Rurouni Kenshin (るろうに剣心 Rurōni Kenshin) is a set of anime and manga series set during the early years of the Meiji Era in Japan. It is subtitled Wandering Samurai in some English releases.
The name Samurai X is used in various English language releases, due to the X shaped scar on Kenshin's face, and most likely also the general "hipness" the word samurai has in English. This name is unpopular with fans of the series, who also point out that Kenshin never was a samurai to begin with.
The series was created by artist Nobuhiro Watsuki, and first appeared as a pair of separate short stories published in 1992 and 1993 in the manga magazine Weekly Shonen Jump Special. In 1994, Watsuki created a final ongoing version that was published in Shonen Jump until it's conclusion in 1999, which the various anime series are based from. In 2000, it was followed up by Yahiko no Sakabatō ("Yahiko's Reversed-Edge Sword"). The storyline of Kenshin is divided into three storyline arcs: Tokyo, Kyoto, and the Jinchuu (Revenge) arc. The Jinchū arc was not animated, save for the parts about Kenshin's background which formed one of the OVAs released (see below).
There are four animated Rurouni Kenshin series (るろうに剣心 "Rurōni" means "wanderer" according to the creator (the word is technically made-up) so the series could be translated as "Kenshin the Wanderer"):
- The TV series, set during the early years of the Meiji Era and telling of the early romance between Kenshin and Kaoru
- A movie (Rurouni Kenshin: Ishin Shishi no Requiem/Rurouni Kenshin: Requiem for the Ishin Patriots, called Samurai X: The Motion Picture in the English language release), which used a large amount of material from the TV series and re-told its story
- The first OVA series (Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen/Rurouni Kenshin: Recollection, split apart as Samurai X: Trust and Samurai X: Betrayal in the English language releases), set during the downfall of the Tokugawa shogunate and telling of Kenshin's childhood and young adult life. Only a few characters from the TV series appear in this OVA, namely Kenshin, Kenshin's master and Saitō Hajime.
- The second OVA series (Rurouni Kenshin: Seisōhen/Rurouni Kenshin: Time, called Samurai X: Reflection in the English language releases), set after the TV series and telling of Kenshin and Kaoru's later years, differs from the manga on many key plot points.
Kenshin is the Battōsai, an assassin who helped bring about the downfall of the Tokugawa shogunate which ushered in the Meiji Era. As a result, he is highly prized by people who want to either hire him for his skills, or kill him for toppling the old power structure. Kenshin himself grieves for the lives he ended, and has vowed that he will never kill again.
The OVA series -- which feature a number of historical characters -- attempts to be more realistic and accurate than the TV series, which begins as a romantic comedy but evolves into a period drama.
The Animated series enjoys immense popularity worldwide, and although designed primarily for male fans, its detailed exploration of emotion and relationships (especially the unrequited love Kaoru has for Kenshin) attracts many female followers. Since the series ran for so long (about 90 episodes), each of the main characters was explored quite in depth. Together with the OVAs explaining Kenshin's past and future, this series is considered by many one of the most complete shows about the period and of the 'samurai' genre.
(names are being listed in Japanese order, in surname before given name fashion)
A term invented by Yahiko, these people are Kenshin and his closest friends. (Gumi means "group" in Japanese.)
Himura Kenshin (Hitokiri Battōsai)
The main character of the series, Kenshin was a former Imperialist assassin that went by the name "Battōsai". After the revolution, he traded in his katana and wakizashi (companion sword) for a reverse-bladed sword sakabatō and assumed the life of a "rurōni" (wanderer). He becomes a technical master of the Hiten Mitsurugi fighting style after defeating his master, but declines the official mastership. He has quite a distinctive appearance, slightly feminine (common in most anime/manga) with red hair and a cross-shaped scar on his left cheek. Kenshin features a multiple personality disorder. He has two dominant and antagonistic personalities: Kenshin-san, the pleasant man we all know and Battōsai, the assassin he was ten years back in the series.
Kamiya Kaoru
Japanese Seiyuu: Miki Fujitani
English Voice Actor: Dorothy Melendrez
Assistant master of the Kamiya Kasshin (her father's) fighting style. She runs the dojo by herself after the death of her father, which is quite unusual as she is still a young girl (about 17 at the beginning of the series). She is very strong willed and quite a talented fighter. The series starts with her meeting Kenshin, and, after some initial scuffles, lets him stay as a guest. She develops a crush on him even after learning of his past crimes.
Myōjin Yahiko
Japanese Seiyuu: Miina Tominaga
English Voice Actor: Elyse Floyd
For a descendant of samurai, the new Meiji era was not the best place to grow up. His father died during the Boshin War, slain at the Battle of the Keneiji Temple. His mother died not long after giving birth to her son. Yahiko was originally forced to live as a thief for the local Yakuza, who tricked him into believing that he still had to pay off the money the gangsters gave to his mother to buy medicine. But with the help of Kenshin and Kaoru, he becomes an apprentice of the Kamiya Kasshin style. Yahiko is a hotheaded child. He is arrogant, a potty-mouth, and bad-mannered; and he already bestowed upon himself the title 'Tokyo Samurai'. But, as the years go by, Yahiko learns the principles of Kasshin Kamiya Ryu, which coincides with Kenshin's ideals. Even though he overrates himself, Yahiko defeats several enemies - even one of Shishio's henchmen. In time Yahiko becomes a master swordsman, and trains Kenji, Kenshin's son. He has a sweetheart, Tsubame, who works at a local restaurant as a waitress.
