~ Rurouni Kenshin x Touken Ranbu AU Project ~
This is why I’ve been so quiet on here the past week!! Oh!! I’m so nervous about this reveal!!!!!!
So yeah, I’ve had this idea for a few years...Actually, ever since I was first introduced to Touken Ranbu! Since I LOVE Rurouni Kenshin, and there are a few awesome swords in the story, I thought: “What if the swords in Rurouni Kenshin could be turned into Touken Danshi?!”
Yes, I know they aren’t real swords, and I still have a lot to learn about the Touken universe,...but the idea wouldn’t go away. So here are my newly ‘smithed’ sword boys! Inspired by Touken Ranbu, I worked up some designs for Himura Kenshin’s Reverse-Blade Swords: Kageuchi & Shinuchi!!
“I am Sakabato Kageuchi. You may know me from hearing about my master, Himura Kenshin. I was one of the last swords forged by the smith Arai Shakku. Though, I am a mere shadow of the true sakabatō, I was said to be of a superior quality compared to traditional swords. Call me what you will, but even this piece of ‘scrap metal’ still has a sharpened edge!”
Notes: Kageuchi’s main design comes from the fact that his sword-smith, Arai Shakku, called him “nothing but a piece of scrap metal” when he was given to Himura Kenshin at the start of his wandering days. Kageuchi remained bitter over those spiteful words, but was extremely loyal to his master Himura Kenshin, even until the moment he was broken. Kageuchi actually has a long scar across his chest from the duel, but he conceals it behind chest armor and a scarf. He has more of a battle-torn appearance due to the turmoil of his master’s soul, torn between two ways of fighting. And it was only Kageuchi that was flipped over and used to threaten life 3 times, as Kenshin fought against his Manslayer urges.
“Greetings! I am, the final sword created by Arai Shakku, Sakabato Shinuchi! I may not have much experience, since I was named a holy sword and sealed away in the Hakusan shrine for many years. To honor and protect the peace of a new era... for this reason I was forged!”
Notes: Shinuchi’s design is based on his debut appearance, where he was an enshrined holy sword, pure and untouched for a decade, before being entrusted to Himura Kenshin. The somewhat ‘dull’ appearance of both swords comes from the actual swords themselves. Plain, unadorned, with no intricate ornaments, and the fact they are sakabato, swords with the sharp edge on the opposite side, not made for killing.
I’m still working on their characterizations and personalities. Also crests...not sure how the Touken Danshi’s crests are designs but I’m getting there. It’s been a LONG time since I’ve had a personal project for myself. I’m having so much fun creating these characters! I’ve also got another RK sword in the works...which I will reveal soon!!!
