Why the cross scar? (SPOILERS Warning!!!! Only for those who have seen the OVA)

May 21, 2009 1:04 AM

Sapta

Offline

May 2009

Why did Tomoe make that cross scar on Kenshin's cheek? Is it some kind of counter-curse belief?

May 21, 2009 5:19 AM

Beatnik

Offline

Jan 2008

4861

It's been years since I saw it, but I figure it's more about giving him two reminders of his sins so he'll never forget and always stay on a straight path. (the two scars are from her and her fiance?)

I cant remember if its in the TV series or manga, but I think maybe even the scars actually vanish from his face at the end, so they're there until he can be fully redeemed, or come to the point where he can forgive himself.

"I'm starting to think mal is run by Xinil generating electricity on a bicycle." - idklol

May 23, 2009 5:00 AM

Sapta

Offline

May 2009

Hmm, 1 scar could still be reminder of his sins. Besides, why would Tomoe while dying want to give him something to remind him of his sins? She had fallen in love with him and already forgiven him, so she should want him to be free of the shadows of his sins. :/

Sep 6, 2009 7:33 PM

RedSwordHeart

Offline

Sep 2007

158

In the manga version, the second scar came from Tomoe's dagger flying backward and hitting Kenshin's cheek.

In the OVA version, I've always believed Tomoe crossed the scar to stop it from bleeding. In effect, the slash from her dagger canceled the "curse" left on Kenshin by Kiyosato's grudge.

Sep 12, 2009 7:43 PM

SMG64

Offline

Apr 2009

^^
Good answer, good answer.

Oct 15, 2009 1:53 AM

fanty

Offline

Mar 2007

313

LOL And I thought she did it because she was dying and wasn't in her right mind. Ah me and my mundane explanations.

Nov 10, 2009 11:04 PM

Veethorn

Offline

Feb 2009

3443

RedSwordHeart said:
In the manga version, the second scar came from Tomoe's dagger flying backward and hitting Kenshin's cheek.

In the OVA version, I've always believed Tomoe crossed the scar to stop it from bleeding. In effect, the slash from her dagger canceled the "curse" left on Kenshin by Kiyosato's grudge.

this

yFANTgirl said:
LOL And I thought she did it because she was dying and wasn't in her right mind. Ah me and my mundane explanations.

roflol, made my day

Oct 30, 2011 1:13 PM

ddw1a

Offline

May 2010

8126

Yes, my interpretation was more like a "cancellation" effect on Kiyosato's inflected wound

Nov 2, 2011 4:44 AM

apatch3

Offline

Apr 2008

2212

I'd say it was not only to cancel the effects of the first scar but also to leave him with a permanent mark of remembrance, something to look at everyday and remind himself not to kill again.

Mar 25, 2013 4:51 PM

#10

TakezoKensei

Offline

Mar 2013

Confucius said:
Yes, my interpretation was more like a "cancellation" effect on Kiyosato's inflected wound

I'd honestly have to agree that this is what the character was going for.

After seeing Akira's shade bring the flower to her, it seemed that represented some sort of closure for Tomoe and Akira, as if he told her "I don't want you to live in guilt, It's ok to move on". What was stopping her from jumping in to help Kenshin was the guilt over loving Akira's murderer. After that vanished, she immeaditely exploited the opportunity to save Kenshin from a certain death.
That in mind, I think she really did "cross" the "line" out in his face because she loved him, and she didn't want him to be so absorbed in his guilt as to not keep living and fightning to protect people without killing like he told her he would do. He would be in tremendous pain, like he said, but at least his guilt wouldn't be so strong for ruining her happiness.

Also, I think the fact that his scar stops bleeding points to the theory that this was what Tomoe was intending - after all, she also embraces him to comfort him even after death.

PS:

Sorry for the bump, but I just watched this anime recently and It's that kind of powerful anime that I just need to talk about!

TakezoKenseiMar 25, 2013 7:06 PM

Dec 28, 2015 12:08 AM

#11

TinkerAsune

Offline

Dec 2015

Confucius said:
Yes, my interpretation was more like a "cancellation" effect on Kiyosato's inflected wound

I like that interpetation

See All Discussions

» Love & Tragedy tsubagakure - Feb 14	7	by Thecrot »» Feb 15, 9:42 AM
» Similar tragic romance yoru987 - Aug 13, 2023	7	by JoeChip »» Dec 30, 2024 10:23 AM
Poll: » Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 ) ManU-Alchemist - Jun 2, 2008	76	by hikikodokumori »» Oct 6, 2024 12:25 PM
Poll: » Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen Episode 4 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 ) hznu - Sep 16, 2008	193	by Archean-Return »» Aug 13, 2024 12:34 AM
Poll: » Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen Episode 3 Discussion ( 1 2 ) ManU-Alchemist - Jun 17, 2008	57	by catmancatplan »» Apr 16, 2024 5:23 PM

Why the cross scar? (SPOILERS Warning!!!! Only for those who have seen the OVA)

More topics from this board

» Love & Tragedy

» Similar tragic romance

Poll: » Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 )

Poll: » Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen Episode 4 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 )

Poll: » Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen Episode 3 Discussion ( 1 2 )

MoreTop Anime

MoreTop Airing Anime

MoreMost Popular Characters