I feel like Hokkaido Arc was originally going to be an entirely Shinsengumi focused arc. On top of the fact that Aoshi reported that Saito was in Hokkaido in Kenshin Kaden (a short epilogue released shortly after the series run) and Watsuki himself mentioning that he originally wanted to do an arc in Hokkaido prior to ending the series, the Shinsengumi portion of the Hokkaido Arc has easily been the strongest and most intriguing part of it. There's a bit of mystery on Saito, but there's definitely something that's holding him back compared to the original run. Nagakura is a really interesting character and foil to Saito, being a the 2nd division Captain who's more laid back but has his own hang-ups as well. The downfall of the Shinsengumi and the ramifications of it on those who survived is a very interesting story with its own set of interesting characters like Harada (who was the inspiration for Sano, just as Okita and Hijikata were the inspirations for Soujiro and Aoshi), Todo, Hattori, and Abe. Finally, you have Eiji, which was a welcomed surprise. You see just how much he has improved emotionally after being adopted by Saito and his wife compared to what happened in Shingetsu village, only to see it sadly shatter when Soujiro makes his appearance. He's definitely the heart of the group and I commend Watsuki for bringing him back. I specifically point that part out because it's the only part that feels cohesive and I get the feeling that either pressure from Watsuki himself or SJ to draw in fans back for a big new arc (and not mini-stories like Restoration, Master of Flame, or the arc's prequel Ex-Con Ashitaro) forced him to bring in the rest of the cast. Having the Juppongatana remnants join with the Shinsengumi remnants is a good idea cuz it twists the story into something of a Suicide Squad situation with the new threat to the Meiji era being dealt with by the Ishin Shishi/Meiji's greatest enemies past and present. But Kenshin and the rest really have no stakes in the plot and seem to only be there because their search for Kaoru's father just so happened to coincide with it, especially considering how lackluster the Kenkaru Heiki are. They honestly feel like really weak (at least motivation-wise) filler villains or like the C-listers from Naruto War Arc -- they have interesting abilities but nothing is drawing me to them. I think the one thing that annoys me the most is Yahiko returning the sakabato. I think you might've skimmed through that scene, because the implication is that it seems like Yahiko wants Kenshin to keep it due to a really asinine attempt to explain why Kenshin is able to inflict blunt force trauma without killing anyone. I know fans joke about how Kenshin is able to not kill anyone despite swinging around a piece of metal at high-speed, but fans were willing to suspend their disbelief. Now, not only does that call into question all the other examples of blunt force trauma, but it tries to use it as a justification for Yahiko to give up what he earned at the end of the story (the idea is that the best person to wield the sakabato properly is someone who has experienced taking lives). Especially after Yahiko's Sakabato, which is another short story released shortly after the original run that works as a nice epilogue for Yahiko, it feels like such a slap in the face.
Hiko can only ever be used sparingly.... bc he's basically Superman, and can beat anyone, anytime, anywhere. So, I'm hoping at some point things get so desperate that he HAS to act, or it's over for Japan.
I’m fed up of hearing what Watsuki did, I flat out don’t care what these people have done in their real life, all I care about is the story they created. I think someone saying “oh you can’t read this brilliant story because it’s creator was a bad guy” is bonkers. I’m fed up of every Kenshin video I watch the person has to tell us that they’re not ok with what he done, as if we think that they are.
The concept of separating the art from the artist is dead in the current era, as is nuance. You can like something without condoning unrelated actions of a creator. I like Rosemary's Baby and The Pianist, I don't like Roman Polansky.
@@Dkybtie he was caught with child porn, I don't remember all the details but I believe there were pictures, videos all of children in some sort of sexual act. If I recall, this used to be not an issue in the nineties in Japan, but as with the times, laws started changing in Japan, and he was caught with it after the laws had tightened around that topic
The Hokkaido Arc is Memberberries - The Manga and actively walking backward. It´s also paced like a weekly series despite being monthly. Vol 10 is halfway done and maybe half of the content so far has justified itself. The originally envisioned story about the remaining villains and anti-heroes meeting through fate and clashing in Hokkaido with Yahiko as the lead could have worked but the end result is the definition of a 5/10. Embaling showed that Watsuki isn´t a one-trick pony but Kenshin has no more tricks left.
