get angry and let his rage consume him, returning the Hitokiri he once was. Jin-e laughs hysterically and escapes while riding away in his boat. Kenshin is enraged and shouts out Jin-e's name.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Anime Notes[]
- There are several differences between the anime and the manga regarding the events of this episode:
- The anime starts with a scene of everyone eating lunch at the Kamiya Dōjō before Chief Uramura appears. In the original manga, this lunch was omitted and started with the chief's visit to Kenshin.
- In the original manga, chief Uramura talks to Kenshin and company at the table where they eat. In the anime, chief Uramura talks to Kenshin and company inside the Kamiya Dōjō hall.
Trivia[]
- The episode was titled after the original of Act 9.
- Kenshin and Sanosuke are seen playing Shogi at Tani's house while waiting for Kurogasa to appear. Shogi is a Japanese strategy board game for two players, somewhat similar to Chess. The goal of a Shogi game is for one player to checkmate the other player's king, winning the game.
Gallery[]
To be added