Ep 29. The Most Powerful Archenemy! Senseless Fang On Attack

In season 1 episode 29 of Rurouni Kenshin, titled "The Most Powerful Archenemy! Senseless Fang On Attack," the viewers get to witness a fierce battle between Kenshin and his most formidable enemy yet. The episode starts with Kenshin returning to his old residence, Kamiya Kasshin-ryu dojo, where he is met with a surprise attack by a dark figure with powerful swordsmanship skills.

The attacker turns out to be Soujiro Seta, a young man who has been sent by Shishio Makoto, the main villain of the series, to kill Kenshin and bring him to Shishio's lair. Kenshin tries to reason with Soujiro and prevent any violence, but Soujiro is not willing to back down. The two engage in a breathtaking sword fight which showcases some of the best animation and choreography of the series.

Soujiro's fighting style, "Mumyo-ken" or the "non-existent sword," is particularly intriguing, as it involves attacking and defending without actually holding a sword. His movements are quick and unpredictable, keeping Kenshin on his toes throughout the fight. However, Kenshin's own skills as a swordsman are not to be underestimated, and he manages to hold his own against Soujiro.

As the fight intensifies, Kenshin starts to notice something strange about Soujiro's demeanor. Soujiro keeps smiling and seems to enjoy the fight, almost as if he is not taking it seriously. This disturbs Kenshin, who realizes that Soujiro is not just a skilled opponent, but also a deeply disturbed individual who enjoys violence and fighting for its own sake.

The episode's tension reaches its climax when Soujiro reveals that he has a special technique that he has been preparing for Kenshin, the "Shukuchi," which allows him to move at lightning speed and attack from unexpected angles. Despite being taken by surprise, Kenshin manages to block the attack and counter-attack with his own signature technique, the "Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki" or the "Heavenly Dragon Flash."

Soujiro is shocked by Kenshin's skill and his unwavering commitment to protecting the innocent, something that he never experienced before. In a moment of realization, Soujiro breaks down and runs away, leaving Kenshin to ponder the true nature of his enemy.

Overall, "The Most Powerful Archenemy! Senseless Fang On Attack" is a thrilling and emotional episode that showcases some of the best aspects of Rurouni Kenshin as a series. The animation and fight choreography are top-notch, and the characters' motivations and personalities are complex and nuanced. The episode sets up an intriguing conflict between Kenshin and Shishio, as well as raising questions about the true nature of violence and power. Fans of the series will not be disappointed by this exciting and thought-provoking episode.