Asakomi

I can’t even type, I’m so dumbfounded. Episode 60 of Rurouni Kenshin is hands down one of the most powerful episodes of any anime series I’ve seen in my life. I don’t have any profound thoughts, only astounded exclamations about this episode. The execution was perfect, the music was perfect… It was just.. agghhh .. amazing. If you haven’t seen Kenshin and are planning too, then read the rest of this entry at your own risk because it WILL be spoilery.

Kenshin and Shishio’s battle culminates as each pulls out his final attack. Kenshin is terribly wounded and barely hanging on, Shishio’s body temperature is rising to a life-threatening level with every minute that passes. And then to have Yumi beg for Shishio’s life, only to have him stab right through her to get to Kenshin - I think my mouth dropped to the floor. I didn’t really like Yumi. She was blindly loving a man who was obviously cruel and only looking out for himself. And I certainly hated Shishio. But to see her die for him, and to die happy about it just because she felt she had finally been “useful”, nearly broke my heart.

I am.. utterly speechless. Well - almost.