I liked it! Sorry for not putting out a video but I’m cutting back on individual chapter reviews. Check the recent channel update vid for all the reasons. But I enjoyed the chapter and excited to see where it goes!
Sounds like Watsuki is trying to do a Tehanu and I'm there for it. Le Guin proved that a sequel about the hero being older, weaker and finding love can work.
Based on the Final OVA. It is expected for Kenshin's health to decline even further. In the Final OVA, Kenshin is a shadow of his former self on the verge of death. So i feel the Hokkaido Arc is trying to connect the ending of the manga to the end of the actual series in the OVA.
giving the reverse blade back to Kenshin is a great idea because every 'next generation' sucks even DBZ revert back focus to Goku and dont even start with Boruto lol the only time people watch boruto is when naruto is fighting ffs
Their story was never done, that is the misconception. They are humans living in the same planet, and even same country and they haven't died. The manga up to Jinchu arc was never a definitive end and if anything it left some lose ends and the very end is open ended. Knowing how the Original manga played the long game and it paid off; I wouldn't be surprised if this continuation intends to do the same but on a broader scale including the characters previously involved. What if this is the ''Tokyo Arc'' to a new trilogy? So far it seems like so, as its setting everything up. The only exception is we already get some main villains from the get go. Since the very basic individual introduction to each of the main cast is no longer needed.
I feel like Hokkaido Arc was originally going to be an entirely Shinsengumi focused arc. On top of the fact that Aoshi reported that Saito was in Hokkaido in Kenshin Kaden (a short epilogue released shortly after the series run) and Watsuki himself mentioning that he originally wanted to do an arc in Hokkaido prior to ending the series, the Shinsengumi portion of the Hokkaido Arc has easily been the strongest and most intriguing part of it. There's a bit of mystery on Saito, but there's definitely something that's holding him back compared to the original run. Nagakura is a really interesting character and foil to Saito, being a the 2nd division Captain who's more laid back but has his own hang-ups as well. The downfall of the Shinsengumi and the ramifications of it on those who survived is a very interesting story with its own set of interesting characters like Harada (who was the inspiration for Sano, just as Okita and Hijikata were the inspirations for Soujiro and Aoshi), Todo, Hattori, and Abe. Finally, you have Eiji, which was a welcomed surprise. You see just how much he has improved emotionally after being adopted by Saito and his wife compared to what happened in Shingetsu village, only to see it sadly shatter when Soujiro makes his appearance. He's definitely the heart of the group and I commend Watsuki for bringing him back.
I specifically point that part out because it's the only part that feels cohesive and I get the feeling that either pressure from Watsuki himself or SJ to draw in fans back for a big new arc (and not mini-stories like Restoration, Master of Flame, or the arc's prequel Ex-Con Ashitaro) forced him to bring in the rest of the cast. Having the Juppongatana remnants join with the Shinsengumi remnants is a good idea cuz it twists the story into something of a Suicide Squad situation with the new threat to the Meiji era being dealt with by the Ishin Shishi/Meiji's greatest enemies past and present. But Kenshin and the rest really have no stakes in the plot and seem to only be there because their search for Kaoru's father just so happened to coincide with it, especially considering how lackluster the Kenkaru Heiki are. They honestly feel like really weak (at least motivation-wise) filler villains or like the C-listers from Naruto War Arc -- they have interesting abilities but nothing is drawing me to them.
I think the one thing that annoys me the most is Yahiko returning the sakabato. I think you might've skimmed through that scene, because the implication is that it seems like Yahiko wants Kenshin to keep it due to a really asinine attempt to explain why Kenshin is able to inflict blunt force trauma without killing anyone. I know fans joke about how Kenshin is able to not kill anyone despite swinging around a piece of metal at high-speed, but fans were willing to suspend their disbelief. Now, not only does that call into question all the other examples of blunt force trauma, but it tries to use it as a justification for Yahiko to give up what he earned at the end of the story (the idea is that the best person to wield the sakabato properly is someone who has experienced taking lives). Especially after Yahiko's Sakabato, which is another short story released shortly after the original run that works as a nice epilogue for Yahiko, it feels like such a slap in the face.
Always good to see a kenshin video
Watsuki is a great storyteller, I think he has a good story to tell here.
