PeaceMaker Kurogane Episode 22[Fight]

Kondo's team storms the Ikedaya and takes the loyalists by surprise. Many tried to flee, resulting in a mad scramble for safety and stumbling over each other. However, they were ruthlessly cut down by the Shinsengumi. Meanwhile, Susumu faces off with Akesato[In disguise].


Back at Headquarters, Yamanami subtlely tells Tetsu to make his own choice and not follow the former's path - The path of a coward. He tells Tetsu of his childhood when he used to like watching rice fishes swimming in the stream as they fought against the current.

At the Ikedaya, Yoshida ordered the running loyalists to fight back as there weren't many of the Shinsengumi. Kondo issued a futile warning that those who resists will be cut down. After 3 warnings, Kondo ordered every loyalist to be killed. Yoshida run to the back door where some of the loyalists had escaped. He yelled to his men to retreat, but to no avail as 2 of them decided to stay and fight. While he stood motionless, Suzu arrived and wanted to stay and fight alongside Yoshida. But he was told to go to the Choshu's Base and seek reinforcements.

"I not longer have any home to return to, except to be by your side. Even if I go get reinforcements...Even if we crush the Shinsengumi...I do not want to be alone." -Suzu



Naturally, Suzu refused to leave his sensei. Then came the most touching scene, Yoshida smiled and told Suzu to hurry and come back so they could reunite once more...
When Suzu left, Yoshida returned to the inn. Souji and Shipachi were just finishing up the remaining loyalists when Yoshida arrived thrugh a hallway, in a creepy menacing way [Think Sadako from The Ring]. Just then, Heisuke springs an attack from the side, but misses Yoshida, much to the amusement of Shinpachi.


However, he succeeded in slicing Yoshida's spear in half. Which was a huge mistake as Yoshida could now use the half-spear as a SWORD. Yoshida then lunged at Heisuke. Realising the danger, Shinpachi ran towards Heisuke who was obliviously to Yoshida's actions. Heisuke was cut on his forehead and collapsed.

On the roof of the Ikedaya, Susumu an Akesato were engaged in a fierce though elegant battle [2 spies "dancing" in the moonlight..]. Susumu managed to floor her and sets off a signal flare to alert the other Shinsengumi group about the raid. Tetsu, who was running in the streets, decked out in Shinsengumi uniform, notices the flare.


Inside the Ikedaya, Souji fought with Yoshida. He stabs Yoshida and was about to finish him off when Tetsu arrives at the scene. Yoshida then kicks Souji away and went after Tetsu, who listened to his instints and fled. Yoshida was stopped momentarily by Souji who held onto his leg.
While running, Tetsu questions himself and stops. Yoshida who got away to chase after Tetsu, was once again hindered by Souji. This time, the duel ends with Souji coughing up blood and Yoshida aggravating his injury by stepping on his chest.

Tetsu was cowering in a closet when he realised that the reason he fought was not to kill, but to protect. He rushed out and stabs Yoshida's leg. Cradling Souji while weeping, he told Souji about it.


Yoshida recovered from the attack and faces Tetsu, looking scarier than ever.


Tetsu gets up and readies himself for the battle. Kondo and Shinpachi rushes to the scene where Shinpachi yelled that Tetsu was up against a bad opponent as Yoshida was ready to die. Tetsu then replied that he was ready to perish too.

He also revealed that the one he wanted to kill was not Yoshida, but the helpless him which existed in the past.

I loved this episode. So many revealations...So many ultra-cool fight scenes! The blurred images emphasized on the speed of the attacks and the intense guitar tones made the tension even more realistic. And for once, the father-son relation between Suzu and Yoshida was evident. I felt like rooting for Yoshida at that time. And if you watched closely, the scene where the Shinsengumi dashed down the narrow hallway was first shown in the first episode.

PeaceMaker Kurogane Episode 21 [Battle Formation]

The Shinsengumi gets into BATTLE MODE!!! Yes...This episode begins a series of sinister happenings. It's the beginning of the end...And poor Tetsu looks so terrified/terrifying. Finally, Tatsu gets VIOLENT!

Anyway, Tetsu was tramatised by the forceful return of the memories of his parents' brutal murders. As a result, he hid himself in a closet, shrounded in darkness. Whenever, Tatsu tries to open the door, he gets scratched.

Meanwhile, Hijikata interrogates Shuntaro Furutaka [Real identity of Masuya]. He threatens to kill him and at this point, Furutaka spilled the beans on the Choshu's plans to set fire to Kyoto.

The Demon himself.

