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Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 17 – Quick Summary
In Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 17, “The Samurai Code and Carnage,” Shugen’s fellow Yamada Asaemon, Kiyomaru, didn’t trust the ninja contingent on board the ship. He was young and brash enough to say to to the face of one of the lead ninjas. Will he take offense? Will their expedition explode into carnage and end their expedition before their landing is complete? And even if it doesn’t, what will their arrival mean for Sagiri, Gabimaru, and the others already on the island?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 17
Shion knew the score. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
How do you establish just how dangerous a character is? There are a lot of ways, of course. But having two views of the same story takes what might have been an info dump and turns it into something more interesting.
We already had the vibe that Shugen could be violent. We got a story of how much he helped his students. How he revered his teacher, Eizen. Then we got a version of the story where he upheld the shogun’s orders by destroying a criminal syndicate. About two yakuza, as the story said.
That’s a good thing, right? Sagiri seemed to think so. Maybe it was because she had had a crush on Shugen, but she presented the story from the perspective of “just following orders.”
Shion, however, knew the full story. He related it to our heroes.
“Shugen executed 20 yakuza and their entire clan,” he said (11:22). Sagiri tried to say that yes, she had said 20. But Shion went on. “No. Twenty Silver Serpentes and their entire clan. Their families, their elderly parents, even young children. In total, over 100 of them.”
All because Shugen wanted to rid the world of criminals. All under the orders of the shogun. And he cried as he did so.
Shion knew what they were up against. And he was not optimistic.
Favorite Moment from Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 17
Shion showed commendable traits. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: The Most Dangerous Antagonists
As some of you might know, I’m working on a new trilogy called Wayland’s Hammer. The main antagonist is a Nazi SS agent named Moritz Lehner. I introduced him in a previous novel called Evolution’s Hand Book 5: Split Infinities (affiliate link).He also appeared in The Sword of Sirius. I bring him up because he gave me experience writing a clearly evil character who did not perceive themselves as evil.
Just like Shugen.
Did you see how both Kiyomaru and Isuzu treated him? They fought off monsters so he could deliver last rites for Eizen. He was Sagiri’s first crush. His students loved and revered him. Yet, he was the same dude who murdered entire families because their leader was a criminal. The elderly, the children, even the babies – his sense of “justice” wouldn’t let him rest until they were all dead.
The zealot is perhaps the most dangerous of crazies. Either they will proclaim their virtue as the go on a murder spree. Or, even worse, they will loudly announce their unworthiness – which gives them a blank murder check.
He killed the elderly and babies, but he cried about it. Does that make it all right? Hint: No. No, it does not. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Shion understood that as soon as he heard Shugen led the new wave. Shion’s a bright buy. Very insightful. But most of all, he looks out for those around him. He doesn’t seem himself as particularly righteous; he doesn’t consider himself a notable sinner. He’s just a guy trying to live the best he can.
That makes him a perfect leader. And do you know what else makes him a great leader? He understands the value of doubting himself. As proof, let me offer my favorite moment.
Delivery: The Most Powerful Leaders
Shinon had figured out the various “flavors” of tao. He explained it to the folks still with him. He explained how different flavors would interfere with or augment each other. His plan? Get off the island by going through the Tensen. Using these techniques would be kye.
Yuzuriha wasn’t convinced. She wanted to get off the island, and confronting the Tensen seemed counter intuitive to her. Shion, sensing that division would be dangerous, said that he wouldn’t force anyone to follow him. As he entered a cave, he said that anyone who wished to follow him should enter the cave, too. If they didn’t? Then no harsh feelings.
As he went in, he muttered (22:06), “Wait, uh… Shouldn’t you think about it more? That felt too quick.”
He didn’t see that the entire group had already crowded into the cave’s entrance behind him. Nurugai, stung that he seemed willing to leave her behind, even punched him in the gut and said (22:43), “Were you planning to say goodbye to me, Sensei?”
Mei seemed a bit surprised. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
In all the years I’ve observed people in positions of authority, I’ve never known an instance where someone who insisted they were a great leader – the best, the biggest, the most amazing, whatever – actually lived up to their own hype. In the vast majority of cases, the men or women who invested in relationships, who cultivated understanding, and who understood their own limitations made the best leaders. And attracted the best followers.
I’ve been thinking about that a lot later, for some strange reason…
What did you think of the short work Shugen made of the first wave of attackers? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to share in the comments!
Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 17: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Jigokuraku Season 2 • Hell’s Paradise Season 2 – Episode 4 discussion
- Leisure Byte: Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 4 Review: More Ruthless Beings Have Arrived
- Anime Rants: Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 4 Review
