Hakuoki: Nagakura Shinpachi
Jul. 27th, 2018 04:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alias_sqbrBackground information and links to previous posts
AND NOW, WE COME TO THE FINAL LOVE INTEREST: the good natured, fun loving meathead Nagakura Shinpachi.
It was super cute, like dating Joey from Friends.
** Spoilers **
I'm going to refer to him by his given name Shinpachi because most people other than Chizuru do, and presumably she'll switch over at some point on his path and it would just get confusing to keep calling him Nakagura.
Anyway! Despite leaving him until last I quite like Shinpachi, he's a very likeable guy, and I don't expect his romance to be bad, I just don't forsee it being very exciting.
But considering that Iba's path was A LITTLE TOO EXCITING maybe that's not the worst thing in the world.
Since this is likely my last full playthrough for a while, and Shinpachi does show up a lot in the canon path, I'm going to try rewatching the scenes where he plays a major part.
So! Shinpachi is a big tanned muscular guy who likes drinking with his friends and unsuccessfully hitting on women. He eventually gets sick of Chief Kondou's poor leadership and quits with Harada. Since Harada and Shinpachi split at that point in Harada's path I assume Shinpachi goes off in his own direction too. Hopefully that direction will not involve HORNY EVIL CURSED DEMON HANDS but you never know.
I'm curious to see what they do with his existing tendency to hit on lots of girls other than Chizuru, who he treats more like a well liked younger friend he sometimes remembers is a girl (I was going to say "Little sister" but given Kaoru and Iba that's...something else). Especially since the real guy got a geisha pregnant at around the time canon starts. I prefer guys with lower self esteem but "canonically terrible with women and has trouble thinking of the protagonist as a girl" is a fun place to start from.
One thing I'm not looking forward to is him being made angsty. He's such a happy guy! But I guess his life goes to crap around the time the romance kicks in, we just don't see him much past that point, and Harada stayed relatively happy on his path.
Heh that's right he's all CHIZURU IS A GIRL? BUT GIRLS DON'T WEAR PANTS!!
I've seen people in Hakuoki fandom refer to Heisuke, Harada and Shinpachi as the "baka trio" since they have a close bantery friendship which involves a lot of skipping work to hang out getting drunk. They're all friendly to Chizuru right away, and fun to hang out with as a group.
The Shinpachi voice actor has an interesting way of speaking, I don't know if it's an accent or what, but there's a lot of variation in tone and he gets super fast at the end of sentences.
Wow Chizuru is stuck at Shinsengumi headquarters for FIVE MONTHS before she's allowed to go out into Kyoto under supervision??
*aggressively skips through scenes involving Takeda*
Aw, the first Shinpachi scene is pretty cute: Chizuru is about to try and rescue some injured Shinsengumi mid-battle when she realises Shinpachi is injured himself. He persuades her it can wait but she later scolds him into letting her treat it. He's all "Pfft, this is nothing! And you don't have to be so gentle, I'm- OW OW OW"
*awkwardly skips through scene involving Iba*
A choice where Hijikata prefered Chizuru to try and avoid conflict and Shinpachi prefers her to draw her sword. A good sign :D
Shinpachi: That's the spirit! Don't push it though, you are just a girl after all.
SIGH.
And now you get more points if you disagree with him about ritual suicide just being an unavoidable and acceptable aspect of the warrior's way. Chizuru persuades him that where there's life, there's always hope.
Shinpachi: Hi Chizuru!
Chizuru: Ack! Please knock before you come into my room! What if I'd been changing?
Shinpachi: *blushing* OH. RIGHT. THAT'S A POSSIBILITY. SORRY.
Awww and the reason he came into her room was to give her a brazier because he's noticed she's always having to go outside to do chores and thought she'd like having a way to get warm afterwards. They chat over the fire and bond over about both being from Edo. She says "Well I know you like the women of Kyoto" and he gets embarrassed. And then the possibility of him being interested in other women is never mentioned again.
Ahahaha oh god he calls her his adorable little sister using exactly the same phrasing that Kaoru does.
Ha, I think Harada has used his super power of actually noticing other people's emotions to pick up on the UST between Chizuru and Shinpachi well before either of them have the slightest clue.
Hijikata's in charge with Kondou away and has been super strict. Shinpachi takes his friends, subordinates, and Chizuru out drinking in defiance, even planning on staying out past curfew when the punishment is... seppukku?? THAT'S PRETTY STRICT HIJIKATA.
I have the choice to say YEAH LET'S DO THIS or "We shouldn't", the latter being what gets you points. He really does need an adult sometimes, despite being like 7 years older than Chizuru lol. This would annoy me more if he wasn't just as inclined to want to take care of her. Plus he's grateful and aware he needs to be less of a stubborn hothead.
Chizuru feels suddenly aware of how much bigger and stronger than her he is which is interesting because yeah, he is the physically biggest guy, but he's really not to sort to get violent about this sort of thing, even asides from Chizuru being a girl.
BUT THEY STILL MISSED CURFEW! Shinpachi says he'll take responsibility, and if he dies for something so dumb then that's how it goes. Hijikata shouts angrily at everyone else to leave...but once they do he apologises to Shinpachi for going overboard with the rules, and Shinpachi apologises for throwing a childish tantrum instead of just talking to him.
Afterwards Shinpachi tells Chizuru that he keeps thinking about leaving every time Hiikata and Kondou seem to be getting too full of themselves, but then Hijikata acts like he did back in the old days, when they were just a bunch of poor ronin in a little dojo.
Demon Lord Kazama comes to try and kidnap Chizuru to be his Demon Princess Bride, and Shinpachi actually almost beats him!
SO. There's a point where a bunch of important stuff has happened and Chizuru can decide which she's most concerned about. The one option that hasn't come up before is "Sen", because it turns out to be the Shinpachi path choice. So Sen is going to be important? HOPEFULLY JUST HER. AND NOT ANY CURSED ANCIENT BODY PARTS SHE MAY HAVE HANDY.
Hmm! But what this choice actually leads to is Chizuru feeling sad that she never gets to talk to other women or dress up in pretty clothes. But then she has a nice chat with Shinpachi and realises he is as friendly with her as with Heisuke and Harada, and so even if she doesn't have female friends she does have friends. AW.
Turns out Shinpachi has been covering for Okita's duties what with his "mysterious illness" (which neither Shinpachi nor Chizuru know is tuberculosis yet) I did wonder about that! But Okita had regular duties training new recruits?? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO THOSE POOR YOUNG MEN.
Shinpachi: it's a lot of work but I don't want things to be a mess when Okita gets better and Heisuke and Saito come back from being with Itou's Imperialists.
I mean. One of those thing will happen? :( And he doesn't even entirely convince himself, and runs off before Chizuru and Harada can see him give in to despair.
Later she finds him swinging his sword at the air by himself late at night under the cherry blossoms. She asks if he wants to talk, and he reminisces about how he's loved the challenge of swordmansship since he was 8, and how blown away he was when he met Kondou: not just his skill, but the way he stuck by the Shinsengumi. (Apparently Kondou's wife didn't like them which is literally the first actual fact I have learned about the woman) But now instead of being kind and down to earth Kondou is stuck up and doing experiments on his own men.
Shinpachi: How come an idiot like me has to figure this stuff out :(
Chizuru: I know you'll find the answers you need.
Shinpachi: Since when did the girl who was scared of her own shadow get so tough? I used to have to handle things for you, now you're helping me handle my own life :)
Chizuru: It's thanks to your support!
Shinpachi: *blushing* Well I mean, you're like my little sister! I have to look out for you!
Chizuru: Then you're like my usually reliable but sometimes difficult big brother.
Shinpachi: How about honoured big brother, eh?
