Ep 36. Beyond the End of the Tokugawa Era! Shishio and Kenshin Come Face to Face

Beyond the End of the Tokugawa Era! Shishio and Kenshin Come Face to Face is the 36th episode of Rurouni Kenshin season 1. In this episode, the story takes a dramatic turn as Kenshin finally comes face to face with the elusive villain, Shishio. With the Shogunate out of the picture, the fate of Japan falls solely on the hands of mainstream political figures. However, rumors have been circulating that the Ishin Shishi's (pro-imperialist party) recent victories were making a certain someone uneasy. Shishio, the former assassin who was betrayed by the government, now seeks to challenge the power structure and create his empire. Despite his hatred towards Japan and her traditions, he is surprisingly efficient at recruiting underlings and gaining allies. The episode begins when he sends his best assassins, Hōji and Sōjiro, to kill Aoshi. Despite their powerful moves and skills, Aoshi manages to beat them with some help from Misao.

Meanwhile, Kenshin and company -including Saito, Sanosuke, and Yahiko- are investigating the recent assassinations in the city. They realize that a powerful organization is behind these attacks and that Shishio could be the mastermind. Their investigation leads them to another former hitokiri, Sojiro, whose allegiance to Shishio is unwavering. Sojiro, who is regarded as "Jou-chan" by Shishio, dominates every fight he is put in.

The characters have different reasons to want to stop Shishio; Aoshi wants to protect his fellow Oniwabanshu, Saito aims to keep peace in the country, and Kenshin wants to stop the person who is the essence of everything he worked against. Soon, the three parties including the Meiji Government, Shishio, and Kenshin & Company will come together in a showdown to determine Japan's future.

The plot thickens as Shishio grows increasingly restless and seeks to make his next move. He deploys his trump card, Sojiro, who challenges Kenshin to a fight that will change everything. Sojiro is presented as an extremely complex character with his troubled past, strange mannerisms, and fighting techniques. Seeing Kenshin struggling for the first time, Kenshin's friends start to worry that he might lose his spirit of the battousai.

In this episode, we get a glimpse of Shishio's ideology, which is quite chilling. He believes the weak should not exist and that only the strong deserve to survive. He has no qualms about using people for his mission, and he is not afraid to get his hands dirty. His fall has taught him that trust and loyalty are mere concepts that can break apart at any moment.

The beauty of Rurouni Kenshin lies in how it manages to keep its focus on Kenshin's internal turmoil and introspection, amidst the action and plot twists. The main characters are not just one-dimensional and have their motivations, emotions, and weaknesses. The episode ends with Kenshin vowing to stop Shishio and save Japan no matter what it costs him. The stage is set for the final showdown, and the fate of the country hangs in the balance.

In conclusion, Beyond the End of the Tokugawa Era! Shishio and Kenshin Come Face to Face is an action-packed episode with a lot of tension, drama, and memorable moments. The characters are well-rounded and believable, and the story is gripping and entertaining. It is a must-watch for fans of the series and anyone who loves a good saga about the fight for freedom and justice.