Cutting him down from the ceiling where he hung, Hijikata moved off to inform the others.

Somewhere in Kyoto...Yoshida talks to Miyabe. A Choshu clansman walked in to inform them of the settled meeting place -Ikedaya. Suzu offers to go with Yoshida, but was turned down by him after he finished telling Suzu off [Well, sort of, anyway]. Suzu was ordered to stay behind and wait for his master's return.

"Suzu, it seems you do not yet understand what honor is. Do not lose yourself in your emotions. You must not let a momentary feeling carry you away."

At the Shinsengumi headquarters, everyone's getting ready for mobilization. Hijikata informs Yamanami that Furutaka had let the cat out of the bag and that they were going to comb the area for the Choshu's meeting place. Yamanami supposedly had a cold, and thus was unable to join in.

The Shinsengumi set up camp in the city. Hijikata was hesistating whether to go for the raid yet as they did not have sufficent men.
"Thirty-Four?! [Turns around and lifts cloth curtain up] What the hell're you guys doing, growing smaller in number?!" -Sano

It was when Kondo, in his battle gear, urged Hijikata to go for it as the soldiers could no longer wait. Hijikata then gave the orders to move out.


They divided into two groups. Hijikata, Sanosuke, and Saitou leading one group, Kondo, Souji, Toudou, and Shinpachi leading the other smaller group.


Back at the almost empty Headquarters, Yamanami had flashbacks to the time where he assasinated Kamo Seizawa, the former Chief. When Tatsu brought him food, he revealed that he doesn't like killing anyone anymore.

In the room where Tetsu was, Susumu pulled open the closet door and told him off for staying there while the others were away, risking their lives. He then threw his Shinsengumi uniform and swords at Tetsu. Tatsu who witnessed it all, attempted a punch at Susumu as he didn't want Tetsu to join in the fight.

Susumu blocks Tatsu's blow...

Kondo's party arrive at the Ikedaya...

PeaceMaker Kurogane Episode 20 [Blade]

In this episode, Susumu gets his revenge...He, along with the 1st Division led by Okita Souji, stormed Masuya's place early in the morning. Susumu had impersonated his late sister Ayu, and played upon Masuya's guilty conscience.

Then, Souji and the troops burst in and raided the place.
The ancient version of FBI...Notice the shaded eyes resembles sunglasses?

Anyway, Tetsu came dashing to the scene when he realised Susumu had accompanied the others to the raid. He was relieved when he knew Susumu didn't kill Masuya, but had instead trashed him to the point of spraining his own fingers.


Souji was disappointed that Yoshida had slipped through their fingers again. The blonde ninja [Akesato] watched him and escaped just as he sensed her presense. On the way back to the Shinsengumi, Tetsu met a shifty-looking Suzu who beckoned for him to follow him.
How could Tetsu not notice THIS expression?!

Suspecting nothing, Tetsu chats animatedly while walking along side a silent Suzu. He had assumed that Suzu wanted to tell him something. However, Suzu's true intention was to kill him...On Yoshida's orders.
He must have picked up this look from Yoshida...

At an abandoned house, Suzu swiped at Tetsu but could not do it again. Just as his sword lowered, Yoshida shoved him away and approached Tetsu with a meanacing intent. Forcibly reminded of his parents' killers, Tetsu fled. Suzu lay helpless on the floor, weeping as he was tored between his sensei & his friend.
Poor lad...

Meanwhile at the Shinsengumi, Hijikata interrogated Masuya...Or should I say, Furutaka...The captive, being a coward, spilled the beans on the Choshu's plans to set fire to the capital. I was surprised he wasn't slaughtered by Hijikata...

Back at the abandoned house now alight with flames, Yoshida and Tetsu were involved in a cat-and-mouse game [No prize for guessing who's who].
O_o...Scary...

At this point, Tetsu was terrified that his logic escaped him. He cowered in a cupboard, frozen stiff with fear. Just then, Suzu stepped in and held on to Yoshida to prevent him from harming Tetsu.

Outside the house, a yell for help was heard as a crowd formed around the flaming house...Tatsu who passed by, had a feeling that Tetsu was in there and tried to barge in...But the flames were spreading too quickly...

The suspense in the atmosphere when Yoshida pursuit Tetsu was so thick, I could hardly breath...I was practically holding my breath throughout the scenes! And for once, Yoshida didn't seem so elegant after all. He distintly reminded me of Sadako from The Ring...And I hate cliffhangers!

PeaceMaker Kurogane: Confirmed!

