Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru (刀剣乱舞-花丸-)

The year is 2205 A.D.

To annihilate the History Retrograde Army, who scheme to alter history,

we, who were born from swords,

engage in mortal combat today as well!

Brilliant, brilliant.

Touken Ranbu Hanamaru

"This anime is about the stories of the Hanamaru days

of a certain group of Sword Warriors in a certain citadel."

Don't just stand there. If you want something, come in.

I see.

The formidable sword of Kondou Isami, the fearsome commander of the Shinsengumi,

isn't all that impressive, is he?

That's why I'm training like this.

I can't be dragging everyone down.

Sakamoto Ryouma and Kondou Isami.

The man who brought down the shogunate, and the man who protected it.

To think the swords of former enemies would be reunited in the flesh like this.

If you haven't finished training yet, how about some gun training with me?

I don't know anything beyond the manly, direct sword style of Kondou Isami!

Thus, I strive to be loyal to this method of fighting!

Hey now, Sakamoto Ryouma is the definition of manly!

Sakamoto was cheerful and openhearted!

Cheerful and Openhearted

No, Kondou Isami was more forthright in his manliness!

Forthright

Sakamoto was broadminded!

Kondou was incredibly generous!

He was affable!

He was indomitable!

He was gentle but firm!

He was enterprising and daring!

Sakamoto!

Kondou!

Do those two not get along?

Or is it the opposite?

They get along because they don't get along.

I see. It's complicated.

Kondou!

Sakamoto!

Kondou!

Now that fall has ended, winter begins. Loneliness hangs in the air, does it not?

You think so?

I thought you liked summer, Urashima, but do you like winter as well?

That's not it, Hachisuka-niichan!

It's because Nagasone-niichan has arrived at the citadel!

I'm so glad all of us siblings are together.

I even got to train with Nagasone-niichan yesterday.

And he didn't go easy on me!

How unpleasant.

Nagasone-niichan's gotten so strong already! He's amazing!

That man is not your older brother, nor anything close.

He's a fake calling himself a Kotetsu.

Like I could ever get along with a forgery.

That doesn't matter to me, though.

Whether he's authentic or a forgery...

Master, they've appeared there again?

The Sword Warriors being dispatched are—

Very well, these six?

They should be able to fulfill their duty.

Dispatch orders have come from Master for you all.

Do not be alarmed, and calmly listen to me.

Somehow!

The History Retrograde Army has...

...infiltrated the Ikeda Inn again, right?

What, you were already prepared?

I mean, given that you gathered the five Shinsengumi swords, it had to be that.

You're being sent to the Ikeda Inn in Kyoto in the year 1864.

These five swords are going?

No, there's one more.

Looks like I'll be going with you guys to the Ikeda Inn.

I have no idea what our Master is thinking.

So it's you.

Surely there's some intention behind it.

Knock off the fighting and dragging out the relationship

between your former masters.

It's an indoor battle in narrow rooms.

Cooperate and fight together, so you're not just slashing around recklessly.

Cooperate? I wonder if he can manage that?

Oh, scary.

The captain is Yamatonokami Yasusada.

Y-Yes.

Captain, huh? I'm counting on you.

I'll help you, too!

Sword Protection Charm

Yamatonokami, this is from Master.

A protection charm?

As Master's attendant, I'm always by their side, so I know this much.

You had a fierce fight at the Ikeda Inn.

Master knows how hard you've worked since then.

They've been keeping a close eye on you.

Show them the fruits of your labor.

What?

They've only been watching Yasusada?

Master always keeps an eye on everyone, of course.

They've been enjoying your stories as well, Kashuu.

Master cares about all the Sword Warriors that are gathered here.

Return the sentiment, Yamatonokami.

What's the matter?

I just got nervous all of a sudden.

In that case, Master entrusted me to give you this.

What? That's so nice.

What is this box?

Is there something inside it?

Who knows? I'm not sure.

I'm going to open it.

"Sa"

Ouch!

It's a jack-in-the-box.

Your nervousness is gone now, isn't it?

Yeah!

This is another part of Master's kindness.

All right, you are being dispatched in 30 minutes.

Before we go,

I want to come up with a battle strategy,

so can we all gather in the great room?

I've been over the tactics in my head numerous times since that day.

Kashuu, do you have a minute?

What is it?

Master has high hopes for Yamatonokami.

However, I'm honestly concerned.

He strongly adores Okita Souji—

That's...

all in the past now.

Is it really?

Okita Souji isn't the one who is wielding us anymore now.

"Sa"

This is our Master now.

Yasusada knows that, too.

He's not pushing himself, is he?

He's gotten stronger mentally as well.

Believe in him.

Kashuu, I'm counting on you.

I know.

Reception Room

Dirt Floor

Dirt Floor Well

Well Kitchen

Front Stairs

Dining Room

Front Stairs

Courtyard

What is the History Retrograde Army's goal in going to the Ikeda Inn?

Attack the Shinsengumi and keep the anti-shogunate ronin alive, perhaps?

Makes sense. By keeping them alive, they'll turn Kyoto into a sea of fire.

That's how they want to alter history, huh?

Probably, it seems the most likely.

So, the History Retrograde Army will be supporting the anti-shogunate ronin.

They'll be lying in wait, either hiding in the Ikeda Inn

or nearby until the Shinsengumi arrive.

How shall we fight them, then, Yamatonokami?

On that day, the Shinsengumi split into the Kondou unit and the Hijikata unit,

searching for the anti-shogunate ronin lurking somewhere in the city of Kyoto.

During the search, the Kondou unit saw the ronin as they entered the Inn.

Four of them: Kondou, Okita, Nagakura, and Toudou stormed the Inn from the front.

Right?

Yeah.

I remember it well.

When they fought on the second floor, they found the anti-shogunate ronin.

Back Stairs

Second Floor

Courtyard

Front Stairs

Dining Room