I’m really disappointed in cutting whatever the Aoshi miniarc was going to be in RK: The Final. Aoshi comes back looking more put together than he ever has in this movie series, healed from pain and hurt from the past and operating as a true Oniwaban member again -- in fact he’s the Okashira!
We get a scene of him standing in front of the Kamiya dojo’s motto, ‘to invigorate the heart,’ just stepping inside the dojo and essentially viewing the place that is Kenshin’s home. This thing that Kenshin truly believed and embodied. Kenshin, the guy who showed him mercy and pulled him out of misery and set him on a path of healing. And then we get a flashback of Aoshi getting intel back in Kyoto, ‘Blood will rain in Tokyo. And Battousai is involved.’
He gets intel that Kenshin is getting targeted and that’s why he comes with Misao to Tokyo -- to warn Battousai. But it’s too late. The plot has already started. That’s when Aoshi joins the fight -- completely separately from the main Tokyo gang -- he even catches one of the Jinchuu manifestos/calling cards and takes note.
Then he gets hit saving civilians and then. Never returns to the plot. Ever. That’s it. Not even any footage of him healing and coming back. So. it just looks like. Aoshi. Died??? Huh????
I’m really mad they did that to Aoshi because he really deserves so much better. There was some really subtle acting since Aoshi is not Loud. All his acting is done on his face. He barely talks but I think he conveyed so much in the scenes where he visits the Kamiya dojo. Like the movie implies he came all the way from Kyoto to defend Battousai as...a friend?
And I say this knowing they had something in mind for Aoshi because he’s a huge part of the Jinchuu arc in the manga!!! In the manga the Kaoru death fake out happens and everyone is completely off their game totally inundated, lying around moping and inconsolable.
In walks Aoshi. Pulls out the cords in the Kaoru doll.
Figures out everything in about five minutes, alone.
Like a walking info dump.
Aoshi was a really great turning point in the manga because he pulls everybody out of their depression-funk through sheer unadulterated competence to the scene. Then they get Kenshin on his feet and Aoshi is there sailing with him to Enishi’s murder island to fistfight goonies.
Aoshi deserved better in the movies -- just a scene telling us he was ok would have been enough. Just a scene of him meeting Kenshin again. When all of Kenshin’s friends - including Saito - jumps out to help him clear a path to the Enishi in the final act -- Aoshi! Should have! Been there!!
