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Dec 8, 2023 6:42 PM

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Jul 2017
14637
Back in Kamiya Dojo, both Kaoru and Yahiko encounter Hajime Saito (now under his new alias of Goro Fujita), though they do not know of his sinister plan to target them after making Kenshin his target.

Sanosuke may be out, and Kaoru receiving the warning, the one who's most unsatisfactory is Kenshin himself, seeing Saito be back on his old ways again since the Shinsengumi. Akamatsu may have temporarily incapacitated Kenshin (though the latter is still strong and willful), the real beef is with Saito, who could've killed both Kaoru and Yahiko (but he chose not to) and decides to settle the 10-year long feud of old times' sake. Kenshin may choose to be a rurouni by not killing, but Saito will oppose all by bringing him back to his Bakumatsu Era infamy.

Kenshin knowing that he cannot run away from Saito, Kaoru is just as worried, and the fight between the both of them gets intense with the Shinsengumi's special Gatotsu skill, which rarely misses. This is the ONE fight where Kenshin MUST stand up for himself alone, being forced to commit to the swordsmanship of his past and genuinely kill Hajime as Hitokiri Battosai, just as in Kyoto's Bakumatsu Era.

Both with the intent to kill, they hold NOTHING back, and there's only one who can stop him: the mastermind behind their duel - Toshimichi Okubo.

Fearsome fight, that's for sure. Hope the finale next week impresses.
Dec 9, 2023 4:55 AM
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Sep 2021
2468
The battle was good, hittokiri battosai/kenshin is really strong.
Dec 9, 2023 5:37 AM

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Oct 2017
27046
Intense action, Battosai mode was lit. The movements looked really good at times. Kaoru yelling and Sano's commentry was pointless and annoying.
Dec 9, 2023 6:29 AM

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Jan 2011
9949
it was a good fight, probably the only good fight thus far, i think the OG was just slightly better but only a bit

for all the complaining about Kaoru (which is deserved) funny thing, she was much worse in the OG anime, Kaorus screaming an crying has been toned down
Dec 9, 2023 7:17 AM
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Jan 2009
208
I think they could've done better with the sword fight, especially when we've seen great fights in other series, even with the jin-e fight in the ova being better.
On another note: Why did they decide to throw in random explanations of things from a narrator? There's enough exposition in this that I don't think it's necessary and a little distracting. Been going on for the last bunch of episodes as things started picking up.
Dec 9, 2023 1:30 PM

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Oct 2010
148
Not as great or as powerful aura of the original, but still good. The OST is not bad either, in fact I loved that slow grand track playing when Kenshin says "Ikisou".
'Ask her to wait a moment— I am almost done.' - Carl Friedrich Gauss ( When told, while working, that his wife was dying).
Dec 10, 2023 7:48 AM

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Aug 2011
533
Yes, I'm going to compare this to the original.

This episode I knew would make or break this revision and I have been waiting for it. There were so many intense scenes that were either downplayed or did not exist at all. In the 1997 version, that fight was captivating on all fronts; delivery, choreography, dialogue between Kenshin and Saito, even the music matched what was happening in that dojo. *Sighs* I'm gonna have to go watch the original again to be satisfied now.

This version wasn't God awful, but if you've seen the first, you'll know the difference. I wont abandon this with only one episode to go, but I might not chose to watch a season 2 rendition. I'm so scared they will mess up the 'firefly' scene with Kenshin & Kaoru. I won't subject myself to that.
Dec 10, 2023 8:03 AM

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Jan 2017
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Tsuyu_no_Inochi said:
I'm so scared they will mess up the 'firefly' scene with Kenshin & Kaoru.


If you are expecting for a scene similar to that one , then know right now that you'll be disappointed.

The whole setting was made by the director of the series , who had a really strong artistic and romantical vision (which is something that this version doesn't have).
"Genius lives only one storey above madness."
– Arthur Schopenhauer.

"Stupidity is a talent for misconception."
– Edgar Allan Poe.

