Hakodate, winter 1868 Near the Russian consulate
I was a Baragaki A wild child of the village
Baragaki, as in a thorny hedge Touch me, you'll get hurt
Isami used to call me “Toshi”
“What d'we do with dem sumabitches Toshi?” Always a thick country accent
Even when it was do or die
We lived near each other
Toshi, see dem sumabitches?
We'll teach 'em a lesson
In early summer, the air would—
Reek of snakes hiding in the bushes
Better get help
Always gotta shine, Gen
Always 'bout “the shine”
Just get Gon-zo The four of us can do that
The guys who just joined are Ryugo dojo
They'll strike our shins
Soji's right, We need shin guards
Damn right
Isami, our style's made for street fightin'
Let's do it
Bushu Tama included the shogun's own territory
We were farmers who answered directly to the shogun
We were proud
Naturally, more and more of us Started aping samurai
we rushed to learn swordsmanship
Every village had strong swordsmen
They took care of business if there was a dispute over water
No snakes for me, thank you very much
So dirty and slimy How can you even touch them?
Okita Soji was the only samurai among us by birth
He lost his father at three, At nine, he moved in to Tennen Rishin-ryu dojo
We met there, The kid followed us everywhere
Tennen Rishin-ryu was an unpolished fighting style
But nothing beat it in real fights
Isami, you focus on Gon-zo
I'll kill the sumabitch
The baragaki, always getting in fights, dreamed of becoming samurai
You sumabitches! This is our water!
Leave!
An' what if we don't!?
Y'get this, ya dumb-ass!
March 1860, Chief Councillor Ii was killed at the main gate of Edo Castle
The Tokugawa shogunate and its 300-year reign began to crumble
In Japan, when the shogunate weakens, the Mikado gains influence
Momentum shifted to Kyoto
And this emperor couldn't stomach “foreign savages”
We shall rename this era of our reign and, thus—
Purify our realm of the plague—
That hath tormented us since the arrival of the Black Ships
O, how I pray—
That the foreign savages in our ports—
Would vanish into thin air
That's when jo-i philosophy took off
Foreigners were killed everywhere
Here, Sis
Isami married Tsune, the daughter of a shogunate retainer
He eventually became the fourth head of our dojo
A good match
They lived in Edo
His dojo only had a few students, All commoners
Soon, though, legitimate samurai joined the dojo, drawn by his character
The well-rounded Yamanami
Master swordsman Pachi
Sano, any more sake?
Todo, the rumored bastard of a daimyo
Sano bragged about a seppuku attempt
They all came to Edo seeking action Our dojo became their base
Those savages are irritating just to look at
No wonder the emperor is despairing
Let us raise our flag of jo-/ We will restore Japan as the land of gods
Indeed, Kill the savages
We'll do it!
Right, Toshi?
Don't be a bore
Dance!
This is fun
I hate fads
I hated Yamanami and his 0- philosophy
Partly because of my teacher Honda Kakuan
Spring 1862, Bushu Tama
Thank you
Dr, Kakuan
Hi, Toshi
Thank you
Come on in
Thank you for today
Very well
Practicing, or selling medicine?
Both
How are things in Edo?
We keep getting more guests but no students
I have to practice in public to make ends meet
Lord Mito, an isolationist, approached the Mikado
Alliance of any lord with the court is forbidden
Thus, Lord Mito was forced into retirement, and the court—
Is being monitored by the shogunate
So, Mito men killed Chief Councillor Ii in retribution?
The shogunate will still open the country
It has no choice
America, Russia, England, France—
The Great Powers are too strong
Even the emperor does not want war
How will you live?
By my sword
Which is?
I'll spread Tennen Rishin-ryu with Isami
You're not a child
I'm a wild child—a baragaki/
The Battle of 1600 changed Japan
It's about to change again
Who will you fight?
You think I should kill the savages?
Idiot, The opposite
Don't kill them, Jo-/ is no good
Go to Kyoto, the center of change
Live by your sword
You win
baragaki!
Finish 'em! One more!
Sake!
Got it!
This medicine is from Is hid a village
Take Wt with a cup 0 hot sake Two days and you're better
Good for broken bones and bruises Buy yers now!
You're to give lessons
No students And the dojo stinks from all the miso
Nose pinched / Practice at dawn / In a pile of miso
What a bad poem
It sure is, What a bad poem
I wonder if our dojo's famous in Edo
There are countless schools 600 just within the city limits
Our school easily misses the top 50—
It's punch less in protected practice
We should go to Kyoto
- Toshi, you eta yin' at yer sister's? - Yep
- All right, I'll go see my folks - OK
I'll go if you go
Where?
To Kyoto
Neither of us knows our mother Our sisters—
Were our mothers
You visit women at night I hate the act
Not because I like it I'm building my manhood
Imagine how the women feel “building your manhood”
Hey, Toshi
See ya tonight?
I'm going back to Edo from here
Tonight's the Night Festival Come
No, I won't copulate like an animal
We were all like this ages ago
Mating with whomever you see You're animals
I need only one partner
As if there's a one
There is, Somewhere in Japan
See ya
Rokusha dojo
To know is to wander / To not is to find / The way of the sword
Uncle, there is an unmannered churl—
Peeking in
Apothecary?
This guy's a baragaki from Is hid a
A strong face
What school of sword?
Tennen Rishin-ryu
Practice with us
Next
Not yet!
Next
Next!
Toshi's here!
This is awful
We'll keep going
Yes, of course
Toshi!
Fighting again?
Too loud, Sis You're hurt in” my wounds
You only have a topknot because my husband is an official
Once a farmer, always a farmer Know your place
The British legation was attacked and burned again
The shogunate's losing face
We, the shogun's farmers, will hoist up the shogunate
Listen to yourself
You're a sex-crazed baragaki
They say he's a serious man
He's a tomcat
He slinks around womanizing in the shadows
Take a bamboo stick to ward off snakes There's lead inside
- Who are— - Hi, Rokusha
Wait, wait!
