Up with Kenshin!

[dangermousie]

I've continued in my leisurely watch of Rurouni Kenshin. The more I watch, the more I love. I think what really sells me is not the idea of redemption and salvation (though that is really well-done, and I love that), or the fights (which, while not as fluidly beautiful like those in Peacemaker, are still great), or the plots or what not. What really makes me want to just revel in RK, and makes me grin, and makes me look forward to a next ep is the characters. I love them all. I have a feeling I could just happily watch them do nothing throughout the whole episode but eat rice and bicker.

Latest favorite? The episode in which Kaoru treats everyone to train tickets from Tokyo to Yokohama (train is a big novelty in those days) and our four heroes prepare to travel and sight-see, but their trip almost gets derailed (aaaah, puns. I slay me) when some bad guys try to rob the train because it's transporting gold.

There is something utterly irresistable about this ep. Maybe it's the scene that so reinforces my OTP: Kenshin/Kaoru, where the four of them are on the train, and Kaoru is hyper and waxing extatic about how going on the train is such a great idea, and has all these plans for what to do in Yokohama, such as try a foreign dessert called 'chocolate' (and I just want to throw my arms around her), or look at Western dresses. She is kinda giddy and happy and unselfconscious about her excitement, and Kenshin is just sitting by her quietly, utterly relaxed, and generally amused, touched, and happy in her happiness. It's really nice. And Kenshin is certainly dedicated to Kaoru getting her fun: when he is fighting one of the robbers on top of the train later, he tells him he doesn't like the heist because that would ruin their plans to sight-see. (Also, quite characteristically, Yahiko is ignoring Kaoru with all his might and staring out of the window. If Kenshin is Yahiko's father figure, Kaoru is that pesky elder sister).


Or maybe it's Sano freaking out about being on the train because how can steam move anything? It must be demons (he is freaking out during Kaoru's excitement, he is unhappy as soon as he gets on the train). And Kaoru trying to explain to him how trains operate, but of course she has no idea, and they end up having an uber-loud argument both enjoy thoroughly. And Sano freaking later about photographs, because they steal your soul, and Kaoru saying it's nonsense (when Kenshin is asked his opinion, he diplomatically says that every time someone takes a picture, a little bit of your soul gets stolen, heeee). Or Kaoru throwing her arms around Kenshin and telling him he is amazing (after he stops the robbery), and Kenshin appearing more flustered by this than by the long and baroque battle.

But basically, it's probably because it's a Western. If Sholay is a curry Western, then this ep of RK is a sushi Western. It has train robberies, people fighting on top of train cars, Kenshin on a horse and (because I think every story needs one) pirates. This episode makes me happy.

I remember kate98 saying earlier that she likes the K/K relationship because "Kenshin/Kaoru have this sort of yin/yang thing going on, where they shift roles and when one is fire, the other becomes water, then they shift back again" and the more I watch, the more I see what she means. I think the scene that most brought it home to me (so far) is during the arc where some crazy samurai wants to establish his own kingdom (yes, I am sure it'd be shorter to refer to it by the villain's name, but I don't remember it). Kenshin has been gone all night (I guess fighting a bunch of people and rescuing a brat from a watery grave keeps you busy) and we see Kaoru sitting on a stoop and she looks like she hasn't slept all night, and she is quiet and worried and freaking out like mad about what could have happened to Kenshin. And then wet Kenshin shows up carrying the brat, and (because the situation is serious), he is not at all the amiable bumbler he normally comes across as, and she is so relieved he is back and so happy and she looks utterly overcome with emotion and acts half-shy, and somehow their 'regular' matrix of interaction is all different for the moment but it all fits. (Oh and yeah, if I didn't know she liked him before, I'd know now...)

Also, the more I watch RK, the more I like Kenshin. Of course, I like his character throughout, but I realized that I find him hot only when he is pissed off or in battle. He is all different then: his voice is lower and faster, and he looks all intense and focused. And he is all commanding and sure. Or I like him when he is angsty and still in control (as when he sees the samurai and the cops killing each other and yells for it to stop, and he is horrified at the slaughter). Yeah, clearly something is wrong with me. In a way 'laid back Kenshin' is a mask, one he tries hard to grow into, and sometimes it slips off.

