April 9, 2011

• Blade of the Immortal FINAL BATTLE Analysis Part II (B)

  Blade of the Immortal FINAL BATTLE Analysis Part II (B)

  Warning, the following contents contain extreme spoilers that covers storylines from Blade of the Immortal book 21 to book 27.

  If you are having a hard time understanding the terms such as Six Demons, Itto-ryu, Hana-group, please kindly read Part A of this post first.

  The following fights and scenes are cut from storylines spanning from Blade of the Immortal Book 21 to Book 27. This Arc is nicknamed “The Winter War Arc”, it will be the last arc to conclude the long-going Blade of the Immortal series, which has been going for for more than 17 years.

  RECAP:

  Following the rescue of Manji, Habaki was inevitably discharged as the chief leader and given the order to commit Seppuku within 30 days in order to exchange for his honour.

  Habaki, with little time left, is forced on the final mission of his life: to destroy Itto-ryu. He employed his secret criminal-group dubbed the Six Demon, whose members are all death sentenced criminals, to hunt down all the remaining members of Itto-ryu.

  Doua and Isaku, former Itto-ryu member, decided to give up their sword and travel down South away from Japan to seek new home, so they out the game. (Or ARE THEY??? HMMMmmmmmMMMMM…., they going South right?)

  Itto-ryu leader, Anotsu Kagehisa, made a pact with the new Bakufu (Government) Chief to evacuate from Edo area and travel down South to never appear again. Little did we know, Anotsu went loco with his amigos, teamed with his homies and pretty much went straight raiding the Edo Castle.

  Itto-ryu underboss Abayama on the other hand, led new members down South and planned to meet up with Anotsu at the harbour after he’s done with his party up in Edo.

  Shira and Renzo on the other hand are hunting down Mnaji.

  Meguro and Tanbobo works for Habaki and discovered that Anotsu is actually not with the Abayama group, so they hurried up North to inform the terrible news to Habaki.

  And above summarized what’s been going on… who will live? Who will die?

  Fight One:

  Six Demons: Hana Group x 1, Hebi Group x 4
  vs.
  Itto-ryu: Baro
  

  
  

  In the opening chapter of the final Winter War Arc, Itto-ryu member Baro was ambushed by one Six Demon hana-group member and 4 other sidekick hebi-group members. This fight introduced the Six Demons. They are a bunch of criminals who work for Habaki in exchange to spare their death penalty, very similar to the concept of Mugai-ryu, with the exceptions that they had significantly more masked-sidekicks (dubbed Hebi Group) who are money hired to help the main Six Demon members (Hana Group).

  Result:
  

  Six Demons Hana group and hebi group died, Baro wins.
  
  

  The ambush drew attention to Itto-ryu that Habaki is indeed still planning to hunt down the remainders of Itto-ryu; Anotsu is rather intrigued by it and disgusted with Bakufu’s order to punish Habaki with seppuku.

  Meanwhile, the 9 New Bloods secretly met up with Anotsu and decided to join Itto-ryu in hope for the resurrection of Itto-ryu.
  

  ---

  
  Fight Two:

  Six Demons: Doma and Hasho, with Hebi Group x ~6
  vs.
  Manji

  

  
  The previous fight of Baro vs. Six Demons was observed by Tanbobo, who then drew down the portrait of Baro. Since Baro is featured with a scar across his nose, he resembled Manji quite much, and therefore Hebi-group burnt down the hut Manji was staying in and ambushed the one-armed Manji, which pissed him off greatly.

  However, before Manji went full throttle with Doma and Hasho of the Hana-group, the Six Demons soon realized Manji wasn’t Baro after all, therefore they promptly retrieved.

  Result:

  Six Demons lost 2 Hebi-group to Manji

  Tie.

  Six Demons are now actively seeking out all information regarding Itto-ryu, it was difficult to them because Itto-ryu members have already agreed to hide until late winter to act, and therefore the Six Demons went for their family, this included Abayama’s son & grand children as well as Baro’s ex-fiancée.

  ---

  Fight Three:

  Six Demons: Soma Ryo

  Vs.

  Itto-ryu: Magatsu Taito

  
  

  Itto-ryu lured the Six Demons into Itto-ryu’s former underground dojo, setting up a trap in its underground confined space in attempt to rid more of the Hebi-groups. Habaki, Shishiya and others were trapped within the dojo, while Ryo was the only one catching up to Itto-ryu, and challenged Magatsu in a swordfight, silly girl didn’t know better.

  Result:

  Ryo got her ass schooled by Magatsu.

  The ambush set up by Magatsu was meant to delay Habaki & Six Demons’s time even more, given that Habaki was given only 7 days to kill all of Itto-ryu. After this, Itto-ryu members are separated into two groups:

  Abayama & Kashin Koji leads the 9 New Bloods down south to their proposed meeting point at the harbour.

