Hakuouki Hekketsuroku – 13
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Hijikata works day in day out filling in for Kondou’s duties, while Nagakura and Harada reflect on being overwhelmed by firearms in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi they fled from.
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Hijikata fights the Rasetsu urges.
It’s kind of hard to believe Chizuru’s a pure-blooded demon with a face like that.
「焔の如く」 (Homura no Gotoku)
“Like a Blaze”
As I’ve briefly mentioned, Hakuouki is now considered a Monday show in light of AT-X airing a double-header when every other station only aired the recap special. That kind of handcuffs me blogging-wise, but the struggles of the Shinsengumi in their losing fight against pro-Imperial forces has me excited about the direction of this sequel. Story-wise, things are proceeding in accordance to the Boshin War, with the renaming of the Shinsengumi as the Kouyou Chinbutai being the major development here. This causes some unrest within the group, particularly in Nagakura Shinpachi (Tsuboi Tomohiro) and Harada Sanosuke (Yusa Kouji), who actually left the group after the upcoming Battle of Koushuu-Katsunuma over Koufu Castle. As depicted, they aren’t the least bit happy about how their shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, and the various other upper echelons in Bakufu secretly fled Osaka Castle in the last battle and headed to Edo by boat. I can’t blame them for rethinking about fighting for someone who doesn’t have any concern for their lives and was willing to just let them all die out there, which is surprisingly exactly what happened in history.
On the fictional side of things, Chizuru’s demon bloodline has drawn the wary eyes of Sannan Keisuke (Tobita Nobuo) in addition to the real threat, Kazama Chikage. At this point, I don’t see much coming from the Rasetsu unit since they were forced to stay behind. Kazama on the other hand will be around with Satsuma forces the very next episode, which should led to another heated exchange with Hijikata. Thus far, it’s been established that those two will be rivals for the rest of the series, and now it’s been hinted that Chizuru will be caught in between more than ever before. While I’m quite interested in seeing where that takes the story, I’m just as curious about seeing what becomes of the Shinsengumi themselves. Saitou Hajime (Toriumi Kousuke) is one of my favorite characters since he’s extremely loyal even in light of his reservation towards Kondou’s decision to take over Koufu Castle and make it their own, so his actions in this sequel are something I have my eye on. Aside from that, I assume the change to Western-style clothing is for pure fan appeal. Things are probably going to get pretty bloody next time though…
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Flashbacks to all the times the Shinsengumi saved Chizuru, including the Aburano Kouji Incident. With the use of Ochimizu, Heisuke is still alive to talk about it.
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Sannan’s intent on experimenting with Chizuru’s blood to see if it’ll calm their Rasetsu urges. I’m still waiting for the day the Shinsengumi will be forced to kill him.
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Especially considering how he’s believed to be drinking the blood of innocent people during his nightly patrols, like Kimigiku (Katsuta Akiko) suggested before.
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No one is as nice to Chizuru as Okita, though Heisuke and Hijikata have been getting close.
The Shinsengumi rename themselves the Kouyou Chinbutai and discuss Bakufu orders of defending Koufu Castle from pro-Imperial forces.
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Despite receiving two cannons, small firearms, and war funds from one Katsu Awanokami, the Shinsengumi captains aren’t happy with how the Tokugawa shogunate appears to be yielding to the Imperial faction. Nagakura’s not too fond of Kondou’s daimyo aspirations either. Hijikata’s reasoning of increasing their victories in hopes Bakufu will send reinforcements is better though.
I’ve been wondering what’s up with the Western-style clothing. Hijikata gives the Shinsengumi these clothes as an alternative to Japanese ones. He cut his hair too!
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They look more like knights than samurai now. Unfortunately, Okita won’t be joining them.
Kondou retains the Japanese wear and leads the Kouyou Chinbutai towards Koufu Castle.
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Chizuru is asked to come along because it’s not safe leaving her behind with Sannan and the Rasetsu unit.
ED Sequence
ED: 「茜空に願ふ」 (Akanezora ni Negafu) by mao
[Download]
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Much like the first season, we have a really nice ending sequence and another song by mao. As a bonus, there’s some Hijikata x Chizuru shipping going on too.
Preview
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There’s a lot of foreshadowing of the doubt in Nagakura and Harada, which this upcoming battle will reveal if it goes according to history.
October 6, 2010 at 12:08 amunknown2
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NANI! There was another episode!!!
October 6, 2010 at 1:10 ambleu
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Ahh, I hope you’re considering to keep blogging Hakuouki, Divine!
The story just keeps getting better~~ Plus there’e fanservice xD;; Really loving both the OP and ED like first season!
October 6, 2010 at 3:49 amClaire Phoenix
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Thank you so much Divine for the screencaps and the summary~
Chikage-sama~ *__*
October 6, 2010 at 5:40 amLee
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It is my first time of witnessingan an anime adaptation which is worse than the original game, but I still enjoy the series. Maybe mostly because I’m very fond of Harada Sanosuke xD
The series follow the Shinsengumi’s history rather closely, but with all the Ochimizu stuff it changed everything quite a lot. It’s a pity they chose Chizuru/Hijikata as the potential pairing instead of other pairings. In the game Chizu/Hijikata had the most boring route really :S
But anyway, I’ve been waiting for them to change their uniforms already :3 If only the animation quality was better!
