Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 18: Do You Still Bear The Scar?

Just as advertised! I'm very happy with this manga!

KENSHIN!!!

This volume initiates the third and final story arc of the Kenshin manga. Just as it seems Kenshin will get a rest after the stirring conclusion of the Kyoto Arc, new challenges are presented when Kenshin's mysterious past catches up with him. The arc, once it gets rolling, becomes dead serious, and Kenshin's situation (and sanity) precarious. It all amounts to a highly moving tale, where much more about Kenshin is revealed, including the mystery of his cross-shaped scar. It starts with Volume 18, and completes at the end of the manga series.

This review, together with my review in vol. 19, will constitute a full review of the final Kenshin arc, the so-called "Jinchu".After the marvelous Kyoto arc, I was expecting a letdown in the final segment of Kenshin's story. As I have said many times before, Japanese comics (and RPGs, for that matter) are about pumping out the same trash over and over to an unimaginative fanbase, so it was refreshing to see a strong storyline emerge in this manga, while working within the standard frame of Japanese comics. Yes, Kenshin ends up saving the (known) world, which is pretty stock, but the mix of history and strong characterization really hit the spot. Obviously, unless Kenshin finds out he's an ape from space, there isn't much more to do here other than tell unnecessary backstory, so naturally, disappointment will set in.But the scope of the disappointment here is nearly too much to bear. This is easily one of the worst story arcs I have - it is so bad that the hate can't be contained in a single review. For those wanting to skip the bemoaning of a disappointed fan, here's the summary: skip volumes 18-28, unless you are a masochist or just want to chuckle at Watsuki's constant verbal apologies and kowtows for the general lousiness of this storyline (and boy - does he ever apologize, over and over!). Everything about this volume screams DLC add-on. There's nothing here that really adds to the tale. That's fine, provided you don't besmirch what you've already created. But Watsuki doesn't just smear his characters with dirt - he hits them with a wrecking ball!The first problem is our new villain (Yukashiro Enishi), who you can see in the background of this cover. He's completely stock - blond, spiky hair, ridiculous sunglasses that he's constantly pushing back up on his eyes. The volume tries to convey a sense of mystery with him, but from his image, I am immediately uninterested. He looks like every Japanese character you've ever seen. Whereas Shishio's ugliness conveyed a message about his character and origin, Enishi looks like someone created to appeal to a segment of fangirls and fanboys. I could not care less about his origin (which, incidentally, is criminal merchant with some background connection to Kenshin which will be covered later).For reasons which are hidden for some time, Enishi has gathered a merry band of followers to exact vengeance on Kenshin. I was on board with this idea - it's about time that Kenshin pays for his past. We know he did horrible things in the war, and retribution is necessary. This is really the ONLY idea that will play after the events of the Kyoto arc. Yes, it makes the story smaller, but that's the best way to go, and I applaud Watsuki for taking this route rather than trying to pump up the action even more.Unfortunately, Enishi's band of followers is just as bland and stock as Enishi. Compared to Shishio's band, they are flat-out pathetic. Forgettable in the extreme, my only memory of them prior to re-reading this volume was that one of them ran around with Shishio (hint: he was the most forgettable of Shishio's group as well). They don't even work as site gags - one guy wears a jungle camo apron, which looks more ridiculous than humorous. Anyway, it's hard to believe that these clowns could even approach the technique of Kenshin and his group.........but this is where things really start to fall apart. Not only do they approach this technique, they surpass it easily. Enishi outclasses Kenshin multiple times. He is such a good swordsman that it is conceivable he would match Kenshin's master, to say nothing of Kenshin. Multiple times, he beats Kenshin down, only for Kenshin to draw on the spirit of Hulkamania to compete (you think I'm joking). Enishi's swordsmanship, which is entirely SELF-TAUGHT, is more than a match for Kenshin, whose Hiten Mitsurugi is supposed to be so powerful that Kenshin refuses to teach it. It makes Kenshin and his followers look small and stupid, time and again. There's no reason to believe these losers are this powerful other than what you're seeing on the page. Nothing makes you believe that Zanza is matched by a guy in a camo apron with metal gauntlets. You can put a big cannon on your arm - it only shows that you are weaker than, say, Saito. So it sets up a disconnect that was avoided in earlier volumes.There is a huge plot coupon that I will mention in pt. 2 of this review. It is, without a doubt, one of the dumbest decisions I have ever seen in any comic, and no amount of Watsuki apologetics (and there are many!) saves it. But let's ignore that for the moment.Instead, I want to talk about what, for me, is the most disappointing aspect of the arc, if only because it could have been so good. That, of course, is Kenshin's backstory. Obviously, all but the most unimaginative of people have filled in the gaps of Kenshin's life. After rushing off to war at a young age, Kenshin learns that, regardless of being "right" or "wrong", killing is killing, and it takes a toll. Whatever decision Kenshin made, he is responsible for them. The lives he took will ultimately drag him down to hell (to paraphrase his own words in an earlier volume), but he will do his best to make amends here. His backstory is unnecessary, but it could clarify this.Unfortunately, Watsuki takes the easy road. There's a woman involved. It's tragic. That's it. <yawn>In the span of a few short pages, Kenshin's complexity and sympathetic portrayal is ruined. What was once a pretty cool criticism of the patriotism of imperial Japan descends into a boring tale that could have been portrayed just as easily on Days of Our Lives. It completely ruins his character. I no longer care about Kenshin's tortured soul. Kenshin killed hundreds of people (including many innocents) in cold blood, but I guess he wasn't sleeping with any of them.What a disappointment. I'll cover the absurd plot coupons in my next installment. They are almost so laughably stupid that it makes reading them entertaining.Almost...