「なみだ」 (Namida)
"Tears"

It’s finally obvious (in the nick of time) where Rurouni Kenshin 2023 is going to leave things in the finale.

「京都大火 2」 (Kyouto Taika 2)
"The Great Kyoto Fire Part 3"

And so that butterfly flits away safely…

「京都大火 2」 (Kyouto Taika 2)
"The Great Kyoto Fire Part 2"

What we have here is, for all intents and purposes, a 95% anime-original episode.

「京都大火 1」 (Kyouto Taika 1)
"The Great Kyoto Fire Part 1"

Shishio may not be the most honest boss around, but he certainly knows how to delegate.

「翔ぶが如く」 (Tobu ga Gotoku)
"As If in Flight"

Wheels are in motion, things are happening.

「もう一つの目的」 (Mou Hitotsu no Mokuteki)
"The Other Objective"

It’s worth noting that in addition to being a genius with the blade, Kenshin is also a brilliant strategist.

「十本刀集結」 (Juppongatana Shuuketsu)
"The Ten Swords Summoned"

In an arc full of nuanced emotional moments, this is one of the most powerful.

「生と死の間で…」 (Sei to Shi no Hazama de...)
"Between Life and Death"

This is one of the great character apotheosis moments in manga, elegant and poetic and totally true to the story.

「操の決意」 (Misao no Ketsui)
"Misao's Decision"

No Kenshin, no problem.