Overwhelmed by the bloodshed, you have perhaps missed some of the deeper meanings in ADV's OAV release, namely that the path to internal peace flows with sweet rice nectar. Warm up some sake, find a comfortable place in front of the television to sit cross-legged and play the "Samurai X" Drinking Game.

Kenshin's mentor Hiko will be your guide:

"No one should reach Nirvana without the taste of good sake on their lips." - Hiko

A practical approach to the hereafter, Hiko not only comforts the young Shinta's fears of death but also offers a celebratory ritual for fallen men. Every time Kenshin sheds a foe of his mortal coil, signify the passing with the taste of sake on your lips, as if you are a surrogate for the victim's now departed soul. Once the taste of sake fills your mouth, meditate on this:

Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827)

"Spring brings cherry blossoms to comfort you. The summer, stars, the harvest moon in fall and the powdered snow in winter. All of these things, and the promise of them, is what makes sake taste so good. One day you will understand this and, then, I will pour sake for the both of us." - Hiko

Every time cherry blossoms appear, drink sake and meditate on this:

Basho Matsuo (1644-1694)

Every time the screen lingers on the starry sky, imbibe sake and meditate on this:

Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827)

Every time the moon's orb shines brightly from on high, sip sake and meditate on this:

Buson Yosa (1716 - 1783)

Every time a scene is adorned with powdered snow, tipple sake and meditate on this:

Basho Matsuo (1644-1694)

"The strong eat the meat of the weak." - Shishio

Obviously not the attitude of a man who has had enough sake. Find the individual in the room most inclined to embrace this aphorism and share with him a tokkuri of sake in the hopes that your own pacifism will rub off.

Then sleep, for it is wise of him who imbibes rice wine to rest well so he can imbibe tomorrow.