Also, I think my practicality does make me think of the oddest things. During the big climactic fight with the above-mentioned villain, one of the bad guy's strokes slashes Kenshin's shirt half off. Which is great news if you like ogling animated muscular flesh, but my thoughts? "Argh, he doesn't have enough money for a new one!" I guess he'll just have to sew it back up by himself. Or Kaoru will kill him.

Comments

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

I think it's partially Kaoru's innocence that Kenshin seems to bask in. He's lived hard and fast and done a lot of things that he can't forgive himself for. He's an older, more mature bishounen too, which goes along perfectly with how rational he act a lot of the time as opposed to Sano and even Aoshi sometimes. He's been to the dark side and back and grew up for it. And just like the Shinsengumi in PMK, Kenshin is sort of straddling two worlds and doesn't really have a place. That's really all of the men in RK's problem. Aoshi is from another era, Sano is trapped in his past and is a drifter now, Saito only survives because of his fluid alligences, Hiko basically steps out of the world because he KNOWS he doesn't fit any more. It's the WOMEN in RK who have the one up on the men. Kaoru is forward thinking, Megumi is a doctor and independent woman, Misao is young enough to adapt and fiesty enough to survive. It's the women who are going to have to drag their men after them in RK.

And if Kenshin is the father figure, then Sano is the big brother figure. Bless him, he's just sort of a big dumb jock sometimes (though the whole distrust of Western technology goes along perfectly with is background).

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

then Sano is the big brother figure. Bless him, he's just sort of a big dumb jock sometimes (though the whole distrust of Western technology goes along perfectly with is background).

Oh yes. Yahiko has a whole ready-made family here. And his and Sano's interactions are also very sibling-like. Actually, I think every member of the quartet found a substitute family: after all Kaoru and Sano remind me of siblings, and for Kenshin, he has the girl he likes, a friend in Sano and a little younger brother/nephew/whatever in Yahiko. It's rather nice.

I think it's partially Kaoru's innocence that Kenshin seems to bask in.

Agreed. I think he likes the warmth and spontaneity. There hasn't been much of either in his life. And also her (rather childish) sense of fun. Once again, not much of that in his life. But of course, it works both ways. Someone who is mature and laid-back like Kenshin is a good match for Kaoru. If she ended up with someone as volatile as herself, look out. After all, we see how much she and Sano bump heads and Sano makes me think of what Kaoru would have been if she was a guy and had Sano's background.

And then there is of course Kaoru's heedless ready kindness to people she sees as mistreated (Yahiko, that kid in the mansion at the hot springs etc). It's a sort of idealism and optimism she has. He knows, from long hard experience, that the world isn't like that, but he finds grace in her illusions.

It really is all encapsulated in the scene when he talks to the bad guy in the first ep and he tells the BG that "A sword is a weapon. Kenjutsu is the art of killing. Whatever pretty words you use to speak of it, this is its true nature. What Miss Kaoru says are the words of one who has never dirtied her hands. An idealistic joke....I like Miss Kaoru's idealism better than its true nature. If one can ask so much, I want the world to accept this joke as its true nature."

It's the WOMEN in RK who have the one up on the men. Kaoru is forward thinking, Megumi is a doctor and independent woman, Misao is young enough to adapt and fiesty enough to survive. It's the women who are going to have to drag their men after them in RK.

Yes. One of the reasons I like RK is the women characters, who are strong and clever and might sometimes need resucing but are not useless damsels in distress. And they are (as you've pointed out) a lot more adopted to modern times than the men and in some ways are their stability and salvation.

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

their stability and salvation

I think that's why each man in paired up with a woman rather explicitly for an anime. They don't just need the women for the love value, they need the women for their humanity. I always find it ironic that Saito, as nasty as he can be, is the best adjusted of the men in a lot of ways and he's the only one who has a wife. He's adjusted to Western influence. Kenshin, Sano, and Aoshi all haven't and are only slightly adjusted mainly *because* of the women in their lives. There's always a feeling that the men aren't going to ever adapt the whole way (Saito doesn't even though he figures out a way to come out on top), but they'll survive if they have the women to look after them.

