We’re continuing this review series with Rurouni Kenshin episode 2. Kenshin runs into troubles with the law, and a pickpocket has a change of heart. Kaoru has her own troubles. The Kamiya dojo is still empty, and Kenshin won’t spar with her.
Episode 2 — “Tokyo Samurai・Yahiko Myojin”
Rurouni Kenshin: Past and Present — Kamiya Dojo Home Life
I let this go in the previous episode review, but no more: where is Oguni Gensai and his granddaughters Ayame and Suzume?! Dr. Gensai was great, and his granddaughters were cute and adorable. I understand that Dr. Gensai wouldn’t be needed because Kihei took the place of the doctor in the first episode when Kaoru was wounded by Gohei. However, he’s gone now, and Dr. Gensai is still nowhere to be seen.
I let it go when the 2023 series didn’t show Kenshin cooking for Kaoru, or Kenshin walking in on Kaoru in the bath. However, not including these great characters is just a crime. I certainly hope they appear soon. Ayame and Suzume were cute, and Kenshin enjoyed their antics. Playing games with them gave him more humanity. Dr. Gensai is just necessary, his jovial attitude notwithstanding. Kenshin’s group lead dangerous lives, and having a doctor around is important.
Rurouni Kenshin: Past and Present — Yahiko’s Pickpocket Arc, Part 1
We have a strange situation with this episode. Events from episodes 2 and 3 of the 1996 adaptation have been mixed up. Things start off fine in this 2023 version, but it’s just at the start. Yahiko tries to pickpocket Kenshin and gets caught by Kaoru. However, they leave out the part where Yahiko successfully steals from an old man. He then returns the man’s wallet when he sees that he’s with a kid. Kenshin pats his head and walks off. This is when Yahiko notices Kenshin carrying a sword.
In the 1996 version, Kenshin and Kaoru learn more about Yahiko, and why he is being forced to steal. Kenshin then has a “hidden badass” moment and takes down the local yakuza to save Yahiko from his terrible situation. Yahiko is then invited to learn the ways of the sword at Kaoru’s dojo.
None of that happens in the 2023 version. Instead, events from 1996’s episode 3 happen. Kenshin is drawn into a fight with the Sword Bearing Police. He wins of course. They’re glorified thugs. Afterwards, he is met by his old friend Yamagata Aritomo. This character is based on a real historical figure. These events take up time that could have been spent resolving Yahiko’s arc. The episode ends with Yahiko on the ground in front of some scary yakuza guys, getting beaten with a stick when he decides to stop being a pickpocket.
All of this was an odd choice. It becomes a two-part episode, rather than two episodes standing on their own, as was back in 1996.
More Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass
The best “crouching moron” scene from this episode has to be the second instance, where Yahiko throws Kenshin’s wallet at him. Kenshin takes a shot to the back of the head and stumbles. Sure, no regular person could avoid that, but it was still funny to see.
Kenshin also lets Yahiko rob him, to begin with. I don’t think it requires superhuman skills to know when you’re getting robbed. Maybe he just felt bad for the kid and wanted Yahiko to get a win. He acted like a “crouching moron” to help Yahiko, and that is truly a “hidden badass” moment.
The police chase after Kenshin because he’s in violation of the Sword Abolishment Edict (Haito Edict). He runs from them, but he doesn’t use his true speed to evade them. He even decides to give himself up. That plan changes when Lieutenant Ujiki of the Sword Bearing Police arrives, threatening people who don’t clear the way.
Ujiki provokes Kenshin by threatening Kaoru and the townsfolk by ordering their deaths. Kenshin finally draws his blade, revealing the “hidden badass” that he is. Ujiki now proclaims that he can legally kill Kenshin and everyone else. However, he was planning to “illegally” kill them anyway. He makes no sense. He and his men go down in rapid succession. Yamagata Aritomo even notes that the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu is without equal. The crowd cheers for Kenshin after his victory, which put a smile on my face.
Episode 2: The Kenshin Plot Connection
Episode 2 introduces us to more of Kenshin’s past, and one of his former associates. They seemed to be close, perhaps as close as friends. Yamagata Aritomo was, as stated, a real person. He was among the most powerful individuals of his time. Nobuhiro Watsuki, the creator of Rurouni Kenshin, decided not to draw this fictional Aritomo to match what the real Aritomo actually looked like.
This episode shows Kenshin’s integrity and humanity. He turned down an offer to get a comfortable government position. Taking Aritomo’s offer would likely set him up for life. Money, food, probably a lofty place to live, he’d have it all. Instead, he’d rather be a rurouni and protect the people around him.
Yahiko’s story is a difficult one to watch. He’s so strong and proud, proclaiming himself the descendant of a Tokyo samurai. Yet he’s made to pickpocket for the local yakuza. The next episode should hopefully tell us his backstory, because this episode certainly didn’t. It was difficult to watch Yahiko getting beaten by the yakuza. Let’s hope episode 3 pays it off and we see Kenshin take that guy down like a real samurai.
Rurouni Kenshin Ep. 3: Kasshin-ryu – Reborn
Next time, we’ll be taking a look at Episode 3 — “Kasshin-ryu – Reborn.” So we’ll definitely see Kenshin and Kaoru take on the yakuza to save Yahiko. An episode late is better than never.
Let’s keep the ball rolling on who else Kenshin could beat in a fight. The J-List shop has plenty of contenders for our favorite rurouni. The Eugeo Figma Action Figure from the Sword Art Online section is now available.
What did you think of Rurouni Kenshin episode 2? Do you miss Dr. Gensai and his granddaughters? Why do you think they combined the events of episodes 2 and 3 from the 1996 series? Let us know in the comments below.
