Everyone has been talking about Oden, and rightfully so to an extent, however, lets talk about someone who's been generally overlooked in all these matters. Kin'emon was introduced as nothing more than an urchin for the Yakuza.
He had no goals or motivation outside of being a two-bit thug for the Yakuza, no one but Tsuru cared for him. He might've just off himself at some point. Even despite that, we get glimpses of his noble Samurai soul when he stood up to the Mountain God to save Tsuru.
There's a lot of criticism over the Scabbards' reasons for being so devoted to Oden feeling underdeveloped or forced, but Kin'emon's reasons seem very well defined and consistent with his character. Remember, we were introduced to Kin'emon trying to weasel himself through the Yakuza ranks, trying to get attention and purpose in anyway. Tsuru was all he had, implying he was an orphan with no one else to go to. During the Mountain God incident, he not only jeopardized his chances at getting recognition within the Yakuza, but he seemingly lost Tsuru. And he would've lost all of that if it weren't for Oden. On top of saving the person he cared most dearly for, Oden also spared Kin'emon of any blame for the Mountain God Incident. All while not asking anything in return.
Later on, he tries to repay the dept in anyway he could, deciding to be Oden's vassal, but as you can tell, he had no formal skills in that practice. Kin'emon had been a thug with 0 education and real world experiences.
Per Yasuie's advice and aid, Kin'emon molded himself to be of real service to Oden rather than a burden.
Along the way, becoming a sort of mentor like figure for one of his younger comrades.
He honed his skillsets so much, he rose to become the leader of the 9 Red Scabbards. Developing a keen mind for strategy, even Orochi is wary of. Pretty impressive for someone who was just a two-bit Yakuza thug.
He'd later on marry his childhood friend, recognizing how important the two were for eachother, and a stark mental growth on Kin'emon to recognize Tsuru was always there for him back when no one else was. Tsuru had even refused to see anyone else in all the 20 years Kin'emon was missing.
Going to the meat of his arc, Kin'emon has been around since Punk Hazard, looking after Momonosuke the most out of all the retainers. Acting as the boy's father in order to protect him. Kin'emon had to overcome many obstacles, seemingly lose many he cared for, and still expected to press on. This is all under the fact he's not the strongest or most capable. While a formidable swordsman all on his own, he is greatly dwarfed by his lord Oden. Thus, every act of bravery he performs is even more indicative of his strength of character.
Speaking of which, as a Samurai, Kin'emon holds honor and pride in high regard. Yet he has sacrificed that in order to accomplish tasks of great importance. Like Oden's dying wish of driving off Kaido and Orochi and opening the borders of Wano. Throughout all of Wano, Kin'emon has been the one to maintain order and planning for the Alliance's efforts against the Emperor and Shogun. Keeping a cool head even in the most dire of situations. In fact, he has to live with the fact his wife Tsuru may be dead after covering for him and the Alliance.
That's a bit of what I wanted to say. Kin'emon is grossly overlooked, but I can't stress how well developed his character has been, and will continue to be. How much he contributes in the coming battle is unknown, but I like to believe he'll play a substantial role in it, as he is arguably the one member of the Alliance who believes in Oden's wishes the strongest. And to think, in one timeline, he'd have been nothing more but a disposable Yakuza mook.
Please share the love for Foxfire Kin'emon, leader of the 9 Red Scabbards and a true Samurai.
He had no goals or motivation outside of being a two-bit thug for the Yakuza, no one but Tsuru cared for him. He might've just off himself at some point. Even despite that, we get glimpses of his noble Samurai soul when he stood up to the Mountain God to save Tsuru.
There's a lot of criticism over the Scabbards' reasons for being so devoted to Oden feeling underdeveloped or forced, but Kin'emon's reasons seem very well defined and consistent with his character. Remember, we were introduced to Kin'emon trying to weasel himself through the Yakuza ranks, trying to get attention and purpose in anyway. Tsuru was all he had, implying he was an orphan with no one else to go to. During the Mountain God incident, he not only jeopardized his chances at getting recognition within the Yakuza, but he seemingly lost Tsuru. And he would've lost all of that if it weren't for Oden. On top of saving the person he cared most dearly for, Oden also spared Kin'emon of any blame for the Mountain God Incident. All while not asking anything in return.
Later on, he tries to repay the dept in anyway he could, deciding to be Oden's vassal, but as you can tell, he had no formal skills in that practice. Kin'emon had been a thug with 0 education and real world experiences.
Per Yasuie's advice and aid, Kin'emon molded himself to be of real service to Oden rather than a burden.
Along the way, becoming a sort of mentor like figure for one of his younger comrades.
He honed his skillsets so much, he rose to become the leader of the 9 Red Scabbards. Developing a keen mind for strategy, even Orochi is wary of. Pretty impressive for someone who was just a two-bit Yakuza thug.
He'd later on marry his childhood friend, recognizing how important the two were for eachother, and a stark mental growth on Kin'emon to recognize Tsuru was always there for him back when no one else was. Tsuru had even refused to see anyone else in all the 20 years Kin'emon was missing.
Going to the meat of his arc, Kin'emon has been around since Punk Hazard, looking after Momonosuke the most out of all the retainers. Acting as the boy's father in order to protect him. Kin'emon had to overcome many obstacles, seemingly lose many he cared for, and still expected to press on. This is all under the fact he's not the strongest or most capable. While a formidable swordsman all on his own, he is greatly dwarfed by his lord Oden. Thus, every act of bravery he performs is even more indicative of his strength of character.
Speaking of which, as a Samurai, Kin'emon holds honor and pride in high regard. Yet he has sacrificed that in order to accomplish tasks of great importance. Like Oden's dying wish of driving off Kaido and Orochi and opening the borders of Wano. Throughout all of Wano, Kin'emon has been the one to maintain order and planning for the Alliance's efforts against the Emperor and Shogun. Keeping a cool head even in the most dire of situations. In fact, he has to live with the fact his wife Tsuru may be dead after covering for him and the Alliance.
That's a bit of what I wanted to say. Kin'emon is grossly overlooked, but I can't stress how well developed his character has been, and will continue to be. How much he contributes in the coming battle is unknown, but I like to believe he'll play a substantial role in it, as he is arguably the one member of the Alliance who believes in Oden's wishes the strongest. And to think, in one timeline, he'd have been nothing more but a disposable Yakuza mook.
Please share the love for Foxfire Kin'emon, leader of the 9 Red Scabbards and a true Samurai.