A sword is a weapon. Kenjutsu is the art of killing. Whatever pretty words you use to speak of it, this is its true nature.

That reminds me so much of Vash's problem in Trigun. No matter how much to talk the talk and walk the walk, the very nature of weapons and war is killing. Kaoru is naive to believe it's anything but that, but it's people like her who are capable of changing things from the cycle of war and fighting (like Tetsu in PMK and Vash in Trigun). That's why Kenshin tries so hard to protect Kaoru and her ideals. He can because he's already one of the fallen. He became what he did out of the best of intentions, but his naivety caused him to turn into the Battosai. There's a point where he's sort of questioning Hiko for letting him go to war and Hiko basically says "how did you think I was going to stop you, it was your choice". Maybe that's why Kenshin is so determined to protect Kaoru, who's made her choice naively too, but made the right one, and from Kenshin's age and experience can recognize that.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Guuuuuh, I love your posts.

They don't just need the women for the love value, they need the women for their humanity.

And I think they also provide stability: some semblance of regularity, of normal life, of every day meals and constancy of care. It gives them not only roots, but someone to care for so as to give their life value. Before being 'taken in' by Kaoru, Kenshin wandered around with no ties and no one to care for him, but also no one for him to take care of. He really was outside of society (and the same is true for Sano, and (certainly after the deaths of his followers) of Aoshi). But Kaoru (as well as Yahiko etc) don't only provide structure, they are (as you put it) his link to humanity, his chance to have a normal (enough) life.

That's why Kenshin tries so hard to protect Kaoru and her ideals. He can because he's already one of the fallen.

If Kaoru is Vash-like (or Tetsu-like) than I think Kenshin is rather like Wolfwood in that regard. And the irony is that he can protect Kaoru and her ideals only because of his superb skill, and the reason he is so skilled is his experience in nasty, horrible killing. I don't see Kenshin teaching his 'art' to anyone any time soon.

It is precisely because he knows how naive and fragile Kaoru's view is, because he's seen the other side of it, and because when he was younger he violated this view in ultimate ways, that he doesn't just willfully treasure Kaoru's creed, but is able to protect it so ably.

Kaoru, who's made her choice naively too, but made the right one, and from Kenshin's age and experience can recognize that.

The interesting thing is that if Kenshin had to fight all over again, if he woke up and by some bizarre magic was in the middle of the Bakumatsu again, I am not sure he'd just give up and disappear. Because it would make it all futile. I find is so interesting that he never waivers in his belief of the cause, just of the means he personally used in its support. And of course, Kaoru has quite different circumstances that led to her choice: there is no civil war any more, she's had a stable and loving family (from what we can tell), not like Kenshin's little tale of horrors.

I do think he is so cheery and relaxed now, because he knows just how bad things can be and is determined to forget and supress it and move on.

But I think staying at the dojo with the ragtag bunch he ends up being friends with has certainly done more to bring him happiness and peace than all his years of wandering.

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

some semblance of regularity, of normal life, of every day meals and constancy of care.

And of honesty. All the men are, in their own ways, wearing masks, while the women aren't. Aoshi is frequently compared to ice, Sano wears the kanji for 'bad' on his jacket, and Kenshin is one walking mask.

I think Kenshin is rather like Wolfwood in that regard.

He is, only he's more comfortable with his position than Wolfwood is. Wolfwood kills to protect his kids, Kenshin is will to kill to protect his friends. They both come to the position that while pacifism is great and all, you just can have it without enforcing it, and to enforce it you defeat your purpose. All you can do is protect those with ideals. This happens in Gundam Wing too with Zechs and Relena. Relena is an incredibly naive pacifist, but Zechs steps down from the throne of the kingdom in favor of his sister because he recognizes her ideals as praiseworthy, but knows that he's going to have to be the one to kill for them by protecting her.

just of the means he personally used in its support

Exactly. He never apologizes to Sano for his position in the war, just the fact that Sano lost friends and Kenshin probably had a lot to do with his side's defeat. He never really apologizes to Hiko for leaving either and Hiko doesn't seem to want one. He taught Kenshin the Hitsu Mirugen under the impression that Kenshin would master it and kill him some day (how the Mirugen masters do things). He recognized that Kenshin really wasn't cut out for it though. I love Hiko's ability to cut through Kenshin's facades like no one else in the series can.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

They both come to the position that while pacifism is great and all, you just can have it without enforcing it, and to enforce it you defeat your purpose.

