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Dec 19, 8:41 AM
#1

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Nov 2011
129185
Back together at last! It's like a family reunion with Karou, Kenshin, and his friends.

On another note, they're definitely building more into the arc with the other swordsman. Hopefully with Kenshin's sword and new technique, he can make a difference. Got eerie vibes from this episode.
Dec 19, 8:45 AM
#2

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Nov 2007
31834
I Two Syaorans from Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE and TRC!!!
Dec 19, 8:47 AM
#3

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May 2020
11546
Misao and Yahiko asking real questions lol. They should’ve asked about his attire as well, at that. Anyway, when all is said and done, Hiko Seijuro is one fine man. He knows why Kenshin after all this time has come to meet him, so yeah, good to see we didn’t waste much time and went straight to the training part. Like it’s been plain obvious, Kenshin does need that training to become a new him. They’ll take their time with this as well I guess, but I think that works.

Btw, you know it was really about time. For Aoshi to actually show up and declare his intentions, and him eventually joining forces with Shishio, plus most of Juppongatana to make their appearance as well. Though yeah, his part will mainly come later down in the arc, and yeah this time he’d have more characterization. I mean he’s literally having it as well, selling out his own people for the sake of getting his hands on Kenshin. Sheesh, he’s really done at this point.
Dec 19, 11:16 AM
#4
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Aug 2016
1715
Very interesting turn of events! Till now, Aoshi really felt like an insignificant side character to me that was relevant for only one arc even if they were referencing him here so many times. However, with the way plot is moving it now really feels like he has stepped into the limelight ready to go into action.

5/5 episode.
Dec 19, 11:36 AM
#5

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Feb 2012
3995
Himura obeys his master in front of the allies that came to find him, but while he is away they tell Hiko Seijuro something Himura himself won't tell; what he's been up to, how he's a Rurouni that uses Hiten Mitsurugi to protect people.

There's no time to find a new student and while Hiko Seijuro could go to defeat Shishio himself, this is Himura's fight. Kenshin admits to Kaoru that half of himself is relieved that she came to meet him again.

Thus Himura and his master are back by the waterfall fifteen years later. Before Kenshin learns the final technique, his master makes it clear that upon learning it, he shouldn't be conceited, nor should he shoulder everything himself; they are still humans not buddhas or gods.

When Yahiko recalls he has to inform Kenshin about Aoshi being in Kyoto, Misao is of course interested by using the -sama honorific, Yahiko realises she is of the Oniwanban group and accuses her of getting close to Kenshin for an ulterior motive. Misao has no idea what happened between Kenshin and Aoshi. Kaoru who only heard second-hand fortunately diffuses the situation. Since Misao led her to the person she was looking for, Kenshin, it's fair that Kaoru returns the favour.

Speaking of Aoshi, he makes a back-to-back rendezvous with Okina. Aoshi had left Misao in Okina's care. Now, he is only set on defeating Himura.
Seta and the Juppongatana take him to meet Shishio, where they outline their alliance. There, Aoshi reveals he'd let Aoiya be attacked if it meant he could get information on Himura. Two people Misao cares about, Aoshi and Okina will soon fight each other.
Fortress_MaximusDec 20, 10:01 AM

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Dec 19, 11:41 AM
#6
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Jul 2023
55
Thee deadly expression of eyes from AOSHI, I love it. Dark aura has returned.
Dec 19, 11:59 AM
#7
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Aug 2020
3703
it was a good ep

end of the preparation

i'm ready for the big battle...
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Dec 19, 1:21 PM
#8

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Nov 2020
399
What a cliffhanger xD. Good episode!
Dec 19, 1:35 PM
#9

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Dec 2013
2695
: ( I like everyone from the Aoiya, Aoshi you idiot.
Dec 19, 2:08 PM
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Dec 2013
5833
Don't remember Shishio slicing a guy horizontally in half, then burning to death in the 1996 version. Was that cut out because of censorship? Because that was a pretty cool moment in this episode.
Dec 19, 4:14 PM

