Rurouni Kenshin, even years after it first released, holds up as a formidable samurai drama in anime format.
Jan 1, 2025 • Subscribe
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“Ohtome succeeds in giving Himura’s bloody and tragic coming-into-being its rich and engaging emotional texture.”
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Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 17
「決着」 (Ketchaku) "Settling the Score" There are so many things that make Kenshin exceptional, but the hard truth is that the most exceptional thing is the number of people he’s…
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 09
「御庭番強襲」 (Oniwaban Kyōshū) "The Oniwabanshu Strike" The Oniwabanshuu arc makes for an interesting acid test.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 18
「左之助と錦絵」 (Sanosuke to Nishiki-e) "Sanosuke & Nishiki Paintings" Most of the events depicted in the series were instigated be people scarred in one way or another by the Boshin War.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 04
「喧嘩の男・相楽左之助」 (Kenka no Otoko・Sagara Sanosuke) "The Fighter for Hire - Sanosuke Sagara" We’ve now checked off the casting for the main quartet without, in my view, any misfires.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 11
「壮烈の般若・創痍の式尉」 (Souretsu no Hannya・Sōi no Shikijōu) "Savage Han'nya - Honorable Shikijou" One thing that can be said about Rurouni Kenshin is that it gets increasingly unconventional as it progresses.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 13
「死闘の果て」 (Shitou no Hate) "Battle's End" Megumi frankly gets a better deal than she deserves here, but that just puts the onus on her to do the right thing with…
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 10
「動く理由」 (Ugoku Wake) "A Reason to Act" Structurally speaking, it’s with the Oniwabanshuu that the series starts to take on its final form.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 21
「明治剣客浪漫譚 第零幕 後編」 (Meiji Kenkaku Roman Tan Dai Rei-maku Kouhen) "Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story: Act Zero – Part Two" Apparently Western imports through Yokohama didn't include the Hippocratic Oath.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 22
「蘇る狼」 (Yomigaeru Ookami) "Resurrection of the Wolf" In many ways, this is the moment when Rurouni Kenshin really begins.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 14
「弥彦の戦い」 (Yahiko no Tatakai) "Yahiko's Battle" He may decline to teach Yahiko (or anyone else) Hiten Mitsurugi-ryuu, but Kenshin is quite serious about teaching him how to be an honorable…
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 12
「御頭・四之森蒼紫」 (O-kashira・Shinomori Aoshi) "Okashira - Aoshi Shinomori" I can’t but think of Dylan Thomas as I watch these two rage against the dying of the light.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 20
「明治剣客浪漫譚 第零幕 前」 (Meiji Kenkaku Roman Tan Dai Rei-maku Zenpen) "Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story: Act Zero – Part One" Yes, it’s canon.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 23
「牙を剥く狼」 (Kiba o Muku Ookami") "The Wolf's Fang" Ultimately, the real battle here is not between the Battousai and the Shinsengumi captain, but between the Battousai and the Rurouni.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 07
「人斬りふたり」 (Hitokiri Futari) "The Two HitokiriThe Two Hitokiri" This was a crucial part of the story to get right, and this adaptation really did.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 16
「理想の男」 (Risou no Otoko) "The Ideal Man" Damn five minute episodes...
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 19
「津南と錦絵」 (Tsunan to Nishiki-e) "Tsunan & Nishiki Paintings" There are many different paths Kenshin could have chosen to express his dismay over the state of the world and his role…
Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning
On the thematic side of things, Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning tells the story of two broken people, each driven only by their own singular, all-consuming goals.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 06
「黒笠」 (Kurogasa) "Black Hat" Kenshin has chosen to make things very difficult for himself.
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「そして仲間がまた一人」 (Soshite Nakama ga Mata Ichi-nin) "And Then, Anothe" “The revolution is still ongoing” indeed.
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「蒼紫対翁」 (Aoshi tai Okina) "Aoshi vs. Okina" The growing pool of evidence is that this adaptation is up to the massive task that was laid before it.
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「明治十一年五月十四日」 (Meiji Jūichinen Gogatsu Jūyokka) "Meiji 11, May 14th" Rurouni Kenshin really begins from here, and one can’t judge this version of the series until it has a chance to…
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「修羅の会合」 (Shura no Kaigou) "Meeting of the Warlords" Yes, worlds are definitely colliding here.
Rurouni Kenshin Season 2 – 09
「禁忌の抜刀」 (Kinki no Battou) "Drawing of the Forbidden" To me, only one question really stands out here.
Rurouni Kenshin Season 2 – 04
「野心家の肖像」 (Yashinka no Shouzou) "Portrait of the Ambitious" Obviously, this is a watershed episode for Rurouni Kenshin.
Rurouni Kenshin Season 2 – 18
「翔ぶが如く」 (Tobu ga Gotoku) "As If in Flight" Wheels are in motion, things are happening.
Rurouni Kenshin Review: Manga Made by a Monster
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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) – 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) – 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) – 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) – 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) – 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) – 05
"The revolution is still ongoing" indeed. Read more
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) – 06
Kenshin has chosen to make things very difficult for himself. Read more
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) – 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) – 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) – 03
"Kasshin-Ryu - Reborn"" Kenshin’s arc is often driven by the disillusionment theme, but Yahiko is the poster boy for pride.
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.