Though of course, for Wolfwood this position is the beginning of his journey (he comes somewhat more to Vash's side by the end) and for Kenshin this is the end result of his.

He recognized that Kenshin really wasn't cut out for it though.

OK, I am probably largely basing this on the prequel OVA and not the series itself, but I always thought that Kenshin was a kid who was thrust into an adult world way too fast, before he could realize the ramifications of what he did, and then was trapped by his own actions. He simply wasn't ready or old enough to make the decision he did (or to make its opposite, either). He really shouldn't have been faced with such an option, even, except for the horrible times he lived in.

[thekatebeyond.livejournal.com]

This is an interesting discussion! The way the female characters are portrayed is one of the things I really appreciate about the show.

They don't just need the women for the love value, they need the women for their humanity.

I'd agree with that statement wholeheartedly. Kaoru, for all her bluster and bravado, is a very nurturing person. Megumi, despite her hard edges, is a healer. They give practical and emotional to these men who have to put all emotions but fury aside. In that sense, the show is very traditional in its gender roles, but paradoxically, it's very progressive in that both women are self-sufficient and independent. I think what I appreciate about the female characters is that they strike that balance that seems to elude so many modern women.

When Kaoru is sometimes portrayed as a warrior in her own right, it would've been easy for the show to fall into the trap of presenting that as her strength. What I love about the character is that - over time - you come to see that her strength is in her patience, her kindness, and her belief in her friends.

Conversely, the show also portrays the domestic side of its male characters, and their value of family. But that's another subject. :-)

In a way 'laid back Kenshin' is a mask, one he tries hard to grow into, and sometimes it slips off.

Absolutely. And that's a big part of Kenshin's angst. He's not sure he'll ever truly grow into it.

BTW, I may have mentioned this before but it bears repeating - I can't tell you how relieving it is to know I'm not the only one who finds animated characters hot.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Conversely, the show also portrays the domestic side of its male characters, and their value of family

And the great thing is, Kenshin isn't any less masculine because he is the one who cooks and cleans. I love the scene in one of the eps where Yahiko, who's gotten a swollen head because he thinks he is a master is all 'I won't get the bath ready, I am a sword master, I am too cool for this blah blah' and in the background we see Kenshin doing the domestic chores completely readily and later he tells Yahiko he'll take care of the bath if he (Yahiko) will just mop the floor as a service to him.

Nor is Kaoru any less feminine because she can defend herself. I really do like a lot of what RK has to say about gender roles.

And of course Megumi, while rather traditional in demeanor (certainly a lot more so than tomboyish Kaoru), is completely independent, educated, and self-sufficient woman. Love that.

that's a big part of Kenshin's angst. He's not sure he'll ever truly grow into it.

Oh yes. And that is part of why he so holds on to Kaoru et al. If they (who are in many ways innocents) accept him as one of their own, then maybe he can be redeemed and atone.

I can't tell you how relieving it is to know I'm not the only one who finds animated characters hot.

Heeee. If you think about it logically though, nobody thinks it's odd to find book characters hot, and they have no image at all and are just in your head and are collection of words on pages.

[thekatebeyond.livejournal.com]

And the great thing is, Kenshin isn't any less masculine because he is the one who cooks and cleans.

Somehow, I think it makes him seem more masculine... I suppose because oftentimes, like in the example you cited with Yahiko, it's used to highlight his quiet strength, or in other cases as a contrast to the warrior persona.

