Quick Facts
| Format | TV |
| Status | Finished |
| Started | 1996-01 |
| Finished | 1998-09 |
| Year | 1996 |
| Episodes | 94 |
| Runtime | 25 min |
| Score | 7.9 / 10 |
| Popularity | #89,565 |
Synopsis
Set in 1878, a decade after the Meiji Restoration, the series follows Kenshin Himura, a former imperial assassin now wandering Japan with a reverse-blade sword and a vow never to kill again. After meeting idealistic sword instructor Kaoru Kamiya, Kenshin settles at her Tokyo dojo and gradually forms a found family with young swordsman Yahiko Myojin, street fighter Sanosuke Sagara, and physician Megumi Takani.
The first portion adapts Kenshin's early Tokyo adventures and confrontation with the Oniwabanshu. Its acclaimed central storyline sends him to Kyoto to oppose Makoto Shishio, an assassin who succeeded him during the Bakumatsu and now threatens the Meiji government. After concluding the manga-derived Kyoto conflict, the television series continues through several anime-original adventures, including the Shimabara, Black Knights, and Feng Shui storylines.
Highlights
- Kazuhiro Furuhashi directed the series, with Noriyuki Asakura composing its widely recognized score.
- Studio Gallop animated episodes 1–66, while Studio Deen assumed animation production from episode 67 onward.
- Fuji TV broadcast 94 episodes between January 10, 1996, and September 8, 1998; episode 95 was released directly on home video.
- The television adaptation follows the manga through the Kyoto conflict but replaces its later storyline with anime-original arcs.
- Judy and Mary's “Sobakasu” served as the first opening theme and became one of the program's best-known songs.
- Media Blasters licensed the series in North America, where episodes 1–62 aired on Cartoon Network's Toonami block in 2003.
- A separate English dub marketed internationally under the title Samurai X used different scripts, performers, and character terminology.
New Characters
MAINKenshin Himura
Rurouni KenshinKenshin Himura, also known throughout the anime as Hitokiri Battousai (Battousai the Manslayer) or Himura the Battousai, is the main character of the series Rurouni Kenshin. His or
MAINKaoru Kamiya
Rurouni KenshinThe primary instructor of the Kamiya Kasshin-Ryū fighting style developed by her late father, Kamiya Koshijirō, Kaoru inherited a small dojo from her father after he was killed dur
MAINYahiko Myojin
Rurouni KenshinYahiko is a samurai descendant. Yahiko's father died during the Battle of Ueno during the Boshin War, slain at the Keneiji Temple. His mother died of syphilis in a brothel to put f
MAINSanosuke Sagara
Rurouni KenshinSagara Sanosuke left home at an early age to join the Sekihō Army (Sekihō-tai), leaving behind his father (Kamishimoemon), his mother (Naname), and his younger sister (Uki) who ado
SUPPORTINGMegumi Takani
Rurouni KenshinTakani Megumi (高た荷かに 恵めぐみ?) is a secondary character in the Rurouni Kenshin series and the main cast's primary physician after her appearance. She is the youngest daughter of Takan
SUPPORTINGAoshi Shinomori
Rurouni KenshinShinomori Aoshi was raised a ninja of the Oniwabanshū, who worked for the Shogunate government during the Edo period. He helped to raise Makimachi Misao from childhood as a member
SUPPORTINGMakoto Shishio
Rurouni KenshinAfter the death of Yukishiro Tomoe, Himura Kenshin became a free wielding swordsman to protect members of the Ishin Shishi. Shishio Makoto became his successor as the shadow hitoki
SUPPORTINGHenya Kariwa
Rurouni KenshinHenya Kariwa was a member of the Juppongatana, an organization under Shishio Makoto's orders.
