Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran • Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Disturbance – Episode 1 discussion

It took long to have The discussion here

Well best shonen arc is here! Its gonna be a long ride!

Daishomaru here, no historical writeup today because I couldn’t really think of stuff, but I do have a few ready to go when the time is right like always.

So rereading this part in order to make these historical writeups, I’m also going to do something slightly different. Aside from the historical writeups, I’m going to also talk about Japanese culture aspects that might get missed because a lot of stuff I will cover in this part was also covered in part 1, maybe expand on some aspects, so I’m of course going to link back to those old comments last year in order for the newbies to catch up/have the current watchers come back and refresh their memories as there’s a lot of context that would be need to be remembered as needed, because there’s a lot of historical stuff that I’ll refer back to.

So anyways, welcome to any newbies who are reading this. For those that are new, I’m the guy who posts historical comments/trivia on this discussion thread, and as for why? I personally find the Meiji Era one of the most fascinating eras of Japanese history, as this is where we see a change of visuals, attitudes, and ideas in Japanese culture as Japan moves from an oriental-style culture to mixing it with influences from western culture, especially Britain. I feel that personally, the Meiji asthetic is extremely underrated, as we see people change from kimonos to dress suits. It provides such a unique look that’s never really seen before or after in world history. However, when it comes to most Japanese media focusing on this era, most Japanese media tends to focus on the Bakumatsu-Era or the Russo-Japanese war near the end of the Meiji Era. Rurouni Kenshin was one of Japan’s first works to not just cover the Early Meiji Era after the Bakamatsu, but also deconstruct the Meiji Era.

For those that don’t know, Emperor Meiji, for a variety of reasons, is one of Japan’s most beloved monarchs, and I’d argue that he’s probably even more beloved than even Emperor Showa himself. While there are many reasons why, such as the Meiji government preventing Japan from being steamrolled by Western Empires such as Great Britain and having an efficient government that has some of the highest approval ratings domestically especially in contrast to the House of Hohenzollern (The Kaisers) of Germany or the Romanovs of Russia, the Meiji Era thus also developed a taboo, where talking negatively about the Meiji Era is, while not illegal, faux pas and seen as socially unacceptable, similarly on how talking negative about Emperor Showa’s reign during Early-WWII is seen as controversial. Rurouni Kenshin was one of the first to really break this taboo, to really put out the darker aspects of the Meiji Era and make discussions on how the Meiji Era was not all rainbows and sunshine, and to many historians, is not just a great historical manga, but one of the most important mangas that helped shape discussion on this particular period of Japanese history, and this fact is something I absolutely cannot stress this enough on how important it was. And while this series continues, I hope to do as many discussions that would get /r/anime interested to do their own research or understand the appreciation, especially as I will (If I got the timing of this arc correctly) will definitely be covering some of the most controversial aspects of the Meiji Era.

And I know some people want me to address that Watsuki has committed unforgivable crimes, and I agree that the crimes that he did were horrid. But I also want to show the side of Rurouni Kenshin that I feel is important, on how it opened historical discussions and got historians to come out and talk on how the work is researched. I want to show the side that got me interested in not just history, but culture and the joy of educating and teaching others. Recently I did my first panel at a con where I discussed the importance of Rurouni Kenshin, and the genuine good Watsuki did for the historical community. And whether you forgive Watsuki or not, I hope to at least show what Rurouni Kenshin means to me, as a lover of history.

Thank you for reading this as always. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me and I’ll answer in the best way I can.

As much as [I love Saitou and Sanosuke’s duel](https://i.imgur.com/DuXSc5o.jpeg) my favourite part of this episode has got to be [Kaoru and Megumi’s interaction near the end.](https://i.imgur.com/AXe1QV5.jpeg) While it’s understandable [how much it hurts for Kaoru to have Kenshin say goodbye to her](https://i.imgur.com/rh9cMXR.jpeg), it hurts even more for [Megumi since Kenshin didn’t even say goodbye to her.](https://i.imgur.com/RUZVIzc.jpeg) 🙁

Now that all of that is settled though and Kaoru finally found her reason to go to Kyoto to go after Kenshim, I am so fucking excited to see this arc underway! I still remember all of the fights in the original being absolutely hype and I can’t wait to see how this remake will cover those.

And we’re back for the much hyped Kyoto Arc remake, and wow, it seems to be the animation for the fights just went up a notch.

The Saito v Sano fist duel was intense, and you could feel the wind coming from their fists (or mostly Saito’s fists as Sano took a beating to learn that he still has a long way to go to catch up to Kenshin’s level)

And looks like Liden Films also addressed concerns regarding the music and theme songs, which are an improvement from season 1 of the remake.

Kenshin is on his way back to Kyoto, again for the first time (this is like the third or fourth remake of this arc) as we begin the Kyoto-arc in earnest!

New OP! Can’t beat Tatsuya Kitani on vocals, and the visuals carry the strong premise of Team Kenshin going up against Shishio and his band with some new additions. Plus, Aoshi and Saito!

Well, yeah, I can kind of understand why Kenshin wouldn’t want to travel with Saito for one reason or another…but also because he’s still trying to avoid collateral damage as much as he can. Despite knowing he has to return to the warriors path, he doesn’t want to become Battosai again.

Kaoru isn’t doing great with Kenshin gone. It’s like time has stopped for her and she’s given up on life. It’s not a good look for such a lively and spirited woman, but heatrbeak does that to you.

I get Sanosuke is upset Kenshin left but does he really need to damage the restaurant he continues to stiff on the bill for his meals?

Katsu isn’t just good for giving money to the perpetually penniless Sano, but also for giving him some incendiary backup in some bombs.

I was wondering what Saito was doing staying behind. He wanted to make sure none of Kenshin’s friends followed him to Kyoto to be used against him. But the only thing Sano hates more than Saito is being seen as a weakness or vulnerability for Kenshin, so he’ll just…punch his way to Kyoto through Saito! Like he does everything.

But Sano can’t beat Saito even in a fistifght, and gets really brutally hit and beat up in the process. But Sano has an unshakeable grit and determination, and even Saito is willing to acknowledge that. And maybe give some tips on training himself to be ready to fend off whatever adversaries they’ll fight in Kyoto?

I guess if anyone was going to get a rise out Kaoru and get her out of her futon, it’s her rival in love. Nothing excites a girl like a catfight! Though kind of a low blow with accusing Megumi of prioritizing her patients over Kenshin, Kaoru! Even if you can block a slap. But Megumi isn’t there to scold or hit Kaoru, just to make her understand that SHE was the only person Kenshin actually said goodbye to and the only person who can bring him back…which means she can’t just stay on her butt! She and Yahiko need to get to Kyoto and find Kenshin! Because more than anything, Kaoru wants to see Kenshin again!

New ED focused on Karou and ninja girl! Two ladies a little somber and sad and chasing after the people they love until they find them again! A very serene and romantic ED!

I realised this will be the first time watching Kyoto arc week by week instead of just binging that will be a fun experience.