If you think about it logically though, nobody thinks it's odd to find book characters hot

Very true. I guess I still maintain some of the bias I grew up with that animation = kid stuff, and therefore assigning any sense of sexuality to it makes me feel kind of uncomfortable. I think that's an indication I need to watch more anime. :-)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I suppose because oftentimes, like in the example you cited with Yahiko, it's used to highlight his quiet strength, or in other cases as a contrast to the warrior persona.


I guess it's the whole 'he is so secure in his masculity he doesn't need to prove it' vibe. Just as he is so secure in hi fighting ability, he has no need to prove it. It's the confidence, really.

I think that's an indication I need to watch more anime. :-)

Mmmmm. Yes you should :)

[thekatebeyond.livejournal.com]

I guess it's the whole 'he is so secure in his masculity he doesn't need to prove it' vibe.

Yes! That's it exactly. I knew I didn't quite have my finger on it, but that's it.

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

Conversely, the show also portrays the domestic side of its male characters

I think that's partially because they have more mature male characters than most anime. They might be killers, but you can never question that any of them wouldn't be good fathers and husbands.

He's not sure he'll ever truly grow into it.

And circumstances refuse to LET him grow into it, just like Vash in Trigun. Kenshin because his past is doomed to haunt him and Vash just because of what he is. You can't just leave your baggage at the door and expect it to never show up again, no matter how much you'd want it too.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

they have more mature male characters than most anime

That is probably tied into the fact that they are all older. We don't have 15 year old heroes here, after all.

They might be killers, but you can never question that any of them wouldn't be good fathers and husbands.


ROFL. Just like Mafia?

You can't just leave your baggage at the door and expect it to never show up again, no matter how much you'd want it too.

Yes. Though I feel sorrier for Vash than I do for Kenshin because for Kenshin, what he willingly did is catching up with him. The problems of his present are rooted in the actions of his past. As for Vash...he really is innocent of anything except his nature and his awful family.

[thekatebeyond.livejournal.com]

I think that's partially because they have more mature male characters than most anime.

Interesting! The only other anime series that I've watched with any regularity is Dragonball Z, which has adult characters that are deliberately unrealistic and/or child-like, so I don't have really have anything to compare it to.

They might be killers, but you can never question that any of them wouldn't be good fathers and husbands.

Right. This is where the historical/political setting helps. It's easier to relate to that concept when you see a situation not that far removed from our fathers and grandfathers who served in war.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

The only other anime series that I've watched with any regularity is Dragonball Z, which has adult characters that are deliberately unrealistic and/or child-like, so I don't have really have anything to compare it to.


I think you should watch Peacemaker or Trigun. Not that I am being a pusher or anything :) Nope. Not at all. Nothing to see here, move along and forget about subliminal message implanted in this reply

[thekatebeyond.livejournal.com]

Ha! I would make a whole houseful of teens and preteens happy if I watched Trigun. My sons and nieces have done their fair share of nagging. I may just do that. But I've still got half a season of Farscape to get through first.

[shadowserenity.livejournal.com]

Talking about anime, I've been meaning to ask you: do you know an 80s anime called Ninja Robots? I used to watch it when I was little. *So* ahead of its time.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

an 80s anime called Ninja Robots

I am kinda a newbie to anime, so no. Someone more knowledgeable on my flist might. Was it any good?

[shadowserenity.livejournal.com]

My memory is a bit faded, but from what I remember, it was very, very good. I was just looking on Google for info and found this (http://www.anime-info.co.uk/tvdb/tvdb098.htm) site. God, I wish I could get my hands on a few episodes again.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I checked ebay and it's not there either, which means it must be really hard to find...

[shadowserenity.livejournal.com]

It was on Australian cartoon network for a year or so in the late 90s. Because it was made in the 80s, it's probably very rare. I actually don't know many people into anime and you're the main anime fan on my flist, so I thought you'd know someone that had some idea where I could get this series :).

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

You might want to try Ebay and see if someone has a ripped copy. Obscure 80's series are really hard to find unless they went over big (like Voltron or Macross). They're starting to release more nowdays with anime's popularity, but a ripped copy is probably about the best you can do right now.