This episode provided a dive into Hijikata’s group. Funny enough, when Shiraishi thought he had escaped Ushiyama, he acted like an idiot and got himself captured. Now he is in the palms of Hijikata. In which he has Sugimoto’s group going after Senmi Kazuo. It is curious how Hijikata makes use of Shiraishi.
The issue of the adaptations continues, as this episode adapted chapters 34 and 36-38. Once again the anime cuts more of Sugimoto’s backstory, that being chapter 35. It takes out a good amount of depth from Sugimoto which is disappointing. Unlike in the manga, where the characterization of him and Asirpa is even. It is more Asirpa-heavy.