I have been on the lookout for good, plot driven Namazuo x Honebami doujin for ages, and finally this appeared! I almost didn’t buy it though, as that time I was close to the weight limit... Luckily I ordered it anyway, because this is one of the best books I’ve read so far this year!!!!!
Whether you know Touken Ranbu or not, it doesn’t matter. This is a heart wrenching story (which utilise the swords’ history well), and the art is beautiful!!!!!!
LET’S PROCEED AND ENJOY SOME PAINFUL BROTHERLY ANGST. :’)
As Honebami reads under a tree in the present day, he drifts into sleep and has a vivid dream...
He finds himself surrounded by flames. It’s the siege of Osaka Castle in 1615.
As the place crumbles around him, Honebami is injured by the rubble, but his only interest is to locate his brother Namazuo and get out of here quick!
He finds Namazuo lounging calmly, totally unconcerned by the destruction happening around them.
Honebami thinks they should escape together, but Namazuo wants to stay behind. If this is the end of their master, then as his beloved sword, he will stay here by his side.
Why the hell would you choose to die if you could live?! Of course Honebami doesn’t take this well!
We are swords! We are not tied to anything! You’re free, Namazuo...
As Namazuo bandages Honebami’s injury, he proceeds to explain his belief. Why he chooses to stay behind. What he believes his purpose is....
All whilst the fire burn fiercer around them!!!!!!!! (imagine this scene animated!!! holy shit it would be awesome!!! Crank up the sad music!!!!!)
As Honebami listens, he knows he can’t change Namazuo’s mind...
The word “大義” is hard to translated to English... (It’s a term you often see in One Piece!) It means... belief, purpose, justice, honour etc.
So in this case, Namazuo choose to stay and die, because he believes it’s the right thing to do, whereas Honebami questions WHAT is the right thing. :(
As their ideology differs, the inevitable separation has to happen...
But before he goes, Honebami declares that he won’t forget!
He won’t forget Namazuo or this day! We’ll meet again, brother. :((((((
After running into the corridor, he encounters Ichigo! Rather than joining Honebami’s escape, the big brother directs him to the correct exit path and proceeds into the burning building. He too has decided his purpose? :(
In the end, Honebami is the only one who escaped. :(((
He promises one last time that he won’t forget, and then jumps into the castle moat. :(((
In the historic sense, Honebami was found in the moat, so the author is sticking to that fact.
In the story sense, I suppose Honebami doesn’t have the will to live after watching his two brothers die. So even though he successfully escaped, he chooses to die as well? Or is the only way to save himself from the approaching fire is by jumping into water??
As Honebami hits the river, he wakes up crying in present day. He feels like he dreamed of something important, but he can’t remember anything as soon as he wakes.
Namazuo (who was napping on Honebami as Honebami slept lol) asks about the book that Honebami was reading before he fell asleep. The book belongs to Doudanuki and discusses the concept of samurai’s honour etc.
Whilst they chat, Ichigo comes to tell them dinner is ready. When Honebami turns his back to leave, the sight triggers a flashback in Namazuo’s mind!
That was the last sight he saw of Honebami as Osaka Castle burned. :(((
Namazuo recalls that Ichigo found him after Honebami departed. As the flames inched closer, they talked briefly about the topic of 大義 again. Ichigo reassured him that whatever his or Honebami’s choice is, to stay or to leave, there is no shame in it.
Finally, Ichigo said it must be painful to part with Honebami (who is basically his twin), and Namazuo answered “yeah, it’s painful. It’s as if my whole body is engulfed by fire.” :(((
Just like Honebami, although Namazuo experiences a flashback, he can’t remember what it’s about.
The brothers are reunited in this life and they are happy... but there is one more memory which they have forgotten...
During the Great Fire of Meireki in 1657, Honebami was once again surrounded by flames.
After the death of his brothers, Honebami became cold and detached. It is no longer war time, yet he has to face fire again. Isn’t fate ironic?
This time, Honebami chooses to die. But as always, he makes a promise to not forget.
He won’t forget Namazuo, or everybody else or everything they went through together during that time.
BUT HE WILL FORGET EVERYTHING
Now you see why I said if Touken Ranbu ever gets animated, they need to have a super angsty namahone arc!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Blow this angst up and make it hurt reaaaaaaaaaal good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
