Why is Rurouni Kenshin so different from the manga?
Like many shonen anime of the 90s and 00s, Rurouni Kenshin began as a manga being written in weekly Shonen Jump as the anime was beginning to air. This meant that, because the anime covered story ground much faster than the weekly manga, the show often caught up to the manga, leaving the series without more storytelling ground to cover.
What year does Rurouni Kenshin take place?
It takes place in the 11th year of the Meiji era which is 1878 in the gregorian calendar. There are tons of samurai stories around, like Samurai Champloo, Samurai Jack, Vagabond and tons of others, but Rurouni Kenshin is one of the best.
Is Rurouni Kenshin on Hulu?
For those who want to check out Rurouni Kenshin, whether to revisit the series or watch it for the first time, the anime is now streaming on Hulu.
How many copies of Rurouni Kenshin have been sold?
Rurouni Kenshin has been highly popular, having sold over 55 million tankōbon copies in Japan alone up until February 2012, making it one of Shueisha's top ten best-selling manga series. [105] In 2014, it was reported that the series had 70 million tankōbon copies in circulation. [106]
Who was Kenshin's first wife?
Himura KenshinAliasHitokiri Battōsai (人斬り抜刀斎) Shinta (心太) (birth name)RelativesYukishiro Tomoe (late wife) Yukishiro Enishi (ex-brother-in-law) Kamiya Kaoru (wife) Himura Kenji (son)AffiliationsIshin Shishi (formerly)7 more rows
Who is Kenshin's lover?
Kaoru Kamiya is one of the main characters of the anime and manga series, Rurouni Kenshin. She is the Assiant Master at her family dojo, teaching the Kamiya Kasshin swordsmanship. She is also the main love interest of Kenshin Himura.
Does Rurouni Kenshin have a wife?
At the end of the series and manga, Kaoru becomes the wife of Kenshin and the mother of Kenji Himura.
Who was Kenshin's first love?
TomoeStill, it is clear that Kenshin loved her very deeply, especially for how she saved his sense of humanity that he previously believed was lost forever during his career as an assassin. It is suffice to say that as Kenshin's first love, Tomoe was one of the most influential people in his life.
Why does Tomoe give Kenshin's scar?
While Kenshin is fighting with the leader, Tomoe steps in between the two to protect Kenshin from the killing blow. This allows Kenshin to kill his opponent but, in doing so, he unintentionally impales Tomoe also. Before her death, she gives him the second part of his cross-shaped wound.
How old was Tomoe when she married Kenshin?
As time went on, Kenshin started to develop feelings for her and they eventually married with Kenshin fifteen at the time and Tomoe eighteen.
Is Tomoe Kenshin wife?
Tomoe is also Kenshin's late wife. She is played by Kasumi Arimura, who brought to life Airi Katagiri in the live action film of "Erased." The "Rurouni Kenshin" film series is based on the manga by Nobuhiro Watsuki called "Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story," also known as "Samurai X."
Did Kenshin and Kaoru have a child?
Himura Kenji ( 緋 ひ 村 むら 剣 けん 路 じ ?) is the son of Kamiya Kaoru and Himura Kenshin who first appears in the last chapter of the manga as a young child.
Why is Emi Takei not in Rurouni Kenshin?
The article mentions Takei had been expected to appear in “a new work in the Rurouni Kenshin film series.” In short, due to Takei's engagement/pregnancy/breach of contract, we now know there's a new live-action Rurouni Kenshin in the works.
Does Megumi like Kenshin?
Himura Kenshin - Seen constantly flirting with Kenshin, Megumi has very strong feelings for him. The source of her affection is revealed when she says that it was Kenshin's life-affirming words that led her to become a doctor to atone for the lives she took as an opium producer.
Who put scar on Kenshin face?
To make his cross-shaped scar more notable, Watsuki made it long enough to cross his nose. Kenshin's hair is tied in two tails, which are flowing to make him look younger, but shorter, to be less androgynous.
When does Rurouni Kenshin take place?
Comment. Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story usually just called Rurouni Kenshin is a historical fiction manga/anime that takes a lot of cues from real history, and is usually surprisingly accurate as far as Japanese history goes. It takes place in the 11th year of the Meiji era which is 1878 in ...