Who knew murder was so easy
Isami and I—even Soji—killed so many people
We wouldn't have killed so many had there been no Shinsengumi
And that Shinsengumi—
Would not have been had Lord Aizu not gone to Kyoto
Protector of Kyoto
Lord Shungaku, a proponent of opening Japan—
Became the fop administrator The boy shogun—
Was given a guardian, Lord Yoshinobu, who later became the /last shogun
Protector of Kyoto is a new post created to oversee the capital
Ronin are killing our allies and anti-isolationists—
Right where the emperor resides
They put the victims' heads on stakes by the river with a sigh—
“Punishment from heaven”
Foolishness
They force donations from merchants—
In the name of jo-/, but carouse with that money
The night markets have shut down
The house of Choshu is behind this
Choshu has cozied up to the court in Kyoto, pushing to—
Establish a government there
The Tokugawa noblemen had never stooped to base politics in 300 years
We are descendants of the sacred Shogun Ieyasu
I suppose these two wanted to drag as many into the mud with them
My domain is far north of Edo My men are simple and stubborn—
Unversed in affairs of the city
Times are quickly changing
Lord Aizu, please accept the post
Be the guardian of the capital
Aizu was in turmoil, Senior councilors rushed to Edo on post horses
They urged their lord to reconsider If not, then Aizu would perish
We shall prepare to die in Kyoto
There is nothing more to be said
Lord and vassals embraced each other and wailed
Aizu had a house precept: An Aizu man lives and dies for the shogun
The Aizu soldiers entered Kyoto on—
December 24, 1862
The people of the city were relieved The famous night markets reopened
Imperial Councillor Konoe's house Lord Aizu took action to influence the court
'Tis an incense clock
It etches time
The court can be difficult
The nobles barely receive enough allowance to live, They grumble
Some take odd jobs, Others rent out their mansions as gambling houses
Yet, their title is far above anything of a daimyo's
That's to blame for this chaos
Some aligning with Choshu have gone too far
They even forge imperial edicts, feeding rumors to the jo-/ samurai who get—
Riled up, yet the Mikado isn't told
'Tis foolishness
Neither Lord Satsuma nor Choshu
have been admitted audience
I am deeply humbled
Audience with the emperor was granted in the new year, January 2
Presenting to Your Highness, the Lord Katamori of Aizu
Commander of the Imperial Guard
Give him our garment
Three days later the shogun's guardian Lord Yoshinobu entered Nijo Castle—
To oversee diplomacy between the shogunate and the court
It was good to be granted audience
Yet the killing has not stopped
Are you not too soft on those jo-/ Ronin?
As Lord Protector, I believe they must be converted in their minds
You want a conversation with the radicals?
I will convince them myself
Convince?
To protect the Imperial Castle is to annihilate its threats
I thought you were capable
But this?
We are only allowed to patrol
Not to engage with radicals
Capturing criminals is considered unclean
We must not stoop to dirty work
The shogun will soon be in Kyoto
The magistrate can—
They cower in fear of the Ronin All they do is clear corpses
Aizu has the best warriors
There are hundreds of radicals in Kyoto
If we crack down, they could rise up together and start a war
So, what would you do, Kihei?
The same as they did with Lord Ii
Our best swordsmen must abandon Aizu Become assassins
That is not our way
Then hire mercenaries Anyone good with the sword
That's unclean!
Then plea to Yoshinobu—
Hold on!
We were still dallying in Edo around that time
Pox, cholera—all because the ports opened without the Mikado's decree
You agree with Yamanami?
The renowned Hokushin dojo gettin' to their head
This isn't about swordplay
Something's strange
We're surrounded
They're after me, Stay out of it
But,,,
Toshi!
You'll pay for Master Rokusha
How 'bout you and I go it alone?
Dammit!
Wanna fight?
With that sword?
Soji
No way
Wait here, I'll go buy a new one
I'm not here to avenge my uncle
But we will fight to the death Find a sword worthy of it
I am to the capital, but I came to see this old friend before I go
We'll meet again in Kyoto
You next, Try it
The dojo is dying, Students leave but we're feeding more teachers
There's no space in the house
I'm talking about the future
From now on, you will eat, sleep and practice in the dojo
The house is my practice area
Maybe it's time to go to Kyoto
No money
we'll borrow
We need gear to go to the capital
That's right
They're recruiting fighters for Kyoto
The shogunate's vanguard of jo-/ action
Let's apply and let off steam
It won't make us shine, Pachi
Why?
They sent Lord Aizu to crack down on such jo-/ Ronin
The shogunate will act on the proposal of renowned Kiyokawa
He's from my Hokushin dojo
Toshi, you just said you wanna go to Kyoto
Gotta go the right way
There ain't no right way
Yamanami, tell me more
Drink some
I can't drink
Today is special
The shogunate will pay us a stipend of 50 gold
Thanks to Mr, Kiyokawa
Kyoto's our battlefield, I'll buy the best sword, if it costs all my stipend
You'll want a Kotetsu, then
Kotetsu is that good?
Well done! It's like you're half a samurai now that you're in the squad
There are 30 swords Take what you like
What's wrong?
I want a masterpiece like a lord's
The audacity
Isami got a Kotetsu
A Kotetsu?
My sword's quality could determine my fate in Kyoto
I want a sword that rivals a Kotetsu
How much is it?
100 gold
A servant makes three gold a year
Toshi, ask for 50 gold from my husband
Only 507
I'll pay the other 50
I owe you one
I hear you have celebrated Kanesada blades
Can you see?
Eyes will mislead you when it comes to swords
One by the son
Not by the others?
No, they're average
Where did you hear—
About my shop?
At all ten shops I visited
It's rusty
It's been sleeping in a vault deep in the mountains for 300 years
How much?
5 gold
Too cheap
It'll be worth 100 once sharpened
Then, why 57
A sword has a destiny just like us
She was waiting to meet you for hundreds of years
That's why you could draw it out so easily
At least that's how I see it 5 gold is my reward
Find a skilled sharpener
Yes, gladly
Awoken from 300 years of slumber
The Kiyokawa squad walked 320 miles to Kyoto
We arrived on February 23, 1863 It was evening
Spirits of the Universe / Unsullied gather in the sacred land
In excellence becoming Fuji / Towering over,,,
Standing out among the motley crew was—
Serizawa Kamo from Mito and his four henchmen
Soji reminded Kamo of his dead brother He kept Soji close
The eight of us with Isami were considered foot soldiers
Grill it carefully
The people of Kyoto respect us We're the Mibu squires!
Why must we host those brutes?
It's the same for other houses We are obliged to assist the shogun
- No complaints - Sorry!
The capital is most impressive
Even the pickles are classy
Makes me realize how brutish we are in the east
Brute is fine with me
I wonder what time it is
Here's the time, Convenient, no?
Unclean!
Where did you get that?
A farewell gift from Dr, Kakuan
Pardon me
Isami, you have a guest
Saito, you're here!
Ever meet him, Todo? He killed a shogun's vassal and ran away from Edo
I want to join you
Protect our squad from all sickness
I want to talk about the reason for shedding our jasper blood
Jasper blood?
Loyal blood, It's from a myth
Quiet
You are brave fighters
You will gladly shed your blood But—
Shed it on the wrong path and shame will follow you for generations
This group was assembled to protect the shogun who will be coming to Kyoto
But, that was an excuse
The Mikado hates the savages Thus, he opposes opening our ports
Let us be the vanguard of His Highness' will and rid the savages!
“We are not hired by the shogunate We have free agency—"
“Thus, we will fight for the court—"
“'We shall kill anyone who turns against the court”
So said Kiyokawa, and the shogun's men left
My proposal will cause a great shift within the court
Therefore, I will start lobbying the noblemen
I will report our resolve to the emperor
I trust you all agree with me
He's a bad fella
A traitor, Don't matter how fancy he speaks, he's rotten to the core
Let's kill'm
Ya ever kill someone?
Oh, y'know,,,
Ya haven't
Neither have you
Not necessarily
Fix yer gait, Y' walk like a country bumpkin
Really?
Like this, Like a samurai
We're in the capital
There's no shine in just killing him We need a new squad
We're nine men
We'll add Kamo
- He's a violent drunk - Soji told me—
Kamo's brother is a diplomat for the Mito Tokugawas in Kyoto
An elite
He's also close to Kihei who serves Lord Aizu
So, the request to form a new group goes through Kamo and—
Up to Lord Aizu
That's some plan, Toshi
You know what?