  Anotsu on the other hand, gathers the most elite fighters left in Itto-ryu: Magatsu, Baro, and Ozuhan and planned on doing something pretty hardcore.

  ---

  Fight Four:

  Itto-ryu: Anotsu Kagehisa, Magatsu Taito, Baro, and Ozuhan

  Vs.

  Bakufu: 200+ guards

  

  Yep.  This fight pretty much took up the entire Book 23. Basically Anotsu along with Magatus, Baro and Ozuhan pretty much went straight into the Edo Castle, facing more than 200 guards.

  Result:

  Hundreds of Edo Castle guards killed, Baro wounded, Ozuhan fled but parted ways with Anotsu and Magatsu, while the latter two successfully fled.

  So what was the purpose of Anotsu leading 3 badass Itto-ryu fighters raiding the entire Edo Castle? Well, as much as I’ve spoilt enough stories here, I think it’s still best for you to find out yourself.

  ---

  Fight Five:

  Bakufu: About 10 guards

  Vs.

  Itto-ryu: Baro

  

  As invincible as Anotsu & Co. is, it’s still difficult facing an army full of guards at the Edo Castle, let along traps, arrows, and firearms. Baro was unfortunately shot at the shoulder and surrounded by a bunch of very angry guards; alas, he embraced the last breath and took up a final fight.

  The visual illustration is simply too sick to not to share, so here it is.

  

  Result:

  All surrounding guards dead, Baro dead. Tie.

  Sad to see Baro go but the guy went with style; he also bought enough time for Anotsu and Magatsu to get away from the castle; the two were then immediately on their way down South in order to meet up with Abayama & Co. at the harbour.

  Ozuhan on the other hand was trapped for a moment but given his amazing reflexes he seemed to have gotten away, but separated from Anotsu and Magatsu.

  ---

  Fight Six:

  Bakufu: Several officers, one female Captain.

  Vs.

  Shira

  
  

  Noticed I mentioned a “FEMALE” Captain? You know it ain’t good news when you’re female and facing Shira. So basically Shira was freed by Habaki with the intent that Habaki knows Shira the mad dog will do some damages to Itto-ryu and Manji, however, Hanafusa took over the new Bangashira position and ordered a Kill-On-Sight order for Shira. So there we go, what’s going to happen to this group of Bakufu officers facing an armless (…psyche!) Shira???

  Result:
  

  Today was a good day.

  ---

  Fight Seven:

  Shira

  Vs.

  Manji

  
  

  This has got to be among all one of the most anticipated fights. It would appear that Shira randomly attacked transporting sedan chairs on the road and it just so happened that Rin was in it, so here we have Manji going after Shira in attempt to save Rin. (And how many times have we seen that already huh?)

  Of course, being the jerk that he usually is, Shira simply refused to reveal Rin’s locations and wanted to fight Manji one-on-one. It would seem tough to reason how an armless Shira stand any chance in winning against the one-armed but immortal Manji?

  Well, just when you and Manji both thought that the fight was going to be so easy because this manga ain’t Naruto garbage, then BAM! Mother Fucker’s got Manji’s left arm, a weapon, and worst yet, IMMORTALITY.

  Result: Tie.

  Manji does not have any interest in fighting, as soon as he found out Rin’s whereabouts, he rushed towards to Rin, it turned out Rin is being tied up with half of her body soaked into the icy lake waiting to die slowly.

  ---

  Fight Eight:

  Shira

  Vs.

  Itto-ryu: Magatsu Taito

   

  During his chase towards Manji, Shira was unfortunately involved in a traffic accident, it turned out Magatsu and Anotsu were riding horses, also on their way South. Magatsu accidentally hit Shira with his horse, knocking him several feet away, without realizing who he hit, Magatsu got down from the horse and asked Anotsu to head South first and he’d catch up later. As soon as he got near Shira he realized the world was indeed very small.

  Result:
  

  Magatsu loss, pinned down at the ground by Shira

  Upon realizing it was Shira whom he hit, Magatsu quickly pierced through Shira’s body, but little did he know that Shira was now immortal, therefore he was countered and pinned down at the ground, things aren’t going too well now.

  ---

  Fight Nine:

  Shira

  Vs.

  Meguro

  
  

  Meguro and Tanbobo felt guilty revealing Manji’s travelling direction to Shira, therefore they hurried back and tried stopping Shira. While Meguro faces Shira, Tanbobo tried saving Rin and Manji, who was exhausted from getting Rin out of the icy lake.

  Result:
  

  Meguro loss

  Meguro is extremely agile but lacked the physical strength to really inflict serious damages to Shira. Just when we thought Meguro will fall yet another victim under Shira’s sadistic tortures, a very, very, VERY angry Manji showed up…

  ---

  Fight Ten:

  Shira

  Vs.

