Episode 23

**Kill The Emperor** (皇帝を斬る, *Kōtei o Kiru*) is the twenty-third and penultimate episode of the *Akame ga Kill!* anime.

## Plot

Wave visits Kurome's grave on the outskirts of the capital. He talks about his past, having idolized a general in the army. He then confesses that he no longer knows what he is fighting for, now that the rebellion is starting and the corruption within the capital is starting to arise.

At Night Raid's hideout, Tatsumi, Akame, and Leone discuss their possible future after the rebellion's conclusion. Najenda enters, thanking the three for their efforts up to this point, and discusses Night Raid's final mission: to assassinate Minister Honest and complete the rebellion.

The next day, Najenda and the Revolutionary Army launch a frontal attack on the capital to act as a diversion so Tatsumi, Akame, and Leone can break into the palace. They are stopped by Run, who admits to agreeing with Night Raid's motives and views on the capital, but also criticizes their methods. He attacks them with his Teigu, and reveals his past as being a teacher in a poor village, whose students were kidnapped and killed. The capital did not recognize this event as a crime, leading Run to want to change the capital from within. Leone and Run argue over each other's morals, leading Leone to holding him off while Akame and Tatsumi head for the minister.

In the throne room, The Emperor learns of the rapid growth of the rebellion, and begins to question if he had been a bad ruler. However, Honest assures him that he has done nothing wrong, and that the people are being foolish. He then tells the emperor that at times like this, a ruler must be cruel to show that the people must not go against their king. Tatsumi and Akame enter the room, and Tatsumi attempts to convince The Emperor that Honest has been manipulating him, but fails due to The Emperor believing he has done nothing of the sort. Tatsumi then tries to attack Honest, but is stopped by a barrier made by the capital's strongest Teigu: Shikoutazer.

The Emperor uses Shikoutazer and shoots gigantic energy beams, destroying large portions of the capital in order to demonstrate his power, and to discourage any rebels or citizens from going against him. Tatsumi pleads The Emperor to stop, as he is killing his own people, which is something a leader does not do. His repeated attempts to stop The Emperor fail, as he is slowly becoming weaker from receiving each attack. Some pieces of building debris begin to fly around the capital due to the fight. Leone and Run both save some civilians from being crushed, ending their previous fight, and Run stating he no longer sides with the capital.

Just as Tatsumi is about to be crushed underfoot by the colossal Teigu, Wave arrives to save him, stating that he is a solider, whose duty is to protect the people. However, even their combined strength is no match for Shikoutazer's defense. After repeated attacks, Tatsumi notices that striking Shikoutazer's abdomen area appears to damage it. He recalls Susanoo teaching him that everything has a weak point, leading Tatsumi to conclude that the abdomen of Shikoutazer is its fatal area. Wave acts as a distraction so that Tatsumi can get closer, but he is knocked away, receiving critical injuries, deactivating Incursio. Wave is also badly wounded with Grand Chariot deactivated, unable to assist Tatsumi any longer. However, Tatsumi begins to remember his fallen comrades, and knowing he cannot let them down, he activates Incursio again, which takes on a golden form with wings, gaining increased power. With this new power, Tatsumi strikes Shikoutazer's weak point again, this time piercing through it. However, Shikoutazer begins to fall over, heading towards another group of civilians. Tatsumi rushes over to stop Shikoutazer from reaching the civilians, and with the rest of his strength, halts it before it reaches the civilians.

Akame rushes over to Tatsumi's battered and bloodied body. He then apologizes to her, saying that he would not be able to keep his promise. Akame then cries while Tatsumi dies in her arms. Later on, The Emperor, defeated, begins to regret his actions, while Esdeath walks over to Akame and Tatsumi's corpse, stating that he has died.

## Characters in order of appearance

* Wave
* Tatsumi
* Leone
* Akame
* Najenda
* Run
* The Emperor
* Honest
* Esdeath
* Susanoo (flashback)
* Bulat (flashback)
* Sheele (flashback)
* Chelsea (flashback)
* Lubbock (flashback)
* Mine (flashback)