You shouldn't call me “Toshi”
Why? That's your name
Please call me Hijikata from now on
No more baragaki
If you say so
Hijikata
It's not bad
Making an offering to the guardians?
Our village guardians were foxes
I remember
Such a clever family
How so?
They turn into people, Buy sake at the tavern near town—
And leave money
But it's leaves
You'd think so, But it's genuine copper coins, All rusted
I love that about you, Gen
Wanna hear 'bout the water sprite?
No, thank you
Kamo and his men stay here, while we get the common room in the annex
Drink if he offers you sake
I can't
Do your best
- My thoughts on Kiyokawa? - Yes
I'll kill that traitor
Right, Niimi?
Shred the bastard
We'll raid his place in the dead of night and cut him down
You'll be a hero, Kamo
That would be a waste, though
But there is a way you could kill him and still be the greatest hero of Kyoto
The greatest hero of Kyoto?
Through his brother, Kamo contacted Lord Aizu to kill—
Kiyokawa, The next day Kihei, the Aizu emissary, asked to meet us
Blast the Americans out of the bay
Their skill?
Masters, all of them
How would you rank them?
Kamo would be the best, I think,,,
But Hijikata is to be most feared
He moves like a cat on purpose He shows no opening
Maybe we should let them
Shouldn't we tell Soji?
Four of us is enough
Waiting for an edict, Kiyokawa lectured at the academy for young noblemen
Whatever route he took, he always passed one intersection
Kill at night, Postpone if Kiyokawa passes by earlier, Kill in one strike
If we miss, we run, That was the plan
We took turns staking out in teams: Isami and Niimi; Kamo and I
I was supposed to die outside the Edo castle
But I had too much baggage Intimidation, murder, you name it
So, they left me out
Here he comes
I'll kill Kiyokawa
One strike
You hear me?
One strike
I know
I'll handle the rest
Good
No war cry, Just run and hit
I know already
Wait for my signal
Dammit!
Why did you yell?
It's your fault
What d'ya mean?
I would've killed Kiyokawa if we kept engaging
You don't get it
What don't I get?
Tell me
Kill in one strike, That's the strategy
You didn't even wait for my—
Damn you and your strategy
You're a coward
Very well
Be careful what you wish for
Enough!
Let's give it a rest
It's his fault
Soji, are you all right?
You're both so fast, I couldn't catch up
This cough is bad
Our plan failed, but we were granted official posts
I shall retain Kamo, Isami, and your 12 men—
As the raid unit of the Lord Protector
Work hard alongside us to police the capital
Give them our utmost support
Kiyokawa got his edict, left for Edo and was killed there
I killed to become a samurai
Even those who didn't deserve to die
Around that time, I was introduced to the Western military system—
By some in the shogunate
My goal was to assemble the greatest army ever at the capital
Incorporate western thinking Keep the status quo
The shift was essential to draw Isami away—
From Kamo, who believed in jo-/
In Mito, we test swords the hard way
There should be no flaws found Like mizubeshi—
- mizubeshi ? - Yes
Strike the water surface with the flat side
If it's weak, it breaks Our Mito swordsmiths,,,
I know he's gotta write his patrons and wife back home, but—
Does he really need Kamo to do it?
Kamo's of the Mito School He's educated
Will Isami become a Mito rascal?
You took over the neighbor's house? Nice room
Isami says a common room's got no shine
Jokin, That's what I am?
In Dutch they say off icier
You're an aide to the captain You'll lead a platoon
Plus, you can commute from outside the station
The Commanders are Kamo, Isami and Niimi
Wait a minute, You're not included? That's surprising
Yamanami and I are vice commanders
Rogue Ronin stopped breaking info houses but Kamo's group filled that role
200 gold
- They extorted money from merchants - 300
If refused, they'd even bring in a cannon
Please leave
He was undisciplined with women
What do you plan to do with that cannon?
What?
Help!
I beg you, please!
Stop!
One essence hath the universe /
Whether noble or ignoble
No! Please stop!
Be patient!
Do you take commoners?
Most of us were farmers, Name?
Yamazaki Susumu, Son of an acupuncturist from Osaka
Any skills?
Staring at candles
I'm not a candle
Sorry, I'm good at gathering money
My dad's patients were moguls I know them well
Like, who would loan you money or not Of course—
The rich wouldn't be rich if they didn't loan money, but—
If you need a loan, I broker a deal They'll jump right on board, Deal?
I'll raise money for you, Let me join
You're cousins?
I joined first, He came later
It was my idea first
Doesn't matter
- Gen, didn't I join first? - You did
After I told you
Poems again?
Oh, The Samurai Code"?
For discipline
Do not stray from the Way What's that?
Like not finishing an enemy, letting him flee, or not engaging
We have only one choice after we draw: kill the enemy
And if not?
seppuku
Cruel, They'll run off
And they'll cut open their gut 2, Do not desert the unit
3: Do not raise money unapproved
seppuku
4, Do not litigate unapproved
seppuku
Personal fights are forbidden This, too, is seppuku
Isn't this too harsh?
It is bushido, The Way of a samurai
Setting sail to Japan / My bright moon sunk /
beneath the sea /
Never to return /
White clouds hang over Mt Sogo
Where's Commander Kamo?
Raising money
Members from Edo need summer outfits
Forcing loans dims our shine
His Mito pride is hurt to be in debt to Lord Aizu
Mikura and Arakida, you look nice
- Thank you - Thank you
Time for commanders' meeting
The Code, I reduced them to five
Looks about right
Mikura and Arakida are Choshu spies
You mean kill them?
In time
From Aizu's Kihei, Ordered us to return the money
Lord Aizu heard of Kamo's business against the tycoon of Ko & Co,
I'm ashamed
He's a tycoon, Sways the merchants in Osaka, It affects the future, I'll go
I'll go with you
My job
I hear you're forcing loans from major merchants
What's wrong with that?
It's what rogues do, using jo-/ as an excuse
Our squad is ruled by bushido not by you
You shouldn't say that
What's bushido to you, Isami?
It is the Way
I doubt you know, being a farmer from Tama, but Mito has—
Its own bushido, Don't we, Niimi?
Hammered into us since we were kids
So does Choshu, And Satsuma And Aizu
A bus hi—a samurai—will die for his lord
That is bushido
So, who's the lord of this group?
Bushido is the lord of our group
What a shallow farmer
There is no bushido without a lord
We have no lord, So, what will our bushido discipline? Tell me
The bushido that is rotten
Uphold the shogunate, but emulate the West
This is the Way of Shinsengumi
Shin-sen-gumi?
That's what the tycoon said when I returned his 200 gold
“This age chose you, So, you choose a new bushido'
Shinsengumi, as in—
A new choice, Perfect
Hey!
What's wrong with this place? We have dancers and singers, but no waitresses?
Unacceptable!
Where's the owner
Hey owner!
I'm suspending your license for seven days
Shinsengumi?
I like that name, We'll use it
Don't think about your sword!
Cut the enemy with your body!
Keep going!
Go full out! Tackle him!
Cut with your whole body!
Take Is hid a Medicine if you're hurt
Gather up!
What are you wearing?
