We're revisiting what's probably (along with Evangelion) the single-most formative story in animanga for me as a fan.
Oct 4, 2024 • Subscribe
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Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – 07
To say Kyoto has a checkered history doesn't begin to do it justice.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – 06
It's obvious where everyone is going to end up - Kyoto - but their journeys are a major component of the story.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – 08
for my money the Juupongatana and the Spiders are probably the two most fascinating criminal organizations in shounen manga.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – 02
I'm just going to tell myself it's three cours until I know it isn't.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – 10
By managing to meaningfully embellish a deeply beloved and well-established story this episode is something of a revelation.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – 09
To me, only one question really stands out here.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – 12
Yes, worlds are definitely colliding here.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – 11
We're in rarified air at this point, that's for sure.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – 05
There are times when the purity of Kenshin's pathos really gets to me, and this is one of them.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – 03
The true impact of Shishio Makoto on the story begins to be felt.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – 04
Obviously, this is a watershed episode for Rurouni Kenshin.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – 14
No Kenshin, no problem.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – 13
The growing pool of evidence is that this adaptation is up to the massive task that was laid before it.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – 15
Kenshin has had many foils over the course of the series, but Hiko Seijuurou holds up a different sort of mirror to him than anybody else.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – Episode 10 Review
「逆刃刀 初撃」 (Sakabatou Shougeki) "Sakabato First Attack" By managing to meaningfully embellish a deeply beloved and well-established story this episode is something of a revelation.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – Episode 06 Review
「森の出会い」 (Mori no Deai) "Encounter in the Forest" It’s obvious where everyone is going to end up – Kyoto – but their journeys are a major component of…
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – Episode 11 Review
「比古清十郎」 (Hiko Seijuurou") "Seijuro Hiko" We're in rarified air at this point, that's for sure.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – Episode 14 Review
「操の決意」 (Misao no Ketsui) "Misao's Decision" No Kenshin, no problem.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – Episode 05 Review
「再び京都へ」 (Futatabi Kyōto e) "To Kyoto, Once More" There are times when the purity of Kenshin’s pathos really gets to me, and this is one of them.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – Episode 07 Review
「京都到着」 (Kyouto Tōchaku) "Arrival in Kyoto" To say Kyoto has a checkered history doesn't begin to do it justice.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – Episode 08 Review
「⼗本⼑・張」 (Juppongatana: Chou) "Chou of the Ten Swords" Like the Phantom Troupe, this band of villains aren’t all cut from the same cloth.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – Episode 03 Review
「⾒捨てられた村」 (Misuterareta Mura) "The Abandoned Village" The true impact of Shishio Makoto on the story begins to be felt.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Kyoto Douran – Episode 02 Review
「明治東海道中」 (Meiji Tōkaidou-chuu) "On the East Sea Road" I’m just going to tell myself it’s three cours until I know it isn’t.
First Impressions – Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023)
I've been waiting for this for a long time so good luck trying to shut me up about it. Read more
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 12
I can't but think of Dylan Thomas as I watch these two rage against the dying of the light. Read more
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 21
Nothing essential for either plot or character happened here, I don't think, but there was no harm done either.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 09
The Oniwabanshuu arc makes for an interesting acid test. Read more
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 19
There are many different paths Kenshin could have chosen to express his dismay over the state of the world and his role in it.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 08
「逃走麗女」 (Tōsou Reijo) "Beauty on the Run" Ah, yes - now we're into the meat of the story.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 10
Structurally speaking, it's with the Oniwabanshuu that the series starts to take on its final form. Read more
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 05
"The revolution is still ongoing" indeed. Read more
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 22
It might be argued that the rest of the series is one extended chain of events with its origins in this episode.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 18
The tone of this version of events is somewhat different than in the 1996 version, but I interpreted them more or less the same way.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 20
If the 2023 has to fill time, I'm happier if they do it this way, with Watsuki's own material, even if it's not absolutely essential.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 15
While there are differences, before this episode I think the two adaptations of Rurouni Kenshin were of comparable quality.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 03
Kenshin's arc is often driven by the disillusionment theme, but Yahiko is the poster boy for pride. Read more
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 16
I knew the Raijuuta arc was better than its reputation but.even I've been a bit surprised by just how good these last two episodes have been.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 17
There are many things that make Kenshin exceptional, but the truth is that the most exceptional thing is the number of people he's killed
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 02
To understand Himura, you have to understand his disillusionment with the revolution in whose name he killed so many. Read more
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 07
This was a crucial part of the story to get right, and this adaptation really did. Read more
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 18
The long arm of the Boshin War easily reached into the era depicted in Rurouni Kenshin. It reaches even today’s Japan, truth be told – the cultural divisions…
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 14
Rurouni Kenshin's second cour kicks off with a new OP and ED, and one of the most important and memorable episodes from the Tokyo Arc.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 11
One thing that can be said about Rurouni Kenshin is that it gets increasingly unconventional as it progresses. Read more
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 02
"Tokyo Samurai・Yahiko Myojin" To understand Himura, you have to understand his disillusionment with the revolution in whose name he killed so many.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 13
A look at Episode 13 of Rurouni Kenshin 2023, as the new anime wraps up its first cour with a retelling of one of RK's signature stories.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 04
We've now checked off the casting for main quartet without, in my view, any misfires. Read more
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 06
Kenshin has chosen to make things very difficult for himself. Read more
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 08
Ah, yes - now we're into the meat of the story. Read more
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 23
Ultimately, the real battle here is not between the Battousai and the Shinsengumi captain, but between the Battousai and the Rurouni.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023) – 01
I’ve been waiting for this for a long time so good luck trying to shut me up about it.