Written In The Stars :: A SOUMI Shrine

This is the section entitled “Manga vs. Anime” the latter being placed second for a reason. This is for the major comparisons of the manga (the plotline for RK written by Watsuki himself) and the anime, where the story was added onto or otherwise subtracted by the anime storywriters. This is only for the “relationship” between Aoshi and Misao, and other significant things occurring between Soujiro or Misao.

Please take note that I only own 8, 9, 15, and 16 of the RK manga. If you have a fact to submit, just contact us and we’ll give you credit.

This does include spoilers, you’ve been warned.

Manga vol 9, Act 69, page 35.

Manga: While inside Shishio’s hideout, Saitou makes a remark about Misao. Misao, who is trying to sneak into the hideout, almost yawns, and the scene ends. In Japanese myth, when you yawn someone’s talking about you, however she thought nothing of it.

Anime: After she yawns, Misao thinks happily, that “maybe it was Aoshi-sama” and the scene ends. This is a clearly inputted scene used to perhaps to exaggerate her admiration or crush on Aoshi.

Manga vol 15, Act 120, page 9.

Manga: After Aoshi’s defeat by Kenshin, Kenshin leaves to face his next opponent, and the scene ends there.

Anime: This time, after Kenshin departs, Aoshi is seen on the floor, thinking of the Oniwabanshu that have died. The image of a weeping Misao appears, and a tiny, barely noticeable grin appears on his face. The scene ends. Again, this is another fake scene added.

Manga, vol 15, Act 123, page 60.

Manga: Misao, while fighting Kamatari with Kaoru, gets hit by Kamatari and ends up unconscious. As she wakes, the spirit of Hannya addresses her, saying Aoshi is coming back. She wakes up, and the scene concludes.

Anime: However this time as she awakens, Misao has a flash back of a much younger version of herself training with the Oniwabanshu, with a younger Aoshi smiling down on her. As all the other added scenes, this one was to maybe enhance Aoshi and Misao’s so called “romance.” (Which was, none at all, frankly put.)

Manga, vol 8, Act 64, page 145

Manga: After Misao falls from Kenshin breaking a bridge and recovers, Misao says she wonders what Aoshi and the others are doing. Kenshin says his full name, and she asks him where Aoshi is. The scene ends at that point.

Anime: After Misao says she wonders about Aoshi, however, now she's looking at the stars. She has flashbacks of herself trying to find Aoshi while she speaks, and most of her lines are extended upon to emphasise her "love" for Aoshi. Yet again...another fake scene.

Kenshin Kaden

There have been rumors around the net about Aoshi and Misao “getting together” at the end of Kenshin Kaden. Kenshin Kaden is the very last installment in RK, (yes, the “Reflections” OAV wasn’t the official end) and therefore, some people have stated that AM are married in it.

However, there are too many facts against it to be true.

Let’s start, shall we?

1: When Misao first appears, notice her outfit. This is an outfit for a Japanese schoolgirl in the late 1800’s. Notice the hakama, the boots, and Misao’s short hair. I highly doubt a married girl back then would be going to school. Remember that devotion to a spouse back then was taken seriously. Married girls would stay at home, taking care of the house, children, and making sure her husband was happy with her. So naturally, Misao wouldn’t have the time to go to school as well as take care of food and housing.

2: Kenshin greets Misao as “Misao-dono” or “Miss Misao.” I don’t believe this needs further explaining.

3: I also noticed Misao not paying attention to Aoshi and visa versa. She doesn’t even mention his name; much less show a wife’s affection. The same is exactly true of Aoshi; he barely paid her a glance at all. Not only that, if the two had been married, I know Misao would brag about it and gush over the man.

4: Misao’s crush has obviously worn off. There were signs of it wearing thin in the Jinchuu (just before Kenshin Kaden) and it seems to have completely disappeared. Some may argue this as “love” but I’ve yet to see anyone in “love” completely ignore the other. They made no eye contact, no acknowledge of one another, nothing at all to suggest a relationship. Heck, I didn’t even see a semblance of platonic love in there.

So my conclusion is, the rumor is just that, a rumor.

Thus far, there aren’t many differences occurring with Soujiro, which can be a good thing or a bad thing. However, the above information is indeed crucial to Rurouni Kenshin, and we here at Written In The Stars find it necessary to point these poignant differences out. Remember, if you have a fact to submit, or a question, please contact us.