Last Kenshin OAV Question [SPOILERS]

narcted · Post by **narcted** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 5:08 pm

I just finished watching the last Kenshin OAV, Reflections. My friends and I are wondering, what was that freakish flesh eating disease that eventually killed Kenshin and infected Kaoru?

Also are we correct in concluding Kenshin was swept overboard at the beginning and then washed ashore with amesia in China, and if so, how did Sannosuke find him? Well, that's probably going too deep, but I wonder.

I can't seem to find the answer online. Sorry for the spoiler, but I did warn.

And the end was so sad. They just made those episodes to kill him!!!

TokyoU15 · Post by **TokyoU15** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 6:57 pm

And the end was so sad. They just made those episodes to kill him!!!

If it helps any, that's not the REAL ending...the REAL ending is...well, read the manga ^_^

As for your questions...From what I remember, the disease is something only master swordsmen get or someshit like that...can't remember the details, but it's pretty stupid.
ANd I don't know how he ended up in China and how Sano found him...it's been a while since I saw that thing.

Even though most hardcore manga kenshin fans hate this conclusion, I found it to be beautiful and full of sorrow. It's a great piece of mature anime.

Org Profile · Post by **Otohiko** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 7:52 pm

I liked it as well. As for the disease, hmm. Something that takes long to develop... spitting blood too - seems like TB to me. It was/is a fairly common disease in Japan and Asia in general (at least, more so than in America or Europe).

Evil Urchin · Post by **Evil Urchin** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 10:11 pm

I'd say Otohiko is right, since they never said anything about only master swordsmen or whatnot getting it. Either way, it was an awesome film, although it was somewhat weird how Sano's hair was suddenly not 3 feet high...

Jebadia · Post by **Jebadia** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 10:43 pm

wasn't the disease lepracy?

TallonKarrde23 · Post by **TallonKarrde23** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 10:55 pm

Jebadia wrote:wasn't the disease lepracy?

isnt lepracy when your skin like...is coming off or something? o.O

Jim Hawkings21122 · Post by **Jim Hawkings21122** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 11:09 pm

TallonKarrde23 wrote:
Jebadia wrote:wasn't the disease lepracy?
isnt lepracy when your skin like...is coming off or something? o.O

yup, think Princess mononoke.

TallonKarrde23 · Post by **TallonKarrde23** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 11:11 pm

lol, yeah thats why i thought that, up until i saw that i wasnt really sure what lepracy was.

narcted · Post by **narcted** » Tue Sep 16, 2003 12:51 am

Yeah, I think it was leprosy. Thanks. I was able to look it up once I had a name. http://www.who.int/lep/disease/disease.htm

This question got us. I'm a government major, the rest are CS and we have one chemistry major, so we were stumped.

Warpwind · Post by **Warpwind** » Tue Sep 16, 2003 3:07 am

Personally I think the disease was tuberculosis (TB) but I've heard it attributed to TB, syphilis, leprosy, rabies, cancer and some other stupid things that don't bear mentioning. Rabies it isn't since no frothing at the mouth and no bite from an infected animal/person (no Shisio was not infected). Cancer is also incorrect since it can't be transferred to Kaoru. Leprosy was a very disfiguring and contagious disease and I don't think Kenshin is disfigured engough and he doesn't give it to anyone but Kaoru. Syphilis is possible since it is a STD and if he had contracted it at an early age he may not have displayed any symptoms until much later in life.

Still since it was never specifically stated in the anime people will likely argue about it until the end of time.