Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai (2026) s01e12 Episode Script

- [Japanese rock theme music playing]
- [lyrics in Japanese]
[in English] Don't be, be, be afraid ♪
Don't be, be, be, be, be afraid ♪
BAKI-DOU: THE INVINCIBLE SAMURAI
[Musashi] I also crave that success
in the modern world!
[dramatic music sting]
- [slicing]
[metallic thunk]
Hmm?
[Tokugawa] He… he… he cut him?
Well now, isn't that something!
That body of yours is surprisingly firm.
It didn't feel like
it was made of flesh and blood.
No, it felt more like hitting armor,
a full suit of it too.
My blade didn't penetrate.
And there's many a man
who've fallen to that slash.
This is the first time I've not been able
to sever the collarbone.
[Yujiro chuckles]
That was disappointing.
[dramatic music sting]
You didn't even bother drawing your sword,
but you're surprised
you can't cut through my flesh?
Is it swordplay or wordplay?
[glass shattering]
[gasping]
Mitsunari.
Can you bring him a sword?
I can tell he wants one.
- [dramatic music sting]
- [Musashi] Hmm.
A kind gesture from a strong man.
[tense music playing]
[unsettling battle music playing]
Feels nice to be properly armed again.
Very nice indeed.
[Tokugawa] Oh…
Hmm?
Oh!
You're brash!
[Tokugawa] Oh!
Miyamoto,
don't get cocky.
[gravel clattering]
Oh!
[Yujiro grunts]
[air whooshing]
[tense battle music continues]
[Musashi] Oh…
Look at that.
I was close to wandering with the dead,
but with no memory of being struck.
The martial artists of the modern world
have taught me an important lesson.
They possess a state of mind only reached
with the absence of swords.
Fists can reach
the lethal level of a blade.
However…
Hmm.
…the "sword of Musashi"
is not just any blade.
[Yujiro snarls]
[Musashi] Let's see how strong you are!
Hold on tight!
[cracking boom]
[Musashi grunts]
[narrator] The Ogre grabbed the sword.
Don't let go!
[narrator] But he got hold of the blade.
The one gripping the hilt
was Musashi Miyamoto.
[shocked gasping]
[Musashi grunts loudly]
[Musashi grunts]
- [dramatic music playing]
- [Yujiro] Hmm?
[music fades]
Not already?
[chuckles]
You have a particular talent
for not holding back.
He's using Niten Ichi-ryu this early.
I like that.
[narrator] Standing face to face
with a man like this
demands you hold nothing back.
[unsettling music playing]
[chattering excitedly]
I just can't contain myself!
It's so exciting!
[narrator] To meet every attack head-on
and crush it in its tracks,
that approach became synonymous
with the "strongest creature alive."
It was his legacy.
When was the last time
he had dodged anything?
[Tokugawa] Look at their auras!
Is there an apt analogy
for this deathly energy?
Two fearsome kings of beasts
in a standoff?
Perhaps a tiger and a dragon?
No, that still doesn't do it justice.
Those don't even come close.
I could try all day, but the truth is,
when it comes to strength,
these two great men standing before me
are utterly unmatched in this world!
I'm sure of it!
Lions, dragons, tigers,
none of them could defeat
either of these powerful fighters.
[narrator] Musashi went limp,
letting the strength drain from his body,
and with that acceleration,
he pushed off from his heel,
and directed his momentum
towards his opponent,
closing the distance in a blink.
Using the full length of his blade,
he directed his slash
at a vital vulnerability.
But Yujiro could see it coming,
and he understood all of this
in less than 0.000 seconds.
[bones crunching]
Look at those
well-trained wrists of yours.
- [impact thudding]
- [Musashi groans]
[tense music intensifies]
[pained grunting]
[groaning]
[sword slicing]
[flesh squelching]
[narrator] Even if he lost consciousness,
Musashi would never let go of his swords.
But it was pain
that tore them from him now.
Unlike anything he had ever experienced.
Not even the throes of war could compare.
[Tokugawa] Huh?!
[gasps]
It's over!
Huh?
[gravel crunching]
[groaning]
[narrator] In the midst of his agony,
an unprompted thought sprouted
in Musashi's mind.
[Tokugawa] Or maybe not.
[Musashi] It's almost ready.
The secret technique
that I was developing in Higo.
[Tokugawa] It's not over yet.
Impressive strength.
May I ask for your name?
I can't think of anyone better
to try it on.