The Shinsengumi uniform
It's embarrassing
Like the 47 Ronin, I like it
Wear 'em if you want, but you don't have to
You do, Commander Kamo designed it
The protocol for anything concerning our group is that vice commanders—
Draft proposals, the commanders—
Approve it, then I submit it to Lord Aizu Have you forgotten?
I haven't drafted a proposal for uniforms
Good luck
Carry on!
Use your body!
The karakami paper is beautiful, but O-Yuki is even more beautiful
She's actually a painter, but she helps me when I need it
It's Hijikata and the Shinsengumi
Pachi, you stay here
Soji, come with me
We have two problems, One is Serizawa Kamo
The taverns are losing business People are scared of Kamo
We will take care of it
Wait for the opportunity and do what you must at the right moment
And the other problem?
The Mikado,,,
What?
—Hates foreigners, Choshu is exploiting it As are the nobles it supports
Your Highness calls for jo-/, but—
It's not enough to call for it
You must order the shogun to carry it out
The court is run by those in the pocket of Choshu
Konoe sides with Satsuma, so he's dismissed The Mikado needs help
He has bestowed upon us a gosh ink an
Gosh ink an?
A letter written by His Highness
The emperor has given his own writing to a—
Samurai's house only once before That was 530 years ago
There were two letters inside
One said extremist ministers may issue a false edict to expel Aizu back to Edo—
We are powerless against them—
Discern well the veracity of any imperial edict
The other said,,,
We are depending most on thee, Aizu
We shall execute the Mikado's decree—
Banish the extremist ministers and quell Choshu's influence
I want Shinsengumi to battle the traitors
We shall, my lord
I feel sorry for Commander Kamo
He sleeps like a child, even after murder
He's a better person than most
Learn the layout of his lodging—
So you can walk it with eyes closed
Measure out your steps in the rooms
You don't want to?
I do, I like this kind of job
The way you move your feet stepping up into the house
The doorway, hallway, open veranda
The location of his bedside lamp
I will survey it all
In exchange, please let me take the first strike
What? You just said,,,
The nerve
I am sorry for him, But a job's a job
What do you want?
Mr, Hijikata?
Yes
Men from Choshu and Tosa Seven in all
I'll take care of Shinsengumi Cut 'em all down
Of course! You're “Izo the Killer” What else would you do?
Call the patrol unit
Soji, you watch here
How about you stay and I go in?
That'll be the day
This is official business
Who are you?
A strong face
What is your name?
Hijikata Toshizo of Shinsengumi
I have some questions, Come with me to the station
Run to the mansion!
Run, Sugi!
Hey!
Stop!
C'mon!
Out of my way!
I'll get Hijikata, Where is he?
- Shich, wait! - Wait!
Premier Katsura!
This could ruin our plan
Go bring them back
Two of you, come!
Both of you return to Mibu station
Yes, sir
You're good
I hear your Tosa country is deeply segregated
A foot soldier can't even wear boots in the rain
A high samurai can kill anyone under rank on a whim
What an awful place
We're all fools, Ain't that different
You're disposable clowns
By the water!
Over there!
Down here!
- Oh, it's you - Bound by fate
Shich, we'll go behind
No, just watch
You like eating from the hands of Choshu?
Unlike you, I enjoy food in season
Even a bullshit swordsman finds wit in the capital
You're as full of shit as me
No doubt
Wait, Shich, Hold!
The patrol unit is coming! Withdraw!
Are you hurt? You may come inside
The shochu on the shelf
Please help yourself
Thank you, I will
My uncle practices Western medicine He taught me nursing a while ago
When the Black Ships came
You're from Edo?
I am
What is your name?
O-Yuki
As in snow
To the capital / Half the sky left / Clouds of snow
I like Basho
I beg your pardon, I'm Toshi Vice commander of Shinsengumi
I know
Could you please ask the neighborhood patrolman to arrange for a litter?
I got a formal jacket from the neighbor Please wear it
The litter will arrive soon
Thank you, but I'm still bleeding
Town officials will be coming to greet you, You're under dressed
Do you like writing poems?
My grandfather studied it, My brothers and I used to read our poems together
I saw your paintings
It reminds me of the wilderness I live in
Soji filled me in
Kamo is one of the most patriotic samurai
Those who bring shame to us will be killed, That's the Code
What if it was me?
You know
You'd kill me?
Kill you and cut open my gut right there beside you
Then I'll have to die, too
That'll be the end of Shinsengumi
What a buzz kill
Isami, you're the face of Shinsengumi
Be the model for us samurai
I get it, Toshi
Gen, Saito, Soji and I will do it
Niimi's skilled, You need more
we'll kill him first
When?
There'll be a purge in the court
That's when we move
Exile of the Seven Nobles
The purge happened a month later
The emperor, along with Aizu and Satsuma, expelled the Choshu faction
Shinsengumi was deployed but Choshu didn't fight
They fled Kyoto with the nobles
This is as far as I'll go
It is unlike Choshu not to fight
That let us keep the mansion
Katsura will plan retaliation there
It's not a total loss
I promise to return with an army
We will win
We're counting on you
Like fraying straw / The world in disarray / The bleeding sunset
Hello?
Here's the jacket I borrowed
Expecting company?
It's your dinner, I thought you might be back tonight
You can see the future! I'd love to have dinner with you
Please
Do you like Mibu pickles?
Oh, yes, I love them
All the food in Kyoto is so good
Yes, everything's good,,,
1000 years as the capital will do that The people here are special
Be there a battle at the palace, a fire engulfing the city, they still—
Have space in their hearts to laugh at it
Not so in Edo
I lied
Me, too
How?
You first
Eating alone has become boring ever since you came here that night
I wasn't expecting you, It just cheers me up to prepare dinner for two
Your turn
I hate Mibu pickles
Well, I used to hate them
I like your Mibu pickles
Would you design a uniform for us?
Uniform?
Black, The commander alone will be different
I'd be happy to help
Good evening
It's probably for me
We caught the fish
Good I must go, Till next time
Please, don't
What is this scene?
She disobeys, so I punish
What do you want?
Do not raise money without permission
What do you mean?
That's from the tailor, A thank you for the uniform order
Pastry, pastry, pastry,,,
Gold, gold, gold,,,
I see
You take bribes to fund your night life
This isn't me
Show him
Over 1000 gold in default
Commander Kamo knows
That's not what he said
That can't be
Well, then, Noguchi can go check at the station
Go
Yes, sir
So, Niimi, You will commit—
seppuku here
Nonsense! Noguchi just left to check—
That's for the IOUs
The gold from the tailor is scattered before us
I had nothing to do with this!
You used to be a proud Mito samurai
It's unbecoming of you
Will you be a true samurai—
Or shall I just continue my sword into your heart?
Noguchi! I'll go with you
seppuku, seppuku,,,
I disappeared for a while, Said I was being interrogated by Aizu
Kamo was furious, of course Niimi was his childhood pal
Like Isami and me
Except Kamo drowns his sorrow in booze and women
I'll not forgive him, You'll pay, Hijikata!
I'll have him commit seppuku Let's dance
It's our time now
You, me, and Soji
I'll kill Hijikata
O-Ume is here
You, Hijikata!
He's gone to Lord Aizu, He won't be back for a while
It'll rain blood when he comes back
You yell angry and you yell sad
Time to come home
I'll come over and over
Let's dance!
