The second episode of 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal' didn't feel as bloody or action-packed as the first, but that final battle with the Shinsengumi was just as breathtaking.
For viewers who came for the fight scenes, they left satisfied.
And for those who cared more about emotional tension, the growing complexity between Kenshin and Yukishiro Tomoe delivered exactly that.
It was an episode that bridged the past and what was to come.
Of course, with only two episodes aired so far, 'Rurouni Kenshin' was still just a well-made martial arts drama — one packed with great action scenes, attractive actors, and a script tied deeply to national themes like duty and sacrifice. It was excellent, no doubt.
But calling it a masterpiece? Still a bit early.
That said, compared to 'Pure Breeze', the current #1 web drama on the SakuraNet platform this season, viewers who had seen both shows clearly noticed 'Rurouni Kenshin's superior storytelling.
Comment threads on the site were popping up nonstop:
"What a shame. If only this amazing show had more funding. The costume and set design feel too low-budget."
"If Rurouni Kenshin had 'Pure Breeze's budget, it would've absolutely crushed everything else."
"This writer, Su Yan, is insane. Not only did he write this incredible story, but he's also acting as the lead character!"
"What if 'Rurouni Kenshin' was written as a projection of Su Yan himself?"
"I swear those sword moves from the actor don't look fake at all."
"I've studied Kenshin's fight scenes frame by frame — there's no CGI, no camera tricks. I'm pretty sure that everything he does in the show, Su Yan could do in real life. Maybe not every time, but still — real skills."
"Honestly, I don't even care about the fights anymore. The emotional tension between Kenshin and Tomoe is way more gripping. Where are they headed? Revenge? Reconciliation?"
"Tomoe's definitely going to forgive Kenshin and live happily with him in the end. It's predictable, sure, but I love it!"
"Yeah! This isn't some ancient tragedy — you think Kenshin's just gonna kill Tomoe because she wants revenge for her fiancé? That's not who he is."
"Arghhh! Why did Su Yan end Episode 2 like that? I can't wait another week!"
"It's been forever since I've suffered the pain of waiting for new episodes like this. I NEED to know what happens next!"
On its first day, 'Rurouni Kenshin' Episode 2 hit 360,000 paid views.
By contrast, Episode 5 of 'Pure Breeze' only got 310,000.
Over forty small-budget web dramas were airing across the four major streaming platforms in Xia Nation this season.
Most had budgets of 4–6 million.
'Pure Breeze' had the advantage of massive investment and full support from Sakura TV. So when it performed well, the industry wasn't surprised. Big budget, big cast, big promo — success was expected.
But 'Rurouni Kenshin'?
A total of 1.2 million yuan was invested over four episodes.
So poor that the writer had to play the male lead.
The female lead? A fresh graduate with zero credits.
The producer? A woman on the brink of being booted from the company because of past flops.
The director? An old lady who had been retired for years took on the job for fun.
Yet somehow, this group was now threatening the status of 'Pure Breeze'.
The entire industry was stunned.
How is this even possible?
Episode 1 had nearly matched 'Pure Breeze's performance.
But with Episode 2, 'Rurouni Kenshin' was showing signs of surpassing it.
[Sakura TV's genius rookie screenwriter shakes up the web drama market!]
[Small budget, huge return: Could 'Rurouni Kenshin' be Sakura TV's most profitable drama this year?]
['Rurouni Kenshin' overtakes 'Pure Breeze' to top the web drama trending chart.]
['Rurouni Kenshin' scores 9.3 — highest opening rating of the year for any web drama in Xia Nation.]
[Brilliant fight choreography, written/acted/choreographed by the mysterious genius Su Yan — who is he?]
[We thought 'Pure Breeze' was screenwriter Kiyota Sanji's breakout hit. But maybe… there's someone even more talented.]
["If Su Yan exists, why even create Kiyota?" If Rurouni Kenshin ends up matching 'Pure Breeze's average episode views, the 'Pure Breeze' team may take the biggest loss.]
Web dramas spread via word of mouth far faster than traditional TV series.
So the moment 'Rurouni Kenshin' showed even a sliver of outperforming 'Pure Breeze', media outlets pounced.
Back in the 'Pure Breeze' screenwriting office, Kiyota Sanji was practically sitting on pins and needles, refreshing the view counts every few minutes to compare 'Rurouni Kenshin' Episode 2 with 'Pure Breeze' Episode 5.
Eventually, his uncle Akasaka Yoshitoki called to scold him, telling him to "do something about it."
But what could he do?
What, stop the entire internet from watching 'Rurouni Kenshin'?