Chizuru: I'll think about it.
ha ok so I saw a review of this route which complained they were too sibling like, but this feels to me more like a man and woman with mutual (if currently mild) crushes who don't know how to conceptualise it since they mostly relate as friends and equals and that's not what romance is supposed to look like in their society. tl;dr I ship it :)
Once again I see the scene where Kondou talks about his plans to become a feudal lord, and his worry that Harada and Shinpachi will hate it, since they were born into the relatively high status life of samurai bound to a feudal lord, and abandoned it for the Shinsengumi.
Ahah! The scene where Heisuke is fatally injured and Shinpachi tries to stop Sanan administering the vampire serum before running off, upset. And this time I follow Shinpachi! He is deeply upset. He doesn't want Heisuke to die, but would it have been better for Heisuke to die a heroes death than live on as a vampire?
I thought this path would make him extra angsty but so far it's just letting us see and comfort the angst he always had but hid under a cheerful facade. Which is nice!
And now I am done with the common route for the last time!
So, when Sanan gives all the captains the vampire serum, Shinpachi refuses it. Later he tells Chizuru he stands by that decision, but wonders if he's been projecting his own feelings onto Heisuke, and not allowing himself to accept his friend now he's a vampire.
Chizuru: So, do you think I should leave now that war is brewing?
Shinpachi: Probably yeah :(
Chizuru: Right. I'm a burden. I'll just go ;_;
Shinpachi: WHOA NO I JUST WANT YOU TO BE SAFE. Of course we like having you around!! But what do you want?
Chizuru: ...to stay.
Shinpachi: Well ok then! Guess I'll have to protect you. I can do that :) Let's pinky swear that everything will be ok.
Have I mentioned that I feel like Chizuru has a mild anxiety disorder? She gets anxious a lot.
Shinpachi keeps boldly and cheerfully leading his men into battle, and coming back defeated with a great many of them dead. Based on previous paths this is going to be the trend for a while :(
TIME FOR THE BATTLE WHERE INOUE DIES
Inoue is accompanying Chizuru as the Shinsengumi retreat. But the soldiers with them have vanished.
*tenses to find out what awful thing happened to them and is about to happen to Inoue*
Because so far there's no obvious rival/villain/foil? Though Shinpachi did have a fight with Kazama one time.
But it's just some random former shogunate soldiers who have turned traitor. They're still enough to stab Inoue :(
Inoue: Chizuru, run!
Chizuru: FUCK NO STAB STAB
Soldiers: Pfft, we can take on one little...
Shinpachi: Raaaaaaarrrrr!!!
Soldiers: HE WAS LIKE THAT WHEN WE GOT HERE PLEASE DON'T KILL US WE'RE VERY SORRY
Shinpachi: D:<
Inoue: Forgive them. Not in front of her...
Chizuru: NO THEY SHOULD DEF BE STABBED
Shinpachi: Ugh. I'm letting you go but I BETTER NOT SEE YOU AGAIN
Chizuru: Are you ok Inoue?
Inoue: Oh yes, I'll be fine!
Me: No, no you won't. Oh god what's next D:
GUNSHOTS
Inoue and Shinpachi cry out in pain, and collapse to the ground.
IT'S THE SAMURAI THEY JUST SPARED. YOU FUCKERS
Inoue, barely able to move, pulls out the vampire serum...and holds it up to Shinpachi's semi-conscious mouth /o\
Shinpachi: ...Inoue?
Inoue: Please forgive me. A young man like you... cannot leave us so early. And you may hate me, but Chizuru needs you. Please...protect her.
Shinpachi: She...needs me?
Inoue: Please tell me you understand
Shinpachi: I...understand
Soldier: Let's take his head and give it to the Imperialists as a gift!
Vampire Shinpachi: UOOOOOOOOO D:<
He murders all of them in a bestial rage. He's...not so great at the self control, Shinpachi, and doesn't even acknowledge Chizuru's attempts to calm him down.
But then a hand grabs his sword: The surprisingly helpful demon Amagiri.
Amagiri: If you have chosen the path of the vampire, then you must die.
(Aw, that's not what he said to Saito! But he liiiikes Saito)
Shinpachi just shouts incoherently, but manages to actually draw blood. I've never seen anyone draw blood from Amagiri before!!
Chizuru: It wasn't his fault! He was trying to protect me!
Amagiri: Hmm. Well, I still can't let him stay like this. Don't get mad if I accidentally kill him.
But one punch is enough to knock Shinpachi out and have him return to normal.
Amagiri: That's a good sign, but if I encounter him using those powers again, I will stop him by whatever means necessary. *leaves*
Shinpachi: Whoa. What happened? Why are all those guys dead? Wasn't I...shot?
Chizuru: Oh...Um... The bullet grazed your head and you went into a blind rage and killed everyone!
CHIZURU
CHIZURU NO
WHAT ARE YOU DOING
Is the bad guy on this route SECRET SHINPACHI VAMPIRE HULK
Shinpachi: So I protected you?
Chizuru: ...yes
Shinpachi: Well that's what matters :D
Me: Shinpachi D: D: D:
I...have never felt this way before. I actually think CHIZURU is treating her LOVE INTEREST badly. I was not prepared for this feeling! I do not like it! HE BETTER FIND OUT SOON
I've absolutely been monkey's paw-ed though. I was thinking that a good antidote to the Iba route would be a female character doing terrible/painful things to a man she loves for for what feels like good reasons AND HERE WE ARE. NICE SENSE OF HUMOUR, UNIVERSE.
Welp, better get back to it.
Chizuru helps Shinpachi bury Inoue.
When they arrive at the castle, they find out the Shogun has fled to Edo, and that the Shinsengumi are going to follow him. Shinpachi is enraged, and after shouting a bunch locks himself in his room. Chizuru fixes him some food.
Shinpachi: I'm not hungry. I figure it's because...my body's going through some changes :(
He only remembers dimly, but he knows roughly what happened. Chizuru tearfully apologises and he gently tells her it's ok. He agrees with Inoue, he needs to protect her. And he agrees with what she said before: if he's alive, there's hope. Time to go to Edo and start afresh.
Ok that was just sweet and a little sad. I still think her lying was bad but it didn't do much harm in the end.
END OF KYOTO WINDS
Woo, time for the fun period where Harada and Shinpachi try to hide their doubts about the Shinsengumi's direction and keep up morale and increase recruitment...only for Kondou to lead them into a battle where the new recruits desert and most of the remaining men die! YAY. MY FAVOURITE PART OF THE PLOT.
Shinpachi: I'm going to go have a nap. I, uh. Didn't sleep well.
Harada: Man, it feels like he's spending all his days napping. Know what's up with that, Chizuru?
Chizuru: NOPE. NO IDEA. BYE.
Shinpachi takes all the men for a four day bender to keep spirits up while Hijikata is away, leaving Chizuru to try and cover for them to Hijikata when he returns.
Chizuru: They just left, I'll go get them! BYE.
She finds Shinpachi in a bar fight.
Drunken samurai: The Shinsengumi are a bunch of cowards! *only manages to stab him a little*
Shinpachi: That's not how you kill someone. THIS is how you...
Hijikata: SHINPACHI PUT AWAY YOUR DAMN SWORD
Hijikata is pretty understanding, though, and asks to look at Shinpachi's cut. But then he realises that it's healed completely...
Shinpachi is pissy and defensive, and gets increasingly unhappy the longer he is forced to live the restricted life of a vampire soldier.
Shinpachi: where do they get off treating us like meatshields! We're still human beings!
Heisuke: Still human beings? Shinpachi...you haven't experienced it yet have you?
Shinpachi: It?
Heisuke: Here, have some medicine for uh...if things get rough.
Shinpachi: You mean if I crave blood? Fuck that! I'm never experiencing bloodlust!
Me, aware that the next choice on the walkthrough is "give him blood": Mmm.
HUH OK. I was expecting a fairly chaste hand drinking scene but nope we're going for the neck! Like Iba and Souma he doesn't want her to look at him, but doesn't go as deep into WEIRD SELF LOATHING and REPRESSED DESIRE.
Shinpachi: I'm so sorry :(
Chizuru: This tickles but I probably shouldn't laugh.