In a previous post [PeaceMaker Kurogane: Yamanami & Akesato], I mentioned that a certain blonde ninja IS the true identity of Akesato...





As a matter of fact...Akesato IS the blonde ninja! It was confirmed in an Anime magazine I bought recently [M.A.G.E]...On page 9, it states:

"This charming courtesan is leading a double life as a rebel ninja. She had several run-ins with Yamazaki who was rather taken aback by her prowess. However, she falls in love with Yamanami. Incidentally, she is blonde and blue-eyed but disguises her traits effectively."

And this picture was shown next to it!



There! Proof that Akesato IS the blonde ninja. Anyway, If you don't believe this, buy the magazine for yourself. The title's M.A.G.E manga. anime. games. experience.
This issue has dual covers: PeaceMaker Kurogane and Gundam Seed Destiny.

I'm too hyped to carry on...I'll leave you with these two pictures from the DVD version. I got them from:

http://www.kamidake.com/peacemaker/pmindex.html

PeaceMaker Kurogane Episode 19 [Sky]

Tortured & Alone

Yet another emotional episode...However, this episode is of significance as for the first time...Yamazaki Susumu cried and genuinely smiled for the first time!!! Okay, I know that's really a lame reason, considering that other major events occured within the span of this episode...

Summary: Ayu died at the hands of the exclusionist loyalists and her body was ruthlessly cast away into the rain like garbage. The 2nd and 10th units of the Shisengumi stormed the area near Shijo Ohhashi Bridge with Sano & Shinpachi in the lead. While the Shinsengumi were preparing for mobilization, Tetsu went to inform Susumu about the discovery of his sister's body. The "talk" ended with a stunned Susumu on the ground and Tetsu stomping away in tears.

Brother & Sister meet...
Forever gone...

The heart-wrenching scene[Further enhanced by tragic piano music]where Tetsu hugs the bloodied kimono of Ayu and sobs made my eyes water. However, the part when Susumu cradles his sister's corpse while Shinpachi, Sano and Tetsu stare in shock, dampaned my mood for good.



The Shinsengumi held a private funeral for Ayu as she was their spy. However, it was clear that everyone mourned her loss personally. Even Hijikata who was supposedly emotionless.







Meanwhile Susumu was up on the roof, silently grieving. Tetsu joins him and ends up comforting him.



Then came the most touching scene...Tetsu offers Susumu friendship...


And Ayu watches the happy ending to this tragic episode...



Although the episode was plotless, I still reckon it as one of the best as it deals with the pain of loss and regret. Especially that of a estrangled loved one...

PeaceMaker Kurogane: Souji & Hotaru

Okay, before you start protesting, let's consider the possiblities of this couple...

Okita Souji: A prodigy at swordsmenship. 1st Squad Captain in the Shinsengumi. Usually cheerful and carefree. Personality changes to ruthless killer when he fights. Has a pet pig, Saizou.
The Many Faces of Okita Souji.

Hotaru: Klutzy former Choshu spy. Has a crush on Souji. Crys easily. Unwittingly assists Souji, Hijikata & Saitoh when she pulls off the seals that Furube [working for a psychopath nobleman] and undos the illusionary spell which trapped them.
The Few Faces of Hotaru

In terms of just comparing personalities, they're quite matching. However, if you consider the relationship as a whole, it's totally impossible! Souji's a expert swordsman of the Shinsengumi[a.k.a The Wolves of Mibu]. Hotaru's a ex-spy[I'm not sure if she can be considered a spy in the first place...Since she never really did anything...], and way too innocent for a "Child of a Demon" such as Souji.

Besides, Souji seems to be occupied with someone else already...I'm not suggesting any Yaoi relationships here, but seriously, I find his relations with Hijikata a little too close for comfort...'Nuff said about this non-existant couple.

PeaceMaker Kurogane: Yamanami & Akesato

The second non-Yaoi PeaceMaker Kurogane on my list [See previous entry], Yamanami Keisuke & Akesato.


Apparently, their relationship had already begun and had settled to a somewhat "fixed" stage when Akesato debuted in Episode 12[Older Brother]. Akesato works as a Geisha in the red-light district of Shimabara while Yamanami works in the Shinsengumi as a rather peaceful Vice-Commander. Unfortunately, this relationship was doomed from the start. They will never have a happy ending due to the various aspects of their lives.
Firstly, Akesato is a Geisha in a RED-LIGHT DISTRICT. That pretty much lowers her social status. Yamanami as a Shinsengumi member, Vice-Commander no less, has "authority" among the common folk. Their social status are practically worlds apart. Even if he were to marry her, would the rest of the world leave them alone? Would his Shinsengumi position hinder this union? The people in Anicient Japan aren't that open-minded and probably wouldn't give a damn about true love.
At Your Service...


