Rurouni Kenshin, Episode 22: The Lone Wolf of Mibu

Rurouni Kenshin goes from one high to another. The previous episodes adapted new manga chapters that had a cute blonde doctor. We now turn our attention to this week’s episode that does, in fact, have a 1996 counterpart. A lone wolf stalks the halls of the Kamiya Dojo, searching for a certain rurouni.

Episode 22 — Resurrection of the Wolf

Rurouni Kenshin: Past and Present — Dreams of War

The episode opens with Kenshin in a deep slumber. He dreams of an epic battle during the Bakumatsu. In my opinion, the dream sequence was far better in 1996. For one, it lasts longer than a minute. The scene opens on a great tower with a crimson moon hanging just behind. We move to a clandestine meeting of Imperialists that a Shinsengumi squad cuts short, which Saito Hajime led. Two people escape the carnage outside, only to be cornered by Saito, Okita Soji, and the rest. Kenshin appears and saves his comrades by engaging with Saito himself.

The dream ends, and as before, 1996 handled it better. Kenshin is alone in a room with a storm hanging overhead. In 2023, he’s been dozing off in a dojo, and Kaoru and Yahiko slap him fully awake. They then dragged him out of the dojo like so much luggage. 1996 also had Ayame and Suzume slapping Yahiko after he said boys were better than girls, so it’s a flawless victory.

Rurouni Kenshin: Past and Present — Home Alone

The scene where Kaoru and Kenshin are discussing the Shinsengumi plays better in 1996 because Ayame, Suzume, and Best Doctor Dr. Gensai are there. Kaoru is also much more supportive and concerned. The new episode only has Kaoru and Yahiko listening with interest rather than concern. Back home, Sanosuke is hanging out at the Kamiya Dojo. He happened to be there to scam some free food. A strange medicine seller appeared to peddle his wares. Sanosuke saw through him, revealing him as a skilled warrior.

Their duel plays out much the same between then and now, but we see much more of it back then. 1996 shows Saito breaking his hidden sword in Sanosuke’s shoulder, and when Saito parries one of Sanosuke’s punches before flooring him one last time. The new version cuts out all that to jump straight to Megumi and Kaoru arguing in the street.

Rurouni Kenshin: Past and Present — The Puppet Master

Not much changes in this scene. The general setting is the same, even if the color palette differs entirely. Saito meets with his client, a Meiji government official who planned the Jin-e attacks. The other assassin, Arundo Akamatsu, remained hidden during the meeting in 1996, whereas he was visibly present in 2023.

Although small details differ, considering the prior differences in dreams and duels, Kenshin’s investigation into the attack by picking apart clues is much the same.

Additionally, Saito’s cheap lunch with Akamatsu’s interference is essentially the same.

Rurouni Kenshin: Past and Present — Kenshin vs. Akamatsu, Part 1

Things more or less play out the same between then and now. If anything, Yahiko’s reaction to Kenshin passing on buying more tofu is a lot more comical in the 1996 iteration. The duel is cut into two parts this week, even though the entirety took place in one episode in 1996. What we see this week perfectly matches what happened then.

Rurouni Kenshin Ep. 23: The Wolf’s Fangs

We’ll have to wait another week to see the rest of this duel and the rest of Saito’s machinations.

What are your thoughts about this week’s episode? How do you think this episode fares against the original 1996 version? Just when is Sanosuke going to wake up from his post-beating nap? Let us know in the comments below.

New week; new fantasy battle. Let’s see how Kenshin fares against another Fate beauty. The Berserker/Jeanne d’Arc Alter Figma Action Figure from the Fate series is now available.