Great moments must make an impact on the reader/viewer. They can't just be a good idea, well executed. They have to leave an impression that ultimately makes you glad you put the effort into the project to get to the point. They must reward your investment. They must be special.

These are almost by definition going to have spoilers, so...

Kekkaishi - Manga

Mid way through the anime, about a quarter of the way through the manga, a character named Gen Shishio appears. He is a half ayakashi (demon) loner who has been ostracized most of his life, and has neither aptitude nor inclination to get to know, trust and befriend anyone. This is the case even when he is with other half ayakashi like himself, and is a member of an organization designed to use and help others just like him.  He just doesn't have the skill set necessary to make friends and learn to trust people, until he joins up with Yoshimori and Tokine, the protectors of a land called Karusumori.

Yoshimori is every bit as obstinate as Gen is, but through several trials they form a bond. Tokine, the female lead, through her kindness and tactical sense helps here as well, but it is Yoshimori who really brings Gen into the fold, making the twosome an almost unbeatable threesome in protecting the land that Yoshimori and Tokine's families have been protecting for over 400 years.

During one particular attack, Gen is about to deliver the finishing blow on the strongest opponent they have fought so far when he is ambushed by an extremely good fighter on the enemy's side. He is killed.

His death affects Yoshimori and Tokine in profound ways. Yoshimori in particular is beside himself. He vows revenge on this enemy and is driven to get better, stronger, faster and pushes himself further than he ever has before. He gets his revenge and in the process learns a technique that will later help him build a whole new world of sorts where he creates castles, buildings and characters from scratch.

Towards the end of the manga, when Yoshimori is creating the world that will allow his and Tokine's families to be freed from the responsibility of forever defending the land they are bound to, he gets a bit selfish and creates Gen, and then creates a copy of himself as well. You see them walking off, arm in arm to have adventures anew. This only takes three or four frames and happens so fast and is so unexpected that it really takes you by surprise. That is part of what made it a great moment. It was so well executed that I said "Oh!", and tears started flowing.

Truly a great  moment in manga.

Posted by: topmaker at 02:50 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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