Episode 19 (Hanyō no Yashahime)

Princess Aiya's Beniyasha Hunting is the nineteenth episode of Hanyō no Yashahime.

Synopsis
Moroha gets caught in the middle of a tournament between Hisui and other bounty hunters, and is forced to fight Setsuna for the amusement of the silly Tessen-wielding Princess Aiya. Setsuna warns her twin sister Towa that she will not hesitate to fight her, too, should Towa interfere.

Summary
The taijiya stand before Princess Aiya — who is the daughter of the Deputy Shogun — deliberating amongst themselves whether or not to oblige to her request for a battle with the bounty hunters. She was hesitant to even speak to them, because Kohaku (their Chief) is not present, but decides to offer them a position under her Lord father. Hisui accepts and the others question his cooperation, wondering whether Kohaku would have done the same and Hisui makes it clear that he wants to complete this task, at least in part, to relieve his uncle. Aiya’s motives aren’t clear, as she seems to be seeking amusement from the spectacle of the impending battle, but Hisui and the others find and recruit Setsuna’s help in defeating Moroha. Setsuna agrees as long as Towa is none-the-wiser, and Moroha keeps the secret from Towa as well even though they are foes in this battle to our knowledge... Towa suspects something anyway, and finds Kirara who helps her track down her sister and cousin in the midst of their theatrics and intervenes to aid Moroha, since she is seemingly on her own against the slayers. Hisui inflicts a wound on Moroha with Hiraikotsu, and Towa becomes very upset, only to find out that Moroha is okay after all, and the whole battle was just for show.

Kohaku unexpectedly makes an appearance at the battlefield, and overhears Aiya say that her father did not consent to the job offer she had presented the taijiya, and proceeds to tell the demon slayers that their purpose is not to work for a singular party, nor are they mercenaries who fulfill requests for the highest bidders. The taijiya always have and always will serve to aid those who are in need of their help, that is their purpose. Hisui apologizes for his lapse of judgement. Aiya is reprimanded by the Deputy Shogun and says she acted foolishly out of anger toward Moroha for inadvertently soiling her kimono the night she and Setsuna came to free Towa from interrogation at their residence. The princess lies that she is remorseful and the scene cuts to Towa, Moroha, and Setsuna returning to the village. Moroha says she wishes they could have just told her about the goings-on, but Towa’s inability to pretend or lie well prevented them from being able to do so. The episode ends with a heart-warming hug from Towa to her sister and cousin, and she affectionately tells them she is “so glad Moroha is okay, and Setsuna is being her usual self” much to their discomfort and surprise.

Trivia

 * Takechiyo has been shown to transform into other forms such as an oil bomb and Moroha.
 * The reasoning behind Aiya's contest between the Demon Slayers and Bounty Hunters was from the time Setsuna and Moroha went to rescue Towa from the Deputy Shogunate's estate.
 * Towa rescuing Moroha on Kirara acts as a reference to when Inuyasha grabbed Kagome's hand in CHANGE THE WORLD.
 * Aiya's laugh is similar to Rumiko Takahashi's characters Kodachi Kuno from Ranma ½ and Anju from Kyoukai no Rinne.
 * The guy called 'The Muscle' is reminiscent to another Rumiko Takahashi's character, Mr. Invader, who is Lum's father from Urusei Yatsura. The only difference is that 'The Muscle' doesn't have any horns and his clothing is of a different color.

Episodi 19 (Hanyo no Yashahime)