[JenB]

It's like Kenshin, who can get away with not killing because he's so good, it doesn't put the people he protects at risk.

There was a scene last night where all the townsfolk pulled out their guns at the robbers - I almost cheered.

[TalonDJ]

One of the sub themes that occasionally shows up in anime is the attitude that only the 'strong' have the power to stand up and fight evil or change their destiny. It is an old attitude that no doubt is a hold over from samurai days which for the Japanese was only as long ago as our 'old west'. Some shows like Samurai 7 show 'normal' people starting to take a stand but there are other shows that I just have to stop watching (it bugs me too much) when the attitude that only the strong can defend themselves rears it's ugly head. It is an understandable attitude for a people that had not real concept of firearms. It is really the handheld firearm that lets any person with only the must basic training can have a reasonable change to defend themselves for any other individual no mater how big how strong or how skilled. Even in anime shows with guns you sometimes get the attitude that normal people are somehow powerless against the really powerful people.

Sorry to go off on a rant but it is a subtheme that can turn me off to an otherwise great show and it has become a pet peeve of mine.