Sagara Sanosuke (Zanza)
Japanese Seiyuu: Yuji Ueda
English Voice Actor: Lex Lang
The last of the Sekihōtai, who fought in the imperial alliance at the end of the Tokugawa regime, he initially bore a hatred for all former Imperialists. The reason that he is the last of the Sekihoutai is because his master, Sagara, and his followers, were executed by the Meiji police for impersonating the imperial army and spreading false allegations about low rice prices. This setup was engineered by Shindo Tatewake, a former officer in the imperial alliance. Sanosuke, full of anger and bitterness, made a living as a fighter-for-hire who bore the nickname "Zanza" derived from his weapon, the zanbatō. He was hired to kill Kenshin, but after being defeated by the former assassin and learning of Kenshin's no-kill approach, Sanosuke becomes a valuable ally. He later adopts a boxing-like fighting skill. During the Shishio crisis, Sanosuke learns 'Futae no Kiwami' (Double Level Limit) from a former monk, Anji no Myoou. Futae no Kiwami is a special art, whereby the assailant uses two punches in quick succession; the first punches, then the second breaks the resistance of the opponent's block.
Takani Megumi
Megumi is a doctor who came to Tokyo from Aizu, the scene of a famous battle between the Oniwabanshū ninja and the allied factions. Megumi was the apprentice of an eminent doctor in Tokyo. He became involved with Kanryu, a wealthy drug and armaments dealer. Kanryu tried to force Megumi's mentor to make cheap variants of opium (Known as "Spider's Web") to sell on the Tokyo black market. When he refused, Kanryu murdered him. From then on, he forced Megumi to make the drugs. She escaped, and came under the care of Kenshin, but was forced to return to Kanryu's mansion after he threatened to burn down the Kamiya Dojo along with its residents. Convinced that death was the only escape, Megumi tried to commit suicide, only to be saved by Sanosuke. She became a full doctor ever since, helping more people with healing hands, as Kenshin told her, than with his sword.
Other people with whom Kenshin has formed friendships in Tokyo and beyond.
Tsukayama Yutaro
A rich son of a former samurai, who wants nothing more than to learn swordsmanship. He learns the basics of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu from Kaoru and becomes a rival to Yahiko, but then returns to the person he believes to be his true sensei, Raijuta. After Raijuta injures him to the extent where he can't use his right hand, he goes to Germany where they have more advanced medicine.
Tsukioka Tsunan
Tsukioka Tsunan, apart from Sansosuke, was the sole survivor of the Sekihoutai. Called Katsu by Sanosuke, Tsunan became an artist after the Restoration. He is an expert at explosive weapons, and intends to use them. Later in the series, Sano and Katsu try to embark on a terrorist campaign against the Meiji government, but are stopped by Kenshin. Since then, Katsu buried his bombs and became a journalist for an anti-government newsletter. Later on in the series, he becomes a valuable source of information for Kenshin and Sanosuke.
In Rurouni Kenshin (O.riginal A.nimation V.ideo v2[not including TV animeart]) : Reflection, the concluding series of Samurai X trilogy, Yutaro comes back and meets his friends again, at the same time still holding his childhood rivalry with Yahiko even as they are grown men.
Hiko Seijuro XIII
The Thirteenth successor to the sword art of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, Seijuro Hiko saved Shinta from marauding bandits who killed his caretakers. Hiko then took care of Shinta, and named him Kenshin ("Heart of Sword"). He became angry and disappointed with Kenshin, because he ran away to join the rebellion against the Tokugawa regime. Hiko knew the tragedy of not completing Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu; people with such power tend to get into things they shouldn't and from it blossoms tragedy; what happened to Kenshin happened to him, as well. That is why he shut himself away from the rest of the world; he lives as a sculptor close to the forest near Kyoto. He also realizes the fact that the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu no longer seems relevant in the changing world, as he remarks to Yahiko: "The only thing that doesn't seem to change is the moon." Hiko is perhaps the strongest swordsman around; he is superior, even to Kenshin. Hiko is physically stronger than Kenshin. Hiko's favourite technique is Kuzu Ryu Sen. After thirteen years, master and student meet once more. It is then that Kenshin will complete his training.
Himura Kenji
Kenshin and Kaoru's son. In the manga we only get a glimpse of him. We learn that he tends to take a liking to his mother more than his father and enjoys to pull on Kenshin's hair. In SeisōHen he is a teenager. He despises his father for always leaving Kaoru's side and has left them to begin training with Hiko Seijuro XIII to learn Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. Until Yahiko shows up one night and shows him otherwise, Kenji believes that is is all right to kill people. In the end, he was given the sakabatou as a late Genpuku present.
Sagara Sōzō
An actual person, Sagara Souzou was captain of the Sekihōtai. Sanosuke looked up to him greatly; he was, to Sanosuke, the ideal role model. Was killed when the Meiji government purged the Sekihōtai, leading to Sanosuke's embitterment towards it.
