Original Alear Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 (edited) AFAIK Kenshin has no successor, but he has many people in the world who owe him thanks was he a real hero. However, he remains a hero in the shadows, which means that no one gave him the thanks he deserved except for the woman he loved most. He strayed from personal happiness, despite the advice of a monk. He served in China, bringing healing to the sick, and contracted a disease (tuberculosis?) that he brought home to that woman he loved. Eventually, they died in each other's arms in a twisted, ugly, beautiful, loving, sorrowful happiness. Despite his efforts and his wishes to the contrary, the Japanese went down the path of war and were nuked twice by America. There is no event I can comprehend except perhaps the Holocaust or African slavery in recent times I abhor more (why did I forget 9/11???), and I believe that in the instant, the moment, the nuclear bombing of Japan is the greatest crime that has ever been committed in history. Yes, twice America committed this crime, not once, and it is still my favorite country. But what would have happened if Shishio, a man more vicious than the others, a man so charismatic in his cruelty that he could pass off bandages in a terrifying and even pimptastic manner, had ruled Japan? For the fictional (though part historical) times he lived in, I believe Kenshin is the greatest hero I have ever seen, especially as a pacifist, not as a manslayer. Why? When he realized that his will to live had defeated his vow to pacifism, he uttered "No" and held all his pain of defeat inside of him. He passed on that pain, but in lesser words for those he felt were less able to comprehend the pain. It is all, of course, feeling. We can never really know the emotional or intellectual limits of another's mind to absorb mental anguish until we destroy the mind and drive them insane. So Kenshin, had his story been real, may have been the greatest hero or idiot. But most of those who watched thought of him as a hero. Every time you question the hero of a story, remember the villain. Good luck, fellow humans. (NOTE: Haven't read the Jinchuu arc. I should at some point.) Edited July 17, 2011 by Loki Laufeyjarson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erk Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Kenshin's so OG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original Alear Posted July 17, 2011 Author Share Posted July 17, 2011 (edited) Kenshin's so OG. Srsly. I can't believe Nightmarre, who I respect immensely, wanted him in bottom tier. But everyone slips up from time to time! And Nightmarre far less than most. Edited July 17, 2011 by Loki Laufeyjarson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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