Kamo is asleep
Owners are gone Kids sleeping with the maids
I don't like killing women
But this is our chance
There's always collateral damage
I'll lead, Hold the scabbard in front
Ready
- Gen? - Ready
Here we go
Ow, ow,,,
It hurts!
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry
Leave the rest to us
Intruders!
- We've been attacked! - Oh my god!
Y'all are like water sprites
Please don't kill us
Please let me go
Live out yer life, Don't ever come back, Off ya go
What'll happen to us?
Back to your work tomorrow Mum's the word
- We won't tell anybody - Upon our lives
My hair is out of place
Because I shared a night,,,
The Choshu spies are next
Not yet
They killed Serizawa Kamo
Ah, the horror, the horror
That was for Commander Kamo
Different sleeves
This is Isami
I prefer this
That's me
To know is to wander / To not is to find / The way of love
Don't!
You're so poke-easy, I'm jealous
Spoke easy?
Poke-easy
- Poke-easy? - Easy going
A Choshu phrase?
That's right
Behead me,,,
You're not ready
He bit off his tongue
Take them away
I told you to hold off
They got injured and let the enemy escape
The Code calls for seppuku
That depends—
They fought over a broad
The Shinsengumi is a motley crew
It falls apart if we relax the rules even a little
Do you know when things fall apart?
When you, a leader, become heartless
If I, a vice commander, am a good guy like you—
Harsh orders have to come from Comd, Kondo, Naturally—
The men would hate him, trust will be lost and things fall apart
Samurai have lost their shine All of 'em
But not Shinsengumi
True Heart
This flag was given to us today from Lord Aizu himself
He ordered us to wipe out vagrants with shogunate authority
and protect the peace of the capital under this flag
These streets are our battleground
Dismissed!
Hijikata
Are Yamanami's eyes bigger than his glasses? Based on the rim?
Of course not
Yamanami found out who your woman is
- An unusual woman - Her name is O-Yuki
And her dead husband?
I don't care
You should, You're a vice commander here
She was a constable's wife in Kyoto
She followed him here without—
O-Yuki came here to study the Kyoto style painting
It wasn't for him
So says the man in love
She didn't go back to Edo after his death because her family's rich
They support her, What's wrong with that?
Her husband was a Choshu mole
Killed by his colleague
- Nice day - Sure is
It's hot, Be careful
Can you take over?
It's hot
We're going to the temple cleaning after the cookout
I love these seasonal events in Kyoto
I've been watching you all day
What?
Your husband was a mole for Choshu, wasn't he?
You may work for them, too
Your bloody paintings are—
An epitaph for him
What would you know about how I felt when I looked at his dead body?
It's foolishness, That's why I paint “bloody prints”
White winter cherries /
Glow brighter night by night / Under the pale moon
New Year's Day 1864
This uniform's too nice, mind if I patrol in blue?
Do as you like
I'm a lucky man
The wisdom of Yamanami who's promoted
The bravery of Hijikata
Two flowers in my hands and now I have Miyuki
Time for me to go
I'm promoted to an empty figurehead
I have no authority to command
An organization must be agile like a swordsman
One vice commander is enough
Both the shogunate and daimyos have always operated in plurals
So we break that tradition and its problems
You're enamored by Western militaries
That's not us
It's not for a man of Japan
Y'all forget this is a feast for the great holiday
Mr, Toshi, get on home will ya?
Sake for Yamanami
You're not seeing O-Yuki
None of your damn business
It is, actually
Why?
She gave me a message
Message?
What did she say?
She wants to see you tonight
She really said that?
I believe so
You believe?
She was hanging around here, saw me, bowed, then ran off
Message my ass
It's cruel of you
What do you know
Kyoto women are nice outside but nasty inside
O-Yuki is from Edo, and,,, For you—
To not is to find / The way of love
That doesn't mean I'm going to waltz over to see her
Why not?
My life will make a woman sad
Don't look down on women like that
O-Yuki cherishes every moment she spends with you
Go see her
Now
Close them
Kyoto women can be nasty on the outside, too
But the truth is—
It's all up to the man
It's Toshi
Come in
I came to apologize
I left a message with Soji earlier,,,
You what?
About Choshu, Didn't he tell you?
Well,,,
Well, I mean,,,
That guy,,,
Yes, about Choshu
I've been refinishing the paper doors at the Ikeda-ya tavern
A lot of guests there sleep with their feet toward the east
Even when they're laying around—feet to the east
And?
A Choshu habit
How do you know?
Choshu lost a lot of land in their defeat in the Battle of 1600
Begrudging, they sleep with their feet toward the Tokugawas as an insult
My husband told me once
You and your brothers are poets
Your oldest brother, your brother Ha ya to who died, and your—
Other brother
I'm the black sheep
I have no vocabulary or talent I'm over-passionate
That makes you a poet
You are writing your only poem with your only life
I'm sorry I doubted you
Farewell for tonight
May I visit again?
Anytime you like
The boar comes down the mountain to eat our crops—to eat
Get me? To eat the cabbage Not to be eaten with the cabbage
Search unit, come here
Are Ronin from other clans at Choshu's place?
Always a few
Any Choshu men?
Just Katsura and the listed few
Search every inn from San jo to Shijo
Those sleeping with feet facing—
East are Choshu men
Ikeda-ya and others look suspicious
Zaki, check-in there, disguised
What as?
Apothecary
Ikeda ya
Welcome
Welcome back
I'll be here a while
- Foot wash! - Coming
How's business?
Terrible, Folks here are shrewd A day's worth of—
Sales in Osaka takes 10 days in Kyoto
Travel puts me in the red
Is that so?
Take the bridge first
One Glove will go to Choshu
Weapons from my region go in here?
That's right
They'll act this month
Set the city afire on a windy day, kill the Lord Protector—
Kidnap the emperor and move him to Choshu
Outrageous
Led by Teizo of Higo
Not Katsura?
Says it's not time
How many?
30 plus, as far as I know
Their liaison?
Masuya, aka Mas-ki
With a shop in the alley?
Real name is Furutaka, He's an imperialist with ties to the court
Teizo is at Masuya's
What does he look like?
A kabuki poster? This won't help
Mid 40's
Unshaven head, Uses a prayer slip to tie his topknot—it's hard to see
Keep investigating
I have to go down to Choshu to update them, I'm heading there now
Anything you want me to tell Comd, Kondo?
I'm tired of being a spy Please make me an official member
Soji
I said no killing!
Too late
Check inside
Here it is
June 5, 1664
Where's Teizo?
Are there other weapons?
He's tough—won't talk
Any info?
They're meeting in various taverns from Gion to San jo
Just as we thought
Teizo's at one
We'll raid tonight
Yes, sir
It's the festival tonight
One float with dancers starts from here
Welcome back
Tonight's a party
How many guests?
About 30
Very well
Make arrangements for a chef,,,
Did ya count the armor?
Careful
Gen!
Oh, hey, Ya got a message?
30 Ronin gathering at Ikeda-ya tonight We confirmed two
One is Osawa, The other's emblem is a turtle pattern
Understood, Update us next at the Gion Zen dojo
- Got it? - Yes, sir
The turtle emblem is the family of Otaka, one of the 47 Ronin of Ako
Wasn't there a descendant?