Sekihara Tae
The manager of the hot beef pot restaurant, the Akabeko. She has a twin sister managing in a similar restaurant in Kyoto. Sanosuke also owes her a seemingly large sum of money in which interest is accounted for. She has also tried to push the relationship between Kenshin and Kaoru since it seemed it to her that it wasn't going anywhere.
Sanjō Tsubame
Helps Tae at the restaurant, and is Yahiko's sweetheart. She was saved by him from a group of men who claimed she owed them money. In Seisouhen, we see that they become a couple.
Dr. Genzai
A venerable old doctor and friend of the Kamiya Dojo, he often offers treatment or advice early in the series. In the television show, he is the grandfather of two impossibly cute little girls (Genzai Ayame and Genzai Suzume) who also like hanging around the Dojo. After the group meets Takani Megumi, he offers her training and lets her take over his clinic when on vacation or out collecting herbs.
Genzai Ayame
Nonexistant in the manga. Ayame is the older of the two siblings.
Genzai Suzume
Nonexistant in the manga. The younger of the two.
Oniwabanshū
The ninja clan from Kyoto (Oni Gang in the translated TV series).
Makimachi Misao
Originally raised by Shinomori Aoshi (the leader of the group) as a daughter, she is not biologically related. She treats him as a father figure, as well as the other male characters (to some extent) in the Oniwabanshū. At some point in her childhood, Aoshi hands over custody of her to former Oniwabanshū member Okina (Kashiwazaki Nenji), in order to have a safe and normal childhood. Misao therefore has abandonment issues, and upon growing older (she is approximately 16 during the series) begins searching Japan for Aoshi and the other members of the Oniwabanshū. She idealizes them and does not realize that many others see them as murderers and criminals. She also has a romantic crush on Aoshi.
She is trained as a ninja and uses throwing knives as her weapon.
Upon meeting Himura Kenshin, she learns that he may know the whereabouts of the Oniwabanshū and becomes a member of his 'group' (Kenshin Gumi).
Nicknamed "Itachi musume", or "weasel girl" by Saitou.
Kashiwazaki Nenji (Okina)
Former leader of the Oniwabanshū. He is a strong fighter and a talented strategist. Upon retiring, he gave up his fighting ways (although he was seen fighting Aoshi) and now lives peacefully in Kyoto at the Aoiya, the headquarters of the Oniwabanshū (which is now a hotel), where he raised Misao. Although old, he still possesses a quick mind and tends to like drinking games.
Shinomori Aoshi
Leader of the Oniwabanshū, and successor to Kashiwazaki Nenji (Okina). Aoshi, once kindhearted, even raising Makimachi Misao as his daughter, now seeks power and strength by any means necessary. A dangerous opponent, he uses his speed together with a mix of sword and hand-to-hand combat moves called Kenpo. He joined with Kanryu as 'muscle' in his drug manufacturing operation, and then came face to face with Kenshin trying to rescue Takani Megumi. He was betrayed by Kanryu who killed the rest of the Oniwabanshū by a gatling gun in the Edo castle.
After the defeat of the rest of the Oniwabanshū, Aoshi hides in the mountains where he has buried his friends' heads (in the manga at least) and there he stays until Shishio tests his strength. Afterwards, he then heads to Tokyo to find and kill Kenshin only to learn he has left to Kyoto. Once in Kyoto he joins with Shishio in hopes of fighting Kenshin and even fights his old friend to try and learn the ___location of him (but fails to get the ___location).
Towards the end of the Kyoto Arc, the most-anticipated battle arrives and Kenshin fights Aoshi. He is saved from his own madness by Kenshin, as he realizes that death is not the answer to his situation. To put an end to the feud and see who is truly the strongest, both decide to use their strongest attacks (their succession attacks, or "ougi") and Kenshin's Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki defeats him.
He later appears to fight against Shishio to buy time for Kenshin (to recover). He later re-appears in the filler arcs, though he takes no major role.
In the Jinchū Arc (manga only), he joins Kenshin's side to fight Wu Heishin (a man who serves Enishi)'s group of bodyguards, known as the Sushin, so that Kenshin can rest and fight Enishi at full strength.
Aoshi uses the Kodachi Itto Ryu style based around the Kodachi swords he uses to fight. The style mostly consists of attacks with a Kodachi in each hand. His techniques are:
Kodachi Itto Ryu Ha: Aoshi uses this cross-shaped slash when he is opposed by something he can't cut. He strikes with the first blade and then with the second blade perpendicular (hence the cross shape) to the first. This attack has been witnessed to cut Okina's metal tonfan (kempo attack stick, similar to a police baton) with ease.
Kaiten Kenbu/Hercules' Sword: This attack is Aoshi's ōgi. Okina called the Kaiten Kenbu, Hercules' Sword when he fought Aoshi. Okina refused to yield when Aoshi cut both of his tonfans and attacked him with a third hidden tonfan in the face, which made Aoshi lose his temper. The attack involves Aoshi giving consecutive, ultra-fast slashes. After Aoshi defeated Okina, the doctor counted more than a hundred cuts all over his body.
