Reader’s Question:
In Rurouni Kenshin, there was a point where the military couldn’t be used against Shishio’s faction. Do you think that if the military had been deployed, they could have completely defeated Shishio’s group?
Could the Military Have Defeated Shishio’s Faction?
You know, diving into conversations about Rurouni Kenshin always brings
back a flood of memories from my uni days. There was this one time, during a particularly intense study session at the judicial scrivener’s office, a friend and I found ourselves debating the peculiarities of the Meiji era, particularly the power dynamics between the military and factions like Shishio’s. It’s a topic that, when pondered, can make anyone feel like a history buff, even if they’re just a psychology major trying to juggle part-time work and academics. The question at hand is intriguing: if the military had been deployed against Shishio’s group, could they have completely destroyed it? Now, I must admit, my initial reaction was a resounding “maybe.” But as I dug deeper into the context and implications, I realized it’s much more complicated. Imagine for a moment the chaos that would ensue if the military had intervened. Sure, they could have potentially wiped out Shishio’s faction. I mean, the military, with its resources, could have launched a full-scale assault. But at what cost? This would undoubtedly lead to a civil war, opening the door wide for foreign powers to take advantage of the situation. It’s like that moment when you think you’ve found the perfect snack to fuel your study session, only to realize that indulging too much has left you feeling sluggish and unproductive. One of the comments I came across touches on this beautifully. It suggests that while retaking occupied villages might have been possible, the aftermath would still leave Japan vulnerable. Shishio’s group, despite being decimated, wouldn’t be the only threat. Other factions would surely seize the opportunity to retaliate, perhaps even resorting to assassination as a form of revenge. It’s a classic case of one problem leading to another, kind of like when you forget your lunch and end up drowning your sorrows in too many vending machine snacks. As for the military’s capabilities during the Meiji era, it’s fascinating to think about how their weaponry would measure up against Shishio’s elite fighters like Sojiro and Kamatari. I mean, can you imagine trying to catch someone as fast as Sojiro with the rudimentary technology of that time? It would be like trying to catch a greased pig at a county fair—near impossible! And then there’s the contrast with someone like Anji, who, despite having formidable skills, would be at a severe disadvantage against prolonged gunfire. So, reflecting on this, it seems the military’s involvement would have been a double-edged sword. While they may have had the power to obliterate Shishio’s faction, the broader implications of such an action could have plunged the nation into a deeper crisis. This brings me back to my studies in psychology—how actions, especially those taken in desperation, often lead to unforeseen consequences. In the whirlwind of these thoughts, I can’t help but chuckle at how these discussions often spiral into debates over not just fictional narratives but also real-life implications. It’s a reminder of how interconnected our choices are, whether in a story or our daily lives. What about you? Have you ever found yourself lost in a debate about a beloved story? Or perhaps you’ve had an experience where a seemingly simple choice led to unexpected consequences? I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories in the comments!