Who is the Shinsengumi based on?
He's based on a man named Harada Sanosuke, a member of the Shinsengumi. The Shinsengumi was a group of people who served as military police for the last feudal governing body of Japan at the end of the Edo period.
Is Shinomori Aoshi real?
Shinomori Aoshi, a major villain in the series who takes a vow to kill Kenshin regardless of what it takes, is also based on a member of the real-life Shinsengumi, and his character is fairly true to life at least when it comes to the aspects of his personality.
Who is Seta Shojiro?
Seta Shojiro is one of the most popular characters from Rurouni Kenshin, placing highly in tons of popularity polls. Not only that but his real-life equivalent Okita Soji was one of the fastest and best swordsman in the Shinsengumi.
Is Sagara Sanusoke based on Shinsengumi?
8 Fact: Sagara Sanosuke Is Based On A Member Of Shinsengumi. Sagara Sanusoke is a character who's introduced as an enemy for Kenshin originally, but we quickly see them gaining each others' trust. Sagara wields a slightly fictionalized Zanbato, a sword that's more like a pike than anything one would use for swinging.
Who was the most important samurai of the Meiji era?
While Gensai was known as one of the four most important samurai of the Meiji era, he really wasn't particularly notable for anything other than the assassination of Sakuma Shozan.
Was Kawakami Gensai a real samurai?
Kawakami Gensai was a real samurai during the Meiji period of Japan who worked for the Japanese government and apparently didn't do very great in training during his time there. While he didn't do great during training, he did have one of the fastest swords anyone had ever seen. He was an incredibly disciplined swordsman, practicing in all of his off-time when he was stationed as a janitor during the beginning of his career.
Who is the author of Rurouni Kenshin?
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story ( Japanese: るろうに剣心 -明治剣客浪漫譚-, Hepburn: Rurōni Kenshin -Meiji Kenkaku Roman Tan-), sometimes also known as Samurai X in the TV show, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The story begins during the 11th year of the Meiji period in Japan (1878) ...
How many copies of Rurouni Kenshin are there?
The Rurouni Kenshin manga has over 72 million copies in circulation as of 2019, making it one of the best-selling manga series. The series has received praise from various publications for manga, anime and other media, with both having received a good response on the characters' designs and historical setting.
How many Rurouni Kenshin games are there?
There are five Rurouni Kenshin games released for the PlayStation console. The first, Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan: Ishin Gekitōhen (るろうに剣心 -明治剣客浪漫譚- 維新激闘編) was released on November 29, 1996. It was developed by ZOOM Inc.. The game is a 3D fighter game with 5 playable characters, while the plot focuses in the first seven volumes from the manga. The second one, Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan: Jūyūshi Inbō Hen (るろうに剣心 -明治剣客浪漫譚- 十勇士陰謀編 - The Ten Warrior Conspiracy) was released on December 18, 1997 and was re-released in the PlayStation The Best lineup on November 5, 1998. The game is a role-playing video game with a story unrelated to either the manga or anime.
How many letters did Watsuki write about Rurouni Kenshin?
Watsuki describes that second Rurouni: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story as receiving mediocre reviews and about two hundred letters.
What is the theme of the Bakumatsu?
The series' main theme is responsibility as seen through Kenshin's action as he wants to atone for all the people he killed during the Bakumatsu by aiding innocent people by wielding a non-lethal sword. Marco Olivier from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University said that the sakabatō symbolizes Kenshin's oath not to kill again which has been found challenging by other warriors appearing in the series. This theme also encourages former drug dealer Takani Megumi into becoming a doctor upon learning of Kenshin's past and actions. Another theme is power, which is mostly seen by Sagara Sanosuke and Myojin Yahiko. However, like Megumi, these two characters are also influenced by the main character as they wish to become stronger to assist Kenshin across the plot. Additionally, the series discourages revenge as seen in the final arc when Yukishiro Enishi believes he succeeded in getting his revenge on Kenshin but starts having hallucinations of his late sister with a sad expression on her face.
What is the name of the anime that was made by Studio Gallop?
Anime series. An anime television series adaptation of Rurouni Kenshin, produced by SPE Visual Works and Fuji TV, animated by Studio Gallop (episode 1 to 66) and Studio Deen (episode 67 to 95), and directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi, was broadcast in Japan on Fuji TV from January 10, 1996 to September 8, 1998.