Hiratogi Dance: this is moving technique where Aoshi moves fast and silently. He does so in such a way that he confuses his opponent. He used this to attack Kenshin and tried to use it against Okina, but latter being a ninja, probably was familiarized with the attack. It looks as if many images of Aoshi started spinning around the opponent.
Hannya
Wears a frightening demon mask, and uses armoured gloves with his devastating fist fighting technique. He has surprisingly long arms and good speed. Probably the second best fighter in the Oniwabanshū next to Aoshi.
Hyottoko
Hyottoko is one of the Oniwabanshū members that decided to go with Aoshi when he left Okina caring for Misao. His massive belly makes him nearly impervious to direct physical attacks. His main attack consists of breathing fire at his opponent. He died at Kanryu's hand, protecting Aoshi from the gatling gun.
Shikijō
One of the Oniwabanshū members. Shikijō was a soldier for the Satsuma faction until he was beaten by Aoshi, who gave him a chance to join up with the Oniwabanshū and gained strength using Oniwabanshū training methods. Has "steel" muscles.
Beshimi
One of the weaker members of the Oniwabanshū, Beshimi is a small ninja (onmitsu) who tends to use spiral throwing tacks.
Kenshin's opponents
Bad guys Kenshin meets throughout the Rurouni series.
Saitō Hajime (Fujita Goro)
Japanese Seiyuu: Hirotaka Suzuoki
English Voice Actor: Sparky Thornton
A former leader of the Third Squad of the Shinsen Gumi, an extremely powerful loyalist faction in Kyoto during the time of the Bakumatsu war. Now a policeman working for the Meiji Government. Extremely strong and vicious, he has a long time rivalry with Kenshin. He was responsible for foiling the Choshu movement, although he failed to prevent the Kyoto Holocaust, and, ultimately, the victory of the Ishin Shishi. He has no compassion or mercy for anyone. He lives by the Shinsen Gumi code "Aku Soku Zan"("Slay Evil Swiftly"). He believes in peace and order, even in the society created by his enemies. Anyone he considers to be evil is a target for elimination. He is an agent of the destruction of corrupt political elements in Japan. He considers Sanosuke to be a child with mild potential, due to Sanosuke's lack of insight. Saitō Hajime was an actual historic figure of this era, and a number of details presented on his character are based on fact. Saito is an excellent warrior, as he is an able observer and a quick analyst. Saito, as he describes to Usui, has his own 'Shingan' - 'Mind Eye.' Saito is a master of the standard Shinsen Gumi style, Migozuchi Haitou-ryu. It consists of the techniques of Gatotsu - the Fang Stab. The four standard techniques are Ichiki - First Stance (standard level ground), Nishiki - Second Stance (attacking from the air toward the ground), Sanshiki - Third Stance (attacking from the ground toward the air), and his succession technique, Ougi - Zero Stance (attacking at point-blank range). He is married to Tokio Takagi, the daughter of a daimyo.
Ūdo Jin-e
Jin-e was also an assassin during the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate. He is remarkably bloodthirsty, and serves his victims advance warning of their impending doom. He then kills them exactly on time no matter what preparations they have made in their defense. He possesses a technique, known as Shin no Ippou, where he immobilizes people with a glance. The mentalist can also use it to hypnotise himself and summon some extra inner strength. He longs to face Kenshin to see who is the stronger.
Takeda Kanryu
A cunning money-minded man who started the opium dealing business in Tokyo by forcing Takami Megumi to make the drug. His opium business is to generate profits to bring in modern Westernized weapons such as the gattling gun. When Kenshin Himura shows up to save her, he finds himself demoted by Shinomori Aoshi. He resorts to using his Gatling gun to kill everyone in the Edo Castle fight. He manages to kill four of the Oniwabanshū who died protecting Shinomori Aoshi.
ISURUGI Raijuta
Leader of the 'Knights of Shinkoryu' faction, Raijuta aspires to take over Japan with a rebel group of Samurai, starting at Yutaro Tsukuyama's home in the province of Izu by using Yutaro's admiration of Raijuta to his advantage. Although he appears to be a tough fighter, proficient in the Shinkoryu Izuna style, the Izuna techniques are all show and no true power. Although he severed the nerves in Yutaro's right arm, he could only scratch Kenshin. Two Raijuta's techniques are demonstrated in the series. The first is Matoi Izuna (Wrapping Around Rice Paper), which is a strike directed along the ground, similar to Kenshin's Do Ryu Sen. The second is Tobi Izuna (Flying Rice Rope), in which the sword creates a vacuum in the air, and directed towards its target. It's largely ineffective, despite his claim that it's his 'ultimate killing technique'.
The Juppon Gatana
The Juppongatana (Ten Swords) is the elite group of swordsmen organized by Hoji that are fighting beside Shishio against the Meiji government.