  Manji, Magatsu + Horse

  
  

  Manji is soaked with all the icy water and his wrists were frozen so he had to tie his weapon onto his palms to hold on to it. A few moments into fighting, Manji soon realized that not only Shira is immortal, he has lost his sense of pain as well, which made Shira more monstrous than ever, as he is now immortal AND not able to feel pain at all.

  
  

  Manji was eventually subdued by Shira, and before Shira finished Manji off, Manji went Kill Bill Vol. 2 on Shira, plucking the only eye left from the one-eyed Shira; and the table is now turned, then subsequently Manji received help from Magatsu who despite not being able to walk, is now riding his horse, the epic battle then came to an end…

  Result:
  

  Manji/Magatsu win. Shira loss.

  Truthfully, I love all the characters in Blade of the Immortal, and this includes Shira, I won’t go into details of the aftermath but I’ve got to say that the ending to Shira was very well set up, it’s probably the more hardcore way to go of all other deaths of the Blade of the Immortal, and Shira is almost too well-suited for the way he died because it echoed a central theme across Shira’s philosophy towards life and eath.

  ---

  Fight Eleven:

  Six Demons: Ryo & Banshin

  Vs.

  Itto-ryu: Kashin Koji and his village friends

    
  

  During their march down south, Kashin Koji decided to lure some of the Six Demons into the wild woods in attempt to weaken the total numbers of the Six Demons. Knowing that there may be traps, Habaki still ordered Ryo and Banshin to follow the separated Kashin Koji into the woods, this is to show Itto-ryu that no matter what Habaki is very determined to kill every last one of Itto-ryu.

  Result:
  

  Kashin Koji dead, Banshin dead, all Hebi-gumi dead, Ryo survived but cannot fight anymore. Tie.

  The fights weren’t much of any fights as Kashin Koji relies on using special traps he and his village friends previously set up. Ryo was fortunate enough to know about the mechanics of the trap when Kashin Koji finished off Banshin, therefore set up a mini trap of her own and killed Kashin Koji.

  Overall, Itto-ryu lost one more man and the Six Demons lost two and several hebi-groups, a fair trade for the Itto-ryu I guess.

  ---

  Fight Twelve:

  Six Demons: Shishiya, Hassho, Murasaki

  Vs.

  Itto-ryu: 6 New Bloods

     

  
  

  To further weaken Itto-ryu, Habaki sent Shishiya, Hassho, and Murasaki with horses to directly confront Itto-ryu. The objective was to kill Abayama as soon as the fight begins. With Kashin Koji dead, Abayama is the only veteran Itto-ryu left, having him killed will shatter hopes for the remaining New Bloods.

  The New Bloods had already thought of situations like this and made a secret pact to leave 6 fighting the 3 Six Demons members, while the remaining 3 were to accompany Abayama to the port, because they all know without Abayama or Anotsu, Itto-ryu is practically finished, therefore 3 New Bloods took Abayama away while the remaining 6 were to face 3 Six Demon hana-gumi members.

  Result:

  All 6 New Bloods dead, Six Demon’s Murasaki dead, Six Demon Wins.

  Sadly but as expected, the New Bloods were simply not up to par with the Six Demons, although outnumbered, the Six Demons displayed overwhelming superiority in combat powers, slaying all 6 of the New Bloods. Murasaki was taken to die together by one of the New Bloods.

  ---

  Fight Thirteen:

  Mugai-ryu: Giichi

  Vs.

  Itto-ryu: Abayama Sousuke

  
  

  Just when you think things couldn’t have gone worse with Itto-ryu losing 6 New Bloods, Giichi and Hyakurin, riding horses, had caught up with Abayama and the remaining 3 New bloods. Giichi, being one of the most feared fighter in this entire series, will go heads up with Abayama, and Hyakurin shall face the remaining 3 New Bloods. Things really ain’t looking good because as strong as Abayama may be, he’s facing Giichi, who’s killed over 50 Itto-ryu members easy, worse yet, Abayama is old AND one-armed, really wonder how this will turn out…

  Needless to say, this is a very much anticipated fight we’ve all been waiting for. Recall Book 9, an Itto-ryu member once commented that Abayama was the only Itto-ryu member at that time who could handle Giichi, just how strong is Abayama? We’ve never seen him fight before, this ought to showcase exactly why Abayama is the underboss.

  Result:
  

  Abayama dead, Giichi severely injured, Mugai-ryu Wins.

  I can’t believe I just typed out the above statement. Well, to do this awesome fight some justice, Abayama was actually winning at the beginning, as it turned out, Abayama had installed two chains with weighs on his severed right arm, the strike of two chains at the same time plus the strike with blade on his left hand rendered Giichi unable to make any counter attack, at one point, Giichi was going to be finished, but interrupted by the raging horse shot by Hyakurin.