As with Heisuke I feel bad seeing this loud vibrant guy get all soft voiced and quietly regretful afterwards.
SO I ACTUALLY REMEMBERED A NAME (...because it's Katsu) The lord who gives the Shinsengumi the "too good to be true" Depressing Battle mission that ruins them is the same one who betrays Iba. Anyway, watching the trainwreck approach for the eleventh time knowing it's effect on Shinpachi is just. Great.
So for some reason the game gives me the choice about whether or not Chizuru is into Shinpachi's new tightly fitting western uniform. SHE IS. OBVIOUSLY.
It's a sign of how much I'm not looking forward to the Depressing Battle that I am legitimately glad to see Stabdad.
Stabdad: I'm sorry I took so long, but now it's time for us to go back to Kyoto ^_^
Chizuru: But the Imperialists have control of Kyoto now. What waits for us there?
Stabdad: Your marriage to Demon Lord Kazama? Obviously?
And it's a sign of EXACTLY HOW CREEPY the bar has been set for Stabdad's motivations that this seems almost innocent.
Shinpachi: You're one of those demons! I'll kill you! *unsuccessful stab*
me: Shin, honey, your demon girlfriend is right there.
Stabdad: Is this the man who nearly defeated Lord Kazama?? I guess it shows that demons and vampires will always be superior!
...Shiranui totally told everyone Shinpachi almost beat Kazama that one time, didn't he.
Shinpachi goes into vampire form and is no more hulk-y than as a human.
Stabdad: So you are a vampire! Powerful too, you could be stronger than a demon one day! *runs away*
Shinpachi: No, I'm not... D: D: D:
Shinpachi: I'm really really sorry I had to drink your blood again :(
Chizuru: You saved me from my father, I wanted to save you. And...all I think about...is how to ease that which hurts you...
Shinpachi: Don't worry about that! It's my job to save you, as a man! And nothing brings me greater joy.
Chizuru: But you had to become a...
Shinpachi: Chizuru, it's ok, you're like a little sister to me. Although, um. *blushing* Even if you weren't. Like a sister. I uh...would still want to save you?
Chizuru: ...wait, are you saying...
Heisuke: SORRY TO INTERRUPT GUYS BUT IT'S ONLY CHAPTER TWO WE GOTTA GET BACK TO THE WAR
(this whole mutual self sacrifice thing is a repeated pattern in these paths but luckily I am here for it every time. WITHIN REASON, IBA)
when will my romance return from this waaaaarrrrrrrrr
Shinpachi: This battle is unwinnable, we have to retreat!
Kondou: What are you, a coward?
Shinpachi: FUCK YOU *goes into battle*
Shinpachi: *returning from battle* They have vampires! We have to retreat!
Kondou: We have vampires too! Go fight them, Shinpachi!
Shinpachi: ALL OF THEM???
Kondou: You vampires are super strong!
Shinpachi: UGH FINE. But only if you retreat!
Kondou: ...
Harada: KONDOU PLEASE
Kondou: ...fine >:/
After the retreat, Chizuru finds a distraught Shinpachi, and gives him a hug as he talks about he used to feel like Kondou treated them all as equals, but now Kondou just sees himself as an aristocrat and Shinpachi as nothing but a vampire. She says Shinpachi's still himself, vampire or not, and he feels much better.
Shinpachi: I've had enough! Time to fight the Imperialists my way!
Kondou: You're a vampire. Your existence is forfeit, I can't let you leave.
BAD KONDOU
(But then he lets him leave anyway)
Chizuru finds Shinpachi and he bows and apologises for leaving her. When she says she's coming with him he is surprised, then glad. He always felt bad that he kept promising to protect her when he knew deep down he'd been leaving, but now he promises to keep her safe.
AW. So, Chizuru asks Harada if he thinks she'll be a burden to him and Shinpachi.
Harada: Neither of them would admit it, but the reason Shinpachi and Kondou butt heads is that they're too similar. And just like Hijikata is a good counterpart to Kondou, I think you're best at Shinpachi's side.
Hijikata and Nomura have a cute goodbye. We don't see much of it, because the narrative doesn't really care about Nomura, but they seem to have a nice friendship/mentorship, which I guess makes sense since Nomura is basically Chandler from Friends lol.
Shinpachi wishes Saito good luck for the future and Saito's all "That is immaterial, what matters is that she is safe." And then he gives a small smile and tells Chizuru to look after Shinpachi. STOP BEING CHARMING SAITO I AM ON SHIN'S ROUTE.
Heisuke doesn't get a specific goodbye? Awwww :(
So! Harada and Shinpachi join up with a friend of Shinpachi's to start up a pro-Shogunate fighting force. They're are very happy in their new roles, but Shinpachi is a little too confident about how his leadership will help them succeed where the Shinsengumi failed :(
Hey it's Hijikata's boss! His name is Otori, which always makes me think of Utena. To Harada and Shinpachi's surprise, his troop's recent remarkable capture of a castle was actually the result of Hijikata's leadership.
Otori: Hijikata told me to look out for a man with a spear and a man with a handkerchief on his head, because they were reliable assets.
Shinpachi, in heavily accented English: Hand...ker...chief?
(This game loves to throw Western things at the characters and have them react in bafflement)
Otori: And who is this beautiful young lady?
Shinpachi: This is my brother! He hasn't got much meat on his bones but he's a great medic!
Otori: You don't look much alike...
Shinpachi: Haha, well, technically he's my ma's sister's husband's stepson...
Shinpachi is all "I better not see Kondou around!" then finds out Kondou handed himself in to the Imperialists to save his men.
The castle Hijikata captured has been taken back over by the Imperialists. It's up to Shinpachi to lead the charge taking it back and YES OK GAME I REALISE HOW THIS IS GOING TO GO.
So do his men, and many desert before the battle has even really started. Frustrated, Shinpachi goes into vampire form and Chizuru has to physically hold him back from running into gunfire and revealing his vampirism to his remaining men. He realises he has no choice but to retreat. He thought he could surpass Kondou and Hijikata but all he has done is fail.
After being jerked around by shitty Shogunate orders they find out Kondou has been executed without honour. Shinpachi wonders if this is a consequence of him leaving. They also find out Edo is on the brink of falling to the Imperialists.
Harada: You know what, to hell with the Shogunate. Permission to go support the people of Edo?
Chizuru is about to say NO IT WILL DESTROY SHINPACHI but is beaten to the punch.
Shinpachi: I've got enough grit to fight for both of us :D Go kick some ass!
Harada apologises to Chizuru but says he'll regret it for the rest of his life if he doesn't go. She recognises the same expression in his eyes that she saw in Shinpachi's when he left the Shinsengumi.
Chizuru: I will look after him. But promise you'll come back to us!
Harada just laughs and waves goodbye :(
The next battle goes as badly as the ones before, and Shinpachi once again throws himself onto the front lines to give his men time to retreat. OH and defending the rear of the battle was traditionally Harada's job, he really IS trying to cover for both of them /o\
Chizuru has an argument with him, worrying he is being so much like Kondou he's going to end up dead. Eventually he bows in apology and says she reminds him of Hijikata, forced to worry about him every time he does something stupidly reckless.
This morning I came across a post about the way homophobia manifests in mainstream Japanese media that I've been putting off reading because I'm pretty sure it's going to tip my opinion on Hakuoki's portrayal of Itou from "possibly gay coded" to "blatantly homophobic", but I do like how "like Kondou and Hijikata" is treated as equivalent to "soulmates".
Shinpachi asks Chizuru's permission to use his vampire powers in emergencies? AW.
Defeat after defeat begins to drag Shinpachi into despair. Then they hear stories of "ghosts on the battlefield" that sound suspiciously like vampires. Chizuru starts freaking out and Shinpachi calms her down, saying he'll look into it.
AND LO, HERE'S STABDAD
He says some profoundly creepy things about "breaking in" his vampires by releasing them onto the battlefield to eat dead bodies.