"I'm tired... and hungry."
– Alexioos95.
Dec 10, 2023 10:03 AM
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Sep 2014
36
Perrin4869 said:
yeah I think I'm kinda done with this anime... I was holding to hope that they were saving their best to the Kyoto arc, but some of the action, like Saito using his belt to attack Kenshin was done so poorly...
I think the only people this anime is appealing to are people who wanted a Kenshin anime with digital animation in HD, I just don't see who else this anime is supposed to appeal to...

Edit: just remembered, in '96 you have this shot of Saito spewing his broken teeth out, fucking badass and a stroke of genius, I'm sorry, this anime is just complete garbage I'm done

Please yes, just go already. If we see you comment on the episode 24 we will just confirm you are just herr to type the number 96 at every corner without a single valid argument in mind.
Dec 10, 2023 10:20 AM
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Sep 2014
36
Perrin4869 said:
@Cestlavie_ What I find ironic about people bringing the nostalgia card to the table, is that I think a lot of the reason people enjoy this anime is precisely because of the nostalgia and groundwork done by the previous works. What I mean is, yeah, here you get a fight you were familiar with, and it's serviceable (I was being hyperbolic when I called it trash :P), so you'll enjoy it at a basic level? It's not like I fell asleep watching it or anything
but in my opinion, if it weren't for the attachment people have for the previous incarnation and are just watching this version, what you get is a cheaply animated fight you'll forget about in the morning?
And of course, some people will like it regardless, but it's a fact that the same day we had an epic fight in the Jujutsu Kaisen S2 anime and that forum is super active non-stop, and this one isn't, and there is a reason for it...

New viewers are enjoying it the same or more as old viwers, you can see loads of reaction videos and reviews elsewhere to confirm. The polls here all show an average of 99% of people enjoying the episodes. The reason why Juju forums is more active is the same reaaon why any other trendy anime was more popular than RK in the original run. That is because its not a series meant for everyone and there are loads of kids that just follow the trend blindly like sheep, never noticing or giving a chance to anime with higher quality story. This has always happened with anime, movies and any sort of media. Shiny is just shiny for most people.
Dec 10, 2023 6:19 PM

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Oct 2016
2461
Not as good as the original episode because of the directing and pacing, but still good. The most memorable lines from Battousai sounded even better with this voice.
Dec 10, 2023 8:33 PM

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Jan 2009
121
Reply to KenshinXHimura
Perrin4869 said:
yeah I think I'm kinda done with this anime... I was holding to hope that they were saving their best to the Kyoto arc, but some of the action, like Saito using his belt to attack Kenshin was done so poorly...
I think the only people this anime is appealing to are people who wanted a Kenshin anime with digital animation in HD, I just don't see who else this anime is supposed to appeal to...

Edit: just remembered, in '96 you have this shot of Saito spewing his broken teeth out, fucking badass and a stroke of genius, I'm sorry, this anime is just complete garbage I'm done

Please yes, just go already. If we see you comment on the episode 24 we will just confirm you are just herr to type the number 96 at every corner without a single valid argument in mind.
@KenshinXHimura haha why such animosity man, whatever did I ever do to you XD
You do realize you only speak for yourself right? Why do you address your opinion as a collective? If someone else wants to echo their disagreement with me they are free to do so.
And yeah, I like comparing this version to the previous one, what's wrong with that?
Lastly, just calling Jujutsu Kaisen trending doesn't address what I was talking about, of course it is trending, the forum is exploding with discussion lol. The question is, why is Jujutsu Kaisen trending but not Rurouni Kenshin? Which, by all means, I think Ruroni Kenshin IS the better written and more enjoyable story of the two, it has every right to be at least as popular, and it has a brand recognition that Jujutsu Kaisen doesn't have... Well, in my opinion one is trending while the other isn't is just that one has god-level production values and very artistic direction and the other is lacking...
Dec 10, 2023 11:39 PM
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Jul 2014
320
It's not the animation itself, it's the direction, and OST. OST is way way too basic. and Direction, for example how the OG had these dark scenes, "blade" effects such as lightning and such this just looks rushed and poorly planned out tbh
Dec 11, 2023 5:37 AM

