Part 2 - Kurogane
Warning: Some spoilers.
Kurogane:
Kurogane, I think, is the only character really changing for the better. He’s certainly less bitter and rash now than he was at the beginning of the series. He’s become wiser and -dare I say it-- softer around the edges. When Syaoran’s consciousness was trapped in the Book of Memories and was forced to watch Kurogane’s past unfold before him (and I have to say right now that there is nothing cuter than young!Kurogane), I was worried how the ninja would react. The old Kurogane would have probably roared in fury and sliced the boy’s head off with his sword. But the new Kurogane only closed his eyes and said, “It’s not like you wanted to.”
When Syaoran tried to apologize and insisted that an individual’s past is a personal thing, Kurogane answered, “Exactly. And that’s why… Just because you know about them, doesn’t mean you need to take my old scars upon yourself.”
Despite the fact that he was forced onto this journey, Kurogane is changing in a good way. It seems like he is starting to learn the lesson Tomoyo wanted him to. Ever since he started traveling with his new companions, it seems like he is starting to understand the true meaning of strength. He protects his friends, not because he has to, but because he wants to.
He really, really wants to.
That’s the wonderful thing about it. Lately, he doesn’t just fight because he can, but because he now has people who need his strength.
And it’s not just a physical strength either.
He may not seem like it, but he’s surprisingly gentle with Sakura and patient with Mokona. He hates Fai’s secrecy, because he thinks that they should be allowed to share his burden after traveling together for so long. He sees the potential in Syaoran, real or not, and respects him for it.
And that’s what I find really interesting about Kurogane. Because he’s the only person in the group who accepts the real Syaoran for who he truly is.
Sakura is obviously still upset over the realization that her Syaoran is an evil and heartless clone. She probably feels that the real Syaoran is only a sick imitation of the one she loves or a painful reminder of what she lost. Even if she knows none of it is his fault, she still avoids him or treats him coldly, just because I think she needs someone to blame.
I don’t think Fai dislikes the real Syaoran, but it sure isn’t like either. Fai may not be the type to hold a grudge, but he probably still feels hurt over the other Syaoran’s betrayal and the loss of his eye. (But I can’t really say for certain, because I don’t remember a time Fai and the real Syaoran ever interacted that supports or opposes that statement.)
There aren’t many people Mokona seems to dislike or be wary of, unless they’re terribly, terribly evil. I know that it doesn’t have any ill thoughts about the real Syaoran, but it still seems like there’s still a distance of some sort, because he is not “Syaoran”.
However, Kurogane is the only one who is constantly telling the boy not to compare himself with the Syaoran they know, but to just be who he is. Since day one, when Kurogane found out that the real Syaoran was only Fei Wang Reed’s prisoner for so many years, he acknowledged him as an ally. He immediately includes him in the group, with no question of his loyalty or motives. Kurogane is that kind of person. He just takes things as they come and accepts them pretty quickly.
That’s the wonderful thing of Kurogane’s character. No matter what the circumstances, he tries to take everything in stride and approaches his problems carefully, skillfully, like the ninja he is. He is incredibly observant of everything that goes on around him (he can figure someone like Fai out, after all) and does everything in his power to find a solution for himself. But he never resorts to dishonest means to do so.
What I really love about Kurogane is that there’s not a single deceitful bone in his body. He’s honest, even to the point of being blunt, but he’s always been that way and always will be. He doesn’t have a clone, a secret past, or a secret motive like the others. Kurogane is simply Kurogane. He may not mention everything he’s feeling, but he doesn’t lie about it either.
To me, Kurogane’s honesty makes him the kind of person who you can undoubtedly trust with your life. He might grumble unhappily about needing to save you, but he won’t hesitate. He would do anything to protect the people who matter most to him, because that’s just how he is. If he loves you enough, he doesn’t want to lose you. Whether he’s deliberately becoming food for a vampire or ignoring his own wounds to leave medicine available for someone else, he’ll put you first.