And then he tells Chizuru about her being adopted, and asks her to imagine how powerful her children with Kazama will be. Especially once they make them vampires! I ASSUME YOU HAVE NOT RUN THIS PLAN BY YOUR WOULD-BE SON-IN-LAW, STABDAD
Shinpachi tries to appeal to the vampires' humanity. Which noone else has done, good for you Shinpachi! Even if it 100% does not work.
Stabdad: Save your breath. They are vampires, not men
Shinpachi: Chizuru would you hate me if I used my powers?
My options are "You can't" and "Nothing", the latter the correct choice. Way to wimp out on taking responsibility for your choices, Chizuru!
But he gets what she intends and smiles. "Close your eyes if if it'll make you feel better". And then he apologises to the vampires before he viciously attacks them. "Aww" I think, as the text describes internal organs and geysers of blood.
Stabdad: Goodness, what a powerful specimen! But we will see how you do against my even more powerful vampires next time ^_^
Even though Stabdad is gone Shinpachi is still filled with violent rage, and pushes Chizuru aside when she tries to calm him down.
Amagiri: Lost himself again has he?
Me and Chizuru: OH NO
And then Amagiri stands in front of Chizuru as if to protect her from Shinpachi, a nuance Shinpachi misses as he tries to kill him. Amagiri just punches him back to being human again. What a champ.
And he's actually here to ally with them in fighting Stabdad! But he explains about how using vampire powers uses up life force and tells Shinpachi he's strong enough not to need them. He says the way Shinpachi is going, soon he won't be able to tell friend from foe, and is unworthy as Chizuru's guardian. So Amagiri says that he will take Chizuru!
*briefly imagines Amagiri&Chizuru buddy cop comedy*
Chizuru persuades him to give Shinpachi one more chance. But Shinpachi isn't sure he deserves it.
He sinks into a depressive self hating funk in an abandoned shack, while Chizuru takes care of food using a bag of coins he gave her. She quietly wonders what they'll do when the money runs out but doesn't want to bring him down.
She decides to practice her sword work! Go Chizuru!
Shinpachi, softly: Nice swings. But why are you doing this?
Chizuru: To protect you. My master taught me I should hone myself into an instrument of protection, not a tool of death.
Shinpachi: Instrument of protection, huh? But no matter how hard you train you'll be no match for a vampire or Demon. Especially the vampire inside me :( I secluded myself so as not to hurt anyone...guess now I might as well throw my sword away as well.
(She is a demon, Shinpachi. But blah blah male demons are stronger blah blah)
"As a fellow student of swordsmanship...no as a swordsman, hearing someone I respected dismiss our craft was unbearable."
AW CHIZURU. YEAH! YOU ARE A SWORDSMAN! TELL HIM WHAT'S WHAT!
She gives a passionate speech: about why he became a swordsman, and why she has faith in him to protect others.
He pulls her into a hug, and with his voice shaking asks if she really thinks he can protect people. He is reassured, and thanks her for everything. Then he asks if she'd mind if he trained with her :)
They return to Shinpachi's unit to find almost everyone dead and dismembered, the survivors screaming about enemies who refuse to die. Chizuru thinks "This won't end while there are vampires...wait, no. It won't end until my father stops making vampires."
Shinpachi tells Chizuru not to look at him when he experiences bloodlust but she says she wants to see all of him, including the flaws.
They approach Stabdad's lair.
Shinpachi: Sorry, Chizuru. But the crimes of those who created the vampires must be punished, and things might get pretty messy :(
Chizuru: If you mean my father, I'm ready for anything. I will defeat him.
Shinpachi: Not alone. You have my sword.
;_;
Shinpachi: You know I always wanted to punch your father in his annoying head :D
Chizuru: Except he's not even really my father. I have no family.
Shinpachi: But he was like a father to you. And you always have my shoulder to lean on.
Chizuru: Didn't you used to say I was like a little sister to you?
Shinpachi: We're. Uh. A little more intimate than that? And since we're so close, um. I was hoping...
<3 <3 <3
(Her head looks weird because they're about to kiss and the artist was too lazy to draw it twice)
Aww Shinpachi tries to make a calm, logical ethical argument for the unsustainability of vampires to Stabdad. Oddly enough this doesn't work either.
Shinpachi has vowed to never use his vampire powers again, and manages to defeat the vampire minions protecting Stabdad purely with human skill.
STABDAD GOES INTO HIS FINAL FORM! But Shinpachi whacks all the scalpels out of his hand!
Shinpachi: BEHOLD THE TRUE POWER OF HUMANS :D
Shinpachi knocks him down with the pommel of his sword.
Shinpachi: The problem is, no matter of how much of a slimy bastard you are, Chizuru sees you as a father. The idea of killing you tears her up inside.
Stabdad: You still see me as a father, don't you Chizuru?
Chizuru: Always :(
And then... Stabdad is stabbed by one of his own vampires. The others see the blood and descend, and soon Stabdad is lost to a sea of feeding vampires. By the time Shinpachi kills them all, there is nothing left of Stabdad but a mutilated corpse.
Amagiri: And so this accounts for all the vampires.
Shinpachi: There's still some with the Shinsengumi, but that was the last of the rotten ones.
Amagiri: You do not consider yourself a vampire?
Shinpachi *drawing his sword*: Come put me to the test!
They strike at each other, and Shinpachi stops with his sword on Amagiri's neck, the first character to defeat him with or without vampire powers.
Amagiri: You have proven yourself worthy to protect Chizuru.
Shinpachi: I'm never going to use my vampire powers again. But I guess I can't get involved in human wars any more, huh...
Amagiri: Indeed. *leaves*
Chizuru: Are you ok with that, Shinpachi?
Shinpachi: I used to think there wasn't much point in growing old. But it doesn't seem so bad, if it's with you :)
Three years later:
Branded traitors after the war, they have gone to hide with Shinpachi's family. They were a little surprised to see him appear suddenly after so long (with a new wife!) but welcomed them both.
Shinpachi and Chizuru sit by the river on what was, briefly, Doomed Democracy Island. They think sadly of how their friends all died over the course of the war. But they still have each other, and though Shinpachi's vampirism was never cured Chizuru has faith in his ability to remain himself. They hold each other affectionately and look forward to a long happy life together.
THE END
That was really super duper cute, a lovely final path. It contradicted established lore in a few places but eh. At least it was fairly internally consistent. I'm amused that Kaoru doesn't show up, I guess that'd have made the "little sister" thing too weird lol. It never really gets super romantic or very sexual at all, but this is the 19th century, marriage is more about finding a partner you can form a life with and they have that.
And now I am basically done with the game ;_;
I want to check guides for anything interesting I might have missed, then do the Chizuru Path, which is apparently very short. And then I guess I can watch the rest of the prequel anime and read fanfic and watch the musicals and try and figure out if anyone's translated and emulated the other games...
AND NOW, WE COME TO THE FINAL LOVE INTEREST: the good natured, fun loving meathead Nagakura Shinpachi.
It was super cute, like dating Joey from Friends.
** Spoilers **
I'm going to refer to him by his given name Shinpachi because most people other than Chizuru do, and presumably she'll switch over at some point on his path and it would just get confusing to keep calling him Nakagura.
Anyway! Despite leaving him until last I quite like Shinpachi, he's a very likeable guy, and I don't expect his romance to be bad, I just don't forsee it being very exciting.
But considering that Iba's path was A LITTLE TOO EXCITING maybe that's not the worst thing in the world.
Since this is likely my last full playthrough for a while, and Shinpachi does show up a lot in the canon path, I'm going to try rewatching the scenes where he plays a major part.
So! Shinpachi is a big tanned muscular guy who likes drinking with his friends and unsuccessfully hitting on women. He eventually gets sick of Chief Kondou's poor leadership and quits with Harada. Since Harada and Shinpachi split at that point in Harada's path I assume Shinpachi goes off in his own direction too. Hopefully that direction will not involve HORNY EVIL CURSED DEMON HANDS but you never know.