SWORD
[narrator] Standard script evolved
into semi-cursive script.
That in turn became cursive script.
So then, what is that equivalency
in swordsmanship?
And… what is its evolution?
MUSASHI MIYAMOTO
58 YEARS OLD
Oh…
He's 58 years old,
but even in his old age, he still has
such an intimidating presence.
It's almost as if he were wielding
his long and short swords.
[Musashi] It's not like
I can cut you down,
so why are you hesitating?
[gasps]
[man] Now!
[gasps] What? When did he?!
[all gasping]
First here.
Then here. Stab here.
- Slash, slash, slash, slash.
- [pained grunting]
Hmm.
[man wailing softly]
[gasps loudly]
- Now you're in pieces.
- [gasps]
I am?
- [confused muttering]
- [Musashi] Continue your practice.
[men whispering]
[Musashi] I'm getting close.
- [gasps]
- Getting close?
What's going on?
Master seems to be taking up his swords
less and less as time goes on.
It's almost spring again,
and yet I don't think
he's picked them up even once all year.
[Musashi] What lies beyond cursive script?
And what lies beyond that?
It began with me writing
on paper every day.
Entire days spent writing,
until eventually I began writing
not on paper, but in my head.
Entire days spent writing in my head.
So much so that when I looked at a wall,
I envisioned the writing on it.
When I gazed at a waterfall,
I conjured the words to write on it.
[intriguing music playing]
[Musashi] Even the great arc of the sky
became a surface for my brush to trace.
And upon reaching this state,
I no longer needed a brush.
It's just the same
for swords as well.
They will become unnecessary.
[music fades]
[Yujiro] My last name's Hanma.
And my first name's Yujiro.
Otherwise known as
"The Strongest Creature on Earth."
So they say.
Huh.
You are strong, Yujiro Hanma.
[chuckles] Look at this.
[dramatic music stab]
In order to deliver
that kick to the groin,
I had to let you wound me.
You're strong too.
You live up to your reputation.
Nah, you might be stronger.
My reputation?
So people have been talking about me
for 400 years?
That's a thought that I can enjoy.
I understand
this is the most powerful man
in the world.
Isn't that right, Tokugawa?
Yes, Musashi, that's exactly who he is.
The man who you see
standing before you now
represents the "highest peak of strength"
in all the world.
[sheathing sword]
Huh?
[Musashi] I'm returning these to you.
[Tokugawa] Oh…
I'm lucky.
An opportunity for progress
has landed right in my lap!
I'm still in some pain, but I can fight.
Let's go.
[Yujiro] As soon as he gave up his swords,
his aura only increased.
Oh, I see. He didn't give 'em up at all.
[Musashi] I don't need a large sword
or a small one.
That is the way of my Niten Ichi-ryu.
[slicing]
[uneasy groaning]
He's just as deadly without them!
[Musashi] This is auspicious, indeed.
He will bring it to fruition.
The completion of Niten Ichi-ryu is here!
I understand what's going on.
You're close
to not needing physical swords.
That's why you use two.
Hmm.
[slicing]
[all gasping]
Motobe!
- [Tokugawa screams]
- Who is this?
[Yujiro grunts] You bastard!
What do you think you're doing?!
[ominous music playing]
How dare you try to protect
someone like me?!
[Tokugawa] Wait!
All right. That's enough, Yujiro.
Now you're trying to get in my way?
Wait! Stop, stop!
Please calm yourself, Yujiro.
Can't you see
Motobe jumped in to stop this?
And look at what happened to him!
I'm the last person
who wants to admit this,
but this match has been rendered invalid.
[dazed grunting]
Huh?
[gasps]
[slicing]
- [Tokugawa] You're awake.
- Huh?
[Tokugawa] You did
something awfully extreme.
Where are they now?
I'm not really sure,
but they left the estate together.
Is that so?
Yes, I'll admit that it was extreme,
but, Tokugawa,
if I hadn't stepped in
and stopped them when I did,
the Ogre likely would have been cut down.
[Tokugawa] Hmm.
- [Motobe] Unfortunately…
- Hmm?
…everyone's understanding
of martial arts is far too shallow.
Huh. So?
So I, Izo Motobe, have come to help you.
I don't really know how you could help.
Watch out!
- [slicing]
- [Tokugawa yells]
[Motobe] In the next match,
it'll be I who cuts down Musashi.
[narrator] Their outfits alone
were not enough to attract attention.