I love how this manga focusing on saito and theme of getting old
You were on point with that yahiko statment i alsmost cried when you said it G 💪
Ryan’s a genuine dude
Good to see you, brother. 💪
Hiko can only ever be used sparingly.... bc he's basically Superman, and can beat anyone, anytime, anywhere. So, I'm hoping at some point things get so desperate that he HAS to act, or it's over for Japan.
I’m fed up of hearing what Watsuki did, I flat out don’t care what these people have done in their real life, all I care about is the story they created.
I think someone saying “oh you can’t read this brilliant story because it’s creator was a bad guy” is bonkers.
I’m fed up of every Kenshin video I watch the person has to tell us that they’re not ok with what he done, as if we think that they are.
The concept of separating the art from the artist is dead in the current era, as is nuance. You can like something without condoning unrelated actions of a creator. I like Rosemary's Baby and The Pianist, I don't like Roman Polansky.
Every single bloody video about Kenshin now always has to start with a ten minute "I in no way support what the creator did" disclaimer lol
What’d he do?
@@Dkybtie he was caught with child porn, I don't remember all the details but I believe there were pictures, videos all of children in some sort of sexual act. If I recall, this used to be not an issue in the nineties in Japan, but as with the times, laws started changing in Japan, and he was caught with it after the laws had tightened around that topic
Exactly!, completely agree with you.
Do you think Rurouni kenshin Hokkaido arc will get animated in the 2023 version of the anime
If it (the anime) will be popular enough, than I'm pretty sure that the answer's yes
The Hokkaido Arc is Memberberries - The Manga and actively walking backward. It´s also paced like a weekly series despite being monthly. Vol 10 is halfway done and maybe half of the content so far has justified itself. The originally envisioned story about the remaining villains and anti-heroes meeting through fate and clashing in Hokkaido with Yahiko as the lead could have worked but the end result is the definition of a 5/10. Embaling showed that Watsuki isn´t a one-trick pony but Kenshin has no more tricks left.
Ryyaaan PLEASE I NEED YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE NEW CHAINSAW MAN CHAPTER
I liked it! Sorry for not putting out a video but I’m cutting back on individual chapter reviews. Check the recent channel update vid for all the reasons. But I enjoyed the chapter and excited to see where it goes!
@@RealLifeRyan I will def be checking out that update video! I love your take on CSM chapters but you gotta do what is best for you. Respect.
What about the “other” sequel Yahiko no Sakabato?!😊
Review the LA movies plz
Sounds like Watsuki is trying to do a Tehanu and I'm there for it. Le Guin proved that a sequel about the hero being older, weaker and finding love can work.
Ryan have you read DanDaDan? It’s a very good Shonen, definitely my favourite Shonen. It’s getting an anime soon.
Im just wondering how they will squeeze enishi to the story and how will they react meeting him
have you seen the new CSM chapter, wdyt ?
i wonder if the new show will adapt this
Based on the Final OVA. It is expected for Kenshin's health to decline even further. In the Final OVA, Kenshin is a shadow of his former self on the verge of death. So i feel the Hokkaido Arc is trying to connect the ending of the manga to the end of the actual series in the OVA.
Where are the links to English tanslations online ?
I'm holding judgement of this arc until it's finished.
Sojero comes back it the movies!
I am pretty sure that Aoshi and Misao will show up eventually.
i dont like how they are treating Sanosuke
guy could be a total badass but they turn him into fkin Picolo lol
people boycott rurouni kenshin because author owns some cp materials
but people also read every book written by serial killers
let that sink in...
Nagakura shinpachi is an absolute goat
Nagakura Shinoachi is the other Dhinsengumi guy.
giving the reverse blade back to Kenshin is a great idea
because every 'next generation' sucks
even DBZ revert back focus to Goku and dont even start with Boruto lol
the only time people watch boruto is when naruto is fighting ffs
Their story was never done, that is the misconception. They are humans living in the same planet, and even same country and they haven't died. The manga up to Jinchu arc was never a definitive end and if anything it left some lose ends and the very end is open ended. Knowing how the Original manga played the long game and it paid off; I wouldn't be surprised if this continuation intends to do the same but on a broader scale including the characters previously involved. What if this is the ''Tokyo Arc'' to a new trilogy? So far it seems like so, as its setting everything up. The only exception is we already get some main villains from the get go. Since the very basic individual introduction to each of the main cast is no longer needed.
From a certain point of view, Kotor 2 is a “Remake” of RK in the Star Wars Mythos.
Nice