I'm curious to see what they do with his existing tendency to hit on lots of girls other than Chizuru, who he treats more like a well liked younger friend he sometimes remembers is a girl (I was going to say "Little sister" but given Kaoru and Iba that's...something else). Especially since the real guy got a geisha pregnant at around the time canon starts. I prefer guys with lower self esteem but "canonically terrible with women and has trouble thinking of the protagonist as a girl" is a fun place to start from.
One thing I'm not looking forward to is him being made angsty. He's such a happy guy! But I guess his life goes to crap around the time the romance kicks in, we just don't see him much past that point, and Harada stayed relatively happy on his path.
Heh that's right he's all CHIZURU IS A GIRL? BUT GIRLS DON'T WEAR PANTS!!
I've seen people in Hakuoki fandom refer to Heisuke, Harada and Shinpachi as the "baka trio" since they have a close bantery friendship which involves a lot of skipping work to hang out getting drunk. They're all friendly to Chizuru right away, and fun to hang out with as a group.
The Shinpachi voice actor has an interesting way of speaking, I don't know if it's an accent or what, but there's a lot of variation in tone and he gets super fast at the end of sentences.
Wow Chizuru is stuck at Shinsengumi headquarters for FIVE MONTHS before she's allowed to go out into Kyoto under supervision??
*aggressively skips through scenes involving Takeda*
Aw, the first Shinpachi scene is pretty cute: Chizuru is about to try and rescue some injured Shinsengumi mid-battle when she realises Shinpachi is injured himself. He persuades her it can wait but she later scolds him into letting her treat it. He's all "Pfft, this is nothing! And you don't have to be so gentle, I'm- OW OW OW"
*awkwardly skips through scene involving Iba*
A choice where Hijikata prefered Chizuru to try and avoid conflict and Shinpachi prefers her to draw her sword. A good sign :D
Shinpachi: That's the spirit! Don't push it though, you are just a girl after all.
SIGH.
And now you get more points if you disagree with him about ritual suicide just being an unavoidable and acceptable aspect of the warrior's way. Chizuru persuades him that where there's life, there's always hope.
Shinpachi: Hi Chizuru!
Chizuru: Ack! Please knock before you come into my room! What if I'd been changing?
Shinpachi: *blushing* OH. RIGHT. THAT'S A POSSIBILITY. SORRY.
Awww and the reason he came into her room was to give her a brazier because he's noticed she's always having to go outside to do chores and thought she'd like having a way to get warm afterwards. They chat over the fire and bond over about both being from Edo. She says "Well I know you like the women of Kyoto" and he gets embarrassed. And then the possibility of him being interested in other women is never mentioned again.
Ahahaha oh god he calls her his adorable little sister using exactly the same phrasing that Kaoru does.
Ha, I think Harada has used his super power of actually noticing other people's emotions to pick up on the UST between Chizuru and Shinpachi well before either of them have the slightest clue.
Hijikata's in charge with Kondou away and has been super strict. Shinpachi takes his friends, subordinates, and Chizuru out drinking in defiance, even planning on staying out past curfew when the punishment is... seppukku?? THAT'S PRETTY STRICT HIJIKATA.
I have the choice to say YEAH LET'S DO THIS or "We shouldn't", the latter being what gets you points. He really does need an adult sometimes, despite being like 7 years older than Chizuru lol. This would annoy me more if he wasn't just as inclined to want to take care of her. Plus he's grateful and aware he needs to be less of a stubborn hothead.
Chizuru feels suddenly aware of how much bigger and stronger than her he is which is interesting because yeah, he is the physically biggest guy, but he's really not to sort to get violent about this sort of thing, even asides from Chizuru being a girl.
BUT THEY STILL MISSED CURFEW! Shinpachi says he'll take responsibility, and if he dies for something so dumb then that's how it goes. Hijikata shouts angrily at everyone else to leave...but once they do he apologises to Shinpachi for going overboard with the rules, and Shinpachi apologises for throwing a childish tantrum instead of just talking to him.
Afterwards Shinpachi tells Chizuru that he keeps thinking about leaving every time Hiikata and Kondou seem to be getting too full of themselves, but then Hijikata acts like he did back in the old days, when they were just a bunch of poor ronin in a little dojo.
Demon Lord Kazama comes to try and kidnap Chizuru to be his Demon Princess Bride, and Shinpachi actually almost beats him!
SO. There's a point where a bunch of important stuff has happened and Chizuru can decide which she's most concerned about. The one option that hasn't come up before is "Sen", because it turns out to be the Shinpachi path choice. So Sen is going to be important? HOPEFULLY JUST HER. AND NOT ANY CURSED ANCIENT BODY PARTS SHE MAY HAVE HANDY.
Hmm! But what this choice actually leads to is Chizuru feeling sad that she never gets to talk to other women or dress up in pretty clothes. But then she has a nice chat with Shinpachi and realises he is as friendly with her as with Heisuke and Harada, and so even if she doesn't have female friends she does have friends. AW.
Turns out Shinpachi has been covering for Okita's duties what with his "mysterious illness" (which neither Shinpachi nor Chizuru know is tuberculosis yet) I did wonder about that! But Okita had regular duties training new recruits?? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO THOSE POOR YOUNG MEN.
Shinpachi: it's a lot of work but I don't want things to be a mess when Okita gets better and Heisuke and Saito come back from being with Itou's Imperialists.
I mean. One of those thing will happen? :( And he doesn't even entirely convince himself, and runs off before Chizuru and Harada can see him give in to despair.
Later she finds him swinging his sword at the air by himself late at night under the cherry blossoms. She asks if he wants to talk, and he reminisces about how he's loved the challenge of swordmansship since he was 8, and how blown away he was when he met Kondou: not just his skill, but the way he stuck by the Shinsengumi. (Apparently Kondou's wife didn't like them which is literally the first actual fact I have learned about the woman) But now instead of being kind and down to earth Kondou is stuck up and doing experiments on his own men.
Shinpachi: How come an idiot like me has to figure this stuff out :(
Chizuru: I know you'll find the answers you need.
Shinpachi: Since when did the girl who was scared of her own shadow get so tough? I used to have to handle things for you, now you're helping me handle my own life :)
Chizuru: It's thanks to your support!
Shinpachi: *blushing* Well I mean, you're like my little sister! I have to look out for you!
Chizuru: Then you're like my usually reliable but sometimes difficult big brother.
Shinpachi: How about honoured big brother, eh?
Chizuru: I'll think about it.
ha ok so I saw a review of this route which complained they were too sibling like, but this feels to me more like a man and woman with mutual (if currently mild) crushes who don't know how to conceptualise it since they mostly relate as friends and equals and that's not what romance is supposed to look like in their society. tl;dr I ship it :)
Once again I see the scene where Kondou talks about his plans to become a feudal lord, and his worry that Harada and Shinpachi will hate it, since they were born into the relatively high status life of samurai bound to a feudal lord, and abandoned it for the Shinsengumi.
Ahah! The scene where Heisuke is fatally injured and Shinpachi tries to stop Sanan administering the vampire serum before running off, upset. And this time I follow Shinpachi! He is deeply upset. He doesn't want Heisuke to die, but would it have been better for Heisuke to die a heroes death than live on as a vampire?
I thought this path would make him extra angsty but so far it's just letting us see and comfort the angst he always had but hid under a cheerful facade. Which is nice!
And now I am done with the common route for the last time!
So, when Sanan gives all the captains the vampire serum, Shinpachi refuses it. Later he tells Chizuru he stands by that decision, but wonders if he's been projecting his own feelings onto Heisuke, and not allowing himself to accept his friend now he's a vampire.
Chizuru: So, do you think I should leave now that war is brewing?
Shinpachi: Probably yeah :(
Chizuru: Right. I'm a burden. I'll just go ;_;
Shinpachi: WHOA NO I JUST WANT YOU TO BE SAFE. Of course we like having you around!! But what do you want?
