EPISODE CONTEXT

Episode 6 continues the episodic historical-figure-of-the-week structure, slotting in directly after Ryouma's encounter with railway pioneer Inoue Masaru in Episode 5 and preceding his meeting with Egawa Tarouzaemon Hidetatsu in Episode 7. The series steadily builds a roster of Meiji-era luminaries, and Shibusawa Eiichi represents perhaps one of the most consequential figures Ryouma has met so far, broadening the show's scope from political and military history into economics and industry. This mid-run placement suggests the series is confident in its formula and focused on expanding the thematic range of Ryouma's modern-day education.