Things returned to normal for Kenshingumi after Kenshin defeated and demoralized Raijuta in last week’s episode. Sanosuke will take center stage in this episode. This former fighter-for-hire and current vagabond who survives on Kaoru’s kindness will meet with an old friend who survived the downfall of the Sekiho Army. This week’s episode of Rurouni Kenshin will get emotional.
Episode 18 — Sanosuke and Nishiki Paintings
Rurouni Kenshin: Past and Present — Nishiki-e
Tae from the Akabeko asked Sanosuke to purchase a nishiki-e painting for her. A renowned artist always sells out, and she has to work. Sanosuke agrees because she always gives him “free food.” Turns out she’s been putting his meals on a tab for him. In the past, Sanosuke seemed worried about that, especially as Tae informed him she was charging interest. The new adaptation sees Sanosuke unbothered by the tab. It’s a small detail, but it was funny to see Sanosuke look worried. The recent adaptation has Yahiko appear in the restaurant as a worker, which keeps the plot consistent.
The scene at the nishiki-e painting stall plays out much the same, but it’s funnier in the previous adaptation. Both iterations see Kenshin and Kaoru asking Sanosuke about his newfound interest in nishiki-e paintings. Kaoru asks him if he’s planning to purchase a portrait of an attractive woman. In the past, an image of Kaoru herself slides across the background. When this is disputed, Kenshin asks if he’s planning to purchase an erotic painting. The past adaptation sees the border of a picture beginning to scroll by. In a breaking of the fourth wall, Kaoru pushes against the artwork and charges up to the seller, refusing to be in an erotic portrait. The seller, of course, has no idea what she’s talking about.
Another funny instance, which should have been in the new version, is when the seller insults Captain Sagara. He believes the popular notion that the Sekiho Army was fake, and he said as such when Sanosuke found the painting of his former captain. The 1996 version saw Kaoru and Kenshin cover his mouth to prevent him from annoying Sanosuke. That didn’t happen this time because he just demanded the artist’s address. Sanosuke didn’t threaten him back then either, which made the scene all the better.
Rurouni Kenshin: Past and Present — Reunion
Sanosuke’s reunion with Katsuhiro “Katsu” Tsukioka after ten years happens similarly. Katsu had been working under the pseudonym of Tsunan Tsukioka. Sano bangs on the artist’s door, calls out his actual name, and old friends reunite. Kenshin and Kaoru take their leave to let the friends catch up. The 1996 adaptation takes the win for this episode again. There was a flashback to Sanosuke’s and Katsu’s time in the Sekiho army. We were shown a battle scene where Katsu pushed Sanosuke out of the way and took a bullet for him. Also, Katsu looked like a regular guy when he asked Sanosuke to join him in taking down the government. This new 2023 version gave him a wicked and creepy smile when he talked about the subject. No one needed to see that.
Katsu’s attempt to recruit Sanosuke also played out a bit differently. In the 2023 adaptation, Sanosuke reminds Katsu of the Seinan War as a reason to not target the Meiji government. Katsu’s bombs are hidden a little better in this version, too. In the past, Katsu just hid them in an easily accessible closet. Nowadays, he has a false floor mat. The creepy smile is not worth it for a better hiding place for explosive devices.
The 1996 adaptation leads again, however. Back then, Sanosuke angrily argued against Katsu’s plan to overthrow the government. The modern version of that scene had Sanosuke in silent surprise. His only argument was mentioning the Seinan War, which Katsu used, suggesting that the government was drained from it.
Rurouni Kenshin: Past and Present — Showtime
This is where the episodes deviate. The 1996 adaptation saw numerous explosions occur that allowed fake Sekiho Army members to commit robberies and murder. Sanosuke went to confront Katsu, only to find an empty house and a nishiki-e painting that had a farewell written on it. The fake Sekiho members were thieves working for Tatewaki Shindo, who framed and executed the real Sekiho Army a decade ago. Sanosuke and Katsu teamed up to confront the fakes and put an end to them. This is an anime-only event, as Shindo himself is an anime-only character.
The 2023 adaptation is a bit more fun. Sanosuke throws a party for his friends at the Kamiya Dojo, with Katsu footing the bill for everything. Everyone eats and drinks in merry spirits. Sanosuke and Katsu leave when the party winds down and the guests leave. With everyone else asleep, they’re sure their absence would be unnoticed. However, Kenshin is awake and hears Sanosuke’s confession of his felonious plans.
Rurouni Kenshin Ep. 19: Tsunan and Nishiki-e Paintings
The next episode will see this arc continue. Sanosuke and Kenshin will have their rematch while Katsu tries to burn the government down.
What did you think of this week’s episode? Do you believe Katsu is right to avenge the Sekiho Army and clear Captain Sagara’s name? Is Sanosuke smart or stupid for backing his plans and abandoning his new friends? Let us know in the comments below.
Next up for our fantasy matches: rurouni vs. ship girl. Enterprise 1/7 Figure Wind Catcher Ver. from Azur Lane is now available for pre-order. Will Kenshin’s godlike speed and strength triumph over a battleship? Let us know in the comments below. Remember to order in-stock items before Thanksgiving, for the best chance of receiving them by Christmas.
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