Secondly, is it even true love in the first place? Or is it just a convenient union between 2 lonely souls? Yamanami is constantly haunted by his role in the assasination of Serizawa Kamo [Previously-In-Charge in Shinsengumi] and that lowered his self-confidence vastly and drastically altered his whole being. As a result, Yamanami questions himself of his choice on a regular basis and this prevents him from living happily. Meanwhile, Akesato is already miserable due to her Geisha life. She sees herself as a fallen being, without anyone to lead her to salvation. Also, there's something else that's bothering her. Could it be this[See Below]?
Sad, Sad Ninja

Akesato could have been that female ninja who spied for the Choshu. She too, spoke of loneliness and being beyond salvation. If she was that spy, it is probable that she got close to Yamanami to get information. However, the Episode 23[Faith] revealed that the female ninja was a foreigner. When Susumu knocked off her hood, her blonde hair was exposed. She herself has admitted she was a foreigner.

Note the eye and hair colour...
More Evidence!

Due to this revelation, I became doubtful of this theory...If Akesato was that ninja, she would have to dye her hair or put on a wig when she switched between her double lives...Nevertheless, I think Akesato has feelings for Yamanami. It was evident when she suddenly hugged Yamanami [While crying & blabbering about loneliness] while on a walk with him. It was rather touching, that scene. 2 lonely souls, deserted by faith, hugging in the rain as a gesture of comfort...All together now...Awww...

PeaceMaker Kurogane: Tetsu & Saya

DISCLAIMER: This is just my personal opinion...Nothing forceful.

As we all know, Anime programmes with Bishounen [Pretty boys in short]outnumbering Bishoujo [Pretty young girls], are usually coupled in Yaoi [Boy Love]. A clear example is said Anime: PeaceMaker Kurogane. However, the focus of this entry is on the non-Yaoi couples. How many of them are there? Fewer than the fingers on my hand! Here's a list so far.
1] Ichimara Tetsunosuke & Saya
2] Yamanami Keisuke & Akesato
3] Okita Souji & Hotaru

Okay, maybe not the last couple, but let's keep our options open...First up, Tetsu & Saya!



Prospects: These two are totally matching! Tetsu actually seems mature when he's with Saya. He understands why she wouln't speak of her background and doesn't try insist on being told the truth. When he knows the truth, he doesn't MIND! **BONUS points for that! He also promised her, and her alone, then he wouldn't kill 'cause she wanted him to remain as he is and not change. And for Saya, she's already likes him. That's why she didn't want him to know her background. Also, when Tetsu went to see her during the Gion Festival, she noticed HIS injury before anything else. How's that for observant! She & Tetsu had understood each other.


Since they're both young, their fates stand a good chance of being altered anytime. Which means Tetsu could be an ordinary member of the Shinsengumi, raise a family with Saya and settle down. Saya's presently a geisha apprentice. Not a fully-fledged Geisha yet. Her freedom could still be bought either by $$ or by marriage. In addition, Tetsu's not one to be afraid of defying Fate and tradition. He's ready to do anything to help his loved ones. Comparetively to the other couples, these two have the best prospects!

PeaceMaker Kurogane Episode 18 [Rain]

Ayu before her makeover

Ayu after her makeover.


This particular episode caught my attention as it revealed the darker side of Yamazaki Ayumu, the resident cook of the Shinsengumi as well as the older of the Yamazaki spies. As her brother Susumu pretty much failed to gather information about the loyalists, Ayu decided it was time for her to resume her spy duties...

This episode shows how her absense affected the Shinsengumi, especially Tetsu. But that's not the point. The most[OMG!!!] part was when Ayu, while under the pretext of a barber,SEDUCES a loyalist in order to get info! Unfortunately, they were already aware that she was a Shinsengumi spy. So she slept with that #%&/@# loyalist for nothing!! After that, she was surrounded by loyalists waiting to capture her. Desperately, she made a futile attempt to assasinate Masaya. Needless to say, she was captured in the nude and tortured...

Ayu finally showed her worth as a spy but was brutally cut short. That was realistic as it shows the world doesn't follow the principle of "Good Will Always Triumph Over Evil."...I was kinda depressed after the episode ended with a man [Probably Masaya] running to the Shinsengumi mentioning about a body of a woman dumped in the streets...

Attempted Assasination In The Buff.