Peacemaker

Publisher
ADV
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
24 episodes/ 25 minutes
Year
2003

Peacemaker Volume 2: Of Swords and Strength

By noghri
26th Mar 06

Tetsunosuke "Tetsu" Ichimura is back, and he's still trying to convince the hierarchy of the Shinsengumi that he's one of the few who can wield a sword and kill lots of rebels. Especially the Choshu rebels responsible for slaughtering his family. But some in the Shinsengumi believe that he isn't really cut out for the killer's life in the first place. Cleary, Tetsu has some issues to overcome in Peacemaker Volume 2: Of Swords and Strength.

What ADV Said

To kill or not to kill? That is the burning question for vengeful young Tetsunosuke Ichimura. Could he actually bring himself to take a life? On top of that, although he's been accepted into the tight-knit ranks of the Shinsengumi swordsmen (sort of), they still won't let him carry a sword. Things start to get ugly when a band of rebel ninjas shows up in Kyoto to kick some Shinsengumi butt! Is Tetsu any closer to finding the elusive strength he longs for? What's the real story behind those peculiar young girls he befriends? And will he ever take a sword in hand?

Review

After the relative slow start to Peacemaker, I was a little hesitant to watch the following volume. But after writing the review of volume 1 I remembered the promise that the show had displayed, I also recalled that the first volume of the Manga had quite a bit more content than the first volume of the anime.

Lets the scene, Tetsunosuke is now the page of Vice Commander Toshizo Hijikata, described as the fierce demon of the Shinsengumi. He rules with a stern hand and a generally cool temperament, he cares little for the feelings of his subordinates and has no time for nonsense. His endless battle is concerned with information about the Choshu clan and their actions. For a person described as the demon commander he also has a more tender side and you can see that above all else he believes in maintaining the standards of the organisation.

We have been introduced to many members of the Shinsengumi, and are constantly being introduced to new characters. The storyline that was lacking in the first volume is starting to pick up and generally the show is much better structured. The awkward clunky feel to the show has become much more fluid and we can finally see the promise displayed beginning to bloom.

Tetsu's efforts to reconcile his desire for vengeance with the trepidation he feels at the prospect of taking a human life. He desperately wants his sword, and appeals to just about anyone who will listen to get it. And he wants to be trained to gain the strength to wield it. Vice Commander Yamanami wants to hold off on giving Tetsu a sword, fearing the boy will merely be turned into a soulless killing machine. Tetsu's master, Vice Commander Hijikata, won't let Tetsu have a sword for any reason.

Toshizu Hijikata behaviour in certain scenes reveal a darker history between himself and Soji, it also appears that her feels guilt for introducing Soji into the world they live in at such an early age and this could be the reason he is so hesitant to allow Tetsu to get his first sword. This reluctance, linked with the history of him trying to stop Tetsu from joining the Shinsengumi shows as possible developing parental feeling towards Tetsu, of course it could just be his way of trying to avoid repeating the actions that caused the guilt he feels when he looks at Soji.

Meanwhile, Commander Kondo wants to give Tetsu the sword and let him make his own decision, which is all Tetsu wants…that and to be able to get out there as another loyal foot soldier of the Shinsengumi.

DVD contents (may contain spoilers)

"Episode 5: Moon"

Tetsu meets the girl he saved and learns she is a mute named Saya, a girl orphaned in the same way as Tetsu himself and made mute by the experience. He also meets Vice Commander Yamanami. He recalls how to drop contributions in the collection jar from 20 paces, as he was taught by his father. This apparently multiplies the power of the prayers of those giving the contribution and so he teaches Saya how to do this also. Saya and Tetsu talk and Saya tells Tetsu to stay as he is by writing on the ground. Tetsu reacts by telling Saya he will not be this weak forever and that he just wants to be strong to avenge his father. Saya got angry with him and ran off. Back at the Shinsengumi head quarters, Kondo, Hijikata, and Yamanami are at a meeting talking about the Choshu, Yamanami doesn't want Tetsunosuke to be involved with the Shinsengumi fearing that he would get hurt. Hijikata declared that he intend to keep Tetsunosuke as his page forever. But Kondo, while talking to Yamanami said that he actually intend to give Tetsunosuke a uniform and some equipment, but it will still be Tetsunosuke's choice whether he wants to officially join.