What is the name of the kanji that Watsuki used?
Watsuki experimented with various titles, including Nishin ( Two-Hearts) Kenshin, Yorozuya ( Jack-of-All-Trades) Kenshin, and variations of "Rurouni" and "Kenshin" with different kanji in that order.
What chapter is Rurouni Kenshin?
The fifth chapter of the live-action adaptation of the famous manga series by Nobuhiro Watsuki, action-romance epic ‘Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, ’ puts an end to a major story arc. Past scores are settled, and the story is given an overarching closure. Enishi seeks to avenge her sister’s death at the hands of the notorious Battosai, and as the Shanghai mafia enters the city of Tokyo, Kenshin and his friends find the city up in flames.
What does Kenshin learn from Uramura?
Kenshin goes to Uramura’s house and learns that someone wants to settle past scores with him. Sanosuke reaches Maekawa Dojo, but he is late, and the leader of the dojo is killed. Enishi and Kenshin have a momentary encounter, and Enishi reminds Kenshin that he needs to atone for the killing of Enishi’s sister.
How does Kenshin atone for Tomoe's death?
Kenshin also atones for the death of Tomoe by his own sword, and he takes the vow not to kill another soul. In the finality, then, he hands Enishi over to the police.
Why did Enishi go to prison?
In the epilogue, Enishi goes to prison to serve his sentence for his crimes in the new era of governance. In the past, the Shogunate would be self-ordained to pass judgment on behalf of divinity, but in the present, as Kenshin tells Kaoru, Enishi has to atone by living his life.
What happened before Enishi's eyes?
In a past sequence, we see Kenshin killing Kaoru. As it happens before Enishi’s own eyes, all he wants is to avenge his sister’s death by fighting Kenshin. Seeingly, the story goes far into the past, and if you have seen all the films of the franchise, you may have a comprehensive idea about the events that lead to the present rupture. However, for those who do not, the story is quite tethered to Japan’s intriguing history of the Shogunate and its gradual transition to a westernized society.
What is the story of the Shogunate?
The story begins in the years following the Meiji Restoration, which is touted in history as an era of peace.
Who is the Captain of the Edo Hidden Watchers?
Aoshi Shinomori, the Captain of the Edo Hidden Watchers, and his associate, Misao, reach the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu Dojo to help their past acquaintance Kenshin in the fight and to give his late wife’s diary to him. Shinomori is heavily injured in the fight, and in the absence of Kenshin, Enishi comes to the Dojo.
What are some interesting facts about Rurouni Kenshin?
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Rurouni Kenshin. Aiden Mason 3 years ago. Rurouni Kenshin is a popular anime television series. It’s one of those animated shows that people either love or hate. It’s s show that is packed with adventure and martial arts but it’s also a tender romance. For those who are considering watching it, ...
How many copies of Rurouni Kenshin are there?
There are millions of copies circulating. As of 2014, there were an impressive 70 million copies of the Rurouni Kenshin manga in circulation. If you’re doubtful about its popularity, it may be helpful for you to know that it became one of the best-selling manga series of all time.
What year is Rurouni Kenshin set in?
One of the most wonderful aspects of Rurouni Kenshin is the setting. The Japanese manga series begins its story in Japans Meii period during its 11th year in 1878. If you’re a fan of Japanese history then this anime may have a strong appeal to you.
Was Rurouni Kenshin adapted for video games?
It’s worth noting that the first adapted stories that were taken from the manga were not features of the anime which was televised. 9. Rurouni Kenshin was adapted for video games. If you’re into anime and video games then here is some really good news.
Who directed Rurouni Kenshin?
It is listed by the title Rurouni Kenshin: The Motion Picture and was directed by Hatsuki Tsuji and produced by Katsunori Narumo and Akio Wakana. Other live action films include “Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno” released in 2014 and “Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends,” released in 2014. Prev Article Next Article.
Is Rurouni Kenshin on DVD?
Most people are not aware of the fact that Rurouni Kenshin was a component of the Toonami block that was sponsored by the Cartoon Network. Both the first and second seasons were aired on the network, but the third season was only made available on DVD. If you want to look up the title it is listed as “Samurai X” in North America, but the original name has come out in later versions of DVD and Blu-Ray.