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Feb 2019
9566
Getting Kenshin’s Hiten Mitsurugi story from the people he’s saved is actually a really dope story idea. Obviously Kenshin’s not a liar, but it just means more to hear from the people who’ve benefited from it

Finally we get Aoshi showing up! Been waiting to see him for like two months now. Also cat’s out the bag with Misao about what really happened to the Onibawan group. But no way Aoshi really betrays the onibawan group and its principles by working with Shishio right? Surely he’s playing him to get the info and will step in to prevent someone at Aoiya from being hurt.. right? His obsession and bloodlust for Himura just doesn’t really make sense to me. I watched the original so long ago I don’t really remember any of the twists so surely he links with Battosai to help take down Shishio?? Otherwise he’d be going back on his promise to Misao..

Did bro just slice someone in half so fast the body caught fire? And that’s just his first sword technique??
Marinate1016Dec 19, 4:39 PM
Dec 19, 4:15 PM

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Jul 2016
8682
Reaction to Aoshi's betrayal be like:


5/5 episode. We finally got a glimpse of Shishio's combat style and man, gotta love the idea of him casting fire with his attacks. Kenshin really about to face a hellish demon for real.
Dec 19, 4:48 PM
#FreeWatermelon

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Feb 2020
9325
Lol can't believe Kenshin master easy to persuade when they arrive. Well at least its makes everything easier for the next Kenshin growth. Really looking forward to see what kind of training Kenshin need to endure with his eccentric youthful master.

In the meantime, the truth of the Aoshi story soon getting revealed to Misao. While the old man Okina gonna have a rough time next week, i can feel it through my teeth. He's looking very menace there, so i am also looking forward to see how Aoiya history holding off against Aoshi and his newly founded Shishio deal. With them good luck....
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Dec 19, 5:13 PM
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Oct 2016
2559
Kenshin reunites with Kaoru not quite going how she wanted. A more somber affair since Kenshin is still wishing they could avoid this battle all together. It was very sweet seeing him say hes only half upset because the other half is relieved theyre close by in case something does happen. I really liked the scenes with Kaoru, Yahiko and Misao. Especially the latter two they make a great comedy team. Yahiko is super smart too putting together that Misao is connected to Aoshi after Kaoru mentioned him. Misao now knows the truth about what happened to her friends. She's going to be very upset at everyone who kept this a secret from her. Speaking of Aoshi he's becoming more desperate to find Kenshin and defeat him. Even going to the old man for information about Kenshin whereabouts. Aoshi is becoming solely driven by his desire to be the best and surpass Kenshin. Meeting with Shishio is a dangerous move, the man himself might've entertained Aoshi but his subordinates didnt like the guy very much at all. This accumulation of power Shishio is amassing doesn't spell well for Kenshin in his pursuit to stop the warlord.
Dec 19, 5:45 PM
Deadhead

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Dec 2018
4083
Even with the reunion between Kenshin and Kaoru finally happening, there’s not much time to revel in it because it was quickly back to business once Seijuro was convinced to complete Kenshin’s training, I figured the dude would bend once he saw the difference Kenshin has made with his own eyes, let’s just hope this training is effective.

And there’s Aoshi, bro became a ghost for most of this season but he’s finally back, it’s just unfortunate he’s let his obsession of Kenshin steer him down a dark path, he’s now helping the enemy even at the cost of the Oniwaban Group’s remnants, kinda fucked up after his squad dying put him in this position in the first place and now he’s willing to sacrifice all he has left, but it’s possible he’s smarter than that and is actually playing Shishio, guess we’ll find out. And lastly, poor Misao is about to find out the truth of the Oniwaban Group, it had to happen eventually, although Kaoru I feel is probably the best to tell her so there’s one bright side at least lol.

