Rurouni Kenshin Meiji Kenkaku Romantan Kyoto Douran [Season 2 Episode 23]

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran (Season 2, Episode 23) – A Climax That Divided Fans

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran has been a rollercoaster of emotions, and Episode 23, the season finale, was no exception. Directed by Liden Films and adapting the iconic Kyoto arc from Nobuhiro Watsuki’s manga, this episode promised high stakes, intense battles, and a resolution to Shishio Makoto’s grand scheme. But did it deliver? Well, the fan reactions are… mixed, to say the least.

The Build-Up and the Letdown

The season spent ages building up to the “Great Kyoto Fire” and the threat of Shishio’s ironclad battleship, the Rengoku. Fans expected a massive, explosive climax—something worthy of the tension that had been simmering for nearly 20 episodes. Instead, what we got was… well, a fire that got put out pretty quickly and a ship that barely got to fire its cannon before sinking.

One fan on MyAnimeList put it bluntly: “All that build-up just for this anticlimactic ending? A bit disappointed, but I still enjoyed this episode regardless.” Another was less forgiving: “This season has officially been one of the biggest pieces of trash I’ve ever watched. The first season was good, but this? 15-19 episodes of waiting for a fire that lasts one episode and a ship that does nothing?”

Ouch.

The Underdogs Shine

That said, not everything about this episode was a letdown. The real heroes here weren’t Kenshin or Shishio—it was the underdogs. Sanosuke, the Kyoto police, and even the civilians stepping up to stop the fires gave the episode its emotional weight.

Fans loved seeing Sano finally get his moment. “Sanosuke sank the ship with his fist! The final battle changed scenery!!!! kekeke,” one user cheered. Others appreciated the smaller character moments, like the police chief’s growth or Megumi’s role in treating the wounded, regardless of their allegiances.

Shishio’s… Lack of a Plan?

Shishio Makoto, the big bad of the Kyoto arc, somehow ended up looking like a bit of a fool in this episode. He stood around, let Sano wreck his ship, and then just… watched. “Shishio running away was one of the most anticlimactic things in this arc,” complained one fan. Another pointed out: “He just stood there doing nothing, had Soujirou stand there doing nothing too, and then acted shocked when his plan failed. Like, dude, you weren’t even trying!”

It’s a weird look for a villain who’s supposed to be a genius strategist.

The Filler Problem

A recurring complaint was the pacing. Many felt the season dragged its feet with filler, only to rush the actual climax. “I can’t believe they wasted half the season on filler,” one viewer lamented. Another added: “This just feels rushed and all over the place. How are they wrapping this up in two episodes?”

The original 1996 anime had similar pacing issues, but fans hoped the remake would tighten things up. Instead, it seems to have inherited the same flaws.

The Silver Linings

Despite the criticisms, there were bright spots. The animation during key fight scenes was praised, and some fans loved the smaller character interactions. “The best scene was Saito trying to cut Sano sleeping on top of the carriage,” one user joked. Others appreciated the moral dilemmas, like Kenshin refusing to kill even when it put him at a disadvantage.

And hey, the announcement of a third season (adapting the “Jinchuu” arc) at the end of the episode gave fans something to look forward to.

Final Thoughts

Episode 23 was divisive. Some called it a fitting end to the arc, while others felt it was a rushed mess. But one thing’s for sure: Rurouni Kenshin still knows how to spark passionate debates.

So, was it worth the wait? Depends on who you ask. But if nothing else, it’s left fans hungry for more—whether out of excitement or sheer frustration.

Rating: 3.5/5 (Good, but could’ve been legendary).

What did you think of the episode? Let’s argue in the comments.