Quick Facts
| Format | MANGA |
| Status | Finished |
| Started | 1994-04 |
| Finished | 1999-09 |
| Chapters | 259 |
| Volumes | 28 |
| Score | 8.2 / 10 |
| Popularity | #25,898 |
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
Chapters
259 chAct 1: Kenshin • Himura Battōsai
Act 2: Rurouni in the City
Act 3: Tokyo Samurai
Act 4: Kasshin-Ryū Reborn
Act 5: The Fight Merchant
Act 6: Face Off: Sagara Sanosuke
Act 7: Mark of Evil
Act 255 (Finale): Toward a New Era