The epic battle between Kenshingumi (unofficial name) and the Oniwabanshu reached a fever pitch last week. Kenshin took on Aoshi in a duel of the century, and our Rurouni came out on top. However, just as Kenshin claimed victory, the greedy and villainous Kanryu appeared with a Gatling gun and opened fire. Rurouni Kenshin, Episode 13 is the climax of an already tense battle.
Episode 13 — Battle’s End
Rurouni Kenshin: Past and Present — Kanryu’s Ascension, Oniwabanshu’s Downfall
The scenes showing each member of the Oniwabanshu are as tragic as ever. First Shikijo, then Hyottoko and Beshimi, and finally Han’nya. It’s the same order as in 1996, though the positions are different as we discussed last week. The Oniwabanshu appeared during Kenshin’s discussion with Aoshi in the previous iteration, while this more recent episode had Kanryu appear first. In the past, Aoshi’s men were gathered around him and charged at Kanryu from there. Now, they’re all by the doorway.
Besides that, this 2023 version showed Han’nya’s flashback to when he first began training with Aoshi. He was smiling because he had comrades. This further humanizes the Oniwabanshu when they fall to Kenshin and his friends.
The battle itself ends quite differently, however. Beshimi’s attack was more successful in 1996. Rather than aim at Kanryu himself, Beshimi fired his Dokusatsu Rasenpyo at Kanryu’s bullet belt, lodging it between two bullets. This is what silenced the Gatling gun. In 2023, Kanryu merely expended all of the bullets by the time Kenshin retrieved his sword.
I’ll admit, I liked the 1996 version better. Beshimi had a solid plan. We also saw Kenshin dodge bullets, reverse his sword to cut the Gatling gun’s handle, and change color as he smashed Kanryu in the face.
In what will definitely become a “Where’s Kaoru?!” section, Sanosuke is the one who takes one last look at Aoshi as they leave, as Kaoru had done in 1996. The 2023 version skipped over the part that showed Aoshi balling up his fists and letting out a silent, agonized scream.
Rurouni Kenshin: Past and Present — Megumi’s Rescue
Rescuing the princess was more light-hearted in 2023. In fact, it was a better-lit scene. Yahiko and Sanosuke broke down the door and greeted Megumi. Mind you, her tanto was still sheathed. In 1996, she had drawn it and prepared to end her life until Sanosuke grabbed the blade in his bare hand. This scene still happened, but after Kenshin, Sanosuke, and Yahiko reached her. She also gave some parting words, which gave Sanosuke even more time to reach her.
The scene plays out differently from here. In the past, the scene cut straight to the Kamiya Dojo. The 2023 version sees Megumi give Kenshin something for his chest wounds, inform them of a secret escape passage, and leave to turn herself over to the police. Just as she was about to confess, Kenshingumi arrived and lied to the police to protect her. Kanryu was silenced by Kenshin’s sharp battosai glare. He then explains his path of atonement and urges her to become a doctor to make up for the lives her opium took.
The 1996 version skipped right over Kenshin’s final confrontation with Aoshi, where it’s revealed that Aoshi beheaded his comrades before the police arrived. They promise to have another duel so Aoshi can take the title of “strongest” for his fellows in the Oniwabanshu.
Rurouni Kenshin: Past and Present — There and Back Again
Kenshingumi’s return home had more levity in 2023. Kaoru happily greeted them with bandages around her fingers, apparently from her attempts to prepare food for them. She talked Yahiko and Sanosuke into eating her finely prepared meal. In 1996, the scene cut to Megumi taking her leave to learn under Dr. Gensai, who does indeed show up in the 2023 episode. Our hunt for the doctor is officially over. Now we search for Ayame and Suzume. 1996 also omitted the Oniwabanshu members getting beheaded by Aoshi. Sanosuke explained that Aoshi and the Oniwabanshu members had vanished, and that no bodies were found. The episode ends with Megumi flirting with Kenshin, which annoys Kaoru. That scene was unfortunately left out of the 1996 version.
Rurouni Kenshin Ep. 14: Yahiko’s Battle
Next week will see Yahiko take center stage to fight a bunch of thieves to protect a cute girl.
Let’s keep the unrealistic matches going. This week, let’s see how well Kenshin handles a two-on-one match. The Leafa & Suguha Kirigaya 2 Figures Set Complete from Sword Art Online are now available for purchase. A two-in-one waifu.
What did you think of this week’s episode? Were you upset to see the Oniwabanshu get taken down? Did you cheer when Kanryu was belted in the face with a sword? Let us know in the comments below.
