Check out last week’s episode seventeen review here.
I don’t really care for Habaki. Hearing his plight, his backstory, and that he is due to die in twenty days does not phase me. I would not mourn him had I lived during that time period. Even now, I fail to say that I could do so in good conscious. For reasons still unknown (or at least clearly stated) Habaki kidnapped Manji. In an effort to draw the mortality out of him for military, or ego-driven vanity, he ruined lives.
He drove a doctor over the brink. He kidnapped, mutilated and killed dozens – hell, maybe even hundreds – of men. Husbands, sons, fathers. He led a crusade of fear to the residents of Edo, one that had to be toppled by two teenage girls and an older woman from the sidelines. To me, those actions are unforgivable. For those reasons listed above and a few more personal ones, I do not care about the fate of Habaki Kagimura.
But his wife however, and child deserve veneration. I thought that was incredibly brave to take their own lives, rather than live as slaves or pretty bargaining chips. With their deaths, nothing is stopping Habaki from retaliation against the Itto-ryu. I thought his son was especially brave. Although he gave a speech saying that he was lacking, what he lacked in swordplay he made up tenfold in sheer grace and willpower.
I’m sure mother and child discussed this beforehand, but the fact that she placed the blade at his neck and he didn’t even flinch, cry, or grovel before his death at such a young age is astounding to me. Run on sentence be damned. Habaki may be a deplorable man, but his family had more strength and courage than he did, in my own humble opinion.
And we’ll leave that talk at that.
So it seems that after the failed Mugai-ryu, Habaki decided to create a new covert operation with now twice the amount of criminals with nothing to lose. This guy just doesn’t get tired of creating new bands, does he?
Habaki also employs his bastard daughter Ryo along with the rest of the crusade against the Itto-ryu and The Greatest Anotsu Kagehisa. Whom, by the way, is absolutely killing it.
Kagehisa said by winter they would begin, and by the first snowfall Habaki suffered two major defeats: the loss of his family and (at least) half of his crew. The guerrilla warfare tactics were led by Magatsu who despite his affiliation, I really like as a character. It also helps that in his introduction arc he was pitted up against Shira, whom I absolutely detest for obvious reason.
I wonder when he and Renzo will randomly show up again. No doubt when the stakes are superbly high and he has no business getting involved with his petty personal agendas.
Oh, and I think Rin is now working for that artist that spotted her money in episode two of the series. And, she invites Manji to live with her. And…asks Manji if he still views her in the image of his late sister. Spoiler alert: he doesn’t.
Absolutely shocking.
I wonder what gave it away, Rin?
But, enough about her for now. I guess after the whole incident at the castle she skipped town and abandoned her family’s home. Whatever. I’m a week late and the new episode is out, so I think I’ll end this one here.
What do you think of Habaki’s family and their conviction until the very end? Do you think Habaki’s replacement Hanabusa Ugen is weak sauce? Will the Rokki-dan succeed in their clash against the Itto-ryu?
Leave your thoughts in the comment section below, I’d love to hear from you! Also be sure to follow us for more Mugen no Juunin episode reviews!
次の巻: May We Meet Again
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