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Rurouni Kenshin episode 15 was released on Friday, October 13, 2023, bringing with it the exciting start to a new arc and the introduction of a new antagonist along with it. This foe is also an especially intriguing one, seemingly serving as a philosophical foil to Kenshin and his ideals in a similar way that Jine Udo once did.
However, the difference in skill between this new antagonist and Kenshin seems to be much narrower than the advantage Kenshin had over Udo. While it’s unclear how long this arc will last past Rurouni Kenshin episode 15, fans are hoping that this new antagonistic presence is here to stay for quite a long time.
Rurouni Kenshin episode 15 introduces intriguingly philosophical antagonist for Kenshin to square up with
Brief episode recap
Rurouni Kenshin episode 15 began with Kaoru Kamiya starting her day at her dojo, when Yahiko Myojin bursts in on her changing and eats a punch for it. He’s then dragged out to the courtyard by her, still unconscious from the hit. Kaoru then invited Kenshin Himura to come train with her at the Maekawa Dojo, but Kenshin declined due to needing to do chores.
Kaoru then asked him to do the shopping as well, prompting Kenshin to decide to go with her after all. A young boy and an older man in the woods were then seen discussing the Maekawa Dojo and its master, Kunai Makeawa. They also discussed Kenshin, calling him “just a rurouni” and assuming he wouldn’t amount to much as a result.
Rurouni Kenshin episode 15 then took viewers to the Maekawa Dojo, where Yahiko had also tagged along. The students present instantly flocked to Kaoru when Mr. Maekawa appeared to introduce himself to Kenshin. It was revealed that Maekawa actually wanted to challenge Kenshin to a match, but he refrained from doing so immediately.
Maekawa instead asked him to train everyone here, but Kenshin declined, saying he just wanted to escort Kaoru. Maekawa told him to wait in the lounge, then apologized to Kaoru and admitted that he wouldn’t fight him since he knew he’d already lost. Kaoru then began training the students present, prompting Maekawa to go sit and speak with Kenshin.
Rurouni Kenshin episode 15 then saw Maekawa reveal that he usually only has 10 or fewer students, with the numbers today being due to Kaoru coming as a “special attraction.” Kenshin offered encouraging words to Maekawa as he lamented over the state of his dojo, prompting Maekawa to question what will become of swordsmanship in the future.
The man seen in the woods earlier then entered, effortlessly walking through the hoard of students that clung onto him. He then challenged Maekawa, introducing himself as Raijuta Isurugi and claiming he’s “truly concerned” about the future of swordsmanship. Maekawa accepted his challenge under the usual rules, claiming the first to take two points would be the winner.
Rurouni Kenshin episode 15 then saw Raijuta reject the use of a bamboo sword, prompting the boy he was with earlier to appear. Raijuta called him Yutaro Tsukayama while the boy approached him and tried handing him a wooden or real sword. Yutaro laughed and insulted the idea of using bamboo swords instead, prompting Yahiko to kick him and start an argument.
Kenshin predicted that the contest would go 1-1, with Raijuta scoring the final point. Raijuta struck Maekawa twice, with Kaoru admitting that she couldn’t see him move. Maekawa’s shoulder bone broke from the blow, but he pressed onward regardless. Raijuta then broke the bamboo sword over Maekawa’s forehead, attempting to kill him with the splintered blade after.
Rurouni Kenshin episode 15 then saw Kenshin jump in to save Maekawa’s life, prompting a philosophical debate on swordsmanship between him and Raijuta. Eventually, Raijuta challenged Kenshin to a match with real blades, but he rejected this. Raijuta then told Yutaro to take the dojo’s sign down and burn it, since he beat the master of the dojo in battle.
Kaoru then said she would take Raijuta on instead of Kenshin, which in turn prompted Kenshin to accept Raijuta’s original challenge. The two used wooden blades and said the first to one point would win. Kenshin was able to block and dodge all of Raijuta’s attacks, but he wouldn’t swing back. Raijuta then caught on to Kenshin’s attempt to make it a draw, so nothing could be done to the dojo’s sign.
Rurouni Kenshin episode 15 then saw Raijuta use an attack that seemingly split Kenshin’s blade and the floorboards beneath in two. Raijuta then asked for Kenshin’s name before telling Yutaro that they were leaving, with Yutaro teasing Yahiko one last time. Yahiko, in turn, promised that Kenshin hadn’t even begun showing his real strength, prompting Yutaro to say that his fight with Yahiko isn’t over.
Raijuta then commented on how no one had ever dodged his Secret Sword: Izuna technique, commending Kenshin’s strength and the sword style he uses. Kenshin, meanwhile, recognized how impressive what Raijuta had done was and questioned who he was and what style he used. Back at Kaoru’s dojo, Sanosuke Sagara was briefed on the situation, reminding Kaoru that no rules were broken in the match, so it was merely a one-sided battle.
Rurouni Kenshin episode 15 then saw Kenshin question Raijuta’s motives, considering he doesn’t care about bamboo sword battles. At that moment, Kenshin received an invitation from Raijuta, with the deliverer imploring him to board the carriage outside. Team Kenshin were all then taken to a mansion, where they met Yuzaemon Tsukayama, who was Yutaro’s father.
Kenshin was then taken to Raijuta, while Yutaro was told to entertain the rest of Team Kenshin. Yuzaemon then discussed how he met Raijuta, who saved him from bandits. Since Yutaro wants to train under Raijuta, Yuzaemon has let him live at their mansion. It was then revealed that Sanosuke and co. had tied up Yutaro and were watching Kenshin and Raijuta from a nearby forest.
Rurouni Kenshin episode 15 then saw Raijuta ask Kenshin how he thinks swordsmanship should be today and if he feels the art has lost its way. Raijuta then revealed that he wants to completely eradicate the current 500 sword styles, starting with those who use bamboo swords. He then asserts that his Shinko-ryu style will be the only authentic one as he rejuvenates the art to the glory it once had.
Raijuta then pointed out Kenshin’s strength, asking him to join him in this effort. The latter bluntly refused, saying that while he does have feelings towards the decline of swordsmanship, he sees no meaning in the only style being a murderous one. Kenshin then asserted that he’d do whatever he could to stop Raijuta, prompting a fight to begin between the two as the episode ended.
In review
Rurouni Kenshin episode 15 serves as a fantastic start to an exciting new arc, with an incredibly engaging and eye-catching antagonist in Raijuta Isurugi. In a way, the start to this arc seemingly sticks to what the series is best at: introduce a powerful antagonist for Kenshin to fight, give him a set of ideals diametrically opposed to Kenshin’s, and let the magic happen.
This is a very palpable feeling throughout this episode, also being replicated via Yahiko’s squabbles with Yutaro, Raijuta’s apprentice. While one could argue that it’s somewhat boring to see Team Kenshin’s true second fighter, Sanosuke, seemingly sidelined, Yahiko has had less of an impactful role overall since the series began than Sanosuke. With this in mind, it’s a sensible choice that is arguably the right one to make.
In summation
Overall, Rurouni Kenshin episode 15 is a good episode that sets up an exciting arc. While the current storyline unfortunately seems destined to be fairly short, it’ll likely be as engaging and exciting as any other thus far. Hopefully fans are pleasantly surprised, and the story arc does, in fact, run for quite some time.
Be sure to keep up with all Rurouni Kenshin anime and manga news, as well as general anime, manga, film, and live-action news as 2023 progresses.