SHISHIO Makoto
Japanese Seiyuu: Masanori Ikeda
English Voice Actor: David Lucas
The successor to Kenshin after he became a wanderer. Shishio handled assassinations since Tomoe's death. He was responsible for the murder of Izuka, the man who had sold Kenshin. He was very secretive about himself, even more so than Kenshin; not even did members of the Choshu or Satsuma clans know a great deal about him. He became very violent, and the Ishin Shishi were forced to sanction him themselves, since Kenshin had disappeared. Shishio was shot in the head and burned alive by the Meiji government, but he survived. Afterwards, he swore revenge and assembled a group of the best swordsmen in Japan, called the Juppongatana, to overthrow the new government, but Kenshin, Saitou, Sanosuke, Kaoru, Yahiko and the Oniwabanshū rallied against his plan. Shishio envisioned a Japan ruled by him, enforcing the principles of natural selection. He also wanted to strengthen the economy with petroleum. Shishio is a genius swordsman, and he created his own innovative fighting style, known as Satsujin Ken. He uses a sword with a serrated blade called Mugenjin which is soaked in the oil of the victims he had killed. Thus, he is able to execute fire-oriented techniques. He, like Kenshin, is able to register his opponent's techniques, and could then analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and then take advantage of them. His speed is good, but his strength is monstrous. His weakpoint, however, is his medical condition. Due to the intense burns he received, his sweat glands and pores were sealed shut. He, therefore, has an elevated body temperature due to his lack of sweat as a cooling mechanism. As a result, he could fight for no more than fifteen minutes, otherwise he would die - combust from the elevated body temperature igniting his body fat. Shishio fervently believes in natural selection - the strong live, the weak die, and moulded an ideological disciple out of Soujiro. He is also the lover of Yumi Komagata.
Here are some of his best techniques:
Homura Dama (Fire Ball): His first secret attack. He draws his sword on the ground, igniting it. It's only a trick to distract the opponent from his upward swing.
Guren Kaina (Scarlet Lotus Arm): Shishio ignites his sword, draws it on his left glove, containing hidden gunpower. The resulting friction results in an explosion.
Kagutsuchi (Fire Cliff Spirit God):
Seta Soujiro
Seta Sōjiro is a teenage assassin, trained by the master mankiller Makoto Shishio. Soujiro is famous for his lack of battle aura, or, simply, emotion. He expresses no anger, cites no fear in his enemies, other than with his sword. His constant, sweet, smiling face and kind manners stem from his tragic past. The son of a prostitute, Sōjiro's father left him in the care of his family, who badly mistreated him because he was the child of a whore. He was assigned tasks such as carrying rice to and from the family warehouse. Sōjiro built a defense against their lashings at him; he put on an optimistic face, and became used to the torture. Then, they would leave him alone. One night, he met Shishio, who was on the run from the police. Shishio taught Soujiro that only the strong may live. With that mentality, Sōjiro slaughtered his oppressors, who, in turn, tried to murder him for housing a branded killer. Although he's not particularly bright, Sōjiro's apparent lack of emotion and his simple, insensitive mentality, "The strong live, the weak just die," and his skills make him a formidable foe to Kenshin. Sōjiro wields the legendary sword Nagasone Kotetsu, and is already master of the style Tenbu no Sai Niyoru Ken. The Shukuchi utilizes such powerful speed that, to an observer, it appears that the distance between the two fighters has shrunk (hence the name Shukuchi "reduced earth"). During his fight with Kenshin, Sōjiro continually states he's only moving "three steps below Shukuchi" or "two steps below shukuchi." While moving at this speed, the only thing that could be seen was Soujirou's footsteps ripping through the tatami mat. While doing the true Shukuchi, Soujirou simply cannot be seen, even by Kenshin. He is also well versed in the Battōjutsu style, like Kenshin. His ability has earned Soujiro the title of Tenken or Heavenly Sword (Ten meaning Heaven and Ken meaning Sword). Combining true Shukuchi with the Battōjutsu he has created his only other named technique, Shun Ten Satsu (Instant Heaven Murder). It is named this because the speed behind the attack is so swift that "there isn't an instant even to feel the pain." The speed behind the Shun Ten Satsu completely equals to that of Kenshin's Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki. In terms of power however, it is slightly weaker than the Hiten Mitsurugi ougi.
Komagata Yumi
At the fall of the Shogunate, Yumi Komagata was a deiran, an expensive prostitute. Despite that, she is intelligent, dignified, well-cultured, and was brought up in a comfortable life. She was always interested in social issues and occurrences in Japan, and she reviled the lack of opinion amongst the Japanese people regarding the new rulership. She came to love Makoto Shishio with an utmost passion, which he returned. Thus, she joined Shishio's conspiracy to bring down the Meiji government. She is constantly concerned about Shishio's medical state. And, even though she loved the Meiji era's devil, Yumi is kind and feels justified. She also became Soujiro's best friend, and cares for him dearly.
Sawagejo Chō
Also known as 'The Sword Hunter', Chō possesses quite a collection of rare and unusual swords, including a long flexible sword he keeps hidden around his waist. He is only a mediocre opponent when not using this exotic weapon. He has a very calm and cool exterior, and normally keeps one eye closed when talking, and only opens both eyes when excited in the heat of battle. His fighting style is determined by the sword he uses, but he uses two special techniques in his fight with Kenshin. The first is Orochi (Eight-Headed Hydra), in which Chō bounces his sword, Hakujin no Tachi on the ground in waves. The second is Sakasa Kuchu Nōtō (Reverse in the Air Sword Sheathe).
