Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 25

What is the truth for Kenshin? He has spent 15 years searching for it, but has never laid eyes on it. Is it some unattainable ideal, or has it been with him all along? Kenshin lies broken in Rakuninmura with only a mysterious old man for a companion. The others have repeatedly tried and failed to get him to stand up and leave. Can a tearful Tsubame reach him in time to save Yahiko from a maniac heading into Tokyo? Can he find his truth?

After nothing but fight scene after fight scene, volume 25 was quite refreshing. The giant one-armed Kujiranami has escaped his prison and begin rampaging through the town. With Kenshin still in the "Fallen Village" and Saitou and Aoshi away, it is up to Yahiko to prevent Kujiranami from reaching his destination. It was great to see how Yahiko has truly developed as a swordsman. Watsuki could have easily continued using Yahiko has the weak link and occasional comedic relief. I've never loved Yahiko as a character as much as I did in this volume. Geezer proves to be an even more important character than orginally implied, as he attempts to get Kenshin out of his coma like state. When he finally does (Did I spoil the story for anyone? I apologize, but really, was there ever any doubt?), Kenshin's return was done so well, that I was practically smiling form ear to ear. This volume does get over-idealistic at times, but that's not new to the series. Overall, a great volume. True, it is made up mostly of another long fight scene, but what a great scene it was!

With the Gein dead,Keshin still souless,and Saito & Aoshi on a mission,it's now Yahiko's turn to take center stage in Volume 25 of Rurouni Kenshin... Still seeking revenge againest the Battousai for chopping off his arm and refusing to grant him an honorable death,Hyogo escapes Jail and goes on a rampage searching for Keshin.The only ones withen the area are low level officers and Yahiko,who once again proves he's going to be Keshin's future equal by taking command of the officers and charging Hyogo(now armed with a Auto-Grenade Launcher,head on. However,Yahiko's skill and advanced training still can't close the gap between him and "Whale Mouth's" sheer power,leaving Tsubame-Chan to seek Kenshin's help.Kenshin,as he was for most of the last Volume,is awaiting death in The Fallen Village.After some kind words from "The Geezer",Kenshin comes to the "Truth" which reawakens him and his Sakabato. This was another great Yahiko heavy estaliment which really showed how far he's come since joining the "Kenshin-Gumi".He's gotten stronger,is more focused and willing to protect others justlike Kenshin.The only minor grumbles were the true identidy of "The Geezer"(Come on,what are the odds!?) and brief appearences by the supporting/remaining cast(well,this WAS Yahiko's fight).But if you've been reading Kenshin up until this point,those are actually forgivable. Highly Recommanded