Ep 18. The Opening Battle! Mikagami's Sword.

The Opening Battle! Mikagami's Sword is the 18th episode of the first season of the anime series, Flame of Recca. The episode begins with the continuation of the fight between Tokiya Mikagami and Recca Hanabishi. Tokiya has been hired by the corrupt businessman Oda to capture the Hokage ninja clan's sacred flame for him.

Recca tries to prevent Tokiya from stealing the sacred flame, but he is no match for Tokiya's ice powers. Just as Tokiya is about to defeat Recca, Tokiya's past is revealed through a series of flashbacks. We learn that he was once a member of a prestigious family, but his sister was killed by a mysterious disease. To avenge his sister's death, Tokiya joins a gang and becomes a ruthless gangster.

However, Tokiya's life takes a different turn when he meets a wise old man who teaches him the art of the sword. Tokiya begins to train under the old man and eventually masters the art. Tokiya realizes the error of his ways and decides to use his sword skills to help others. He leaves the gang and becomes a vigilante, fighting against injustice wherever he can.

Back in the present, Tokiya's story inspires Recca, who manages to summon his own flame and defeat Tokiya. While Tokiya is impressed with Recca's skills, he is still determined to capture the sacred flame. The episode ends with Oda sending his henchmen to attack the Hokage ninja clan, setting the stage for an epic battle in the next episode.

Overall, The Opening Battle! Mikagami's Sword is an intense and action-packed episode that reveals the backstory of one of the main characters, Tokiya Mikagami. The episode explores themes of redemption and the power of self-discovery, as Tokiya realizes his own potential and uses his skills for good rather than evil. Fans of the series will likely enjoy the exciting fight scenes and the deepening of the show's overarching plot.