  Well, at the end Giichi figured out a way to counter Abayama’s triple attack mode and eventually took the victory.

  With Abayama gone, Itto-ryu is now looking really, really, REALLY bad.

  ---

  Fight Fourteen:

  Mugai-ryu: Hyakurinj & Mitake

  Vs.

  Itto-ryu: 3 New Bloods

  
  

  While Giichi is facing off Abayama, Hyakurin tried to aid from the side, which pissed off the other 3 New Bloods. Fights pursued.

  Result:
  

  3 Itto-ryu New Bloods killed, Hyakurin/Mitake practically unharmed, Mugai-ryu Wins.

  Through Hyakurin’s poison arrows, she luckily killed off one; she then lost to the second guy – who turned out to be a kind of a freak, but Mitake came to help and finished the freaky boy, then lastly, Hyakurin finished the last New Bloods.

  That’s it, Itto-ryu Abayama Team is officially destroyed, fucking Giichi should’ve stayed at home minding his damned business, and what the fuck was Hyakurin doing walking around fighting dudes while she’s pregnant.

  So great, the remaining Itto-ryus are as follows: Anotsu Kagehisa (on his way South), Magatsu Taito (on his way South), Ozuhan (missing, presumably on his way South), Makie (sick, supposedly stayed somewhere near Edo as Anotsu advised her not to follow.)’

  If all these peeps stay together, it’s going to be very difficult for Habaki and Six Demons to do anything, unfortunately each one of the above mentioned are separated, let’s just hope that they can all meet up in one piece at the harbour.

  ---

  Fight Fifteen:

  Itto-ryu: Makie

  Vs.

  Six Demons: Doma Shinhei

  

  Well, if you want to place anyone on your DO-NOT-FUCK-WITH list, chances are Makie will make all top ten positions just so we get reminded not to fuck with her for ten consecutive times.

  Habaki and the remaining Six Demons – Shishiya, Doma, Hassho, and Mitake, arrived at the port after Abayama and Co.; crazy Habaki ordered a kill-on-sight for anyone who is involved with the boats, this is to prevent any Itto-ryu from ever getting on boat.

  While executing boat people, Doma came across a strange looking boat with some Chinese people on it, given the order to slaughter all personnel on boat, Doma pursued in a fight with these Chinese people and easily took all 3 down.

  However, it would seem that the boat in which Doma is on is also the boat someone stayed the previous day, someone not friendly, someone Doma shouldn’t have fucked with – OTONOTACHIBANA MAKIE…!!!

  As it turned out, Makie decided to head South way before Antosu and Abayama did, she arrived a day early and decided to wait for Anotsu and Co.

  Result:

  Makie wins, Doma flees, Hassho (who joined mid-fight) flees.
  

  ---

  OKAY!

  That about summed up Book 21 to Book 27; sorry if I spoiled so much things for you, but I’ve always wanted to read something like this myself, I think I’m a pretty hardcore fan.

  So, in summary, Itto-ryu is in some real deep shit now. Makie, even though given the untouchable Goddess she is, is facing Habaki + Shishiya + Doma + Hassho AND a bunch of enranged officers who arrived at the scene. In addition to being out numbered, Makie is actually fatally ill with tuberlosis, so things really aren’t looking well for Itto-ryu.

  Anotsu Kagehisa is on his feet, unless he manages to acquire horses, it is very unlikely that he will arrive any time soon.

  Ozuhan can be the wild card, it is convinced that he escaped traps from the Edo Castle raid, he may show up in any chapters.

  Magatsu may be traveling with horse, therefore it’s possible to see him any time soon.

  Manji and Rin are traveling possibly by horse or the sedan-cart, it is likely to also see them soon.

  Giichi is heavily injured from his fight with Abayama, so I don’t think he’ll be part of the final battles anymore, along with Hyakurin.

  I am not sure if Doua and Isaku will show up at the end, chances are slim, but if I recall correctly they should be also traveling down South because they want to go to Netherlands or something.

  Without Doua and Isaku, the runner up for Habaki group vs. Itto-ryu is looking good.

  Anotsu will of course eventually face Habaki.

  Magatsu, Manji and Ozuhan will possibly each fight: Shishiya or Doma or Hassho

  Makie will probably exit due to her illness, it’d be very, very sad to see her go, but she will remain the strongest fighter for this series.

  Ok, that’s it I think I’ve written way too much, thanks for reading and if anything I wrote was incorrect please let me know. I’ll find some time to polish it up.

  PLEASE BUY THE ORIGINAL BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL MANGA TO SHOW SUPPORT TO THE GREATEST MANGA EVER!!!
  

  • 12:51 am
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