Between Life and Death

Season 2, Episode 16, Aired
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Episode Summary

Kenshin's training with Master Hiko is finally coming to its conclusion as he prepares to learn the ultimate attack of the Hiten Mitsurugi Style. However, his life is in danger even as he draws this close to his goal. There can only be one Master of the Hiten Mitsurugi Style, and in the final teaching of the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki either teacher or student must lose their life. With just one night in hand, will Kenshin be able to come to terms with his own inner demons and learn the ultimate attack before it's too late?moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (2)

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  • Kenshin has learned the final technique, at the cost of his master's life.

    9.6
    "Superb"
    By titiembe, Dec 28, 2007 Report Abuse
    This was a little boring at the beggining, but it was really good towards the end. I loved learning about Kenshin's childhood, like his birthname was Shinta(wow) and Kenshin is the name Hiko gave him. Interesting. I feel sorry for him because he experienced tragic death at such a young age, when people sarcrified their lives for him. The ending struck gold seeing Sanosuke in jail and Saito seeing him, then Kenshin realizing what he is missing and afterwards killing Hiko to learn the final technique. That must've hurt, how cruel. I guess that was the last death Kenshin will ever deliver, we'll see. Poor Hiko, he was really cool with his mind games on Kenshin floating on the cloud. So, it was a good episode.moreless

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  • This episode sees a turning point in Kenshin's journey of self discovery and in his battle with his own dark side. A must see, and a pivotal moment in the stunning Kyoto Arc.moreless

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By Isenfolme, Nov 16, 2005 Report Abuse
    Kenshin's training with Seijuro Hiko comes to a head in this episode, as the time finally comes for him to learn the ultimate attack of the Hiten Mitsurugi Style - the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki. However, even as Hiko is about to administer the final test, he lowers his sword and turns away. He declares that Kenshin as he is now will never be able to master the final technique. He gives his old apprentice one night to realise just what he's been missing. The next morning, master and student must fight, and although Hiko doesn't tell him so, he knows that only one of them will walk away alive.

    All through the series up to this point, one of the major sub plots has been Kenshin's battle with himself, suppressing the Battousi side to his nature. Whenever he's tested beyond his limits as a Rurouni he risks reverting to being the merciless Battousai, a state from which he may never return. This is was has been Kaoru's permanent worry, and her major reason why Kenshin shouldn't risk going to Kyoto. Now, in this episode, that ongoing sub plot is finally brought to its conclusion. To master the ultimate technique of the Hiten Mitsurugi style, Kenshin must learn that it isn't willingness to sacrifice himself or a lack of fear of death that he needs, but rather a love of life, and a desire to keep living for those who he loves, and who love him.

    This is a powerful message, and it comes across all the clearer for the fact that Kenshin has to realise it for himself. It's revealed through a series of flashbacks to Kenshin's dark past, and in part through an insightful comment from Kaoru as she waits anxiously for Kenshin to return.

    I found this episode to be a moving example of Rurouni Kenshin's character development at its best. We see Kenshin come to his full potential after years of incompleteness, and it is a wonderful thing to witness. Every character has a brief moment, even Dr. Gensai and Megumi back in Tokyo, and it really pulls together everything that has happened in the series so far in terms of character building. It is from this key stepping off point that we move into the true battles of the Kyoto Arc, and what a place it is to begin.

    My only complaint about the episode, and the reason I gave it 9.5 instead of a nice round 10 is that it is a little too talky. With a little less talk and a little more action I think the balance would have been perfect. However, as an example of introspective personal discovery, this episode still rates highly in my book. Recommended.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • The closing song goes back to T.M. Revolution's Heart of Sword ~Before Day Break~. Edit
    • The Nine Targets in Swordsmanship 1. Kara Take 2. Kesa Giri 3. Saka Gesa 4. Hidari Nagi 5. Migi Nagi 6. Hidari Kiriage 7. Migi Kiriage 8. Saka Kaze 9. Tsuki Edit
    • Kuzu Ryu Sen means nine head dragon flash when the kanji is directly translated. So, the attack means nine-headed dragon flash in English. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • The full title of this episode that appears on screen is: Between Life and Death: Master the Ultimate Technique, Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki! Edit
    • The beginning of this episode shows how Kenshin met Hiko. Edit
    • For those who want to know how heavy the cape Hiko wears is (to bring down his "attack power"), it is 10 Kan, which is equal to 37.5 kg, or 80 lbs. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Seijuro: I guess he lost faith in the world and killed himself on the spot. But, it's not like that doesn't happen often. Edit
    • Seijuro: I'll give you one night. Search carefully within your soul, and find the things that you're missing. If you can't, not only will you be throwing away the final secret... Kenshin: But I'll be throwing my life away as well. Edit
    • (Kenshin sheathes his sword and flips the scabbard.) Kenshin: Kuzu Ryu Sen can't be blocked or dodged. So there's no way to break it, except to strike before it does! Seijuro: Good thinking, Kenshin. Battoujitsu, which surpasses god-like speed; that's what Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki is. But, do you really believe you can surpass god-like speed with a reverse-blade sword which isn't designed for battoujitsu? Edit

  • Allusions

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