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The manga ends prematurely after Jintetsu has a confrontation with a swordswoman who can match him blade for blade. He leaves for parts unknown afterward (as always), with Makoto in close pursuit.
Not to be confused with the 2011 manga of the same name.
This series provides examples of:
- Anachronism Stew - It is the Edo period. Jintetsu is basically a cyborg.
- Blade Below the Shoulder - Jintetsu uses a small knife in his mechanical elbow as a sneak attack, but oddly, only once or twice.
- Desperately Looking for a Purpose in Life - Makoto chooses revenge as her purpose, even though she realizes that deep down, Jintetsu didn't ruin her family. At the end of the manga, it's implied she's found a new purpose in repaying Jintetsu for always saving her.
- The Drifter - Jintetsu. And nearly any other swordsman in the series. It's actually their official occupation!
- Dynamic Entry - Jin's apparent rules of engagement: 1) Always arrive Just in Time, 2) Always be accompanied by a murder of crows, and 3) Just appearing out of nowere is as effective of blocking incoming blades.
- Dying Alone - Jin predicts this to be his future fate.
- Empathic Weapon - Haganemaru can read Jintetsu's thoughts at a short distance and speaks for him. The sword, as it turns out, is also a Equippable Ally, as it was Genkichi's first pass at reviving people through technology.
- Honor Before Reason - Makoto believes Jintetsu destroyed her family and thus completely ruined her life. However, instead of taking revenge on him and killing him while he sleeps, she opts to only kill him when she can beat him in outright combat. Yet, she knows he can kick her ass.
- I Just Want to Be Normal - "I wanted ordinary happiness that came from living a simple life in a simple village. I refuse to forget that. When I do, I'll end up like you."
- Last Request - Renji asks Jintetsu to tell Makoto that he was the one who ruined her family all along. In order to preserve her memory of him, Jintetsu does not oblige this request.
- Master Swordsman - Jintetsu, despite being Just a Kid.
- Only Known by Their Nickname - Assassins are rarely known by just their name, being called their full "designation" by everyone except their friends. If they have any. Examples: Jintetsu is known as "Jintetsu of Steel," Renji is called "Renji the Firewalker," and Makoto is called "Makoto the Scarlet Sparrow."
- Roaring Rampage of Revenge - The impetus for the series, at least in part, but also the basis of a handful of the other events in it.
- That Man Is Dead - In a
tear jerking scene, Jintetsu finally sees his childhood friend again, one of the few bright spots of his past. She desperately wants him to stay with her, and promises she won't ask where he's been or what he's done. He sadly responds that "Jintetsu is dead," and that she had only seen "his ghost." - Unknown Rival - Makoto. Jintetsu infuriates her on purpose though, as she's easier to keep an eye on when she's relentlessly pursuing him.
- Wholesome Crossdresser - Makoto. Jintetsu and other women see through her disguise though, with the women complaining that she's "wasting her good looks."
- You Remind Me of X - "Why did you save my life?" "You reminded me of me... when I was young."
- Zero-Approval Gambit - Jintetsu is all about sacrificing himself for the sake of others. However, since dying doesn't come easy for someone so badass, sacrificing himself usually involves taking on grave injuries and perpetuating the popular belief that "Jintetsu of Steel" is an enormous dick.