Is the Wandering Samurai manga complete?
Inquisitive anime fans have the privilege of reading the manga in its entirety. This isn’t always the case with some mangas that are ongoing and not completed. The entire things were released for North American by Viz Media and some of the English releases have it subtitled as “Wandering Samurai,” in case you’re interested.
How old is Rurouni Kenshin?
Rurouni Kenshin is over 25 years old, and it's a different world. It makes sense that there are aspects of this series that haven't aged well. Rurouni Kenshin first debuted as an anime series in 1996. A lot of things have changed since it appeared on television, both in the world at large and in anime itself.
Who is the creator of Rurouni Kenshin?
1 Nobuhiro Watsuki. Nobuhiro Watsuki is the creator of Rurouni Kenshin and has been writing and drawing the manga on and off for over 25 years. In 2017, Watsuki was charged with and prosecuted for the possession of child pornography, and the manga serialization was briefly put on hold while he dealt with the charges.
Why does Kaoru meet Kenshin?
Kaoru is the main female character of the series, and she and Kenshin meet because Kenshin is a master swordsman and Kaoru runs a dojo that teaches swordsmanship. Despite the fact that Kaoru is the master of her own dojo, she is regularly unable to defend herself. More often than not, Kaoru has to rely on Kenshin to save the day. It begs the question of whether or not her teachings are actually valuable and whether anyone who is learning from her might actually walk away with working knowledge of how to use a sword.
How many filler story arcs are there in Rurouni Kenshin?
8 Filler Story Arcs. Like many shonen anime of the 90s and 00s, Rurouni Kenshin began as a manga being written in weekly Shonen Jump as the anime was beginning to air. This meant that, because the anime covered story ground much faster than the weekly manga, the show often caught up to the manga, leaving the series without more storytelling ground ...
Why does Kenshin fight law enforcers?
But he also often fights law enforcers because he feels they’re abusing their power.
Why was Sanosuke executed?
Sanosuke fought in the imperial army, in a unit that was executed as scapegoats when the imperials didn’t want to keep a promise to cut taxes for citizens. But democracy activists are aggressive drunks who can’t even agree with each other and are general troublemakers.
What is the charm of Kenshin?
Part of the charm of Kenshin is his ability to win over aggressive or unfriendly people with his sweet personality and kindness, sometimes after beating them in a sword fight. The problem is that, after a while, if the writing isn’t careful, all of the characters he befriends start to seem the same.
What is Rurouni Kenshin about?
Rurouni Kenshin was a deeply moral series about atoning for one's sins and didn't contain even a hint of the inappropriate sexuality that's common in many otherwise-respected manga.
How much was Watsuki's punishment?
His legal punishment was a fine of only 200,000 yen, equivalent to $1,780. Watsuki was suspended for only half a year before he was back to work at Shueisha, the publishing company behind the Shonen Jump line of magazines, and writing The Hokkaido Arc as usual.
Is Rurouni Kenshin still published?
Three months later, publication of the series was suspended. When The Hokkaido Arc resumed publication in June 2018, many of those same fans were disgust ed that the series was continuing.
Is Shueisha publishing Kenshin?
Shueisha, however, has gone about business as usual publishing and promoting Kenshin as if none of this ever happened. Jump Square 's editorial department claimed, "The author spends his days reflecting and with remorse, and think as though it’s our obligation as a publisher as well as his as an author make a way for us to reply through the work to the various opinions we’ve been getting." Kenshin and Shishio were playable in the Jump Force video game, two more live-action Rurouni Kenshin were announced, and Kenshin continues to be heavily merchandised and promoted throughout Japan.
Is the Hokkaido Arc manga still available?
The original manga series is still in print and available through the Shonen Jump website and app. However, Viz ceased translating The Hokkaido Arc following Watsuki's arrest, and decided not to continue translating when the series resumed in Japan.
When did the Hokkaido Arc return?
Three months later, publication of the series was suspended. When The Hokkaido Arc resumed publication in June 2018, many of those same fans were disgusted that the series was continuing.
Is Shueisha poisoned by Rurouni Kenshin?