There's an Otaka from Banshu
Ikeda-ya's the base
Hard to say
- It must be - Hard to say
They may try to rescue Furutaka Garrison unit, be on alert
Others head to the Gion Zen dojo and get armed
The Aizu troops will help us
Understood?
Volunteer waiter, Juji-ya?
He says parties are his specialty
This too
Welcome, Only three are here so far
Double check everything
You're late!
Hurry, Gen
- Put it around like this? - That's right
Hurry
This ain't right
Whatcha doin'?
You a spy from Shinsengumi?
We must rescue Furutaka first
There's no time!
There was a spy out front
Ran away
They're everywhere, It's OK
Katsura's late, but let's begin
Bring us drinks
Very well, Drinks!
- We'll start - Yes, sir
On your left!
Vice commander!
I was seen and couldn't meet up with Zaki
Fine, Go get armed
No news
Please sit facin' each other
Let's get you all seated now
Thank you for waiting
O-Kiku, let's have them check their swords with us
- Yes - Your swords, please
Thank you, thank you So many swords
Festival music's stopped
Shall we take the lead?
Let's go
Ikeda-ya could be a decoy,,,
It can't be
Todo,,,
I'll go there
Listen up! We'll split in two
Soji, Pachi, Todo, Sano, and Takeda's team
will go to Ikeda-ya with Comd, Kondo!
The others, with me
We'll search every inn and tavern, moving north
- Thanks for the help - Thank you, Good night
Furutaka would never give us up but we should still—
Decide what to do
Whether or not to proceed as planned
- We should! - Let's do it!
We can't abandon him
Shich and I are both prepared to die
We'll attack them, burn down the station
He's our comrade, We must rescue him
Katsura warned us not to act rashly
He's against the plan itself, A coward!
Our own Sakamoto Ryoma is against this
Watch what ya say
The restoration has far to go yet
We will die, And others still
Katsura and Ryoma are the ones to finally complete the work
27 men upstairs, including Teizo They're debating
I unlocked the doors
Get Hijikata, He's searching the Inns on Nawate
Who will ID Teizo?
We need Zaki
True
ID Teizo first
Soji, can you do this?
Of course
We'll kill them all if we have to
Narrow stairs
Low ceiling upstairs
Watch your swords
Quiet
It's a raid!
What's this?
Which one, Zaki?
Over there! That's Teizo!
Where's my sword?
Found it!
Keep clam! Kill the candles!
I see him! Go, Zaki!
Protect Teizo!
Juji-yal
I'm not Juji-ya I'm Zaki of Shinsengumi!
Over here
Hide in here
Hurry
C'mon!
Vice Commander Hijikata!
What's wrong?
I'm here!
Teizo and 26 others are at Ikeda-ya!
Everyone gather up!
To Ikeda-ya! Hurry!
To Ikeda-ya!
Can't cut anymore
Push!
Push back!
Teizo, you can escape out back!
Go, Sugi!
Teizo, out back!
Let's flee, We can't win here
The restoration is up to you now!
Shich!
Flee, Yoshida!
Shich!
This way!
Close off the block, We'll do this alone
Not a one will enter, Team 1 follow me!
Guard the back
You're late
What took so long?
You miss me?
You maggots, History will be made by us
- Perhaps - That's Teizo
Need help dying?
Saito, you stay up here
Yes, sir
Soji, did Shich get you?
No way
He coughed up blood, Consumption?
I won't die that easy
Take a break, Soji
I'll watch here
- Help him - On it!
Todo, I'll handle this, You can go
I'm not going
I got this, Go
Arrest them!
Tie them up!
Where are the Shinsengumi men?
Fighting at Ikeda-ya
Here they come!
Kill him! Cut him down!
Stay away! Stay away!
They're returning, all wounded
Set up a field hospital
Get bandages, basins, cold and hot water
We'll use the temple
A maid? You can come out now
Try over there, Choshu? You up there, pal?
Choshu?
The maid's cute
- Here? - Further in
You're such an oaf—further in, Choshu?
Mr, Osawa?
Take off your clothes
Down to your loincloth
Why?
- Hurry - OK
Pachi's sword got bent Soji's tip broke off
Todo's blade is all chipped But my Kotetsu? Nothing
I found this maid dead
Did they get Soji?
He coughed up blood
Insists he'll walk home
I always thought only Shinsengumi could attain true jo-/—
but as the shogunate stands idle, I kill the men calling for jo-/
Nothing good comes from seeking jo-/
The shogun is more important
We were baragaki from the shogun's own territory
We followed the baragaki's path and it led us here
We just have to charge forward
Hot water
Thanks, Get the bandage
Go get more help
Hurry
Looking for someone?
Where's Soji? Is he all right?
The badly wounded are here, but not Soji
Where's Comd, Kondo?
He's with Gen, Went to see Lord Aizu and others
Will Todo make it?
He injured his head, but he"ll live
Pardon me
War broke out with Choshu 45 days after Ikeda-ya
The battle of July 19, 18647
Battle at the Forbidden Gate
We were deployed down south Never got to fight in the city
Late that year, a battle began that fractured Shinsengumi
I got one famous blade
Soji, are you hungry?
No, I'll watch you eat
Oh
I never have an appetite, so I like watching others enjoying their meal
Especially how this man eats
What do you want?
Shich, whose arm you shattered escaped prison before execution
Is that all?
You may see him again
Is that all?
Mr, Ito got in from Edo to Comd, Kondo's residence
Finally
Yes, It's quite a group of recruits
Yamanami and Todo are there?
How did you know?
They're from the same dojo dojo blood is thick
No one bothered to tell me the news
I'm the messenger
They told me to summon you
You imp, Why didn't you say that to begin with?
It's fun to see your expression change
True
Please go right away
No
I knew it
Don't be difficult, Get ready
Comd, Kondo isn't himself these days
Right, Soji?
True, Ever since he went to Edo in September to recruit
He met the shogun's councilors
Now he parades to Nijo Castle every few days with a throng of attendants
They discuss current events
Do you want to become a daimyo, Toshi?
Not really
Say it in your dialect
Naw
I want to hear more
I'm a work in" man, Ain't never—
Thinkin' 'bout the world
Jus' wanna make us the mos' fierce fightin' outfit
Disappointed?
I'm relieved
Hijikata says, “Let's go fight at the palace!”
The battle at the Forbidden Gate
I said, “We're six miles away No point going there now,” And he says—
“Shinsengumi must be at the most vital front”
He was screaming
His woman, He was worried about her Wanted to go back
“Cool it,” I said, We went into Ikeda-ya with only a few men and got famous
But this war is different 40,000 shogunate men, Choshu has 2,000
The shogunate will burn out soldiers hiding in houses
People in Kyoto will turn to Choshu
Our name won't be harmed down here
That's political thinking
Hijikata isn't the only thinker around here
The rabbit in the moon floats—
On the surface of the sea
Hijikata never did show up
He'll greet you tomorrow
What is he like?
He and I clash over everything
He's a fool
How?