"Episode 6: Warrior"

First event is the Spear competition, Sanosuke won easily. Tetsunosuke have no intention of participating in any of the events because he doesn't see the reason it would make him stronger. Second event is long distance race around the Mibu Temple. The winner is to get Ayumu's custom Okoa (a Japanese dish). As the race starts, Tetsunosuke is lying inside the dojo in between chores, bored. Soji walked in. Tetsunosuke asked for a training session with Soji, and they spar with wooden swords instead of bamboo swords. During the match, Tetsunosuke asked Soji why did he choose to pick up the katana to fight and why does he want to be strong. Tetsunosuke, despite how much he wants to avenge his parents; he could not bring himself to kill a person. Soji explained that each person's reason are different, but to give it plenty of thought before deciding. The main event is a Battle competition. Soji gathered some of the town's children to watch the event. Saya came to apologize to Tetsunosuke about what happened before and they became friends again. Tetsunosuke agreed to participate in the battle competition and also promised Saya that he'll never make her sad.

"Episode 7: Suzu"

Both Tetsu and Tatsu are out to buy grocery for Shinsengumi. Tetsu noticed a weapon shop and went inside and saying how he really want them cool looking swords. He then noticed a Wakizashi sword and wanted to but it but another boy named Suzu Kitamura wanted it as well. They both argue and during the ruckus another customer comes to stop them. Suzu hastily draws his sword and slashes the person's sleeve by accident. Tatsu noticing what has happen quickly came in the shop and apologizing and blaming Tetsu for all that has happen. Later in this chapter we find out that Suzu is page to Toshimaro Yoshida the leader of the Loyalist rebels. Tetsu went to ask Hijikata for a sword but he replied no. Soji was in this scene and he and Hijikata went out for a walk. Soji ask him why he wouldn't let Tetsu have a sword. Hijikata said he was too young and Soji retorted that he was 9 when he picked up a sword. Soji knew that Hijikata doesn't want to create another demon. At the end of this chapter Susumu was on a mission but was cornered by three female Shinobi. He fought against them and fell into the river and narrowly made his escape.

"Episode 8: Love"

Susumu managed to get out of the river okay; his wounds are being treated by Ayumu. Shinpachi, Sanosuke, and Heisuke are laughing at Tetsunosuke for asking Hijikata directly for a katana. Seeing how insistent Tetsunosuke is, Heisuke gives him one of his Katanas. But it's too long and Tetsunosuke cannot even draw it, instead in breaks it in half. Upon careful inspection, he realized that the sword is made of bamboo, only looked like a real katana from the outside. Upset at the bunch of them making fun of his feelings, Tetsunosuke chased them around the headquarters and accidentally hit Commander Kondo in the head with the broken sword. Kondo, instead of getting mad at him, sent him on an errand to a festival to buy some kuroame (type of sweet). At the festival, Tetsunosuke meets Saya and her friend, Hana. Hana bought all the kuroame before but she gave half of them to Tetsunosuke. Tetsunosuke learned that Hana's parents were also killed and they're all orphans. Tetsunosuke's attempting a hoop throwing game to win prizes for the girls, but Tetsunosuke missed both of the things they wanted and won a mini katana instead. Afterwards Tetsunosuke learned that Hana's hates swords because her father refused to give up his katana even when they didn't have money to get a doctor when her mother was ill. Later Hana bumped into three drunkards and they start bullying her. Before Tetsunosuke can intervene, Shinpachi and Sanosuke show up while on patrol. Sanosuke didn't need to use his sword and defeated all three of them. He stresses that having swords doesn't matter, but he can't just stand by while seeing somebody being bullied. Hana has now fallen for Sanosuke because he's completely different from her father and insisted on Tetsunosuke telling her Sanosuke's name and where he lives. Next day back in Shinsengumi headquarters, Shinpachi gave Tetsunosuke one of his old Wakizashi. But after the speech last night, Tetsunosuke did a lot of thinking, and decided that he'll wait before getting a katana.

Thoughts

The content of the volume wasn't quite what I was expecting. I've read some of this type of Manga and seen some of the more bloody anime available, and when I hear a title like Peacemaker. I'm still expecting someone to be walking softly and carrying a very sharp sword leaving in his wake a trail of gore much like Lone wolf and Cub set in the same period.
There is however almost no violence in these episodes. Sure, it may be coming in later entries, but these four episodes of Peacemaker restrict themselves to further character building. If you have the first DVD, Peacemaker Volume 1: Innocence Lost, you should be well-versed in Tetsu's history and the conflict between the Shinsengumi and the Choshu rebels hoping to end the Shogunate's rule.
If you picked up this disk without watching, you may well be hopelessly lost and might need to read the background into the story. The Shinsengumi appears to be a home for wayward street urchins and the Choshu are nowhere to be found, except for a few of their female Shinobi who try to eradicate Susumu.

And without action to drive a confusing plot, this DVD could possibly drive the casual viewer into boredom or at least loose their keen attention. Sure, the video quality is impeccable. Every line is sharp, the 3d rendering blends well with the animation. The audio is excellent, the soundtrack is great and the voice actors do their job so well there isn’t one character that I dislike.

There are however, a great many characters and some are not around long enough to remember properly. Perhaps this will change with later volumes. I made it through the entire DVD and came through it confident with only the names of the main characters: Tetsu, Tatsu, Saya, Soji, Yamanami and Hijikata. All these are mentioned repeatedly throughout the episodes. The rest of the characters come and go and do nothing of particular note and with the exceptions of Susumu, Shinpachi and Sanosuke.
The only other creation that stays with the viewer is a pig, Saizo, who jets around from time to time for no apparent purpose other than being decidedly grumpy and a little cute, an interesting mixture that he just about pulls off.

In the supplemental material department, the disc comes with a reversible cover; a fold-out insert with some character information, interviews with the writer and director, and an original Peacemaker story; opening and closing titles without the credits, so you can enjoy the music and animation without all that pesky lettering; production sketches, original Japanese DVD spots, a short character minute of Tetsu explaining his motivation, and a commentary track on Episode 7 by the ADV English voice actors.

Overall there is always value to be found in a story that doesn't feature a tragic character bent on revenge, which endeavours to run headlong into vengeful carnage. The fact that Tetsu himself opts to wait and put aside the imminent act of vengeance until he can fully comprehend all the consequences of his decision is praiseworthy. I have no doubt that the Peacemaker series will soon have more than its fair share of battles and possibly even blood and guts. But this DVD has none of it, only a lot of soul searching on the part of Tetsu. This lends the volume has a nice feel to it and even though the storyline is still slow going it has picked up and above all else, the promise that was evident in the first volume continues and appears to make a start of coming to fruition.

As we get deeper into the story I peacemaker is growing on me more and more, as it stands now peacemaker is well worth seeing and if things keep going the way they are I think that peacemaker will turn out to be a fantastic show.

R2 DVD Notes

Features: * Japanese 2.0 Language * English 5.1 Language * English Subtitles * Clean opening and closing animation * Production sketches * Character Collection 1 * Voice actor commentary * Original Japanese DVD spots

Release information: ADV /Available now

Notes: Audio: The audio was extremely impressive, all sound effects and music sounded extremely clear and crisp. No audio dropouts or "noise" could be heard, and a major plus is the 5.1 support. I must also say that all the sound effects were done amazingly well, all extremely realistic and life like just like in volume 1. This volume also includes an audio commentry to accompany episode 7. Menus: An extremely creative and unique menu style, beautiful to say the least but still is easy on the eyes. Its design consists of a blood stain across forground of the menu, with rose pedals floating down the screen and some eye catching battle scenes behind it creates a feeling of excitement and anticipation for an amazing anime. I would also like to say that the background music is catchy and brings everything together, definitely a job done well by ADV. Extras: A nice amount of extras, one of the most notable and unique things was the production sketches. We are shown the making of all the characters, this definitely gives a perspective of the anime from a creators stand point, you definitely feel what the creators were going for, with each individual character. The sketches consist of scenery, battle scenes, characters, poses, different facial expressions, outfits, and while looking at this you see how creative and unique the drawing styles and artistry is in Peacemaker. Another interesting part of the extras is the original Japanese DVD spots. ADV also gives you some previews of other animes and there is also a clean opening and a clean ending. Packaging: The artwork and even the logo are the same as the first Japanese release, the cover features an amazing close up of Toshimaro Yoshida looking decidedly shifty. This is in contrast to the pure white background and really adds to the quality of artwork. The back cover continues to the white feel but is a bit darker and has a group of frames from the anime along the top. There's a couple paragraphs of a basic summary and a list of the discs extras. The rest is filled out by the thick section of production credits and the technical information. The cover is also reversible with that side providing the Japanese cover art that has Saya on it sporting a very nice pink komono with floral motif. Saya's artwork is also the front of the included booklet. The booklet folds out into several pages and has quite a bit of information, from text interviews with the staff, two side stories and a few full colour character design sketches.

-- noghri 26th Mar 06

Peacemaker Images