On some level, Shueisha's desire to keep Rurouni Kenshin in the public eye is understandable, as it's a series that meant a lot to many people. That meaning, however, has been poisoned by its creator's actions.
Plot
In the early Meiji era, after participating in the Boshin War as the assassin "Hitokiri Battōsai", Himura Kenshin wanders the countryside of Japan with a reverse blade katana. He is offering protection and aid to those in need as atonement for the murders he once committed. When arriving in Tokyo in the 11th year of Meiji (187…
Production
- One-shots
A prototype series titled Rurouni: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story appeared as a pair of separate short stories published in 1992 and 1993. The first story, published in December 1992 in the Weekly Shōnen Jump Winter Special issue of 1993, featured an earlier version of Kenshin stoppi… - Publication and influences
During his childhood, Watsuki used to practice kendo, which influenced his making of the series. Although Watsuki developed various one-shots before the official serialization from the series. While naming the characters, he based some of their names from places he used to live such a …
Themes
- The series' main theme is responsibility as seen through Kenshin's action as he wants to atone for all the people he killed during the Bakumatsu by aiding innocent people by wielding a non-lethal sword. Marco Olivier from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University said that the sakabatō symbolizes Kenshin's oath not to kill again which has been found challenging by other warriors a…
Release
- Written and illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki, Rurouni Kenshin was serialized in Shueisha's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from April 25, 1994, to September 21, 1999.[b] The 255 individual chapters were collected and published in 28 tankōbon volumes by Shueisha, with the first volume released on September 9, 1994, and the last on November 4, 1999. They re-release…
Adaptations
- Anime series
An anime television series adaptation of Rurouni Kenshin, produced by SPE Visual Works and Fuji TV, animated by Studio Gallop (episode 1 to 66) and Studio Deen (episode 67 to 95), and directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi, was broadcast in Japan on Fuji TV from January 10, 1996, to September … - Live-action films
Five live-action films have been released theatrically. The live-action film adaptation of Rurouni Kenshin was announced on June 28, 2011. Produced by Warner Bros., with actual film production done by Studio Swan, the films were directed by Keishi Ōtomo and star Takeru Satoh (of Kamen …
Reception
- Sales
Rurouni Kenshin has been highly popular, having sold over 55 million tankōbon copies in Japan alone up until February 2012, making it one of Shueisha's top ten best-selling manga series. In 2014, it was reported that the series had 70 million tankōbon copies in circulation. As of Decem… - Critical response
The manga has received praise and criticism from various publications. Mania Entertainment writer Megan Lavey found that the manga had a good balance between character development, comedy and action scenes. The artwork of Watsuki was said to have improved as the series con…
Cultural Impact
- Before becoming an official manga author, Masashi Kishimoto decided he should try creating a Chanbara manga since Weekly Shōnen Jump had not published a title from that genre. However, during his years of college, Kishimoto started reading Hiroaki Samura's Blade of the Immortal and Rurouni Kenshin which used the said genre. Kishimoto recalls having never been surprised by m…
Further Reading
- "Rurouni Kenshin, vol. 1". Voice of Youth Advocates. E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC. 29 (5): 399. 2006-12-01. ISSN 0160-4201.
- "OPINION: Japanese fiction holds life lesson". Quay County Sun (Tucumcari, NM). McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. 2011-03-15.
- Dennys, Harriet (2005-11-11). "Big in Japan, America and now the UK: manga novels are movi…
- "Rurouni Kenshin, vol. 1". Voice of Youth Advocates. E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC. 29 (5): 399. 2006-12-01. ISSN 0160-4201.
- "OPINION: Japanese fiction holds life lesson". Quay County Sun (Tucumcari, NM). McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. 2011-03-15.
- Dennys, Harriet (2005-11-11). "Big in Japan, America and now the UK: manga novels are moving from niche status into the UK mainstream.(GRAPHIC NOVELS: MANGA)". The Bookseller. The Nielsen Company (...
- "Publications of the week.(book lists )". The Bookseller. The Nielsen Company (5173): 39(13). 2005-04-08. ISSN 0006-7539.
External Links
- Official Shueisha Rurouni Kenshin manga website (in Japanese)
- Rurouni Kenshinat Viz Media
- Rurouni Kenshin (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia