The previous episode of Rurouni Kenshin ended on both a hopeful and hopeless note. Megumi was safe and happy at the Kamiya Dojo, but Kanryu got to play with a new toy. Even so, Yahiko is awake, and Dr. Gensai has finally made an appearance, so all is right with the world.
Episode 10 — A Reason to Act
Rurouni Kenshin New Key Visuals
The new arc brought new Key Visuals that you can find on the home page.
Rurouni Kenshin: Past and Present — Megumi’s Short-Lived Happiness
Megumi tries to enjoy her life at the Kamiya Dojo, free of Kanryu and the Oniwabanshu. However, a visit from Han’nya ends it. In the 1996 version, he throws a kunai with a letter that demands she leave the dojo. Once outside, he appears in disguise and grabs her. The 2023 version only shows that he arrives at the dojo in disguise and tells her to come with him or he’ll poison the nearby well with mercury. In the earlier version, Sanosuke sees the whole thing go down.
Sanosuke’s role differs much from the 1996 version. He has his own side-quests and comes out looking way better. Sanosuke tracks Megumi and Han’nya to her meeting with Kanryu and overhears the threats Kanryu leveled at her. Han’nya notices him but does nothing. Later, Sanosuke tried to convince Megumi not to return to Kanryu when he knew well that she planned to die. Sanosuke’s 2023 iteration was merely bitter at Megumi and only later decided to rescue her.
Rurouni Kenshin: Past and Present — Your Princess Is in This Castle
The siege on Kanryu’s manor plays out differently, but I liked both outstanding versions. In 1996, Sanosuke takes on the Oniwabanshu member Shikijo and wins, though Beshimi is on hand to grab Megumi. In 2023, Sanosuke, Kenshin, and Yahiko break down the gate and tear through a whole army. That’s just the start of the siege. Unfortunately, Kaoru didn’t take part in the siege in 2023 like she did in the 1996 version. Watsuki himself confirmed that she had sword skills that would put her on a national combat tier.
Megumi’s scene, where she pulled a tanto to kill Kanryu, differed between then and now. Honestly, the newer version was far more satisfying to watch. Megumi cut Kanryu’s arm and scared him to death. She would have finished him off had Aoshi not grabbed the tanto from her. Back then, she didn’t get a chance to cut him because Han’nya disarmed her.
Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass
One fine morning, Megumi prepares some ohagi (sweet rice balls). Ayame and Suzume aren’t there to enjoy them, but I digress. She explains that making tasty ohagi is quite simple. Kenshin remarks that Kaoru has had no such luck and receives a mighty strike in retribution. Megumi takes the opportunity to cradle a downed Kenshin in her arms and asks him to leave Kaoru to be with her. Kaoru does not take kindly to this and casually tosses Kenshin aside to confront Megumi.
A rare moment for Yahiko to be more of a badass happens during the siege on Kanryu’s manor. Sanosuke throws him into a gunner, and he disarms the man. Yahiko stands up, aims the gun at the man, and shouts “Bang!” to scare him. Then, the gunner just passed out. However, he didn’t have a chance to do that back in 1996.
Rurouni Kenshin Ep. 11: Savage Han’nya ・ Honorable Shikijo
The next episode will have Kenshin, Sanosuke, and Yahiko confront the Oniwabanshu in their territory. The starting match pits Kenshin against Han’nya.
The next improbable match will pit a Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure heroine against our rurouni. The Jolyne Kujo Chozo Art Collection Figure is now available for pre-order. You know, we might have actually seen this match if J-Force was successful for once.
What did you think of this week’s Rurouni Kenshin episode? Did you like Yahiko’s fake-out? Should they have kept Kaoru in the siege? Let us know in the comments below.
