“Ohtome succeeds in giving Himura’s bloody and tragic coming-into-being its rich and engaging emotional texture.”
Dec 18, 2021 • Subscribe
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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: The Beginning Film Review
My review of Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning is now up over on Anime News Network.
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final (2021) review
“Ohtomo’s does not only preserve the essence of Watsuki’s narrative but delivers this essence with necessary emotionality and adorns it with many breathtaking sword-fighting moments that neit…
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final Film Review
My review of Rurouni Kenshin: The Final is now up over on Anime News Network.
The Rurouni Kenshin Controversy
Rurouni Kenshin is without a doubt one of the most beloved manga and anime out there. However, behind the scenes lies a dark reality which has permanently marked…
JFF16 - Rurouni Kenshin
るろうに剣心 Keishi Otomo, 2012 Rurouni Kenshin is without a doubt, THE blockbuster of JFF16. The first screening in Sydney…
Megumi, Rurouni Kenshin, Samurai X Recap, Rurouni Kenshin: Review Special
The Return of Rurouni Kenshin
After 27 years, Rurouni Kenshin returns with a new anime adaptation based on Nobuhiro Watsuki’s original manga series. Learn what to expect from the new version, as well…
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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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.
Filler Free Rurouni Kenshin
Rurouni Kenshin is an anime where 40% of its episodes are filler episodes. I list which episodes are filler content and which ones are part filler and part…
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 05
「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.
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 – 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 – 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 – 16
「理想の男」 (Risou no Otoko) "The Ideal Man" Damn five minute episodes...
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 15
「その男・雷十太」 (Sono Otoko Raijuuta) "That Man – Raijuta" This was the first episode where I'd say the '23 version flat-out thrashed the '96.
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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 06
「黒笠」 (Kurogasa) "Black Hat" Kenshin has chosen to make things very difficult for himself.
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 – 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 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.
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Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 24 (End)
「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…
Rurouni Kenshin Review: Manga Made by a Monster
Directed by Hideyo Yamamoto Produced by Liden Films Streaming on Crunchyroll *The following will contain reference to sensitive subjects, and reader discretion is advised.* In November of 2017,…
Rurouni Kenshin: Reflections- A Fractured Reflection
While the talents of Fukuhashi and Iwasaki shine through, the haphazard structure and priorities of Rurouni Kenshin: Reflections has the series end on a largely sour and unsatisfying…
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) – 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) – 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) – 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) – 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) – 06
Kenshin has chosen to make things very difficult for himself. 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) – 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) – 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) – 08
Ah, yes - now we're into the meat of the story. Read more
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) – 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) – 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) – 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) – 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) – 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) – 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) – 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.