Ep 3. Swordsman of Sorrow: The Man Who Slays His Past

In Rurouni Kenshin season 1 episode 3, "Swordsman of Sorrow: The Man Who Slays His Past," we are introduced to a new character named Jin-e Udō. Jin-e is a skilled swordsman who was once a member of the Shinsengumi, a group of elite swordsmen who were tasked with protecting the ruling government of Japan during the Meiji Restoration. However, Jin-e betrayed his comrades and fled, becoming a mercenary for hire.

The episode begins with a flashback to the Meiji era, where we see Jin-e serving under the Shinsengumi. He is a ruthless fighter, but his colleagues trust him and respect his skills. However, Jin-e is secretly plotting against them, and we see him betraying his comrades and fleeing the group.

In the present day, the story picks up with Kenshin and Kaoru walking through the woods when they suddenly come across a man who has been injured by a sword. The man directs them to the nearby dojo where he has come from, and they rush to offer their assistance. When they arrive, they find that the dojo has been attacked by a mysterious swordsman who has killed all of the students and the master.

The only survivor of the attack is a young girl named Tsubame, who was hiding in a closet during the attack. Tsubame is traumatized by what she has witnessed, and she is unable to speak about what happened. Kenshin and Kaoru quickly realize that the swordsman who attacked the dojo must be Jin-e, who they had encountered once before.

Meanwhile, Jin-e is hired by a wealthy businessman to kill Kenshin. The businessman has a personal vendetta against Kenshin and believes that Jin-e is the only swordsman skilled enough to defeat him. Jin-e agrees to the job, but he also has his own personal reasons for wanting to kill Kenshin.

As Kenshin and Kaoru try to protect Tsubame and uncover the truth about Jin-e's motives, they also must battle him in a showdown of swords. The episode reaches an exciting climax as Kenshin faces off against Jin-e in a thrilling swordfight to the death.

Throughout the episode, we learn more about Jin-e's past and what motivates him to become a mercenary. We also see Kenshin's skill as a swordsman and his unwavering dedication to protecting those in need. The episode is full of action, drama, and suspense, and it provides a deeper look into the characters of the series.