And no one’s mentioned it yet, but looking at crunch and LiveChart the next episode isn’t until 1/9/25, meaning there will be two weeks with no episode, ngl this wasn’t that great of a stopping point for the first cour but the season as a whole has been great so far, I’m excited to see what the 2nd cour holds in 2025!
Dec 19, 5:50 PM

Offline
Nov 2020
399
Reply to Marinate1016
Getting Kenshin’s Hiten Mitsurugi story from the people he’s saved is actually a really dope story idea. Obviously Kenshin’s not a liar, but it just means more to hear from the people who’ve benefited from it

Finally we get Aoshi showing up! Been waiting to see him for like two months now. Also cat’s out the bag with Misao about what really happened to the Onibawan group. But no way Aoshi really betrays the onibawan group and its principles by working with Shishio right? Surely he’s playing him to get the info and will step in to prevent someone at Aoiya from being hurt.. right? His obsession and bloodlust for Himura just doesn’t really make sense to me. I watched the original so long ago I don’t really remember any of the twists so surely he links with Battosai to help take down Shishio?? Otherwise he’d be going back on his promise to Misao..

Did bro just slice someone in half so fast the body caught fire? And that’s just his first sword technique??
@Marinate1016 With Aoshi is important too that due to Kenshin, indirectly, he did lost his friends.

@TheColonel76 Nooo! No episode until that date? Aghh, thanks for the news anyway. As you say awesome first cour, waiting for the next!
Dec 19, 5:59 PM
Deadhead

Offline
Dec 2018
4083
-Hyunckel- said:
@TheColonel76 Nooo! No episode until that date? Aghh, thanks for the news anyway.
I know how you feel lol, and no problem, not sure where those sites got the info tho since I didn’t see the official Twitter account post anything, but I trust LiveChart usually
Dec 19, 7:49 PM
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Jul 2024
91
it had an slow start but its getting interetsing annnnnnnd 2 week break
Dec 19, 9:11 PM

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Jul 2017
6782
Nice to see Aoshi back in the fray and link up with Shishio, got glimpses of him from season 1 but to see his desire to take down Kenshin be strong enough to link up with someone already full of power as Shishio makes it more dangerous for Kenshin and company. Episode wasn't the most exciting but it flew by, another setup episode before the proper Kyoto arc action takes place. Kenshin's training, Misao's reactions towards hearing about Aoshi's actions from Yahiko and Kaoru and more still to come in the buildup over the next couple episodes so time is still there.
Dec 19, 11:44 PM

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Jul 2008
11091
How far Aoshi has fallen...
Dec 20, 4:57 AM

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Jul 2016
3161
Reply to WolfWood37
How far Aoshi has fallen...
@WolfWood37

I mean he was fairly fallen before this as well.
Dec 20, 9:19 AM
Shingster

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Jun 2015
4422
Finally after much searching Kenshin and Kaoru are finally reunited. Misao had the rudest of awakenings thanks to the revelations that Yahiko revealed about her former comrades deaths. Aoshi finally makes contact huh. Yes Iwanbo is an idiot with exceptional strength. Looks like a storm would be hitting the inn next ep.
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Dec 20, 10:31 PM

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Feb 2016
1005
Okina is the best supporting character, no doubt about it.
Aoshi fucking sucks, he knows Kenshin has nothing to do with the death of his group, fuck this guy.
Sorry if my english is bad (っ˘▽˘)っ~~~
Btw, cry about it.

Dec 22, 9:24 PM

Offline
Apr 2008
153
This episode reminded me of why the narrative, the story, of Himura Kenshin is more than the sum of its parts. The fighting choreography and sakuga is definitely a staying point, but this episode focused entirely on the characters' motivations, interactions, and machinations. It still kept the plot feeling fresh with anticipation of the future climax and kendo showdowns. It is that deeper aspect of the series' story that makes it rise above other anime series and franchises these days. It almost rivals the characterization one sees in Miyazaki, Kurosawa, and Ozu films.

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