Chizuru: ...to stay.
Shinpachi: Well ok then! Guess I'll have to protect you. I can do that :) Let's pinky swear that everything will be ok.
Have I mentioned that I feel like Chizuru has a mild anxiety disorder? She gets anxious a lot.
Shinpachi keeps boldly and cheerfully leading his men into battle, and coming back defeated with a great many of them dead. Based on previous paths this is going to be the trend for a while :(
TIME FOR THE BATTLE WHERE INOUE DIES
Inoue is accompanying Chizuru as the Shinsengumi retreat. But the soldiers with them have vanished.
*tenses to find out what awful thing happened to them and is about to happen to Inoue*
Because so far there's no obvious rival/villain/foil? Though Shinpachi did have a fight with Kazama one time.
But it's just some random former shogunate soldiers who have turned traitor. They're still enough to stab Inoue :(
Inoue: Chizuru, run!
Chizuru: FUCK NO STAB STAB
Soldiers: Pfft, we can take on one little...
Shinpachi: Raaaaaaarrrrr!!!
Soldiers: HE WAS LIKE THAT WHEN WE GOT HERE PLEASE DON'T KILL US WE'RE VERY SORRY
Shinpachi: D:<
Inoue: Forgive them. Not in front of her...
Chizuru: NO THEY SHOULD DEF BE STABBED
Shinpachi: Ugh. I'm letting you go but I BETTER NOT SEE YOU AGAIN
Chizuru: Are you ok Inoue?
Inoue: Oh yes, I'll be fine!
Me: No, no you won't. Oh god what's next D:
GUNSHOTS
Inoue and Shinpachi cry out in pain, and collapse to the ground.
IT'S THE SAMURAI THEY JUST SPARED. YOU FUCKERS
Inoue, barely able to move, pulls out the vampire serum...and holds it up to Shinpachi's semi-conscious mouth /o\
Shinpachi: ...Inoue?
Inoue: Please forgive me. A young man like you... cannot leave us so early. And you may hate me, but Chizuru needs you. Please...protect her.
Shinpachi: She...needs me?
Inoue: Please tell me you understand
Shinpachi: I...understand
Soldier: Let's take his head and give it to the Imperialists as a gift!
Vampire Shinpachi: UOOOOOOOOO D:<
He murders all of them in a bestial rage. He's...not so great at the self control, Shinpachi, and doesn't even acknowledge Chizuru's attempts to calm him down.
But then a hand grabs his sword: The surprisingly helpful demon Amagiri.
Amagiri: If you have chosen the path of the vampire, then you must die.
(Aw, that's not what he said to Saito! But he liiiikes Saito)
Shinpachi just shouts incoherently, but manages to actually draw blood. I've never seen anyone draw blood from Amagiri before!!
Chizuru: It wasn't his fault! He was trying to protect me!
Amagiri: Hmm. Well, I still can't let him stay like this. Don't get mad if I accidentally kill him.
But one punch is enough to knock Shinpachi out and have him return to normal.
Amagiri: That's a good sign, but if I encounter him using those powers again, I will stop him by whatever means necessary. *leaves*
Shinpachi: Whoa. What happened? Why are all those guys dead? Wasn't I...shot?
Chizuru: Oh...Um... The bullet grazed your head and you went into a blind rage and killed everyone!
CHIZURU
CHIZURU NO
WHAT ARE YOU DOING
Is the bad guy on this route SECRET SHINPACHI VAMPIRE HULK
Shinpachi: So I protected you?
Chizuru: ...yes
Shinpachi: Well that's what matters :D
Me: Shinpachi D: D: D:
I...have never felt this way before. I actually think CHIZURU is treating her LOVE INTEREST badly. I was not prepared for this feeling! I do not like it! HE BETTER FIND OUT SOON
I've absolutely been monkey's paw-ed though. I was thinking that a good antidote to the Iba route would be a female character doing terrible/painful things to a man she loves for for what feels like good reasons AND HERE WE ARE. NICE SENSE OF HUMOUR, UNIVERSE.
Welp, better get back to it.
Chizuru helps Shinpachi bury Inoue.
When they arrive at the castle, they find out the Shogun has fled to Edo, and that the Shinsengumi are going to follow him. Shinpachi is enraged, and after shouting a bunch locks himself in his room. Chizuru fixes him some food.
Shinpachi: I'm not hungry. I figure it's because...my body's going through some changes :(
He only remembers dimly, but he knows roughly what happened. Chizuru tearfully apologises and he gently tells her it's ok. He agrees with Inoue, he needs to protect her. And he agrees with what she said before: if he's alive, there's hope. Time to go to Edo and start afresh.
Ok that was just sweet and a little sad. I still think her lying was bad but it didn't do much harm in the end.
END OF KYOTO WINDS
Woo, time for the fun period where Harada and Shinpachi try to hide their doubts about the Shinsengumi's direction and keep up morale and increase recruitment...only for Kondou to lead them into a battle where the new recruits desert and most of the remaining men die! YAY. MY FAVOURITE PART OF THE PLOT.
Shinpachi: I'm going to go have a nap. I, uh. Didn't sleep well.
Harada: Man, it feels like he's spending all his days napping. Know what's up with that, Chizuru?
Chizuru: NOPE. NO IDEA. BYE.
Shinpachi takes all the men for a four day bender to keep spirits up while Hijikata is away, leaving Chizuru to try and cover for them to Hijikata when he returns.
Chizuru: They just left, I'll go get them! BYE.
She finds Shinpachi in a bar fight.
Drunken samurai: The Shinsengumi are a bunch of cowards! *only manages to stab him a little*
Shinpachi: That's not how you kill someone. THIS is how you...
Hijikata: SHINPACHI PUT AWAY YOUR DAMN SWORD
Hijikata is pretty understanding, though, and asks to look at Shinpachi's cut. But then he realises that it's healed completely...
Shinpachi is pissy and defensive, and gets increasingly unhappy the longer he is forced to live the restricted life of a vampire soldier.
Shinpachi: where do they get off treating us like meatshields! We're still human beings!
Heisuke: Still human beings? Shinpachi...you haven't experienced it yet have you?
Shinpachi: It?
Heisuke: Here, have some medicine for uh...if things get rough.
Shinpachi: You mean if I crave blood? Fuck that! I'm never experiencing bloodlust!
Me, aware that the next choice on the walkthrough is "give him blood": Mmm.
HUH OK. I was expecting a fairly chaste hand drinking scene but nope we're going for the neck! Like Iba and Souma he doesn't want her to look at him, but doesn't go as deep into WEIRD SELF LOATHING and REPRESSED DESIRE.
Shinpachi: I'm so sorry :(
Chizuru: This tickles but I probably shouldn't laugh.
As with Heisuke I feel bad seeing this loud vibrant guy get all soft voiced and quietly regretful afterwards.
SO I ACTUALLY REMEMBERED A NAME (...because it's Katsu) The lord who gives the Shinsengumi the "too good to be true" Depressing Battle mission that ruins them is the same one who betrays Iba. Anyway, watching the trainwreck approach for the eleventh time knowing it's effect on Shinpachi is just. Great.
So for some reason the game gives me the choice about whether or not Chizuru is into Shinpachi's new tightly fitting western uniform. SHE IS. OBVIOUSLY.
It's a sign of how much I'm not looking forward to the Depressing Battle that I am legitimately glad to see Stabdad.
Stabdad: I'm sorry I took so long, but now it's time for us to go back to Kyoto ^_^
Chizuru: But the Imperialists have control of Kyoto now. What waits for us there?
Stabdad: Your marriage to Demon Lord Kazama? Obviously?
And it's a sign of EXACTLY HOW CREEPY the bar has been set for Stabdad's motivations that this seems almost innocent.
Shinpachi: You're one of those demons! I'll kill you! *unsuccessful stab*
me: Shin, honey, your demon girlfriend is right there.
