Trophy

And you think you’ve dodged my attack? Battousai! ~Saitou Hajime

Episode 30: A Devil of Vengeance: Makoto Shishio’s Plot

This cel marks the explosive start of Episode 30, the best fight scene in my opinion of the entire series. There was a lot at stake and Kenshin doesn’t know that, but Saitou does. Saitou impales Kenshin who seemingly avoids Saitou’s Gatotsu but what Kenshin doesn’t know is that the wolf purposely misses even saying he could’ve changed it into a side sweeping thrust called a Hirazuki which likely would’ve sliced Kenshin in half killing him. But instead of the Hirazuki, Saitou pulls his sword out and kicks the Battousai across the room. Saitou was definitely holding back in the beginning of the fight but as the fight progresses and the two men’s are a match skill for skill, both end up taking the fight way to seriously such that they fight no longer in Tokyo but in the Kyoto during the bloody days of the Bakumatsu. It is an amazing fight, music, dialogue, animation and atmosphere.

Somehow I always thought this cel would find it’s way to me. I’m a Saitou collector so cels from episode 30 where he has his best fight is always on my radar. And although this was somewhat pricey, most cels from this episode are, I bought it more as a trophy for Saitou-san. Knowing that man’s personality, he probably would relish this moment as one of his best. His unnamed sword buried in his opponent’s side, keeping his life long rival suspended in the air as if he was a trophy for the Wolf was just too much for me to let pass. Now I just need a matching red Saitou. That one I’m not sure if it will find it’s way to me. It’s harder for me to get Saitou cels. LOL.