Brave 10 - Episode 09

Episode – 09 characters

Isanami – She is the sole survivor of the Izumo shrine, also it appears that she has some strange power that she doesn't even know that she has. Another thing to point out is that her name is vary similar to the goddess in the Japanese creation myth. It wouldn't surprise me if they have her end of being the reincarnation of Izanami.

Kirigakure Saizou – He is the other real major character in this story. Also from the way he act, it like he has a great many secrets to hide. Like how he says that he is a samurai while in fact he is an Iga ninja. It also appears that he has some sort of connection with Isanami by how he is able to calm her down. There is also his unexplained hatred for feudal lords.

Sarutobi Sasuke – He is a Koga Ninja, and this is what leads to the conflict between him and Saizou because in Japanese his the Koga and Iga ninja's have a long standing rivalery. It also seems that for some reason the koga ninja's under his command are surving Sanada Yukimura.

Sanada Yukimura – His is Lord of Ueda Castle, it also appears that he is renown for his intelligence and integrity. Also it seem that he is seeking to draw ten great warrior to his side to equal his equal great fingers, before he can go to war.

Rokurou – He is a mysterious figure that is helping Yukimura in his ambition. Although it appears that it will be awhile before we learn more about him.

Ana – She is a childhood friend of Saizou, although he dislikes how clingy she is. Further more Isanami doesn't much care for her because she feels that she is going to take Saizou away from her. Also she is now working for Yukimura after trying to kill him and failing.

Hattori Hanzou – Is the one that burned down the Izumo shrine, and is working for Tokogawa Ieyasu. Although we don't know at this point what part he will play, even though he is a renown historical figure. However the one thing we do know is that he will be back for Isanami.

Kakei Juuzou – Is a Samurai in service to Yukimura, and he specialize in juujitsu (fighting with guns). He is also extremely conservative and believes that Isanami's behavior towards Saizou is highly inappropriate. That it would only be acceptable if they were married.

Yuri Kamanosuke – Is a bandit that is encountered on their way to Izumo, although he is not really interested in stealing. The thing he wants the most is to find someone the kill, because only on the edge of life and death does he truly feel alive.

Date Masamune – Is the ruler of Oushuu, and is an ally of Tokugawa Ieyasu. He is searching for kushi-mitama which are fragments of a god's soul. That he believes if he gets them all he will became a god and this is the reason he is after Isanami.

Miyoshi Seikai Nyuudou – He is apparently the brother of Isanami, although they are not related by blood. It is just the fact that they are both orphans what where taken in by the head priest, also he is the one that found Isanami at the entrance to the temple. Also the only reason he is still alive is that he left on a journey to become a monk, and now believes that Shinto and Buddhism are the same.

Mochizuki Benmaru – He is just a kid but Yukimura made him one of his brave ten, but original he was named Mochizuki Rokurou but Yukimura didn't like having two Rokurou so he gave him the name Benmaru. He specializes in explosives and traps, which is why he was testing people so that he could find someone strong to serve. It just so happens that Yukimura is the only one that passed.

Ishida Mitsunari – is a feudal lord like yukimura, but since he has been given a name he will probably play a larger part later.

Naoe Hanegetsu – is another feudal lord like Yukimura, that we will learn more about the rule he will play later on in the series.

Tokugawa Ieyasu – Is the shogun, also he is referred to as a Tanuki. Which in Japanese folklore are know to be trickster. Although a lot of accusation are also place in the series that he is incompetent.

Nezu Jinpachi – He appears to be the last of Yukimura's brave 10. The interesting thing about him isn't his love for sake and women, but in how he is very similar to Saizou when he first met Yukimura. Where the only thing he really want is to enjoy his freedom.

Episode – 09 Summary

In this episode we final discover the true nature behind the brave 10 and Isanami's power. Once they arrive at Yukimura's castle, they split-off to do their own thing but not before telling them they will have a proper meeting tomorrow with all of his braves. Once this happens Saizou goes-off and spies on Yukimura to find out the true nature of his brave-10's that Yukimura has been gathering. Although while Saizou is hiding in the ceiling, Yukimura calls out to him already knowing that he is in the ceiling. After a few lies that Saizou doesn't believe are the real reason. Yukimura feels that Saizou is the one he should explain the true reason. The purpose behind gather 10 is that each person of his braves are to represent an element that is define in the yin-yang that when all these elements come together they form the nature of the universe. In this arrangement the light and darkness are harmonized by the eight other sub-elements of earth,metal,thunder,fire,wind,ice, water, and grass.

Although Saizou finds it funny that Yukimura think he is light and Isanami is darkness, but when he thinks back to that strange power that she has shown. That if Isanami is darkness then that would explain when she get upset why things seem to whether and die around her. However while this is happen Ana is attacking Rokurou trying to steal his eye. When she is about to dig out his eye, Rokurou destroys his eye by piercing it on the tool that Ana was trying to take it with. Shortly after this happens Sasuke rush in to see whats happening to Rokurou, and tires to fight Ana although he is easily defeated because he doesn't want to fight her. This leads to Saizou pursuing her as she runs away. It turns out that Saizou isn't as hesitent as Sasuke was, that in truth that he was more disappointed in himself for not seeing the signs. That his goal isn't to bring ana back alive but to find out who she is working for, once he pins her and starts interagating her. Saizou ends up being a bit careless because he let Ana get to close to the water.

In the end he returns to Yukimura in disappointment, explaining that she got away because of his carelessness. This leads to the the conclusion of the early conversation, where it is explained that Isanami's hair-pin the kushi-mitama wasn't the source of her power, but exists to protect the world from her. That the darkness that she uses is only control by one person Izanami the goddess of death, from the Japanese creation myth. That Isanami is this goddess reborn, that as they are speaking of this Isanami over-hear all of this from outside the room. The question is how is Isanami going to take this news, and how are they going to balance out Isanami's powers while missing one of the elements key eight elements. Also what does this mean for the rest of the series, when most things have been explained. While at the same time their true enemy has been beside them this entire time, and how will Ishida Mitsunari and Naoe Hanegetsu play into all of this.