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Jul 2014
2849
Sure the OG had better choreography, ost and atmosphere but the remake isn’t that bad, I enjoyed it for what it is and love how more grounded it felt, the art was consistent and animation was smooth, I liked the impact frames too. Kaoru was annoying in both versions but at least the remake is TakaRie so scream away girl!
Major difference in Kenshin’s fighting style in the remake compared to the OG, remake was a straightforward sword fight while OG Kenshin was shmoving like hell, notice how in the OG he kept sheathing and unsheathing his sword and he kept on jumping around walls lol, also in the OG the way he blocked Saitou throwing his sword at him was badass!
Dec 11, 2023 9:28 AM
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Nov 2023
3
Rurouni Kenshin has been a favorite of mine for a very VERY long time now. I watched the original series, I've watched all the live action films (wonderful summaries of the series btw for anyone who hasn't watched them already), and I was over the moon when I found out they were rebooting the anime. And they have NOT disappointed me. Beautiful animation, wonderful story, and of course the comedy is on brand as well. Great stuff.
Dec 11, 2023 12:03 PM
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Sep 2014
36
Perrin4869 said:
@KenshinXHimura haha why such animosity man, whatever did I ever do to you XD
You do realize you only speak for yourself right? Why do you address your opinion as a collective? If someone else wants to echo their disagreement with me they are free to do so.
And yeah, I like comparing this version to the previous one, what's wrong with that?
Lastly, just calling Jujutsu Kaisen trending doesn't address what I was talking about, of course it is trending, the forum is exploding with discussion lol. The question is, why is Jujutsu Kaisen trending but not Rurouni Kenshin? Which, by all means, I think Ruroni Kenshin IS the better written and more enjoyable story of the two, it has every right to be at least as popular, and it has a brand recognition that Jujutsu Kaisen doesn't have... Well, in my opinion one is trending while the other isn't is just that one has god-level production values and very artistic direction and the other is lacking...

Learn to read. It is no longer a personal opinion when i am referencing facts and polls that everyone can see. Factually 99% as average of the people, like the episodes. You will just have to deal with that fact.

You are one of the few shallow people that come here to crap on this anime without valid arguments, yet continuously watch it. That comes off as hypocrite which is why people dislike you. Thats why it was great news that you will finally stop watching it.

The part about why the other forum is trending was already explained and I wont repeat all of it again. Just go back and read it. But I know you won't. You simply chose to pretend it doesn't exist because it goes agaisnt your narrative or dellusion.
Dec 11, 2023 12:27 PM

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Jan 2009
121
Reply to KenshinXHimura
Perrin4869 said:
@KenshinXHimura haha why such animosity man, whatever did I ever do to you XD
You do realize you only speak for yourself right? Why do you address your opinion as a collective? If someone else wants to echo their disagreement with me they are free to do so.
And yeah, I like comparing this version to the previous one, what's wrong with that?
Lastly, just calling Jujutsu Kaisen trending doesn't address what I was talking about, of course it is trending, the forum is exploding with discussion lol. The question is, why is Jujutsu Kaisen trending but not Rurouni Kenshin? Which, by all means, I think Ruroni Kenshin IS the better written and more enjoyable story of the two, it has every right to be at least as popular, and it has a brand recognition that Jujutsu Kaisen doesn't have... Well, in my opinion one is trending while the other isn't is just that one has god-level production values and very artistic direction and the other is lacking...

Learn to read. It is no longer a personal opinion when i am referencing facts and polls that everyone can see. Factually 99% as average of the people, like the episodes. You will just have to deal with that fact.

You are one of the few shallow people that come here to crap on this anime without valid arguments, yet continuously watch it. That comes off as hypocrite which is why people dislike you. Thats why it was great news that you will finally stop watching it.

