Episode 4 of Song of the Samurai contains one of the most dramatic chapters of the season, bringing together political intrigue, personal tragedy, and shifting loyalties in the Mibu Roshigumi. An assassination triggers a chain reaction Rival factions continue to struggle for influence The balance of power is threatened with complete alterationThe Tragic End of Aijiro
The episode opens on a positive note with Aijiro training with Shinpachi, clearly inspired by his mentor’s strength and discipline. That optimism doesn’t last long.
One evening, Aijiro is lured out to a meeting and ambushed. He fights desperately but is wounded several times before he is finally cut down. The murder shocks the organization, especially Shinpachi, who feels personally responsible for not protecting his student.
The incident is swiftly written off by authorities as a failed robbery, but not everyone is buying what they are selling.# Niimi Takes Advantage of the Code
Niimi quickly turns the tragedy into a political weapon. He says Aijiro’s injuries are evidence he lost a duel and tried to run, according to the organization’s strict Code. Their rules said that such dishonour would have required ritual suicide.
The charge sounds cruel enough, but the truth is soon revealed to viewers. Niimi masterminded the whole incident secretly. He hired Saeki to kill Aijiro and made false evidence to support his story.
Saeki’s role adds another dimension to the conspiracy. Originally a covert Choshu loyalist, he’d been sent in to infiltrate the group, with orders to go after Kondo himself.# Shinpachi Takes It Into His Own Hands
Shinpachi refuses to believe the official version of events and begins his own investigation. His search finally brings him face to face with Saeki.
Shinpachi’s first encounter was not a good one. Saeki, the superior swordsman, drives him to the brink. But Shinpachi makes up for it with raw grit and overwhelming power, eventually shattering his opponent’s blade.
Saeki attempts to fake a surrender, but Shinpachi sees through it and ends the fight.
Unfortunately, victory only ensnares him deeper into Niimi’s trap. ## The Fall of the Kondo Faction
There is no evidence linking Saeki to Aijiro’s murder, so Shinpachi’s actions are seen as a personal vendetta, not justice. Such conduct is punishable under the Code, and Niimi immediately demands that Shinpachi commit seppuku.
He prepares to take the blame, and Shinpachi prepares to die. Kondo and Yamanami prevent him from executing the sentence. Both leaders offer to sacrifice their own lives to save Shinpachi’s.
Niimi tries to raise the punishment even further, but to his surprise, Kamo steps in. But he does not order more deaths. Instead, he gives a different punishment: Kondo’s faction will be absorbed into the Serizawa faction, and Kondo will lose his power as commander.
The decision greatly reduces Kondo’s influence and strengthens Serizawa’s grip on the organization.# The Serizawa Camp is in Chaos
Months later and tensions are rising.
Kamo and his followers collect money from wealthy merchants under the guise of donations. However, Kamo’s unpredictable temperament leads him into new trouble when he sets fire to a silk warehouse for fun.
The destruction removes not only a valuable source of income but also stains the reputation of the very organization entrusted to safeguard the shogunate.
Niimi is also exasperated. Kamo tends to manipulate things to his own advantage, but he is hard to control because he is reckless.# A Bigger Political Conspiracy Unfolds
The episode goes beyond the internal struggles to reveal a broader political conspiracy.
Imperial loyalists are preparing to take advantage of public discontent and undermine the shogunate. Katamori, the military commissioner who founded the Mibu Roshigumi, is at the heart of their plans.
Niimi receives clandestine orders to kill Katamori, exposing his connections with anti-shogunate forces.
Meanwhile Kamo gets a letter with explosive information. The document describes Niimi’s clandestine correspondence with Choshu agents, and even ties him to earlier murders.
It changes everything when you find out.# Kamo’s Unexpected Strength
The biggest shocker of the episode comes when Kamo reveals that he has known of Niimi’s betrayal for some time.
Kamo did not reveal him at once, but kept the spy alive, because he found him useful. The revelation leaves everyone around him stunned and shows how Kamo may be much more calculating than first appears.
As emotions rise, Kondo et al prepare to face him. Toshizo makes the first move, the two face off and Kamo attacks, cutting the scene off, leaving us to wait for the next episode.## Review
Episode 4 is easily one of the best episodes of the season so far. The writing does a nice job of balancing action, political intrigue and character drama while advancing a bunch of storylines simultaneously.
The emotional center of the episode is the assassination of Aijiro, but the real highlight is watching Niimi manipulate the Code to break Kondo’s faction apart from within. It’s a clever tactic that reflects the strengths and weaknesses of Kondo’s honorable leadership style.
The episode also continues the contrast between the principled Kondo faction and the much more ruthless Serizawa faction. Loyalty and honor are prized by Kondo’s group, yet they are repeatedly exploited by these virtues.
Kamo is the most interesting character in the story. You never know which way he’s going and that makes every scene with him dangerous. But the series will have to continue developing his character so that his chaotic behaviour doesn’t become repetitive.
Episode 4 leaves the season in a great place heading into the next chapter with multiple conspiracy plots happening at the same time and a few major rivalries boiling over.
Rating: 4.5 / 5