Shura no Toki, ep. 2 & 7: “A Fighter Without Peer” & “The Ultimate Warriors” (2004, NYAV Post)
“A Fighter Without Peer”
Fans of Rurouni Kenshin may, at first, find themselves doing some double-takes as they take in the style of the show and on-the-surface approach to its characters. But while Yakumo is a peaceful drifter, he’s not exactly a goof or a pretty boy, nor does he operate under a dark cloud of oppressive memories. His confidence is low-key and his talent immediately made apparent, as this episode brings to the fore the usefulness of the Mustsu Enmei style, a series of techniques inherited by those in Yakumo’s family line that enable a practitioner to be fierce, even deadly with his hands.
Given this type of character, Marc Thompson brings just the right notes of likability and self-assurance to the role. While there isn’t much in the way of foley on his end (having something to do with how seasoned Yakumo’s movements are, I’m sure), it’s the reactions of those he fights, and those who observe his fights that make the overall effect entertaining.
“The Ultimate Warriors”
By this point, Yakumo has been pushed into demonstrating his skills to a number of pushy individuals who mostly work for bigger players. But it isn’t until his potentially-more-than-a friend Shiori is kidnapped by a resentful third party that he is led into the duel we’ve been promised from the beginning, and the first climax of the series.
Unlike episode 2, this one is definitely built on the strength of foley work. J. David Brimmer’s guttural stretches on his strikes as Musashi Miyamoto, both his and Marc Thompson’s breathing through words AND fighting moves – it all serves to paint a believable, fun picture of a struggle in progress. Brimmer even gets breathy during the short voice over featured in the fight! Neither of them overplays their responses.
I especially note Brimmer’s final, elongated yell as he closes in on Yakumo, and the pained aftermath of his attack. It’s a thing of beauty, and given the nature of this show, not something I’ve seen commented on elsewhere. It might represent one of the man’s best performances in anime, if not the best.
– Shsway