Unuma Usui
'The Blind Swordsman', Usui was made into a formidible fighter after being blinded in a fight with Shishio Makoto. He possesses 'Eye of Heart', which actually is superhuman hearing that lets him hear another's heartbeat thus enabling him to sense people around him and detect the emotions of others. Although he seems to hate Shishio Makoto, he actually thanks him for enabling to use his enhanced ability of the Eye of Heart. Usui and Shishio made a deal, that they would fight again. Saito points out that he won't win, and that Usui knows it deep down. The psychopath likes to kill people weaker than himself to boost his ego. His goal is to kill a thousand people. He fights using a short spear with a weighted end - the rochin, and a tortoise shell, timbei, as a shield. His fighting style is Ryuukyuu, and there are two techniques he uses in the fight against Saito. The first is Bouken Bougyoku Hyakka Ryouran (Treasure Sword, Treasure Sphere, Hundred Flower, Silver Chaos)- which is a series of rapid thrusts with the spear's point and ball, and, of couse, Shingan, the 'Eye of Heart'.
Hariwa Hennya
Known as Hennya the Flight, he aided the attack of the Aoiya, the Kyoto secret headquarters of the Oniwabanshū, with four other Juppongatana members. He uses bombs to attack and also to lift him into flight. Yahiko defeated Hennya by attempting to using the Ryu Tsui Sen that he has often seen Kenshin use. Later on, he is used as a government spy because of his aviation abilities.
Sodojima Hoji
Hoji is Shishio's lapdog, and, aside from Yumi and Soujiro, he is closest to him. Hoji, too, envisions Japan as a mighty power led by Shishio, ruling with the principles of basic animal survival. Hoji is indeed unique; although he is not proficient in any fighting style, he is a cunning organiser and possesses frightening leadership qualities. Hoji was 'baptized' by Shishio's intense body heat to kindle in him a belief in hell. Hoji will follow Shishio, even to the depths of hell...
Yukyuzan Anji
Anji is a warrior-monk who fights along Shishio to destroy the Meiji government who did nothing to stop the anti-Buddhist purge which destroyed his home and loved ones. He has dedicated himself to total destruction of the current system, and is willing to side with evil to achieve this. He is the most merciful of the Juppongatana and has made a contract with Shishio that Anji decides whether someone lives or dies. He does not use a blade directly in combat, instead utilizing 'Futae no Kiwami' (Double Level Limit) to strike the blade into the ground to attack from a distance, or more usually directly with his fists. He is enormously strong and has trained his entire body into a killing weapon. Upon meeting Sagara Sanosuke, he teaches him his secret technique, without realizing Sanosuke is allied with Kenshin.
Honjō Kamatari
This character is a case of 'Miriam-ism' here. Although Kamatari appears to be a woman, she is not; she is in fact a man. And yet, Kamatari is so good at being a woman (hormone therapy did not exist in 1878). Kamatari uses an very heavy scythe-like weapon, a reaper, with a chain ball on the butt of the weapon; this is called Ogama. She was defeated by the combined efforts of Kaoru and Misao on the attack against the Aoiya. He/she practices Honjōryu, and three of her special techniques are seen in the series. Midare Benten (Chaotic Benten) is when the scythe is whipped over his/her head, and the chain forms a sphere.
Iwanbo
Iwanbo is one of Shishio's Juppon Gatana. He is a fat oaf who uses his immense size, his strength, and his ability to entrap weapons in his flab. He is very stupid, and, apart from taking part in the battle of Aoiya against Kaoru, Yahiko, Misao, Jiya and the Oniwa Banshu as well as grinning like an utter idiot, he doesn't say anything, and he doesn't do anything. He was last seen on a cliff outside of Kyoto.
As revealed in the Jinchū, or "Revenge" (though it better translates to "Earthly Justice") arc of the manga, (which was sadly never animated in its true form), Iwanbo is in reality a mechanical puppet, a primitive mech, if you will, controlled by Gein, the puppetmaster. His only purpose in the Kyoto arc was to gather information about the Kenshingumi. Gein reappears in this arc as one of the six comerades in a more dangerous form of Iwanbo and plays a major role in Enishi's revenge.
Saizuchi Roujin
A cunning small old man who manipulates Fuji.
Fuji
A giant. Considered a freak by everyone around him, the gentle Fuji became depressed, in an ideal state for Saizuchi to manipulate his emotions and turn him into an unbelievable fighter.
Christians from Shimabara
The leaders of the Christian movement of Shimabara.
Amakusa Shōgo
Claimed to be the Son of God in order to protect the people of Shimabara. He is one of the few people that knows the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu other than Kenshin and Hiko. His uncle learned the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu from Hiko Seijuro XII but failed to learn the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki against his master's Kuzu Ryu Sen which resulted in him being knocked into a waterfall. His uncle survived and later taught the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu to Shougo. He was the only person to add on a move to the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu; the Rai Ryu Sen, which is a technique that manipulates light reflected on his sword in order to blind his opponent. Both Kenshin (though temporarily) and Shougo's uncle was blinded by this attack. His parents were killed for being hidden Christians who at the time told Shougo to be strong like God and to protect people of Shimabara. He and his sister moved to Europe with his uncle after his parents were killed. It was there that he learned astrology and medicine and later used that knowledge in Shimabara to predict major events and cure diseases. Because of that knowledge, people believed that he was performing "miracles" which led to further "evidence" for him being the Son of God. His plans were to make Japan into the land of God where the people could live peacefully without fear of being persecuted but he was manipulated by Kaiō.