Stabdad: Is this the man who nearly defeated Lord Kazama?? I guess it shows that demons and vampires will always be superior!
...Shiranui totally told everyone Shinpachi almost beat Kazama that one time, didn't he.
Shinpachi goes into vampire form and is no more hulk-y than as a human.
Stabdad: So you are a vampire! Powerful too, you could be stronger than a demon one day! *runs away*
Shinpachi: No, I'm not... D: D: D:
Shinpachi: I'm really really sorry I had to drink your blood again :(
Chizuru: You saved me from my father, I wanted to save you. And...all I think about...is how to ease that which hurts you...
Shinpachi: Don't worry about that! It's my job to save you, as a man! And nothing brings me greater joy.
Chizuru: But you had to become a...
Shinpachi: Chizuru, it's ok, you're like a little sister to me. Although, um. *blushing* Even if you weren't. Like a sister. I uh...would still want to save you?
Chizuru: ...wait, are you saying...
Heisuke: SORRY TO INTERRUPT GUYS BUT IT'S ONLY CHAPTER TWO WE GOTTA GET BACK TO THE WAR
(this whole mutual self sacrifice thing is a repeated pattern in these paths but luckily I am here for it every time. WITHIN REASON, IBA)
when will my romance return from this waaaaarrrrrrrrr
Shinpachi: This battle is unwinnable, we have to retreat!
Kondou: What are you, a coward?
Shinpachi: FUCK YOU *goes into battle*
Shinpachi: *returning from battle* They have vampires! We have to retreat!
Kondou: We have vampires too! Go fight them, Shinpachi!
Shinpachi: ALL OF THEM???
Kondou: You vampires are super strong!
Shinpachi: UGH FINE. But only if you retreat!
Kondou: ...
Harada: KONDOU PLEASE
Kondou: ...fine >:/
After the retreat, Chizuru finds a distraught Shinpachi, and gives him a hug as he talks about he used to feel like Kondou treated them all as equals, but now Kondou just sees himself as an aristocrat and Shinpachi as nothing but a vampire. She says Shinpachi's still himself, vampire or not, and he feels much better.
Shinpachi: I've had enough! Time to fight the Imperialists my way!
Kondou: You're a vampire. Your existence is forfeit, I can't let you leave.
BAD KONDOU
(But then he lets him leave anyway)
Chizuru finds Shinpachi and he bows and apologises for leaving her. When she says she's coming with him he is surprised, then glad. He always felt bad that he kept promising to protect her when he knew deep down he'd been leaving, but now he promises to keep her safe.
AW. So, Chizuru asks Harada if he thinks she'll be a burden to him and Shinpachi.
Harada: Neither of them would admit it, but the reason Shinpachi and Kondou butt heads is that they're too similar. And just like Hijikata is a good counterpart to Kondou, I think you're best at Shinpachi's side.
Hijikata and Nomura have a cute goodbye. We don't see much of it, because the narrative doesn't really care about Nomura, but they seem to have a nice friendship/mentorship, which I guess makes sense since Nomura is basically Chandler from Friends lol.
Shinpachi wishes Saito good luck for the future and Saito's all "That is immaterial, what matters is that she is safe." And then he gives a small smile and tells Chizuru to look after Shinpachi. STOP BEING CHARMING SAITO I AM ON SHIN'S ROUTE.
Heisuke doesn't get a specific goodbye? Awwww :(
So! Harada and Shinpachi join up with a friend of Shinpachi's to start up a pro-Shogunate fighting force. They're are very happy in their new roles, but Shinpachi is a little too confident about how his leadership will help them succeed where the Shinsengumi failed :(
Hey it's Hijikata's boss! His name is Otori, which always makes me think of Utena. To Harada and Shinpachi's surprise, his troop's recent remarkable capture of a castle was actually the result of Hijikata's leadership.
Otori: Hijikata told me to look out for a man with a spear and a man with a handkerchief on his head, because they were reliable assets.
Shinpachi, in heavily accented English: Hand...ker...chief?
(This game loves to throw Western things at the characters and have them react in bafflement)
Otori: And who is this beautiful young lady?
Shinpachi: This is my brother! He hasn't got much meat on his bones but he's a great medic!
Otori: You don't look much alike...
Shinpachi: Haha, well, technically he's my ma's sister's husband's stepson...
Shinpachi is all "I better not see Kondou around!" then finds out Kondou handed himself in to the Imperialists to save his men.
The castle Hijikata captured has been taken back over by the Imperialists. It's up to Shinpachi to lead the charge taking it back and YES OK GAME I REALISE HOW THIS IS GOING TO GO.
So do his men, and many desert before the battle has even really started. Frustrated, Shinpachi goes into vampire form and Chizuru has to physically hold him back from running into gunfire and revealing his vampirism to his remaining men. He realises he has no choice but to retreat. He thought he could surpass Kondou and Hijikata but all he has done is fail.
After being jerked around by shitty Shogunate orders they find out Kondou has been executed without honour. Shinpachi wonders if this is a consequence of him leaving. They also find out Edo is on the brink of falling to the Imperialists.
Harada: You know what, to hell with the Shogunate. Permission to go support the people of Edo?
Chizuru is about to say NO IT WILL DESTROY SHINPACHI but is beaten to the punch.
Shinpachi: I've got enough grit to fight for both of us :D Go kick some ass!
Harada apologises to Chizuru but says he'll regret it for the rest of his life if he doesn't go. She recognises the same expression in his eyes that she saw in Shinpachi's when he left the Shinsengumi.
Chizuru: I will look after him. But promise you'll come back to us!
Harada just laughs and waves goodbye :(
The next battle goes as badly as the ones before, and Shinpachi once again throws himself onto the front lines to give his men time to retreat. OH and defending the rear of the battle was traditionally Harada's job, he really IS trying to cover for both of them /o\
Chizuru has an argument with him, worrying he is being so much like Kondou he's going to end up dead. Eventually he bows in apology and says she reminds him of Hijikata, forced to worry about him every time he does something stupidly reckless.
This morning I came across a post about the way homophobia manifests in mainstream Japanese media that I've been putting off reading because I'm pretty sure it's going to tip my opinion on Hakuoki's portrayal of Itou from "possibly gay coded" to "blatantly homophobic", but I do like how "like Kondou and Hijikata" is treated as equivalent to "soulmates".
Shinpachi asks Chizuru's permission to use his vampire powers in emergencies? AW.
Defeat after defeat begins to drag Shinpachi into despair. Then they hear stories of "ghosts on the battlefield" that sound suspiciously like vampires. Chizuru starts freaking out and Shinpachi calms her down, saying he'll look into it.
AND LO, HERE'S STABDAD
He says some profoundly creepy things about "breaking in" his vampires by releasing them onto the battlefield to eat dead bodies.
And then he tells Chizuru about her being adopted, and asks her to imagine how powerful her children with Kazama will be. Especially once they make them vampires! I ASSUME YOU HAVE NOT RUN THIS PLAN BY YOUR WOULD-BE SON-IN-LAW, STABDAD
Shinpachi tries to appeal to the vampires' humanity. Which noone else has done, good for you Shinpachi! Even if it 100% does not work.
Stabdad: Save your breath. They are vampires, not men
Shinpachi: Chizuru would you hate me if I used my powers?
My options are "You can't" and "Nothing", the latter the correct choice. Way to wimp out on taking responsibility for your choices, Chizuru!
But he gets what she intends and smiles. "Close your eyes if if it'll make you feel better". And then he apologises to the vampires before he viciously attacks them. "Aww" I think, as the text describes internal organs and geysers of blood.
Stabdad: Goodness, what a powerful specimen! But we will see how you do against my even more powerful vampires next time ^_^
Even though Stabdad is gone Shinpachi is still filled with violent rage, and pushes Chizuru aside when she tries to calm him down.
Amagiri: Lost himself again has he?