SUPPORTINGMisao Makimachi
Rurouni KenshinMisao is a fairly skilled ninja from the Oniwabanshū clan of onmitsu previously based in Edo. Her weapons of choice are the kunai. Misao is about sixteen years old when she is firs
SUPPORTINGNenji Kashiwazaki
Rurouni KenshinHe is a strong fighter and a talented strategist. He is said to be the only one who can equal the former Oniwabanshū leader in a fight, wielding steel tonfa to block sword blows. O
BACKGROUNDHannya
Rurouni KenshinHannya is a pupil of Aoshi. The village he was born in was poor, so he was abandoned at birth to reduce the number of people to feed. Hannya survived, but he could not return to th
SUPPORTINGShura
Rurouni KenshinSkyrider Shura, the second priest of the Upper Yard, punishes criminals with the Ordeal of String. He tangles his enemies in nearly-invisible and unbreakable string and then attack
Filler Guide
95 episodesEpisodes94 ep
The Handsome Swordsman of Legend: A Man who Fights for Love
Kid Samurai: A Big Ordeal and a New Student
Swordsman of Sorrow: The Man Who Slays His Past
Bad! Introducing Sanosuke, Fighter-for-hire
The Reverse-blade Sword vs. the Zanbatou: Beyond the Battle
The Appearance of Kurogasa: Visitor from the Shadows
Deathmatch under the Moon! Protect the One You Love
A New Battle! The Mysterious Beauty From Nowhere
The Strongest Group of Ninjas: The Horrible Oniwaban Group
Aoshi: Someone so Beautiful it's Frightening
Farewell, the Strongest Men: The Clash of Light and Shadow
Birth of a Boy Swordsman: The Battle of First Apprentice Yahiko
Strive for the Grand Championship: Toramaru's Sumo Battle Log!
To Save a Small Life
Assassination Group of Fire
A Promise From the Heart
Fly to Your Dreams
Run, Yahiko!
Raijuta's Ambition
Revival of the Shinko Style
Dissolution of a Nightmare
Danger on a Runaway Locomotive
Sanosuke's Betrayal
Midnight Battle
The Crimson Pirate
Lightning Incarnate
Burn, Island of Terror!
Prelude to the Impending Fight: The Shadow of the Wolf Draws Near
Strongest Opponent From the Past: Merciless Fangs Strike!
A Devil of Vengeance: Makoto Shishio's Plot
A Wish Unrequited: Kenshin Departs
Change Tears to Courage: Kaoru Kamiya's Choice
For the Title of Strongest: Aoshi's New Conflict
The Girl Bandit: Misao Makimachi's Hidden Side
Conquered Village: The Grasp of Shishio's Hands
Across the Boundary Between Edo and Meiji: Kenshin and Shishio Face to Face!
Shock! The Reverse-Blade is Broken: Sojiro's Tenken verses Kenshin
Sanosuke's Secret Training: The Challenge of Anji the Destroyer
The Creator of the Reverse-Blade Sword: Shakku Arai's Final Swing
A Killer Without Mercy: Fight to the Death Against the Cho of the Juppongatana
The Ultimate Technique of the Hiten-Mitsurugi Style: Reunion with a Mentor, Seijuro Hiko
The Formation of an Alliance: The Day When Aoshi Joins with Shishio
Between Life and Death: Master the Ultimate Technique, Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki!
A Decisive Battle Like Violent Waters: The Strongest Troop Juppongatana
As if to Fly: Stop the Launch of the Battleship Purgatory!
Purgatory Bursts into Flames: The Destiny of Makoto Shishio
Crash! The Lethal Punch, Futae no Kiwami: The Fist of Sanosuke Screams!
Reborn to Salvation: The Beginning of Anji’s New Life
The Wolf Destroys the Eye of the Heart: The Fierce Attack of the Zero Stance Gatotsu
The Promised Time Has Come: Aoshi and Kenshin Fight Again
Wake Up Now! Ignore Your Wounds and Fight to the Finish
To Make a Miracle: The Battle at the Aoiya
The Giant Versus Superman: Like an Arrow Shot at a Time of Despair
Hiten versus Shukuchi
The Tragedy of a Stormy Night
A Duel With an Extreme Moment
Two Men at the End of an Era
The Age Chooses Shishio?
Not Out of Luck!
The Man Who is Chosen for Victory
The Juppongatana Who Remain (aka The Choice for Life)
Kyoto, the Engraved Memory
The Legend of the Fireflies
The Birth of Prince Yahiko
Find the Lost Treasure!
Kaoru, Ecstatic
The Gleaming Blade of Legends
The Medallion of Destiny
To the Battlefield of Shimabara
Shock of the Rai Ryu Sen
The Conspiracy of Kaiou: Shougo Caught in a Trap
The Days of Remorse
The Sneering Demon
Sanosuke's Tears
The Last Crusade
Bon Voyage
Himura Dojo in Shimonoseki?
Crush!
Kaishu-Katsu and Kenshin
The Unending Revolution
Conspiracy of the Beniaoi
Kaishu-Katsu's Determination
Yutaro Returns
The Sanada Ninja Squad
A Straying Journey
A Heatwave from Beneath the Earth
Schneider's Bet
The Two Guides
To My Angel Misao
Feng Shui Surprise Attack!
The Magic of Feng Shui
Tokyo Under Martial Law
The Enemy Awaits in Senjogahara
The Elegy of Wind and Water
End of Wanderings