The part about why the other forum is trending was already explained and I wont repeat all of it again. Just go back and read it. But I know you won't. You simply chose to pretend it doesn't exist because it goes agaisnt your narrative or dellusion.
@KenshinXHimura "If we see you comment on the episode 24 we will just confirm you are just herr to type the number 96 at every corner without a single valid argument in mind.", this isn't referring to any facts or polls, you're referring to yourself as "we", as though you speak for everyone here lol I really have to spell it out to you?

I'm sorry you think I'm shallow, thankfully your opinion doesn't affect my life in any way and your attempts to intimidate me are quite juvenile 😆

You never explained why Rurouni Kenshin isn't trending as much as Jujutsu Kaisen, you just asserted it lol, of course you won't repeat it, and that's because neither you nor me know why this is, all we can do is speculate.

Well, then again I'm here wasting my time talking to you, what does that make me XD
Dec 11, 2023 12:39 PM

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Jan 2017
6095
KenshinXHimura said:
It is no longer a personal opinion when i am referencing facts and polls that everyone can see. Factually 99% as average of the people, like the episodes.


Dunno from where you get your stats tho.

It's strictly impossible for a work (even just an episode) to be liked by 99% of its watchers. It would become the most appreciated work ever created , and by very huge margin.

Just looking at online polls shows that the show is not that much well liked , even in Japan. It would be interesting to look at the evolution of the TV Ranking , but VRK release only the top 10...
Alexioos95Dec 11, 2023 12:44 PM
"Genius lives only one storey above madness."
– Arthur Schopenhauer.

"Stupidity is a talent for misconception."
– Edgar Allan Poe.

"I'm tired... and hungry."
– Alexioos95.
Dec 13, 2023 10:10 AM
🥊 CHAMPION 🥊

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Apr 2016
23494
How is it possible? They were interrupted at the best moment!
Battosai or the Ronin, what will back?
kekeke
Dec 15, 2023 5:23 AM

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Dec 2012
16125
Reply to Tsuyu_no_Inochi
Yes, I'm going to compare this to the original.

This episode I knew would make or break this revision and I have been waiting for it. There were so many intense scenes that were either downplayed or did not exist at all. In the 1997 version, that fight was captivating on all fronts; delivery, choreography, dialogue between Kenshin and Saito, even the music matched what was happening in that dojo. *Sighs* I'm gonna have to go watch the original again to be satisfied now.

This version wasn't God awful, but if you've seen the first, you'll know the difference. I wont abandon this with only one episode to go, but I might not chose to watch a season 2 rendition. I'm so scared they will mess up the 'firefly' scene with Kenshin & Kaoru. I won't subject myself to that.
@Tsuyu_no_Inochi I'm sure to a newer audience, this was a cool fight. The problem is this kind of action is so oversaturated in modern anime that it will likely be forgotten in a season or two. I won't pretend the 90s version is still the greatest fight of all time, but it had a style that will forever remain exceptional & distinct.

Though I wouldn't call this remake bad, it does feel like it's mostly just checking boxes off and lacks the personality to compete with its 90s predecessor for peak performance. This was the moment where we would find out if RK was getting the Brotherhood treatment, which unfortunately seems to not be the case.

Thankfully I have the original RK DVD box set, so I'll be returning to my roots to detox immediately after the next episode.

Edit: On another note, Kaoru desperately crying her heart out in the original was the most moving part of that duel. It really charges everything up for what's to come.
ZekkenshinDec 15, 2023 5:35 AM
Dec 19, 2023 11:35 PM
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Nov 2023
25
satisfying asmr fight :/
Dec 22, 2023 12:17 PM
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Sep 2014
36
Alexioos95 said:
KenshinXHimura said:
It is no longer a personal opinion when i am referencing facts and polls that everyone can see. Factually 99% as average of the people, like the episodes.


Dunno from where you get your stats tho.

It's strictly impossible for a work (even just an episode) to be liked by 99% of its watchers. It would become the most appreciated work ever created , and by very huge margin.

Just looking at online polls shows that the show is not that much well liked , even in Japan. It would be interesting to look at the evolution of the TV Ranking , but VRK release only the top 10...