The more he thought about it, the more bitter he became.
How the hell is that show pulling off these numbers?
Back on set—
In the blood-drenched snow, a pale, beautiful woman slashed her blade across the cheek of a wounded, bloodied young man.
The new cut formed a cross with an old scar — a crimson X across his face.
"I'm sorry… my husband."
With pain and longing in her eyes, she dropped the knife into the snow and collapsed.
The young man's eyes widened in shock and sorrow.
"Cut! That's a wrap!"
Director Shi Peihua finally approved the take. Su Yan and Gu Qingyuan, who had been lying there playing dead, instantly lit up with joy.
All the grief and tension from their characters vanished. They grabbed each other by the sleeves, jumping and cheering.
"We did it!"
"That was the 46th take!"
"No, 47th! We finally got it!"
"I'm so happy I could cry. We spent two whole days on this shot," Gu Qingyuan said, her eyes red from both the fake blood and real emotion.
"The prop blood is dry and crusty on me. I feel disgusting," Su Yan muttered, trying to rub it off his arms.
Director Shi walked over, reviewing the footage.
"To be honest, I think there's still room for more emotional depth — especially in your eyes. But we're out of time and budget."
"Congratulations, though. With this shot done, we'll wrap filming for 'Rurouni Kenshin' in just two days."
"Two days…" Gu Qingyuan's smile faltered a little.
Su Yan noticed her change in mood.
"What's wrong? Aren't you happy the shoot's almost over?"
"Of course I'm happy. It's just… it means my first acting job is coming to an end. I don't know when I'll get to work with such a passionate, pure team again — you, Director Shi, Producer Shinozaki…"
In Xia Nation's entertainment industry, things were just as shady as Su Yan's past life.
Backdoor deals. Sketchy investors. Predatory contracts.
If you were famous, you could avoid all that.
But for rookies? Not so easy.
Here, the whole team had been women. Shi Peihua was a female director. Shinozaki Ikumi, the producer, was also a woman. Su Yan had no ulterior motives and just focused on the work.
No shady investors were meddling with the production.
It had been an ideal production environment — one Gu Qingyuan knew she might never find again.
"If there's a first time working together, there can be a second," Shinozaki Ikumi said, walking over.
"Episode 1 has already hit 1.3 million paid views. Episode 2 passed 360,000 on its first day. If the next two episodes really go viral and break through, and if 'Rurouni Kenshin' ends up surpassing Gentle Breeze, then it's certain."
She looked at Gu Qingyuan with a smile.
"You'll be famous. And so will Su Yan."
"So, what are you saying?" Gu Qingyuan asked, hesitating.
"I'm saying… if Su Yan starts a new project, and the roles of Kenshin and Tomoe become iconic, then I'd have no reason not to cast you again."
"So don't you dare reject me when I come asking!"
Gu Qingyuan glanced at Su Yan. He didn't react — which meant this was something he and Shinozaki had already discussed.
"Teacher Su Yan, does this mean we might all work together again?" she asked.
"That depends," Su Yan nodded. "If the audience accepts and embraces the ending of Episode 4, then Kenshin and Tomoe will become an unforgettable screen couple. You and I, as the leads, can ride that wave of popularity."
"But if they reject the ending… well, just seeing the two of us together onscreen might give people PTSD."
Shinozaki chuckled.
"That's how the market works. No one controls it."
Gu Qingyuan was quiet for a moment, then took a deep breath.
"I believe in the version of Tomoe I played. I believe in your Kenshin, too. The audience will accept the ending."
"You say that," Shinozaki said softly. "But again — the market isn't about what you believe."
"No. I'm sure," Gu Qingyuan said seriously. "No one could hate Tomoe. No one could hate Himura Kenshin."
In the days that followed, the cast and crew wrapped up the final shots of 'Rurouni Kenshin'.
Episode 2, now in its first full week, surpassed even Episode 1 with 1.23 million paid views.
Thanks to the glowing reviews and media coverage, both episodes saw a major spike in views — even slightly overtaking 'Pure Breeze's Episode 1 and 2 numbers.
Of course, this was still a 4-episode mini-drama. A short run meant short-term popularity.
It was possible that once Episode 4 aired, the hype would drop off, and in a few weeks, 'Pure Breeze' would leave 'Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal' in the dust.
But for now — that was only speculation.
Until 'Rurouni Kenshin' finished airing, no one could say for sure.
And so, the date moved forward to August 6th — the day Episode 3 would be released.
A huge crowd of viewers waited, breath held, for the episode to drop.