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 the gregorian calendar.
According to Watsuki, the final Rurouni Kenshin series was not composed entirely of his free will. Describing the creation of historical stories as "hard," Watsuki initially wanted to make his next series in a contemporary setting. An editor approached Watsuki and asked him to make a new historical story.
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.
In the OVAs, Kenshin is given a more humanized design and a different personality. Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal is a highly acclaimed prequel to the series and an adaptation of chapters 165 to 179 of the manga, which covers the story of Kenshin's past as the Battōsai during the Meiji Revolution and his relationship with Tomoe.
At the end of the series and manga, Kaoru becomes the wife of Kenshin and the mother of Kenji Himura.
Together, Kenshin and Tomoe lived off the land as farmers, part-time medicine sellers, and most importantly as a married couple with Kenshin fifteen at the time and Tomoe eighteen.
At this point, it is revealed that Tomoe originally conspired with the Shogunate task to kill Kenshin, however she begins to have a change of heart. It is here that Tomoe realizes that she has fallen in love with Kenshin, and Kenshin also falling in love with Tomoe.
Kaoru KamiyaKaoru 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.
As time went on, Kenshin started to develop feelings for her and they eventually married with Kenshin fifteen at the time and Tomoe eighteen.
fifteenDuring their short-lived marriage (yes, Kenshin got married to Tomoe when he was fifteen), when village children come to play with Kenshin they often call her “scary.” Tomoe apologizes to Kenshin who explains to her that she's fine the way she is. This is when Tomoe begins to reciprocate Kenshin's feelings for her.
However, these two characters appear too early in Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, leading to Cho's premature death by the hand of Enishi.
In Chapter 124, Nanami tells that she and Tomoe are officially engaged. In the last OVA of the anime, Nanami and Tomoe get married among their friends, Tomoe turns into a human and Nanami also come back to being a human and they have a baby boy in the final chapter.
Watsuki also planned to make Kenshin more 30 years old; his editor commented that it was strange that the main character of a manga for teenagers to be of such an age, so he instead made him 28 years old.
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.
Episode 32 | Rurouni Kenshin Wiki | Fandom.
Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin 'Final Chapter' Films Cast Kasumi Arimura as Tomoe.
Tomoe slowly starts to fall in love with Nanami and he always wants her to hold his hand and walk everywhere with him and talk to each other.
Tomoe (Japanese: ともえ), a Japanese given name or surname. It can be used by males or females, but is more commonly used by females.
Episode 32 | Rurouni Kenshin Wiki | Fandom.
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 ...
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.
It translates to "Shrink earth method" and essentially means a set of moves that will close the distance between you and the enemy quickly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The story begins in the years following the Meiji Restoration, which is touted in history as an era of peace.
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.
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) ...
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.
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.
Watsuki describes that second Rurouni: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story as receiving mediocre reviews and about two hundred letters.
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.
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.
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.
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, ...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kenshin first appears in two chapters of Rurouni, Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story, in which he arrives in Tokyo and defeats several groups of villains attacking families. In these stories, Kenshin is given a similar personality to the one he has in the series, but his name is unmentioned.
Kamiya Kaoru - Moving gradually from dear friends to love interests to husband and wife, Kenshin and Kaoru share a relationship that serves as one of the largest focal points of the series. Though initially seeing Kaoru as merely another Japanese citizen in need of his protection, Kenshin is immediately struck by her remarkable philosophies regarding katsujinken and the unimportance of one's past self, quickly coming to see her as a particularly special person. Additionally, having been rescued from death, dishonor and loneliness by the mysterious rurouni, Kaoru greatly values Kenshin's company after he appears in her life and is rather insistent that he stay. The two grow steadily closer as time goes on, with Kaoru keeping Kenshin's darker nature in check with her kindness and Kenshin's eager support giving Kaoru the courage necessary to deal with the hardships of her life, until it becomes clear that neither can go on living happily without the other. Later on, they have a son together, Kenji, who loves his mother and resents his father, despite the latter trying to bond with him. Kenji looks a lot like Kenshin.
Within the first six months of his career, he killed over 100 people, and eventually became known as the Hitokiri Battōsai . As time passed, however, Kenshin began to grow disillusioned with his role in the revolution.
With his life turning for the worse, he was taken under the custody of three young women who were fellow slaves, Akane, Kasumi and Sakura, and grouped together to take care of him in the face of being a child slave. Later on, the slave-traders' caravan was attacked by bandits who killed all of the peasants except for Shinta, who was saved by a skilled swordsmaster named Hiko Seijūrō. Killing the bandits, Hiko suggested to Shinta that he travel to a nearby village and start rebuilding his life. Hiko traveled to the same village, but after spending an evening there and hearing no news of Shinta's arrival, he assumed the boy committed suicide. He returned to the site of the massacre with the intention of burying the bodies of everyone who died there. When he arrived, he was shocked to find that, not only had Shinta not committed suicide, but he had spent the previous night burying the bodies of everyone at the site, including the slavers and the bandits. Impressed by the boy's gentility and kindness, Hiko honored the gravestones of the young women who gave their lives to save him, and renamed the boy "Kenshin", as he felt that the name 'Ken' (sword) and 'Shin' (heart) were more fitting for a swordsman. He then informed his new ward that he would teach him everything he knew about swordsmanship.
Despite his demeanor in Meji era, Kenshin was a very complex man during the Bakumatsu. As a teenager, Kenshin was impertinent, idealistic, and often easily embarrassed or flustered. He often tried to maintain a certain image among his colleagues in the Ishin Shishi, being quick to anger when dealing with taunts about his relationship with Tomoe during their time before going into hiding, such as when he silently threatened Izuka with his sword for making remarks about him and Tomoe. This tendency to be caught off guard or embarrassed in romantic or sexual matters of women remained with him well into his twenties. One such example was during the Jinchū Arc when Sano lied to Kaoru about what they were planning on doing, telling her that they would be checking out the Red Light district, embarrassing both Kenshin and Kaoru, and earning a blushing look of anger from the rurouni.
Kenshin has spent ten years traveling Japan as a rurouni in search of redemption, carrying a sakabatō with the vow to never kill again. In 1878, he arrives in Tokyo and takes up residence at the Kamiya Dōjō, where his vow is tested as he fights to keep the country's peace.
Kenshin is a fair-skinned man of below-average height, slim built, with an androgynous face. Despite being twenty-eight-years old, he is deceptively younger looking, appearing to be in his mid-teen years.
Kenshin originally aired in Japan in 1996 and aired here in the U.S. in 2003 (with DVD releases beginning in the year 2000). The manga is even older, being published in 1994 with releases in the U.S. beginning in 2003.
In November 2017, news broke that Nobuhiro Watsuki had been charged with possession of child pornography. Here is the story from Anime News Network:
Briana (she/her - bisexual) is trying her best to cosplay as a responsible adult. Her writing tends to focus on the importance of representation, whether it’s through her multiple book series or the pieces she writes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.