…If he thinks you’re worth it.
Kurogane:
Kurogane, I think, is the only character really changing for the better. He’s certainly less bitter and rash now than he was at the beginning of the series. He’s become wiser and -dare I say it-- softer around the edges. When Syaoran’s consciousness was trapped in the Book of Memories and was forced to watch Kurogane’s past unfold before him (and I have to say right now that there is nothing cuter than young!Kurogane), I was worried how the ninja would react. The old Kurogane would have probably roared in fury and sliced the boy’s head off with his sword. But the new Kurogane only closed his eyes and said, “It’s not like you wanted to.”
When Syaoran tried to apologize and insisted that an individual’s past is a personal thing, Kurogane answered, “Exactly. And that’s why… Just because you know about them, doesn’t mean you need to take my old scars upon yourself.”
Despite the fact that he was forced onto this journey, Kurogane is changing in a good way. It seems like he is starting to learn the lesson Tomoyo wanted him to. Ever since he started traveling with his new companions, it seems like he is starting to understand the true meaning of strength. He protects his friends, not because he has to, but because he wants to.
He really, really wants to.
That’s the wonderful thing about it. Lately, he doesn’t just fight because he can, but because he now has people who need his strength.
And it’s not just a physical strength either.
He may not seem like it, but he’s surprisingly gentle with Sakura and patient with Mokona. He hates Fai’s secrecy, because he thinks that they should be allowed to share his burden after traveling together for so long. He sees the potential in Syaoran, real or not, and respects him for it.
And that’s what I find really interesting about Kurogane. Because he’s the only person in the group who accepts the real Syaoran for who he truly is.
Sakura is obviously still upset over the realization that her Syaoran is an evil and heartless clone. She probably feels that the real Syaoran is only a sick imitation of the one she loves or a painful reminder of what she lost. Even if she knows none of it is his fault, she still avoids him or treats him coldly, just because I think she needs someone to blame.
I don’t think Fai dislikes the real Syaoran, but it sure isn’t like either. Fai may not be the type to hold a grudge, but he probably still feels hurt over the other Syaoran’s betrayal and the loss of his eye. (But I can’t really say for certain, because I don’t remember a time Fai and the real Syaoran ever interacted that supports or opposes that statement.)
There aren’t many people Mokona seems to dislike or be wary of, unless they’re terribly, terribly evil. I know that it doesn’t have any ill thoughts about the real Syaoran, but it still seems like there’s still a distance of some sort, because he is not “Syaoran”.
However, Kurogane is the only one who is constantly telling the boy not to compare himself with the Syaoran they know, but to just be who he is. Since day one, when Kurogane found out that the real Syaoran was only Fei Wang Reed’s prisoner for so many years, he acknowledged him as an ally. He immediately includes him in the group, with no question of his loyalty or motives. Kurogane is that kind of person. He just takes things as they come and accepts them pretty quickly.
That’s the wonderful thing of Kurogane’s character. No matter what the circumstances, he tries to take everything in stride and approaches his problems carefully, skillfully, like the ninja he is. He is incredibly observant of everything that goes on around him (he can figure someone like Fai out, after all) and does everything in his power to find a solution for himself. But he never resorts to dishonest means to do so.
What I really love about Kurogane is that there’s not a single deceitful bone in his body. He’s honest, even to the point of being blunt, but he’s always been that way and always will be. He doesn’t have a clone, a secret past, or a secret motive like the others. Kurogane is simply Kurogane. He may not mention everything he’s feeling, but he doesn’t lie about it either.
To me, Kurogane’s honesty makes him the kind of person who you can undoubtedly trust with your life. He might grumble unhappily about needing to save you, but he won’t hesitate. He would do anything to protect the people who matter most to him, because that’s just how he is. If he loves you enough, he doesn’t want to lose you. Whether he’s deliberately becoming food for a vampire or ignoring his own wounds to leave medicine available for someone else, he’ll put you first.
…If he thinks you’re worth it.