Amakusa Sayo
Shōgo's younger sister a.ka. Magdelia (her Christian name). Her real name 'Sayo' is not revealed until later in the battle between Shōgo and Kenshin. Sayo is a deeply religious Christian who cares and teaches children about the Christian faith. However, she is dying from consumption when she finally realizes and learns about the nature of life from Sagara Sanosuke.
Kaiō
This weird, bald, caped batty geezer is a treacherous, manipulative guy who uses Shogo to push his secret plan of annexing Japan to the Netherlands.
Shōzo Lorenz (Rorenzo)
Characters from the Rurouni Kenshin OVA
People that haunt Kenshin's memories of the Bakufu.
Yukishiro Tomoe
Yukishiro Tomoe was employed by the Shogun spies. She was to kill Kenshin for the murder of her lover, Kiyosato. She was determined to do so. A drunk Tomoe met Kenshin one night, who had just finished spraying a ninja's blood on a rainy street. She came to befriend Kenshin, but was also torn between her familial allegiances to the Shogunate and her assignment to kill the Battōsai, and her growing feelings for the young assassin. After the holocaust of Kyoto and the destruction of the Choshu clan, Katsura assigned Tomoe and Kenshin to live as husband and wife in hiding in the mountains. Over the coming months, Tomoe taught Kenshin the way of living as a civilian; as a farmer, and as a husband. As the political conflicts of Japan drew closer and closer to their home each day, Tomoe went to the waiting Shogun assassins in order to save Kenshin. Realizing that her feelings for Kenshin were being used to the advantage of his assailants, she throws herself in front of Kenshin's opponent in order to disorientate him, thus giving Kenshin the upper hand in the fight. But the cost was great. Kenshin had sliced through her. From that day forward, Kenshin was burdened with the lives of everyone in Japan - especially those he had taken.
YUKISHIRO Enishi
YUKISHIRO Enishi was Tomoe's little brother. He loved her very much, since he lost his mother and his father was ill. He loved her so much that he became consumed by his selfishness to bring her back to Tokyo, then Edo, so they could be together. At the age of thirteen or so, Enishi ran away from Edo, and was gone for seven months. He discovered the ___location of Tomoe through the Shogun agency, and worked with the Shogun spies to kill Kenshin in revenge for butchering Tomoe's lover, Kiyosato. After witnessing Kenshin's accidental killing of Tomoe, Enishi swears Jinchu, or 'Man's Punishment,' to be brought down on Kenshin's head. He meets him again almost twenty years later, with four gifts: A technique to defeat Kenshin's Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu, a Chinese war sword, a kidnapped Kaoru, and white hair, the result of years of stressful mourning for his sister.
Enishi is the main antagonist of the Jinchuu arc of the manga, which Seisouhen is roughly based on (although it is MUCH better in the manga). His style is Watoujutsu, a fusion of Chinese and Japanese technique. To many fans, Seisouhen was a disappointment due to the omission of major details of the Jinchuu arc, trying to smash it in one hour of time and adding in extra events. The fight was majorly anticlimactic as well.
Here are some of his best Watoujutsu techniques. He has a mouth-watering selection...
Shuugeki Tou Sei: Enishi kicks the flat side of the blade to increase speed and force of the strike.
Kaishi Tou Sei: This is a rapid thrust attack.
Sen Ran Tou Sei:
Katsura Kogoro was the leader of the Choshu clan. He worked hard to bring down the Shogunate. Katsura was an intelligent, wise and calculating man. He pitied Kenshin's emotional struggle between the old Shinta and the unrepentant Battousai. So, he saved his life by asking Tomoe to become his 'sheath', and he saved Kenshin again near the end of the war. He did this by assigning the young assassin the task of being a fighter instead of a hitman. In turn, he was replaced by Shishio. He did not want Kenshin to suffer the latter hitokiri's fate of being executed for knowing too many secrets. Upon the accession of the Meiji government, Katsura became one of the three Ishin Sanketsu. He died close to the same time of Saigo's demise, in 1876.
A master swordsman of the Shinsengumi at the age of fifteen, Okita was capitain of Shinsen Gumi's First Troop. He often fought together with Saito against Kenshin. Okita was involved with the Ikedaya Affair and killed numerous Choshu clansmen in Kyoto. He succumbed to tuberculosis shortly after the fall of the Tokugawa regime.
Iizuka
Iizuka was the field examiner for the Choshu clan. He was responsible recording the group's kills. Laid back, a joker, and easy going, Iizuka was in fact a greedy double agent, working for the Tokugawa shogunate. He was a contributing factor in plotting the downfall of Hitokiri Battousai - Himura Kenshin. Iizuka attempted to skip country as soon as the trap was in place, but was murdered by Shishio Makoto in an alleyway.
