Read on Twitter
Rurouni Kenshin thread
Analyzing the many similarities and differences between Kenshin Himura and Makoto Shishio and about what makes them the perfect Protagonist/Antagonist duo
Analyzing the many similarities and differences between Kenshin Himura and Makoto Shishio and about what makes them the perfect Protagonist/Antagonist duo
Kenshin's and Shishio's actions in the revolution:
Kenshin Himura:
After training under Hiko Seijūrō, Kenshin left him and joined the revolutionaries to remove the shogunate from power and bring peace to Japan. Kenshin became a legendary manslayer who murdered over 100 people. As a person wanting peace, Kenshin started to wonder
After training under Hiko Seijūrō, Kenshin left him and joined the revolutionaries to remove the shogunate from power and bring peace to Japan. Kenshin became a legendary manslayer who murdered over 100 people. As a person wanting peace, Kenshin started to wonder
about why he was even fighting anymore, as if killing is the only thing he's good for. At this point in time, he fell in love with a girl named Tomoe. She played a huge role in Kenshin's life as she was the one who made Kenshin feel human again. After Tomoe got murdered, Kenshin
was completely devastated. His boss took Kenshin away from being a manslayer and had him work with protecting the Imperialists. In this process however, the replacement for Kenshin would be a man named Shishio Makoto.
Shishio Makoto:
Shishio Makoto became Kenshin's successor as he walked away from being a manslayer. He was just as strong as Kenshin was and killed many people during the revolution. When his role in the revolution was finished, the Meiji government believed that he should be
Shishio Makoto became Kenshin's successor as he walked away from being a manslayer. He was just as strong as Kenshin was and killed many people during the revolution. When his role in the revolution was finished, the Meiji government believed that he should be
eliminated. During a battle, Shishio was knocked out and taken away. He was then covered in oil and burned alive. He somehow survived, but it heavily affects his body. He then created the Juppongatana to overthrow the Meiji government and take his seat as the leader.
Ideologies:
Kenshin Himura:
Kenshin was always very idealistic and heavily sought after peace. When he heard about the revolution he instantly took his sword and went to battle. After the revolution, Kenshin vows to never kill again, and switches to a reverse blade sword so he cannot kill.
Kenshin was always very idealistic and heavily sought after peace. When he heard about the revolution he instantly took his sword and went to battle. After the revolution, Kenshin vows to never kill again, and switches to a reverse blade sword so he cannot kill.
Because of this, he doesn't care about his own life and only focuses on protecting others.
Makoto Shishio:
Makoto Shishio was an opportunistic sociopath. He was a complete manslayer who only sought for the killing of his enemies. With his knowledge of Meiji secrets, he could overthrow the government in a heartbeat, making him an enemy of the government. He believed
Makoto Shishio was an opportunistic sociopath. He was a complete manslayer who only sought for the killing of his enemies. With his knowledge of Meiji secrets, he could overthrow the government in a heartbeat, making him an enemy of the government. He believed
that having power makes him better than everyone else. His motto: "The weak are food for the strong" is the perfect motto for his ideology. He believes that by being strong, he is always in the right no matter how many people he kills.
Conclusion:
Kenshin Himura and Makoto Shishio are the perfect protagonist/antagonist duo. Shishio, hiding in the shadow of Kenshin during the revolution, became very similar to Kenshin. If Kenshin never walked away from the revolution, he would become just what Shishio became.
Kenshin Himura and Makoto Shishio are the perfect protagonist/antagonist duo. Shishio, hiding in the shadow of Kenshin during the revolution, became very similar to Kenshin. If Kenshin never walked away from the revolution, he would become just what Shishio became.
Their ideologies are what set them apart. They are polar opposites as to how the Meiji government should be run. With Kenshin wanting peace and to keep the Meiji government as it is, to Shishio, wanting to overthrow the government and rule with fear. Their differences collide
in Kyoto, where Kenshin try's to talk Shishio out of his beliefs. But Shishio stays true to his desires and fights Kenshin. Even after being defeated and eventually killed in a fire, Shishio goes to rule over all of Hell. This is the perfect way to display how strong his
beliefs were. His actions of overthrowing the government, to Kenshin and his group stopping him, to their clash of ideas of how the government should be run is just brilliant. Shishio's greed for power was completely destroyed by Kenshin's interests of peace.
Shishio's mottos: "The weak are food for the strong" and "The winner is always right" are heavily shown in their battle in Kyoto. With Shishio taking advantage of his men and him accepting defeat by Kenshin.