He doesn't honor the emperor nor fear the savages
Clueless of the times
He's obsessed over Shinsengumi—
And making it stronger
So, not a reasonable man
The kind of fool who's trouble
Kondo can be manipulated He fights for a cause
Let us solemnly swear—
To transform the Shinsengumi into a pure imperialist force
I'm impressed, You gathered 70,000 gold from the merchants in Osaka
I just brokered a loan for Aizu
Nonetheless, I am very impressed
January 1865
Hi there, Hijikata!
What, a nobleman now?
It's for a ho-fo-grah
You're actin' strange these days
People turn shameless once elevated
I didn't come to Kyoto to give ya a creepy white face
Tm gettin' a headache hear in" yer dialect
Let's do it
Please hold your breath
Lord Yoshinobu loves ho-fo-grah
He told Isami to get one taken, too
Comd, Kondo's like a daimyo now
There's nobody from Ito's group
They think anything of a savage is unclean
Scared a ho-fo-grah will blind them
This place is so big
Perfect for our new station
Yamanami, why the sour face?
There are plenty of other options
You're in a foul mood
This move is to punish the temple that sided with Choshu
Comd, Kondo and Ito took his bait
Hijikata's forgotten jo-/ and—
Even threatens monks, He's a fool!
He has never uttered the word jo-/
We came to the capital in the name of jo-/!
Soji, what's the matter?
Yamanami deserted
Ambition dies in this / Forsaken life of a ronin
He didn't feel he belonged
Felt that way for a while
What do we do, Toshi?
The Code calls for seppuku
No deserter's done that
It even says where he's staying
Soji, you pursue him
If I let him go?
Yamanami ran, returned, and committed seppuku?
That man was born a samurai, unlike us
He wanted to remind us with his final act
We began to fracture after that
Ready?
Not,,, yet
It was January of the year after Yamanami's seppuku
Satsuma and Choshu, who were enemies, came together
It was a yeoman's work by Sakamoto Ryoma
He sat down the giant Saigo and the quiet Katsura—
And barked that what matters is the country, not their clans
This gave new momentum for the overthrow
Lord Yoshinobu became the 15th shogun at the end of the year
The system's a relic, I can't cope
20 days later, the emperor died
He had the pox
Nonsense, He was poisoned
Shh
No doubt
Then the ministers siding with Choshu took power
And, this March, Ito was appointed—
To the palace guard and left Shinsengumi
How is it that Saito went with them?
Wasn't he sent as a spy?
The exact opposite of One Glove who joined Shinsengumi
It'll rain blood again
Isami is the shogun's retainer now He can't be reckless
I'm worried about Soji
He's coughed up blood a few times this year
Where is Toshi these days?
He's recruiting in Edo
And Isami?
At Nijo Castle
Restoration of Imperial Rule
Lord Ieyasu founded the Tokugawa shogunate 300 years ago to bring peace
Now, I shall relinquish authority to govern for the sake of peace
Let it go
Let it go to honor his will
Japan is nearly fracturing
But it will come together if I relinquish authority
No, it must come together
I think it will, It has to, Come together
It shall!
Speak your mind if you disagree
None, Very well
Governance shall be the emperor's
October 14, 1867 Tokugawa Yoshinobu abandoned—
The office of shogun and returned governance to the emperor
I heard the news on my way to Kyoto, as I led recruits down from Edo
Golden Laces were in bloom
What's that?
It's the “What the Hell” dance
The world's gone mad since the relinquishment
Gen, get information
Swords ready
What the hell! What the hell!,,,
Shinsengumi is the mightiest force for the dying shogunate
We're the most feared when we stand quietly like a forest
I suppose
Our leader flappin' his trap about current affairs with politicians doesn't—
Make us shine
Soji, hurry up and get better
I will
This medicine will kick consumption's ass
I had them make it back home
Here
I'm taking it for your sake
You really are a good guy
Don't be creepy
If I were to be reincarnated
I want to be born an honest person like you
I want to be a tenacious character like you
Idiosyncratic, Versed in the art of war
Living only to defeat the enemy
Please draw my Kiku Ichimonji
Right by my face
The sword is more beautiful than any woman
How ironic, The only person I killed with this sword—
Was Yamanami
Ito's group is after me
Saito found out
Ito is with the restorationists
He wants to win their trust by killing Comd, Kondo
Kill him first
Ito is an imperial guard
We'd be the court's enemy
So what?
Satsuma and Choshu rule the court We're doomed to be the emperor's enemy
It's not politics that makes me say this
It's about a man's principles
Ito has made an ass of me for two years
Toshi
I gave in, I let the man have his principles
Isami wouldn't have—
Died like that if I stood my ground
Or so I think these days
Don't move, I'm almost finished
That doesn't sound like your paintbrush
It's a pencil for sketching
I sense a difference in you, too
Yes, I will soon lose my mind
I was searching for a wilderness
I found it in yours
What is in your mouth?
Nothing
Then, your mouth is always so sweet?
My,,, husband
I've always wanted you to call me that
Me too,,,
I've always dreamed of the day,,,
I would find someone fo call husband
My husband
Ask me anything, I won't keep secrets
Ryoma, the lynchpin of the restoration is killed
I hear Shinsengumi did it
No, That man should not have died
Three days later—
Ito was killed on a street corner
That was us
Isami invited him over
Ito ranted about the times, Slammed the shogunate, Got drunk
Green frees now a shadow,,,
You killed Ito and used his body as a trap
We re street fighters
Hijikata!
Brother!
They're here
I went to the scene the next morning
The street was scattered with fingers
I was scared
I was scared at Ikeda-ya, too
I was too scared to stand by, waiting So I treated the wounded
A war is brewing, isn't it?
Take me with you
I want to keep drawing you
How you fought, For generations to see
I can't drag you in
You've already done that!
I gave in last night
Now it's your turn
We moved headquarters fo Fushimi in preparation for war
Comd, Kondo's at Nijo again
Meeting with the holdouts
It's too late now
- Should a told him - I did
Soji's disabled, Half our men fled It's depressing
Aizu forces arrive in a few days
It's still depressing
Isami!
I've been shot
By Choshu?
Ho's men
Get a stretcher!
Dammit!
Scapula may be broken
I won't be able to use a sword, then
Get him on there
The court isn't satisfied, They want the shogun's land
Turn the shogun and us into beggars
Toshi, take care of Shinsengumi
- Read Yes!
Goddammit!
Send him to the shogun's doctor in Osaka
- You go with him - Yes, sir
Get a ship—a shogunate vessel
Put Soji on it, too
He won't go
Force him
The guards are back!
He can't use a sword anymore
How many attackers?
15 days later, January 3, 1868 War began
The Battle of Toba-Fushimi
- Gen, stay down! - I'm fine
What the?
Stay put, Gen, It's dangerous
You were a water sprite when we first met
You lose your mind?
A leaf on yer head, in the stream by the shrine
Please, Gen
I'll tell ya a story
Kill 10 enemies, then tell me
You know? I still haven't killed a single man
Did ya hear?
Yep, I knew that
Oh, y'did?
But today's a different story
Stay Gen, Gen!
Gen!
- Sir! - Gen!
Gen!
Forward!
Had Yoshinobu aided us with the rear guard, still fresh
We would've won
Osaka Castle, January 6, 1868
Are you riding out to fight?
Osaka Castle, January 6, 1868
Let's flee
Flee?
Flee with me now to Edo
Why?
