Katsugeki: Touken Ranbu (活撃 刀剣乱舞)

Still, I’m amazed we defeated an unknown enemy such as this one.

So this is the power of the First Unit.

Honebami.

What do you say we get going?

Right.

So we're going back to the Citadel now?

Not quite.

We still have work to do.

Just one more task to go.

Episode 8 Protect History

I'll take those eggplants there, and some squash, too.

Honebami.

Take this.

What are we going to do with all this stuff we're buying?

Also...

I'll pay you a little extra, so can we borrow that cart?

Hey, Mikazuki.

What are we about to do right now?

Oh, right. This mission was more troublesome than usual, right?

A street slasher uproar by a new species.

The death toll was heavy, too.

But we managed to protect the flow of history, didn't we?

I suppose. We protected history like our mission called for.

What's that supposed to mean?

Let me explain.

The history we protected only ensured that the future wouldn't be affected,

and it doesn't mean that the future hasn't changed at all.

There are lives that wouldn't have been lost if the Time Retrograde Army hadn't shown up.

Buildings that wouldn't have burned down...

A lot of pain that wouldn't have been inflicted.

So we only protected the future that Saniwa wants preserved?

That's it, more or less.

So for the people who got dragged into this history that never should've happened,

it could be anything, but we just wanted to do something for them.

Even so, it's not our fault that they suffered.

It can't be helped.

Can't be helped?

Then can you look at that and say the same thing?

People actually got killed, you know.

Don't you feel anything at all when you see the bereaved?

Still, it would only be for our self-satisfaction. We'd be frauds.

Sure, we might be frauds.

Don't you understand?

We've been traveling through time to preserve the flow of history.

And we've also been struggling just as much to deal with

the history we couldn't protect, and the people who lost their lives.

If only there were something we could do.

That's all there is.

That's why just for one day...

We'll do something for these people, and then return to the Citadel.

It's become our established routine.

If it doesn't sit well with you, you don't have to join in.

After all, this isn't one of Saniwa's missions.

As expected from the First Unit. Looks like they were successful.

I've looked at the Second Unit’s data that you sent me, along with the video footage.

As for the map data and others, I've added them to the server.

Thank you.

Still, regarding the Second Unit's last battle...

Even though they preserved history, it was only by a very thin margin.

I'm concerned about the effects going forward.

Additionally, the Touken Danshi were injured so gravely...

It was quite a fierce battle for the Second Unit.

That said, they accomplished more than I ever hoped.

Thank you for your hard work, too, Konnosuke.

So, how is Izuminokami doing?

Physically, he's on the mend,

but he seems to be blaming himself for his comrades' injuries.

He's still suffering from psychological damage?

Yes.

In your eyes, Konnosuke, how would you evaluate Izuminokami?

He's reckless, rough, inexperienced, quick to fight,

and in some ways, he seems very unstable.

However,

I do sense that there’s something more to him.

I can see that you've taken a liking to the Second Unit, Konnosuke.

Master!

Yes.

The Historical Revisionists are at it again with their plotting, huh?

Konnosuke?

Could you summon Izuminokami here, please?

Tonbokiri seems to be feeling a lot better.

Is that so.

Kunihiro.

The Second Unit did protect history, didn't we?

The master said that history hadn't been altered, remember?

Is that really true?

Kane-san?

We dragged an untold number of people into it.

So many houses were blasted away, and the battleship was sunk.

Is it fair to say that we protected it? Did we really?

We did protect it.

Yes, we protected it, Kane-san.

Our master, Saniwa, said so himself.

The Second Unit preserved the flow of history.

The Second Unit.

I exposed you all to danger, and I'm to blame for Tonbokiri's severe wound.

It wasn't your fault, Kane-san.

Will you still fight by my side, even with a captain like me?

I'm your partner, Kane-san.

Yeah.

Where are you going?

Come with me, will you?

For me to ponder like this about what it means to protect history...

After all the times I've traveled through history...

This is the first time.

Eat a lot, and turn this into energy for tomorrow.

Okay, next person.

Here you go.

Everyone!

These are ready to go, too!

Here. This is delicious, too.

There's still some food left. Want to eat it?

Yeah!

Me, too!

Okay. Hang on for a second.

My husband's gone, too.

It's just me and my children...

How are we supposed to get by?

Let me take that.

Right now, let's just do what we can.

But...

Don't look away. Accept it into your heart.

I'm sorry, but could you give this child some, too?

Oh, sure.

Here.

Thank you.

You like it?

Yes!

How about you, ma'am?

I've had plenty, thanks.

Then, is there something else I can do?

Just for now, I can do anything.

Oh, no. There's nothing that I really desire.

I just wake up in the morning, and breathe. That's all.

I lost my husband in the war, and my only son was killed by the street slasher.

You men are samurais, aren't you?

Yes.

I guess you can't help it if you're a samurai.

A life is the same, even if you're the one killing, or the one being killed.

Once the deed is done...

you can never get it back.

Mutsunokami?

Hey! How's it going?

Hey.

What do you want?

Just wondering how you've been doing.