No, it was their individuality,
their presence, their auras.
It was impossible not to notice them,
and so they both stood out from the crowd.
Particularly since they were together.
Yujiro Hanma, are you a famous person?
Everyone seems interested in you.
The people in front of us
can't hide their stares,
and those behind us
have turned around to look.
[chuckles]
I think you're part of it.
[narrator] It was simply too astonishing.
[Tokugawa] All right, I understand.
You are a practitioner
of ancient martial arts,
so you want to be the next
to fight Musashi.
But even more, you think
you can cut down the master swordsman.
Is that out of the question?
A match
between Musashi Miyamoto and myself?
I think it's a good idea.
I imagine it would be
an interesting battle.
[Tokugawa] Hmm.
It makes no difference to me if--
- [Motobe] Don't lie to me!
- Huh?
"Motobe, quit running your mouth."
"Know your place, Izo!"
I know that's what you want to say.
I don't know about that. I, um…
If anyone has a problem,
then they can come and face me directly.
If someone comes to you
and says that I'm not strong enough,
then we'll test their theory in battle.
One stipulation,
everything is permissible,
except the use of weapons.
I have no need for such a paltry rule.
Everything is allowed.
Acquired knowledge, skills, tools,
and of course, weaponry.
From projectiles to smoke bombs,
I want them to be prepared
for that kind of fight.
[narrator] It was at that moment,
Mitsunari would later acknowledge
that was when he decided.
[Tokugawa] Motobe is a fit challenger!
[gulps] Mm!
A strong one.
It is whiskey.
- Mm.
- [Musashi] No, I mean that man.
Izo's practical.
Yes, that he is,
but I am enjoying the drink as well.
Oh? Oh!
[Yujiro] The legends say
you couldn't drink.
[Musashi] Couldn't drink?
I'd say you have good taste in booze.
Motobe seems willing
to use any means available.
[intriguing music playing]
[Musashi] And to be fair,
compared to some of the others
I've fought here…
[sighs quizzically]
…he has quite the arsenal.
A varied one at that.
And there was proof of that today.
He kept them hidden, but you saw them.
[Musashi] Yes, concealed weapons.
He had them all over his person.
[Yujiro] Hmm.
It worked out for him.
Worked out how?
[Yujiro] This was an unexpected twist.
He spent years mastering dead techniques
and ancient weapons.
It all seemed like a waste.
Even now, weapons like swords and spears,
they're viewed
as valuable cultural assets,
but smoke bombs?
Grappling hooks? Weighted chains?
His tools and techniques, ninjutsu…
When the hell was he going to use that?
Even in my era,
there were a few opportunities.
A martial art that I thought was useless,
but now, an opponent has appeared
on whom he can use
every one of those talents.
Skills that should have been
buried in obscurity
come to light again.
It's all thanks to you.
Huh.
You're a kinder man than I expected.
Well, now.
[man] It's been a while hasn't it, Sensei?
Your words were full of resolve.
So, you were listening?
[man] Yes, sir.
I was hiding in the attic.
I had a feeling that it was you.
Good work, Gaia.
MOTOBE-RYU JUJUTSU
[intriguing music playing]
[Gaia] I've been to this dojo
many times before,
but every time I come back,
my heart beats in my chest
like a child at play.
[Motobe] I take it you like weapons?
They're so cool. All of them.
[laughs] You think they're cool?
Weapons are amazing!
Their shape and form perfectly match
their intended purpose.
A tool that is the essence of necessity.
The idea of requirement made physical.
A weapon's form is its function.
That's what makes them cool.
You're right, Gaia.
And I'm still excited by this dojo.
You're amazing, Sensei.
A dojo you come to every day
still excites you.
That's what makes you, Motobe.
It's what makes you a genius.
[Motobe] This is just my toy box,
this dojo.
And also, it's a safe space.
What do you mean, "a safe space"?
We have rules,
and discipline, and common sense.
I assure you
it's a much safer place than out there.
But while we're here, Gaia,
it's been far too long.
How about a sparring session?
[Gaia gasps softly]
Sensei,
turns out the dojo's not
a safe space after all.
- ["Mountain Top" by Novel core playing]
- [lyrics in Japanese]
[in English] Yeah ♪
Yeah, yeah ♪
I'm on the mountaintop, yeah ♪
Yeah, yeah ♪
I'm on the mountaintop, yeah ♪
[music fades]