Ten years after the beginning of the Meiji Era, a wandering samurai came to Tokyo. This man, known as HIMURA Kenshin later on, ends up living in a Kamiya Kasshin dojo and teach kendo for a living.

However, his life is not as simple, as turmoils arise from time to time, unfolding his true nature as the famous Hitokkiri Battousai, the greatest killer of the Bakumatsu. However, vowing never to kill again, he tries as hard as he can not to draw his sword until the critical moment comes, and so far, manages to escape his bloody past.

Until the day when an old menace, in the form of Shishio Makoto, the successor to the Hitokiri Battousai, threatens the peace of the new Meiji Era. Shishio and his Juppon Gatana are ready to start a new revolution to correct the evils of Western influence, and forced Kenshin Himura, along with his new friends, once again raise his sword to protect their loved ones.

Credits: niomea

Story & Characters

I have a problem with an anime that will rely solely on plot and completely disregard character development. The same can be said of an anime that dishes out some deep character and is all but missing a plot. Rurouni Kenshin, however, is a damn good product of thought, character, plot and animation. I am not just saying this because it was my very first anime (not counting count Sailor Moon, and I do not). In all my seven anime-watching years, I have yet to encounter an anime that has touched me completely in the way Rurouni Kenshin has. It made me think, feel and on several occasions cry. I sympathized for Kenshin, the wandering protagonist, and his journey for atonement. I understood Kaoru Kamiya’s fear of loneliness. In every character I came across in this series, something was felt. And you can bet it was special.

Rurouni Kenshin essentially depicts the physical and emotional struggle of Kenshin Himura, a wanderer in the era of Meiji. During the Bakamatsu war, he was known as the deadly assassin Hitokiri Battousai (manslayer). After events that are later covered in the manga and not the anime, Kenshin vows to never kill again and lays down his man slaying sword. To atone, Kenshin Himura now wields the Sakabato (reverse-blade sword) and wanders across Japan offering protection to those in need. While in Tokyo, Kenshin falls under the suspicion of seventeen-year-old Kaoru Kamiya who believes him to be the legendary Battousai. As it turns out, another man is using the name Battousai to discredit Kaoru’s dojo which teaches her father’s legacy of Kamiya Kasshin-Ryu.

After the fake-Battousai is discredited by the efforts of Kenshin, Kaoru learns of Kenshin’s identify from the Bakamatsu as the true Hitokiri Battousai. Despite this, she offers him room and board at her dojo, understanding him to be a kind person atoning for his wrongs. He accepts, and from there Kenshin, Kaoru and other friends that later include Yahiko, Sanosuke and Megumi, make friendships as Kenshin faces demons from his past that come to haunt him as Hitokiri Battousai.

Rurouni Kenshin arcs include: Tokyo, Kyoto, Shimbara and Jinchuu (not covered in the anime).

Rating: 9

Art

It is not often that a historically-based anime uses anything and everything, down to the last item of clothing, to depict character. The art may not be on par with newer anime, but it was animated in ‘90s and cannot really be compared to newer animation. That said, I do enjoy the throwback to a time when animation was less complicated. In the first arc especially the animation, color and stunts were very simple. However simple, the art was clean and commanding.

The best feature of RK art is character design. Kaoru Kamiya is often dressed in her dojo uniform, a subtle hint to her position, history and character as a tomboy. Kenshin’s bright burgundy (pink-ish) hakama is one of his four physical trademarks: his red hair, cross-shaped scar, Sakabato and hakama. It shouts "this guy is different" and defines Kenshin differently from others in the anime. Other characters have similar items and garbs that design them uniquely.

Openings and endings were clean and fluid.

Rating: 8

Sound

Oh dear. Most viewers who are deeply concerned with the quality of anime they watch will almost always turn to the Japanese audio. There are rare treasures out there, satisfying dubs such as FLCL, Fullmetal Alchemist and Outlaw Star, but they are few and far in-between. Some believe they don’t exist and with good reason. I too am skeptical. This is probably Rurouni Kenshin’s biggest mistakes but has absolutely nothing to do with Nobuhiro Watsuki. Media Blasters is to blame.

To save you the time, start with the original audio. If you feel you still need to see the dub, I advise first watching the original so that the horrible dubbing does not distract from the other amazing elements of Rurouni Kenshin. As far the Japanese cast is concerned, they are full of laughs and absolutely believable.

As for the OST, it was everything it should have been and more. The music is always timed appropriately and conveys the correct emotion when needed and is frankly beautiful music. I advise listening to it on your own outside of the series, it really is enjoyable. I also do not think the sound directors could have chosen any better Opening and Ending themes for Rurouni Kenshin.

They just fit.

Rating: 7

Presentation

Rurouni Kenshin is the whole deal. It is missing a little something, a bit in plot and music and animation, but together is very special. I have to say that this anime drew empathy from me so often. This is the ONLY anime to ever penetrate my dreams. Not only, we as viewers are even educated a little and made to think and to feel. I cannot say that I was profoundly touched, but I was touched either way. And as I said, it was special.

The best thing I can say about Rurouni Kenshin is that it was so well-rounded. Even if it was missing a little bit here and there, every element (plot, art and sound) were on equal levels. No one thing overpowered the other that I can remember. The teams responsible for this anime, Studios Gallop and Deen, created entertaining equilibrium.

I just have a note about the OVAs for this series. They were excellent and well animated, but when watching Rurouni Kenshin: Seisohen keep in mind that it was not written by Watsuki and he was very upset by the ending. Kenshin’s creator, Nobuhiro Watsuki, had this to say:

"Kenshin went through so much crap and deserved a happy ending."

If you understand anything by the end of this series, it will be that.

* I always feel honored that shoujoboy counts my commas. This time I'll do it for you to save time: 51 or so. In my defense, most of these are to offset lists and I really tried to cut out commas.

Rating: 8

Final Verdict

8.17 (good)

Reviewed by xxKurumi, 25wk 3d ago

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