Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto

[Munsu]

Started watching this today and thought the first two episodes were pretty good, the action especially. Anyways, I recommend the conclave-ayu joint for archiving, they're using DVD sources and the picture is much better and clear. I remember when I browsed the first episode by Shinsen the picture quality sucked ass.

[Kraco]

Hence the saying: If you know the enemy's katana and know your own katana, you need not fear the result of a hundred sword fights.

Episode 17 - Shinsen

[Kraco]

If you know your katana but not the enemy's katana, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.

Episode 18 - Shinsen

Quite an episode, indeed. I can't say I didn't see something like this coming due to the opening, which always seemed somewhat metaphorical, but still it was a powerful scene.

[Sapphire]

I can't wait to watch this series. Downloading!

[Kraco]

If you know neither the enemy's katana nor your own, you will succumb in every sword fight.

Episode 19 - Shinsen

[Kraco]

To secure our katana against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating
the enemy's katana is provided by the enemy himself:

Episode 20 - Shinsen

[Kraco]

Thus the good fighter is able to secure his katana against defeat, but cannot make certain of
defeating the enemy's katana.

Episode 21 - Shinsen

[Apraxhren]

The one who posts to remove the stupid "it appears that you have not posted on our forums in several weeks" message and interrupt Kraco's spree.

Episode 22 - Shinsen

[Kraco]

Hence the skillful swordsman puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible,
and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy.

Episode 23 - Shinsen
Episode 24 - Shinsen

[Kraco]

In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.

And with these words the series ends:

Episode 25 - Shinsen
Episode 26 Final - Shinsen

Edit: It was decent ending to a good series. I didn't particularly like episodes 24 and 25 because I'd have preferred the head to stay mainly a psychological entity, apart from the force field it used to protect itself from mundane weapons, and so the floating invincible fortress with it's death beams was a deviation that conflicted with what I expected from this series. Now it changed from a supernatural agitator to a real demonic entity with all manners of super powers, and thus at the same time the series changed from a far more subtle unrealism to total fantasy.

Well, 26 had some nice scenes and as an ending it wasn't bad at all. I particularly like the confrontation between Assassin and Chief. It was pretty beautiful even if it ended with no sacrifices.

[darkshadow]

just saw 25 and 26, beautiful ending to a brilliant series.