October 6, 2010 at 6:17 amEva
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//. It’s a pity they chose Chizuru/Hijikata as the potential pairing instead of other pairings. In the game Chizu/Hijikata had the most boring route really :S//
Same here. I find that Chizuru/Hijikata are lacking chemistry and feels rather they are forcefully putting them together as Official Pairing. Perhaps it will improve this season, because last time I checked – it sucked really badly in the first – and that goes for quality as well, it keeps on faltering. =_=;
October 6, 2010 at 6:13 amEva
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XD; I have to agree, a damn bloody battle is coming *shivers* damn bloody one indeed…
But I got to say, the change in outfits is just more than fan service. It’s to blend in more so they aren’t shot down immediately compared to wearing their traditional outfits where it’s literally screaming, “HEY HEY! LOOK HERE I’M THE ENEMY! LOOK AT ME!!!” in this kind of situation don’t you think? XD
October 6, 2010 at 7:34 amMizu
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Thanks for blogging Divine! I really like the ending :O
October 6, 2010 at 9:33 amDivine
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Just a heads-up that I may not continue covering it since it’s now considered a Monday show. I really have to make time to do so and the interest in it seems to be pretty small. I definitely plan to continue watching it though.
October 6, 2010 at 9:53 amLilian
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Yes the western clothes make no sense, but yes again its mad fan appeal cuz I like it. lol.
I love watching historical/samurai series but they’re seldom animated. So this is pretty much all I can get. Despite the fandom-ness, the historical aspect is interesting.
October 6, 2010 at 10:07 amLee
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They’re wearing more modern clothes, because of the time, as far as I remember. There was a nice line in the game that someone said (forgot who), that they’re a bunch of brawlers that have the time all mixed up. And technically the Shinsengumi were defeated because they seriously were kinda not fitting in the time back then, when the fire arms became more common than swords. They refused to use anything besides the swords, and afterall, it was the only weapon they knew how to use well.
And lol… it’s definitely better to blog these than a thousand and one generic ecchi show… ;D
October 6, 2010 at 11:48 amOh Lawdy
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Didnt know Aoshi Shinomori was in this series too
October 6, 2010 at 12:03 pmroyceHOLLERED
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The new clothes reminde me of Gintama… SIGH.. why do good shows have to end like that..
October 6, 2010 at 1:11 pmfirecow
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@Divine, Just dropped Letter Bee if you can’t blog this on a Saturday. Most people don’t care about letter bee so blogging about is pointless unless you’re still interested in blogging letter bee which I don’t
October 6, 2010 at 2:19 pmLee
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Lol, believe it or not, but actually the second season of Tegami Bachi was one of the most anticipated series of this season, like it or not.
October 6, 2010 at 2:30 pmDivine
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It’s no longer up against Tegami Bachi on Sundays, but Yosuga no Sora and Shinryaku! Ika Musume on Mondays.
As for Tegami Bachi itself, I like the series a fair bit. I generally don’t blog based on what’s popular among readers, but will take it into account if I have to give up a show on a given day.
October 6, 2010 at 2:18 pmKEM
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OMG!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE HAKUOUKI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 6, 2010 at 2:29 pmjulia
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Thanks for the summary !!
October 6, 2010 at 3:01 pmpeppermint
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omg, what was saitou on his clothes? *nosebleed*
October 10, 2010 at 1:48 amAnne
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Thank you for blogging this!
The anticipation for the next ep, can’t wait to see what happens (:
October 10, 2010 at 4:16 pmkaon
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me encanto, espero que la 2 supere mis espectativas¡¡
October 10, 2010 at 4:37 pmceline
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Trop bien merci pour le travaille que vous faite pour le résumé
October 10, 2010 at 4:42 pmYona
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Thanks a lot for the summary … you are doing a great job
October 11, 2010 at 7:23 amUmiko
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kyaaaaaaaaaa they look so good (hehehe)
October 11, 2010 at 7:42 amfab
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Well, i have to say that i loved Hakuouki XD
October 11, 2010 at 10:32 amEmi
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i was wondering where you can find this episode!!
i cant find it anywhere!!!
but i really like this anime =)
October 11, 2010 at 2:00 pmGypsy
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Thank U for the update..I really like this anime!!
October 11, 2010 at 3:02 pmBleached Rukia
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Oh boy XD I have mixed feelings about this second season. Looks like lots of eye candy this time around.. but hopefully something will happen this season :( Last it seems like Chizuru just summarized history with her voice over, except at the end when Okita finally turned.
Even if no subbing groups pick this up I will have to watch it raw :3
October 11, 2010 at 5:59 pmCecilia
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my inner fangirl was screaming for Hijikata, but I must say this story is pretty interesting!
October 11, 2010 at 6:45 pmhachi
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Hmm, I’m hoping Chizuru transforms from a crying damsel to actually using her sword… that would be new ….LOVE THE GUYS (HOTTIES)
October 11, 2010 at 8:06 pmBlonkzx
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Awesome Dudeee !! I like the story line .
October 11, 2010 at 9:59 pmPatty
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Thank you for!!!
October 12, 2010 at 9:30 amLime&Lemon
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They look good in their new clothes ;)
October 12, 2010 at 6:20 pmciaossu
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please don’t drop Hakuouki Hekketsuroku, divine! it’s actually moving a lot faster compared to the first season DX
October 13, 2010 at 12:47 pmshelly
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PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE don’t drop Hakuouki Hekketsuroku!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
October 13, 2010 at 2:46 pmciaossu
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I don’t feel so alone anymore :D
October 13, 2010 at 4:45 pmbets
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I want to join the crusade ” Don’t Drop Hakuouki”
October 14, 2010 at 3:52 pmozzy
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I beg you don’t drop hakuoki
October 14, 2010 at 9:31 pmblacklily
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I like this anime so don’t drop hakuoki please
October 15, 2010 at 12:28 amJan S.
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Hope you continue blogging Hakuouki Hekketsuroku… there are more of us out here fangirling over this show than you might think. ;) Thanks for this post!
October 15, 2010 at 8:10 pmCinthya
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yeah please don’t drop this : )