TV-Series
Description
Juzumaru Tsunetsugu is a tachi sword who appears as a new character in the second season of the anime. Known as one of the Five Great Swords of Japan, his identity is deeply intertwined with Buddhist faith, a legacy from his history of being kept in temples. His long existence has been spent gazing upon the true meaning of Buddhism, watching as people's values changed again and again over the ages. This has given him a calm, introspective, and solemn personality, often speaking with a tone of gentle contemplation or quoting religious concepts.
His central conflict arises from the fundamental contradiction of his existence. He is a sword, a tool designed to cut down people, yet he assumes the duty of protecting the way of the Buddha. He openly questions whether this state of being is a mistake. This philosophical struggle defines his motivations; he does not seek battle for glory but accepts it as a responsibility. When fighting, he views the chaotic age of war as a sign of a fallen world, a concept akin to the Buddhist "latter days of the law," and sees his role as guiding others to the right path or crushing evil to spread the truth, often reciting mantras like "Namu-myoho-renge-kyo".
In the story of Zoku Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru, Juzumaru manifests at the citadel and is almost immediately sent to train in the mountains behind the headquarters. This training expedition, which he undertakes alongside Yamabushi Kunihiro and Kashuu Kiyomitsu, highlights his ascetic approach to his new life as a warrior. Even in a setting focused on daily life and camaraderie, his demeanor remains that of a monk, suggesting a role as a spiritual anchor for the other swords. His key relationship shown in this arc is with his training partners, as Kashuu Kiyomitsu is made to accompany him, implying an opportunity for the more flamboyant sword to learn from his discipline.
Regarding his development and notable abilities, the series portrays him as a figure who has just arrived, so his personal growth is largely shown through his adaptation to the citadel and his integration with the other swords. He is a composed and powerful fighter, and his "kiwame" or training further increases his capabilities as he continues his quest for enlightenment. His abilities are often thematically tied to his faith, using techniques referencing the "Haja Kensho" (crushing evil and spreading the truth) and displaying a readiness to face persecution for his beliefs, just as his former owner once did.
His central conflict arises from the fundamental contradiction of his existence. He is a sword, a tool designed to cut down people, yet he assumes the duty of protecting the way of the Buddha. He openly questions whether this state of being is a mistake. This philosophical struggle defines his motivations; he does not seek battle for glory but accepts it as a responsibility. When fighting, he views the chaotic age of war as a sign of a fallen world, a concept akin to the Buddhist "latter days of the law," and sees his role as guiding others to the right path or crushing evil to spread the truth, often reciting mantras like "Namu-myoho-renge-kyo".
In the story of Zoku Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru, Juzumaru manifests at the citadel and is almost immediately sent to train in the mountains behind the headquarters. This training expedition, which he undertakes alongside Yamabushi Kunihiro and Kashuu Kiyomitsu, highlights his ascetic approach to his new life as a warrior. Even in a setting focused on daily life and camaraderie, his demeanor remains that of a monk, suggesting a role as a spiritual anchor for the other swords. His key relationship shown in this arc is with his training partners, as Kashuu Kiyomitsu is made to accompany him, implying an opportunity for the more flamboyant sword to learn from his discipline.
Regarding his development and notable abilities, the series portrays him as a figure who has just arrived, so his personal growth is largely shown through his adaptation to the citadel and his integration with the other swords. He is a composed and powerful fighter, and his "kiwame" or training further increases his capabilities as he continues his quest for enlightenment. His abilities are often thematically tied to his faith, using techniques referencing the "Haja Kensho" (crushing evil and spreading the truth) and displaying a readiness to face persecution for his beliefs, just as his former owner once did.