WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Tokyo Revengers Episode 10, "Rerise," now streaming on Crunchyroll.
After everything Tokyo Revengers' Takemichi has tried to do -- from trying (and failing) to be Draken's bodyguard to patching things up between him and Mikey to preventing a falling out in Toman -- he was too late to stop Kiyomasa from stabbing Draken. It would be easy for Takemichi to fall into despair from all these setbacks, but he doesn't.
Even though all the odds are against him, he never loses hope or gives up. Takemichi isn't physically strong and is even nicknamed "Crybaby Hero," but he has proven that he will never run away and abandon those in need. Now, in Tokyo Revengers Episode 10, he's ready to exact some revenge on an old enemy.
Tears filling his eyes, Takemichi tells Mikey that Draken has been stabbed. The Toman leader tries to get to his best friend, kicking his way through the Moebius members easily until Hanma throws him backward. With Hanma and the rest of Moebius in his way, Mikey yells for Takemichi to take care of Draken for him.
Suddenly, Draken coughs up some blood and Takemichi is relieved -- he's still alive! But he needs help. Draken is much bigger and heavier, but Takemichi manages to haul him up on his back and slowly take him to where it's quieter and safer. Hina and Emma come rushing over, having called an ambulance. Now they wait for help to arrive.
That is until Kiyomasa and his cronies find them. Takemichi slowly backs away, unconsciously preparing to run, but Draken's voice breaks through his fear-filled haze. He thanks Takemichi for all he has done up until now but tells him to escape with Hina and Emma. It's framed as Draken trying to get him to protect the girls, but he's also giving an out for Takemichi himself after recognizing how scared he is.
All Takemichi has ever done in his life is run away. Prior to the current events in Tokyo Revengers, he ran away 12 years ago and lost Hina. If he runs away a second time, not only will he lose her again but also Akkun, Draken, Mikey and the rest of his friends in Toman. Takemichi straightens up -- he's done running.
He walks up to Kiyomasa and declares that he'll get his revenge by winning this fight. Kiyomasa's cronies all laugh, but there is something undeniably different about Takemichi compared to the last time they met. He's much calmer and possesses a self-assuredness that didn't exist before.
Draken, Hina, and Emma all place bets on Takemichi on winning the fight. The problem is that Kiyomasa doesn't fight fair, stabbing Takemichi's hand with a knife. Gritting his teeth, he yanks it out and tosses it aside, charging at Kiyomasa and wrapping his arms around his middle. He even bites him for good measure.
No matter how much or how hard Kiyomasa swings at Takemichi, he refuses to let go. He has Kiyomasa in a headlock, squeezing until he loses consciousness and falls backward. He doesn't have the charisma or strength that comes so naturally to Mikey. He can't deck his opponents with a single kick or even throw a punch that will have any kind of impact. But Takemichi will fight -- and win -- in his own way.
Though Kiyomasa is now down, the rest of his faction isn't -- and they're just as cruel as he is. Takemichi urges Hina and Emma to run while he and Draken will stay to fight. Draken pulls himself up, one hand clutching his side where the knife went in. Neither of them is in any shape to fight, but they give a roar and brace themselves against the onslaught of attacks.
Out of nowhere, Akkun sprints out and punches one of the Moebius members, saving Takemichi. Even better, the rest of his friends are here to help too. They're no stronger than Takemichi and are probably just as scared, but seeing him step up and defeat Kiyomasa has inspired them. This is Tokyo Revengers' most brutal clash yet, but as long as they don't give up, they can never lose.
