Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku RomantanRurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story Edit What would you like to edit? SynopsisBackgroundAlternative TitlesPictureChapters/VolumesPublishing DatesRelationsTypeExternal Links   2ig62

As we move closer and closer to the next decade, it seems like we keep on getting farther and farther away from amazing samurai stories. With possibly the recent exemption of Samurai Champloo and Gintama (which, to be fair, aren't your typical Meiji era samurai story, there seems like an apparent lack of new series that features your traditional Japanese samurai. Well, new series that are actually entertaining and interesting to read. The mid-90's and the turn of the century saw the unveiling of many great series (most still ongoing) like Vagabond and Blade of the Immortal, which truly define and really ... sets the standards of your traditional samurai story, though not your typical mainstream stuff. That is where Rurouni Kenshin comes into play. Nobuhiro Watsuki has really defined the standard of this genre, since his story was arguably the most mainstream and popular of the three. With the anime receiving mixed reviews because of the mistreatment of its final season (which were all fillers), its important to go back to the original manga counterpart and review what exactly sets apart Rurouni Kenshin from other manga and anime, and really, why when people hear the name of this series, have the tendency to group it with the elite of japanese work.

We begin with the story. Himura Kenshin, whose character is loosely based off a real life samurai during the Japanese Revolution back in the mid-1800's, is known as the dreaded Hitokiri Battousai and for some reason, he left the revolution halfway with a cross-shaped scar on his left cheek, a reverse-blade sword and a vow never to kill again. Simply with this much information that is revealed at the beginning of the story, we get a sense that Kenshin's past must have been full of strife, hardship and events which turned him away from the life of a hitokiri to that of a wanderer (rurouni). And simply put, that is where the broad story feeds off of. As you begin to read the manga, you are unfolded to events which will reveal his past to you, all the way up to the final chapter. Not only does this keep everything interesting, but it really gives you a chance to dive into the mind of Himura Kenshin and actually feel what he has felt, see what he has seen, and literally, witness Kenshin's developing character from start to finish. Watsuki has almost flawlessly done this as d, with three main arcs to his story - the Tokyo arc, the Kyoto arc and the Jinchuu (Revenge) arc - the latter two really the main players in defining this series.

Another feature that gets easily overlooked in Watsuki's legendary story is the art. I feel when people look at manga as a whole, they look at all the obvious elements of plot, character, etc., but a major categoy that is a factor in the enjoyment score is how well has the series been drawn. Is it consistent? How detailed? And most importantly, do I actually know what the hell is going on, especially during battles? Each of these questions are answered positively in the art as the character models and designs do stay consistent with the mid-1800 feel and culture. The environments, though not intricately as designed as other series, do hold up in its own right, but prevent that "outsanding" score. And the nice part with Rurouni Kenshin is that Watsuki has done a decent good job in drawing the flow of battles to the point where you're not questioning yourself what just happened. Although, some of the sword techniques some characters have will make you stare at the page and be like, "is that even physically possible?"

The character development of Himura Kenshin really comes alive through his dialogue and interactions with the other characters. Well, one might think, "of course this would be the case," but the fact of the matter is that most of the characters that you witness this kind of relationship all have some vendetta or hatred against the Battousai, which makes it all the more interesting to see how Kenshin goes about putting to rest not only these characters, but also his inner hitokiri self. And for as much as these characters bring out the worst in him, it is evenly balanced with his daily, ever growing relationship with Kaoru Kamiya. These interesting character relations and interactions are augmented prodigiously during the Kyoto and Jinchuu arcs, where you get to see the other, more deadly, side of Kenshin for the first time. I will say that some of the characters will make you question what exactly was the manga-ka thinking when he created them, but after watching them in battle, it'll be a simply afterthought.

Witnessing Kenshin go through all these ordeals is what really makes the manga so interesting. With his belief and vow of never to kill again, you really wonder sometimes if he is able to keep it, as there are many circumstances which really push Kenshin's psyche to the limit and even at times, his hitokiri side is unveiled. This is really, in my eyes, what makes the story so enjoyable to read. Every avenue of Kenshin's past, present and future is explored in heavy detail, leaving you with a fulfilled story, an actual complete ending and a truly satisfied feeling of nirvana (okay, maybe I'm stretching it a little bit), but you get the point. To say the least, the story is captivating, especially if japanese samurai, traditional sword-style battles that don't drag on, are things you are looking for in a manga.

I mean sure i kinda like kenshin at first but as the story progresses he becomes increasingly annoying and unrealistic as he continues his wow not to kill people. I mean you could massacre all of his friendly honoured opponents with a machine gun, laugh in his face about smuggling opium, kidnap his loved one to help him make opium and he still wouldnt kill your ass for it. I hate him for that because it makes him seem weak, there is always a line that you dont cross and if you do cross it you are supposed to get killed for it. When someone ... kills his honoured opponents without skill, tact or honour using a machine gun and
he doesnt kill them back it kinda makes ya think that hes a douchebag.

Well im going to continue reading about that ***** because i really want to know if hes going to continue placing his stupid oath above his friends.

Rurouni Kenshin is a highly overhated work, from the heart, it's not really worth reading.
I will mention some problems and quality here:

The protagonist is very well developed, the main cast is okay, it's nothing incredible, and there's reason for me to say that.
First of all, Kenshin's past arc is a masterpiece of 14 chapters. I find this funny, because right after that the work becomes ridiculous.


Every fight, without exception, will end the same way, the hero will win, he will never lose and no one will die.
I know this is cliché in a lot of good work, but in RK it's just stupid, I'll tell ... you the reasons why.
The Jinchu villains appeared, then the main villain stands still in the balloon (Enishi) While each good guy faces someone, but these fights seem like a tournament, instead of them fighting and having a challenge, each one fights as if waiting for the other to finish. First Saito, then Saito wins, then Sanosuke decides to fight, then he wins, then Yahiko decides to fight. It's just very stupid, and this happens again in the same saga with the Chinese, which in this case is just useless filler for the narrative, nothing is cool.
In the Shishio saga, Juppongatana is completely and easily defeated. 5 villains will attack the Kamiya dojo, all of them are defeated by the character they face, there is really no big deal. Instead of making a useless cast, I could make fewer and make them better developed.
The high points of the story are when there is no fight, because the dialogue between the good guys is cool, but the dialogue between the villains is pure idiocy and cheap and silly philosophy.

I've read the manga 4 times, I've been reading it since I was a kid, I read it when I was 12, 14, 18 and now I'm 24. I bought almost the entire collection, from volume 1-20. I like this shit, but it's not good. We tend to like bad things because they were part of our childhood. Honestly, it's not worth it, I'm going to read the Hokkaido arc now, but that's because I like the work, even though it's bad.