Since Rurouni Kenshin was the manga series created by Nobuhiro, his reputation followed his art. As someone who watched the series before the news caught up to the author, you can probably tell that I was shocked and devastated by the situation. However, I do feel that the character of Kenshin is a worthwhile story that needs to be told and how his complex psychology is noteworthy of the series.
A great irony of the destiny: Tomoe, Kenshin's first wife, died in the hands of the ginger swordsman. And with Tomoe the crosshaped-scar in his face took form. Then time passed and Kenshin died in the hands of Kaoru, his second wife. And in the arms of Kaoru the same crosshaped-scar in his face faded after many years. With that, Kenshin got rid from the burden that he carried in his life. Finally, in the arms of Kaoru, the love of his life, he attained the redemption that he searched in his lifetime. Surely, it's the perfect ending for Kenshin.
I actually forgot to mention his first wife when I made the script. But she definitely played a huge role in making him the wandering samurai who wants to protect people rather than killing them. (Even if their relationship wasn’t ideal). I absolutely agree that he had a perfect ending even if it may have been a little sad to watch. I guess that was also the beauty about Kenshin’s death.
And one more thing. I think that there one more problem in Kenshin's late life. At the end of the 19th century, Japan adopted Shishio's philosophy, and not Kenshin's one, as state policy. Japan abandoned his previous isolationist policies and started a expansionist policy, even waging wars against China and Russia and taking Korea in the late Meiji period. In other words, Shishio lost the battle against Kenshin in life, but posthumosly he turned the tables and beated him. The Kenshin that we know would feel that all of his struggle along the years was throwed in the trash can, and that he fought and defeated Shishio for nothing (remembering that he went to Kyoto to fight Shishio and the Juppongatana invited by Meiji politicians - among them Toshimichi Ookubo).
I felt that Shishio had done all that he could to ruin Kenshin’s life and had done so when Japan adopted his policy without understanding the consequences. Also, I do think that Kenshin struggled to fight back against the wars that took place because he felt that he cannot help with his weakening body. Since he’s weakened and has a family, he cannot just go out and fight like he did back then. So yes, Kenshin was lost in his later life, but he did the best he can and knew that too because he has people to remember him by the few good things he has done despite his previous life as battōsai.
Since Rurouni Kenshin was the manga series created by Nobuhiro, his reputation followed his art. As someone who watched the series before the news caught up to the author, you can probably tell that I was shocked and devastated by the situation.
However, I do feel that the character of Kenshin is a worthwhile story that needs to be told and how his complex psychology is noteworthy of the series.
A great irony of the destiny: Tomoe, Kenshin's first wife, died in the hands of the ginger swordsman. And with Tomoe the crosshaped-scar in his face took form. Then time passed and Kenshin died in the hands of Kaoru, his second wife. And in the arms of Kaoru the same crosshaped-scar in his face faded after many years. With that, Kenshin got rid from the burden that he carried in his life. Finally, in the arms of Kaoru, the love of his life, he attained the redemption that he searched in his lifetime. Surely, it's the perfect ending for Kenshin.
I actually forgot to mention his first wife when I made the script. But she definitely played a huge role in making him the wandering samurai who wants to protect people rather than killing them. (Even if their relationship wasn’t ideal). I absolutely agree that he had a perfect ending even if it may have been a little sad to watch. I guess that was also the beauty about Kenshin’s death.
And one more thing. I think that there one more problem in Kenshin's late life. At the end of the 19th century, Japan adopted Shishio's philosophy, and not Kenshin's one, as state policy. Japan abandoned his previous isolationist policies and started a expansionist policy, even waging wars against China and Russia and taking Korea in the late Meiji period. In other words, Shishio lost the battle against Kenshin in life, but posthumosly he turned the tables and beated him. The Kenshin that we know would feel that all of his struggle along the years was throwed in the trash can, and that he fought and defeated Shishio for nothing (remembering that he went to Kyoto to fight Shishio and the Juppongatana invited by Meiji politicians - among them Toshimichi Ookubo).
I felt that Shishio had done all that he could to ruin Kenshin’s life and had done so when Japan adopted his policy without understanding the consequences. Also, I do think that Kenshin struggled to fight back against the wars that took place because he felt that he cannot help with his weakening body. Since he’s weakened and has a family, he cannot just go out and fight like he did back then. So yes, Kenshin was lost in his later life, but he did the best he can and knew that too because he has people to remember him by the few good things he has done despite his previous life as battōsai.