Rurouni Kenshin is a manga series created by Nobuhiro Watsuki which ran for 28 volumes. A historical samurai action series aimed at older teens, it has elements that both boys and girls can enjoy. The relationship between main character Kenshin and Kaoru provide romantic comedy elements, mixing with intense sword battles and historical information.
Rurouni Kenshin - Legendary Swordsman, Vol. 1 Format: DVD | Unrated | Age Gp: Older Teens
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Rurouni Kenshin – the characters:
Kenshin Himura – a rurouni (wanderer) trying to atone for his sins as hitokiri (manslayer) during the Meiji Revolution. He wields a sakabato (reverse-bladed sword) in combat as he has vowed never to kill again.
Kaoru Kamiya – the young master and owner of the Kamiya Dojo, a kendo school that teaches swordmanship as a means of protecting rather than killing. She is in love with Kenshin and allows him and others to stay with her.
Yahiko Myojin – the son of a samurai who was forced to become a pickpocket after the deaths of his parents. Rescued by Kenshin, he becomes Kaoru’s student and frequently butts heads with her.
Sanosuke Sagara – a “fighter for hire” who comes to fight Kenshin but later becomes his ally. He has incredible strength, and enjoys fighting, gambling and mooching off other people.
Megumi Takani – a young doctor who had been forced to make opium for gangsters until she was rescued by Kenshin. She flirts with him constantly, much to the annoyance of Kaoru.
Aoshi Shinomori – the leader of Obiwabanshu, Aoshi is a skilled swordsman with a desire to be the strongest. This causes him to clash with Kenshin several times during the series.
Hajime Saito – a former member of the Shinsengumi who clashed with Kenshin during the Revolution and later becomes a police officer, often roping Kenshin into his plans. He’s based on a real-life historical figure of the same name.
The storyline:
Ten years after the Meiji Revolution, a wanderer named Kenshin Himura runs into Kaoru Kamiya, a young swordswoman whose family dojo is being ruined by someone claiming to be the “Battosai”, an infamous hitokiri, as well as a student of her family’s school. Kenshin later reveals himself to be the real Battosai when he foils the imposter’s plot to take over the Kamiya Dojo. Kaoru then convinces Kenshin to stay with her, often joining him as he battles local criminals and other skilled swordsmen, and gaining allies such as Yahiko, Sanosuke and Megumi.
Eventually, though, Kenshin’s past catches up with him and he must fight other swordsmen from the Revolution and others who want to disrupt the new peace. All the while, Kenshin is tested as he also must fight himself from falling back into his former hitokiri self.
Rurouni Kenshin is an enjoyable series that is definitely for those who enjoy historical samurai action mixed with cute romantic comedy... all adding another dimension to a buzzing kids world.
Note: According to www.about.com, Jump Square Magazine in Japan is reporting (4-18-11) that a new version of the beloved anime Rurouni Kenshin is in the works.