Me and Chizuru: OH NO
And then Amagiri stands in front of Chizuru as if to protect her from Shinpachi, a nuance Shinpachi misses as he tries to kill him. Amagiri just punches him back to being human again. What a champ.
And he's actually here to ally with them in fighting Stabdad! But he explains about how using vampire powers uses up life force and tells Shinpachi he's strong enough not to need them. He says the way Shinpachi is going, soon he won't be able to tell friend from foe, and is unworthy as Chizuru's guardian. So Amagiri says that he will take Chizuru!
*briefly imagines Amagiri&Chizuru buddy cop comedy*
Chizuru persuades him to give Shinpachi one more chance. But Shinpachi isn't sure he deserves it.
He sinks into a depressive self hating funk in an abandoned shack, while Chizuru takes care of food using a bag of coins he gave her. She quietly wonders what they'll do when the money runs out but doesn't want to bring him down.
She decides to practice her sword work! Go Chizuru!
Shinpachi, softly: Nice swings. But why are you doing this?
Chizuru: To protect you. My master taught me I should hone myself into an instrument of protection, not a tool of death.
Shinpachi: Instrument of protection, huh? But no matter how hard you train you'll be no match for a vampire or Demon. Especially the vampire inside me :( I secluded myself so as not to hurt anyone...guess now I might as well throw my sword away as well.
(She is a demon, Shinpachi. But blah blah male demons are stronger blah blah)
"As a fellow student of swordsmanship...no as a swordsman, hearing someone I respected dismiss our craft was unbearable."
AW CHIZURU. YEAH! YOU ARE A SWORDSMAN! TELL HIM WHAT'S WHAT!
She gives a passionate speech: about why he became a swordsman, and why she has faith in him to protect others.
He pulls her into a hug, and with his voice shaking asks if she really thinks he can protect people. He is reassured, and thanks her for everything. Then he asks if she'd mind if he trained with her :)
They return to Shinpachi's unit to find almost everyone dead and dismembered, the survivors screaming about enemies who refuse to die. Chizuru thinks "This won't end while there are vampires...wait, no. It won't end until my father stops making vampires."
Shinpachi tells Chizuru not to look at him when he experiences bloodlust but she says she wants to see all of him, including the flaws.
They approach Stabdad's lair.
Shinpachi: Sorry, Chizuru. But the crimes of those who created the vampires must be punished, and things might get pretty messy :(
Chizuru: If you mean my father, I'm ready for anything. I will defeat him.
Shinpachi: Not alone. You have my sword.
;_;
Shinpachi: You know I always wanted to punch your father in his annoying head :D
Chizuru: Except he's not even really my father. I have no family.
Shinpachi: But he was like a father to you. And you always have my shoulder to lean on.
Chizuru: Didn't you used to say I was like a little sister to you?
Shinpachi: We're. Uh. A little more intimate than that? And since we're so close, um. I was hoping...
<3 <3 <3
(Her head looks weird because they're about to kiss and the artist was too lazy to draw it twice)
Aww Shinpachi tries to make a calm, logical ethical argument for the unsustainability of vampires to Stabdad. Oddly enough this doesn't work either.
Shinpachi has vowed to never use his vampire powers again, and manages to defeat the vampire minions protecting Stabdad purely with human skill.
STABDAD GOES INTO HIS FINAL FORM! But Shinpachi whacks all the scalpels out of his hand!
Shinpachi: BEHOLD THE TRUE POWER OF HUMANS :D
Shinpachi knocks him down with the pommel of his sword.
Shinpachi: The problem is, no matter of how much of a slimy bastard you are, Chizuru sees you as a father. The idea of killing you tears her up inside.
Stabdad: You still see me as a father, don't you Chizuru?
Chizuru: Always :(
And then... Stabdad is stabbed by one of his own vampires. The others see the blood and descend, and soon Stabdad is lost to a sea of feeding vampires. By the time Shinpachi kills them all, there is nothing left of Stabdad but a mutilated corpse.
Amagiri: And so this accounts for all the vampires.
Shinpachi: There's still some with the Shinsengumi, but that was the last of the rotten ones.
Amagiri: You do not consider yourself a vampire?
Shinpachi *drawing his sword*: Come put me to the test!
They strike at each other, and Shinpachi stops with his sword on Amagiri's neck, the first character to defeat him with or without vampire powers.
Amagiri: You have proven yourself worthy to protect Chizuru.
Shinpachi: I'm never going to use my vampire powers again. But I guess I can't get involved in human wars any more, huh...
Amagiri: Indeed. *leaves*
Chizuru: Are you ok with that, Shinpachi?
Shinpachi: I used to think there wasn't much point in growing old. But it doesn't seem so bad, if it's with you :)
Three years later:
Branded traitors after the war, they have gone to hide with Shinpachi's family. They were a little surprised to see him appear suddenly after so long (with a new wife!) but welcomed them both.
Shinpachi and Chizuru sit by the river on what was, briefly, Doomed Democracy Island. They think sadly of how their friends all died over the course of the war. But they still have each other, and though Shinpachi's vampirism was never cured Chizuru has faith in his ability to remain himself. They hold each other affectionately and look forward to a long happy life together.
THE END
That was really super duper cute, a lovely final path. It contradicted established lore in a few places but eh. At least it was fairly internally consistent. I'm amused that Kaoru doesn't show up, I guess that'd have made the "little sister" thing too weird lol. It never really gets super romantic or very sexual at all, but this is the 19th century, marriage is more about finding a partner you can form a life with and they have that.
And now I am basically done with the game ;_;
I want to check guides for anything interesting I might have missed, then do the Chizuru Path, which is apparently very short. And then I guess I can watch the rest of the prequel anime and read fanfic and watch the musicals and try and figure out if anyone's translated and emulated the other games...
no subject
Date: 2018-11-01 02:49 pm (UTC)1. His historical child. It would've made for a very different route, but could've gone in some very interesting ways: Chizuru being explicitly someone's second love, Chizuru becoming a stepparent, or even just being more explicit that Nagakura is terrible with women and can only love Chizuru in a way that is good for her because he doesn't quite see her as a woman.
2. Some meta shenanigans about him being the actual author of the story we're watching, since it's largely based on his diaries.
3. Nagakura taking Chizuru drinking and partying. I really was not into the scene where she has to be the one to tell him to sober up. Why can't she have fun too, at least in this route?
I loved Nagakura anyway though. I really enjoyed his whole Bushido-is-bullshit thing and how much he just wants to be a fighter and not a samurai. It's a great counterpoint to some of the other arcs. I also really enjoyed his friends-to-lovers arc with Chizuru, and how even in the end once they're married they're basically friends. And I loved their marriage scene, and how he married her in the end not because he was suddenly struck by an overwhelming passion but because he wanted her to have family.
Also fun: watching Chizuru train as a fighter and take responsibility for killing her father, watching Nagakura call Kondo and Hijikata on their bullshit, the way he proposes to her by saying let's be spouses in a gender neutral way. Also in the end his decision just not to use the super-strength of being a Fury in order to not pay the price for it. He's the only one to do that, and that feels thematically related to him not wanting to be a samurai.
no subject
Date: 2018-11-01 04:23 pm (UTC)I decided pretty early on that the game was 100% erasing the existence of Nagakura's kid, just like Sakamoto's wife etc. It would have been interesting if they'd gone there, but I wasn't expecting it. I was expecting the game to engage more with his womanising, especially since while I didn't enjoy how the Harada path addressed the issue it was at least acknowledged. And yeah, I agree, it makes sense that Nagakura sees Chizuru as seperate to Girls.
I sort of forgot he was the author during the path then remembered at the end and went "wait are they just never going to mention it?" I agree, there could have been some cute nods.
I had mixed feelings about Chizuru always being the voice of reason. Her being framed as his Hijikata was very cute, but yeah she could still have had some more fun.
I agree with all the stuff you liked. I wasn't sure what they could do with Nagakura that would be interesting but there were a bunch of refreshing changes from the other paths that all fit together enjoyably.