Murakami
Nicknamed "Rensato", Murakami was the first Yaminobu (western-based ninja like the Oniwabanshū) Kenshin encountered. He ambushed Kenshin from the rooftops as he made his way back to the Choshu headquarters. Murakami possessed quick reflexes and was skilled with his chain, but ultimately, Kenshin made a rain of blood when he sliced the ninja in half as he sailed over the assassin's head.
KIYOSATO Akira
Tomoe's dead fiance. He was a bodyguard for the Kyoto administrator, Shigekura Juubeh. He and Tomoe were childhood sweethearts, and they planned to get married. Sadly, this kind and caring man was butchered by Kenshin in a Kyoto street. It was all due to the tragedy of human folly; Akira only became a bodyguard so that Tomoe could look at him as a hero. Instead, she ended up seeing him deceased.
Sumita
Sumita was another Shogun ninja out for Kenshin during the plot to kill him in the forest. Kenshin had already lost his hearing, and was forced to fight Sumita and Mumyouni. Although Sumita fought well with his axe, he was run thorugh the chest. He stumbed away, pulled another mine, and Kenshin lost his eyesight due to the flash.
YATSUME Mumoyouni
Tatsumi
Nakajo
Characters from the Rurouni Kenshin movie
Characters Kenshin and his friends meet in Yokohama in the movie.
TAKATSUKI Toki
TAKATSUKI Gentatsu
TAKIMI Shigure
Shigure led a rebel army made up of disgruntled samurai who fought on all sides during the Shogitai, Aizu, Hakodate and the Boshin wars. Shigure was from Aizu, and fought there, as the Oniwabanshū did, for the shogunate. During Bakumatsu, Shigure went around to the homes of the victims of these wars and gave them financial support. Shigure wanted to overthrow the Meiji government. He believed that the government was corrupt and did not distribute enough wealth among the population. In Tokyo, his band's first objective was to kill the British Guest of State during a parade to the embassy. Shigure was an idealistic and kind man, and a good orator as well as fighter. He is a master of the style Saiki Kanuma, a discipline most effective indoors, and in the dark.
TAMONO Eibin
A captain in the Japanese army, Tamono aspires to replace General Yamagata as the Lord of the Imperial army. He is a ruthless man who is not afraid to shed a lot of blood. Tamono believes that nobility in battle is unsuited to modern times. The captain collaborates with Kajiki to destroy Takimi's rebellion and disgrace Yamagata so he can gain the position of army commander. However, thanks to Kenshin, he was arrested.
Musashino
Musashino is a young skilled swordsman who is part of Takimi's rebel group. He becomes friends with Yahiko after learning that both their fathers died together at the Battle of the Keneiji Temple during the Boshin War. Musashino teaches Yahiko some of his budo before he was killed at the battle at the British Embassy in Tokyo.
KAJIKI Sadashiro
Leaders
People Kenshin knows in high places.
General Aritomo Yamagata, a former Choshu clansleader, is the commander-in-chief of the Japanese imperial army and the minister of war. Yamagata was a real person, and an important Meiji statesman; he was also the first Prime Minister under the Meiji constitution of 1889. With his modern army, he defeated the samurai uprising led by Saigo Takamori. He died in 1922. The general appears a few times in the series; the first was in episode three, when he sought Kenshin's skills in the new army. They also meet in the Samurai X movie during Shigure Takimi's uprising.
Okubo was one of the five Ishin Shishi - Men of Spirit. He outlived Katsura and Saigo Takamori. He was a leader of the Satsuma clan, who supported the restoration of imperial power. He was responsible for the suppression of the Satsuma rebellion in 1877, led by Okubo's college friend, Saigo Takamori. In Ruruouni Kenshin, Okubo appears to Kenshin for help in the Shishio crisis. In real life, Okubo was murdered by six discontented clansmen on his way to Tokyo on May 14, 1878. In the Kenshin series, it was Soujiro who murdered him; the clansmen merely took responsibility.
Detective Muraki
Superintendent Kawaji (KAWAJI Toshiyoshi)
Ambassador Elsten
Theme Songs
- Opening
- "Sobakasu" (Freckles) by Judy & Mary
- "½" by Kawamoto Makoto
- "Kimi ni Fureru Dake de" (Just Touched By You) by Curio
- Only Opening 1 is used in the Cartoon Network version.
- Ending
- "Tactics" by The Yellow Monkey
- "Namida wa Shitte iru" (Tears Know) by Suzukaze Mayo
- "Yoake Mae" (Heart of Sword) by T.M. Revolution
- "Fourth Avenue Cafe" by L'Arc~En~Ciel
- "It's Gonna Rain" by Bonnie Pink
- "1/3 no Junjō na Kanjō" (1/3 True Feelings) by Siam Shade
- "Dame!" (No!) by Izumi You
- Only Ending 3 is used in the Cartoon Network version but with the footage from "Sobakasu."
- Due to its popularity, ending #3 ("Heart of Sword") was used twice [It was used again before the "It's Gonna Rain" ending].
External Links
Let it Burn A site that has RK Character guide and character information.
The Ultimate RK FAQ A site that has a FAQ that tries to answer every question about Rurouni Kenshin that has ever been asked (anything from character ages, character translations, a list of OSTs, and whether or not nazis are in RK).