Ep 17. The Void

The episode "The Void" is the 17th of season 1 of the anime series, Peace Maker Kurogane. The show is set in Japan in the late 19th century, during the Meiji Restoration. It follows the story of a young boy named Tetsunosuke Ichimura who wants to join the Shinsengumi, a group of samurai tasked with protecting the capital from rebels.

In this particular episode, Tetsunosuke is still struggling to find his footing within the Shinsengumi. Despite his eagerness to prove himself, he is still seen by many of his comrades as a mere child. Even his own brother, Tatsunosuke, who is also a member of the Shinsengumi, treats him with indifference. This adds to Tetsunosuke's frustration and feelings of inadequacy.

Meanwhile, the Shinsengumi is facing a new threat. A group of mercenaries, led by a man named Hijikata, has been hired by the government to take care of some rebels who have been causing trouble in the city. However, Hijikata's methods are brutal, and it's rumored that he's been killing not just rebels but innocent civilians as well. Kondo, the leader of the Shinsengumi, is concerned about this and decides to investigate.

Tetsunosuke sees this as an opportunity to prove himself. Despite the objections of his comrades, he insists on joining Kondo's team to investigate Hijikata's activities. He sees it as his chance to prove that he is capable and mature enough to be a member of the Shinsengumi.

As they investigate, Tetsunosuke begins to realize the brutality of the situation. He witnesses Hijikata's men killing innocent people and realizes that they have become just like the rebels they were supposed to be fighting against. This causes him to question the righteousness of the Shinsengumi's cause and his own place within the organization.

The episode reaches its climactic point when Tetsunosuke confronts Hijikata himself. He challenges Hijikata's methods and ethos, asking him how he can kill innocent people and still call himself a samurai. Hijikata responds by telling Tetsunosuke that he is merely a child who doesn't understand the harsh realities of the world. This only serves to anger Tetsunosuke more, and he stands up to Hijikata, proving himself to be brave and strong.

Overall, "The Void" is a powerful episode that explores themes of maturity, righteousness, and the true nature of samurai honor. It is an important episode in the development of Tetsunosuke's character, as it marks a turning point in his understanding of what it means to be a samurai and a member of the Shinsengumi. It also raises important questions about the morality of those in positions of power, and the ways in which they use that power to justify their actions.