The enemy has received the Imperial Flag
I am a traitor now
You and Shinsengumi will surrender
This is the only way to stop those who disobey me
I'll flee to Edo, Come
And leave our men?
Have you forgotten your house precept?
The shogun and Lord Aizu are gone
Sounds like they've reached safety
Safety? I've never heard of such disgrace
How could Lord Aizu abandon his men?
This war is different
How?
You won't understand
And you do?
I do
Zaki, go to Edo, They have the best doctors there
I won't make it to Edo, Bury me in the sea if I die on the ship
Don't pickle me
And Soji?
- In the small tower - Quarantined
Don't pickle me
It's Toshi
It's me
We lost
I'm in bed because the doctor told me
But I actually feel great
I'll stay here tonight
The shogun, the highest office of Japan is gone
What will happen to Shinsengumi?
Women worry about what will happen
A man only thinks of what to do
What will we do?
We'll keep going, Even if we're the last man standing
You know what? Women think of what to do, too
No, they don't
A plum blossom, O-Yuki arranged it
She'd come every day to check in on me
She's probably tending to some wounded soldiers now
The survivors of our group will return to Edo on the ship, Fujisanmaru
Did anyone from our Edo dojo die?
They got Gen
I wish I'd let him tell me about the water sprite
He told me instead
You're the only one standing unharmed
Sturdy as a beast
I'll die in war
Shinsengumi returned to Edo, but we weren't wanted there
“Don't bring your war to Edo Fight elsewhere”
How dare they, I thought
I decided to wait for Isami to recover Then, we'd attack the enemy in Kofu
So, I went to the Aizu mansion in Edo to let them know
You are my only hope
The brave men who fought in Toba-Fushimi
I shall never be fooled again
Aizu shall follow the path that Aizu decides
Have a drink, everyone, Please
I'm sorry, I've put you through so much
We are both too blood-stained for Edo He wants us gone
So very like Yoshinobu
I am sorry
Aizu is unlike others
The lord doesn't just die, He becomes a god after death
Such is my inheritance
I was adopted, That may be why I was over-vigilant about our precepts
I was weak to accept the protector ship
Two men sent you out to Kyoto, One—
Calls for blind submission, out of fear of death
The other is now in the new government and will attack Aizu
Those chameleons are the fools
You, my lord, are true
That will live on
When did you cut off your topknot?
After Shinsengumi retreated from Kofu—
You fought in various places—
Moving north from Aizu
When we first met in Sendai—
Your topknot was already gone
I got it cut when I returned home and armed the farmers there
My sister cut it off
My friend is starting a militia in Edo, I want to join him
Don't go to Edo, You gotta shine
Reason would say, go to Aizu like Saito and the others
I think Edo over Aizu
Then, just go
Don't talk to me like that
I don't serve you, How can I fight with a man who cut off his topknot?
It's Mr, Hijikata!
500 enemies in the forest
Brother, get your unit
We were told to disband
By whom?
Isami
What's the matter?
I'm going to the government's HQ
For what?
I'm telling them we don't want to fight the emperor, I'll use a fake name
Are you mad?
I've been thinking, We're at the precipice
What precipice?
Precipice of what?
I told you it's different
Yes—that I won't understand
Preconceptions, A war of preconceptions
Capture the Imperial Flag and you win
Nothing's changed for 600 years
We're staking our lives on some antiquated logic?
That's right
Ain't it just some smart guys flailing about, all in their heads?
Yoshinobu, the edict-happy court, Saigo They're all the same
There's got to be something constant that's timeless
That's why we've come this far
Don't quit now, You gotta shine!
You created Shinsengumi
You even made me
It's time to let me go
My arm's no good, can't even commit seppuku
You go your own way
I won't let you go, Come with me
Thank you for everything
Toshi
Isami was executed 20 days after he surrendered
There were Ito's men in the government army
Sister
Soji, we're escaping from Edo
My husband will fight up north
Make sure everything on you stays clean
The gardener will take care of you
Edo is full of government soldiers
I wonder what Isami and Toshi are doing
I'm sure they're fighting
I'll join you once I get a little better
I'll fight off any government troops that may come there
Kondo Isami Beheaded
Soji died in the gardener's shed on May 30
There was no one at his side
Sir, here!
Near a lake in Aizu, August 1868
Farmers were guiding them
Aizu burned their village
We could've won with the farmers on our side
Aizu troops are retreating to the castle to hold out
Gather up
Shinsengumi, gather up!
After Aizu, it's Sendai
Keep fighting or go home,,,
Do what you want
The Code no longer applies?
That's right
Follow me to go north
September 3, Hijikata enters Sendai Castle September 22, Aizu surrenders
Aizu fought the government army Even boys and women took up weapons
It was fo no avail
The dead could not be buried
Over 3,000 died since Kyoto—
The most casualties among the daimyo domains of that era
What's in the case?
Two letters from the late—
Emperor himself
October 21 Hijikata and shogunate escapees land on Ezo
When Aizu surrendered in September—
Our military mission was ordered to return to France
But we chose to fight with the shogunate escapees
Your troops landed on Ezo,
walked along the coast, through snowy mountains—
And occupied Hakodate in only 10 days
You took Matsumae Castle and conquered Ezo with only your unit
“If you want to sleep, sleep inside the castle'
“We will take the castle or freeze to death”
You stirred up your soldiers thus—
And rode ahead of them, sword drawn
It was brilliant leadership
It was just so cold
You are a true Samurai
I am truly honored to have met you
Go ahead
Here I am taking a ho-fo-grah
Please hold still for six seconds
One,,, Two,,,Three,,,
Four,,, Five,,, Six
Commandant Hijikata!
You treat everyone from both sides
Anyone, Politics and war do not enter the hospital
That goes without saying in the West
I see
I've heard of your work with Shinsengumi
Hijikata cares for you
He may chase me away
Excuse me
You forgot this
Spring came fo Ezo, as did the government army
Capt, Brunet and the French were sent back home
Hakodate was blockaded
Toshi was at Fort Goryokaku There was no way in or out
They will kill you if you resist
Please do not resist
The head doctor's negotiating with the government
The annex is burning!
Go!
Give it to me!
Out of the way!
Stop!
Quiet! This is a hospital!
The wounded will live!
We'll spare them!
Patients and staff are forbidden to go outside
Withdraw!
I say withdraw!
We need guards!
Can we have some guards?
Leave them two guards
I hear Hijikata's family is here
I am the wife of Hijikata Toshizo
Mention my name if there's trouble
Shich Kennosuke of Choshu
Take this to my sister in Bushu
I want to fight to the end with you
It's my last request, Do it
70 Sato Nobu
And a message,,,
Rest assured, nothing I have done will bring shame to your name, dear sister
Seems we'll be holding out here
You hold out for help to come
We have no help anywhere in Japan
Fort Goryokaku, May 11, 1869
I'm taking Hakodate
- I'll go - Shinsengumi or death
No, Go home
You're swordsmen, This is a modern war
I'll use the westernized unit
So, we fight Western style
True Heart
A lone horseman!
Ready, Aim!
Surrender has a protocol
Who are you?
Hijikata Toshizo of Shin-sen-gumi
I need your generals
Hijikata,,,
For what?
I need to seem them so I can—
Cut them all down
Fire!
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