For starters, try every single MAL poll and read the sentences. Only 2 options strictly mention not liking and hating it. Then do the math. Go on, I know you can do it.
Dec 22, 2023 11:24 PM

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Jan 2017
6095


... You serious, THAT is your source ? Yikes, i really expected too much from you...

Just takes a few minutes to actually look at how many users participated in these polls, lmfao. That's a feature no one use, which is why it amount to not even 1% of the people watching the show on the site. If you want to take a data from MAL (which is not the site to search on for such datas...), take the score/ratings distribution, atleast... (Which gives 6.7% of negative impressions, and that's by counting the 6s & 7s as positive ones, which the majority of users do not... By including them respectively as a bad and neutral impression, we gets 55.4% positive and 16.5% negative impressions. And still, that's only 45% of the people watching the show on MAL too.)

KenshinXHimura said:
Then do the math. Go on, I know you can do it.


I can, but it seems you can't.

61.8+ 28.9 + 5.7 = 96.4.
Where is your 99 ? And again, that's by taking the "OK" as a positive impression, which should be neutral instead, by the way (so it lowers to 90.7%).
Alexioos95Dec 22, 2023 11:28 PM
"Genius lives only one storey above madness."
– Arthur Schopenhauer.

"Stupidity is a talent for misconception."
– Edgar Allan Poe.

"I'm tired... and hungry."
– Alexioos95.
Dec 29, 2023 9:27 AM

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Nov 2011
466
Reply to davidyodo24
The way Souma Saitou switch up his voice into Hitokiri Battousai.

That was a very intense battle!!
I kinda understand Kaoru point, yeah just heartbreaking moment.

One more episode left for this season...
@davidyodo24 Yup, and he losing all the "de gozaru" manner was also refreshing. Great transformation.
We got best what we could as for the last episodes.
Jan 9, 7:06 PM

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Jan 2017
1259
This was a nice enough episode but I can't help myself from comparing it to the original version. The OST in that version of the fight really help add to the atmosphere there.
Jan 12, 4:00 AM
Shalltear

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Apr 2018
34411
Uh the big ones are here, but that was surprising to see Kenshin going berserk for this fight until it was stopped
Feb 9, 5:33 PM

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Jul 2013
2691
This was by far the best episode and also the most intense fight we've seen so far. Previously, Kenshin was usually able to overcome his opponents relatively unscathed, but Saito is clearly in a different league.

The fact that Kenshin was initially not only overwhelmed and pushed to his limit by the exchange of blows, but also had to return to his old characteristic behavior pattern as the well-known Himura Battousai within such a short amount of time, should be sufficiently meaningful in this regard. Even if Kaoru was visibly pained to see him in this state, we still got our first real glimpse of Kenshin's true power when there is no restraint on his part. No wonder that the Bakumatsu Era was such a terrifying timeline.

Fortunately the appearance of Toshimichi Okubo brought the fight between Kenshin and Saito to a momentary halt. Nevertheless, I wonder what role he plays, what intentions he has and equally in which direction these things will steer the final episode of this season.

Mar 3, 10:24 PM

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Jul 2008
10984
Saito fight lived up to the hype.


However this also reminded me why I don't like Kaoru. She is just so useless and just yells Kenshin Kenshin when she has no power and no conviction. All she can do is put herself in harm's way which only puts Kenshin in a worse spot.
Mar 25, 12:13 PM
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Feb 2015
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Reply to ComboSmooth
Kaoru sucks so much it's absurd. She really exists only to cry and be useless.
She is much worse than sakura from naruto in every aspect.
@ComboSmooth so true.
Nov 15, 2:58 AM

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Aug 2018
73
Saito's strength was no joke. He managed to bring out the Hitokiri Battosai in Kenshin. But it seems like that was a mistake, as he clearly wasn’t prepared to take him down. At least he put up a good fight. I thought Kaoru might get injured trying to stop them, but leaving it to the Home Minister and a former revolutionary like Kenshin is something.
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