Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan

Rurouni Kenshin is undoubtedly one of the best things I've ever laid hands upon. I have severe ADHD making my attention spam absolute crap; it took me a month to finish a 2-hour long movie (I kept watching it in fragments) and it took me 3 years to finish an anime with 10 episodes (no exaggeration), so I struggle profoundly with finishing series but I do finish them eventually.

Rurouni Kenshin is a different case, I straight up nailed this son of a gun in 10 days flat cause damn, it was a good read. I've never once in my life thought that still pictures with dialogue smacked on to it would have adrenaline coursing through my veins. It's not like some of the others where the beginning trudges along and the series holds your hand, guiding you through it's plot. Oh no siree, this bad boy hits you with a BANG and has plot twists literally in the first few chapters. And boy oh boy does it just keep ESCALATING. You thought the Jinchu Arc was good? Pfft, it's a joke compared to the second one. Oh, so you've read the Kyoto Arc and think it can't get better than this? THINK AGAIN, because the Tokyo Arc just hit you and sent you out of Earth's orbit to become one with the sun. It's very hard for me to choose which arc is the best because holy shite ALL of the fights are brilliant and hardcore.

Every aspect of the manga is very well handled and the character development is stunning. Everyone develops throughout the series, but you barely notice because you grow alongside them; making the changes come naturally, you truly notice the transformations when you ponder over them or go back to the beginning when you've reached the end. One of the notable character developments is in Kaoru Kamiya, her development is SUPREME and makes me feel like a proud parent (even though I had nothing to do with it). One of the "subtle" character developments is in Yahiko Myojin, who by most, gets written off as a 9-year-old brat, but you see, that's the POINT. His character gradually develops from a brat to a young admirable, formidable warrior. But most people disregard him because they don't take the time to observe his character and how he's grown.

If you're debating whether to read or watch the series, I highly recommend reading it than watching it, and this is coming from a person who prefers to watch their content.

Now, I (unfortunately, shamefully, regretfully) watched the anime first and no doubt, quickly lost interest. You see, the anime doesn't exactly follow the manga in the beginning, but it did almost fully start following it in the Kyoto Arc and then it was GREAT. I couldn't stop watching, the curiosity and anticipation of what would happen next kept me on my toes. And then after the anime was done with this second arc, everything started going downhill. All the remaining episodes in the series were plain fillers that barely kept my interest; making it a show I put on in the background instead of fully paying attention to.

Personally speaking, the show doesn't handle the relationship between the hero and heroine well and I'll tell you why. I didn't even know that the characters had a chance of being in a relationship until a moment in the series happened. In the manga, the pairing is handled much more smoothly and you can easily see a potential relationship.

The art in the manga is great and I loved the format. I didn't mind that the writer of the series wanted to lessen his line work when he drew the series but I wished he didn't start doing it towards the end because I'm so used to seeing the characters in the one art form that it just completely hijacked me when the writer started drawing the characters in a format that I'm not used to. I really don't care when art styles change as long it's not in the same series. Art styles of a manga drawer can always develop, and it's usually for the better, but since the writer of the series started off using a lot of details in his characters, it sort-of "downgraded" the artwork when he started using less lines. It doesn't mean the artwork is bad, it just looks a bit "inferior" compared to the bit more complex artwork.

This is just an amazing historical-fiction based samurai manga and I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone looking for some good, pristine content. Rurouni Kenshin is to this date, the only series I've had a hard time parting with when I finished reading the manga. I've bought the books just because the series has become so dear to me that I wanted to have my own hand-held copies.

*This was a long arse review, so sorry for any crappy grammar.

From a series similar to Inuyasha, I grew very quite fond with this series. Not only it took place in feudal Japan, it also took up great shape with the genre. Not too much romance, but action and humor will come out to play. All the characters hold their own personality and each has an important place in the story.
Rurouni Kenshin is not the type to bore your mind, it will want you to keep reading more and more after every chapter. All the action and excitement will keep you wondering what will happen next.
The plot of the story is somewhat similar to Inuyasha's plot (like I said before); losing their beloved and finding new love, new friends and fighting, lots and lots of fighting. The storyline has a strong hold. It never wears out and never will be forgotten.
I wasn't too surprised on the art. I can't blame for the old technique of drawing, it is a series from the early 90's, but the art still deserves a high score. Everything was well drawn and it detail was also good.
I really did enjoy reading this series. No complaints about anything.
Overall, it ends up with a 10. It's outstanding storyline, the personalities of the characters etc... all blew me away.
This is a great example of great manga.

My absolute favorite manga so far! And it was the 2nd manga I ever read. It didn't take me more than about 1 and a half year to collect all 28 books.

- The story is outstanding! I really love it. And thus I rated it 10.
- Watsuki's drawings are among the best, and it changes from very detailed in the beginning, and ends up quite plain in the end. However, it is still the same characters and they never changed because of his style. Even if it ended up more simple than it used to be, it still looks very beautiful! I rate his art 9.
- The characters are amazing, but mostly the main characters. They all have different background stories and special skills which makes them unique. However, some of the villains look a bit to monster, or inhuman which may appear a bit odd in a meiji tale. I rate the characters 9.
- I really enjoyed reading Ruroken, and I can say with all my heart that it deserves the title as one of the most loved manga ever. There are no loose threads as far as I know. I rate enjoyment 10.

In the end, the whole manga deserves a 10. I have recommended the manga to several people, and they have all enjoyed it, thought it was cool awesome or amazing! Don't hesitate reading Rurouni Kenshin, it is worth reading.

Rurouni Kenshin is a well-paced, high quality shounen series with a plethora of interesting themes and organically developed characters that stands among the best of its demographic.

The story of Rurouni Kenshin, set in Japan at the beginning of the Meiji period towards that end of the 1800s, begins following a rurouni named Kenshin and his time at the dojo of Kaoru, a female instructor whom he assisted. Initially, the story is engaging but episodic, with the focus being on the slowly expanding cast and their small-scale battles against individual threats to their safety. Though the more relaxed first quarter of the story doesn’t quite have the impact of what follows it, it does a great job at establishing the characters and even providing some development for them. One of the strengths of this section is how historically astute it is, as it references some very relevant conflicts and struggles, such as racism towards Europeans and the use of opium. This gives this first section, and to an extent the whole series, a more grounded and realistic vibe compared to most other action shounen, which typically try to serve as action blockbusters. When Kenshin and friends head to Kyoto, however, things become much more intense. During this time, the plot becomes more focussed and layered, the cast further expands to encapsulate dozens of relevant players and the scope expands greatly. The conflict between Kenshin and the government with Makoto Shishio and his revolution is the most action-packed part of the manga series, though thankfully it retains the charm that made the first segment so endearing.

The last third of the series doesn’t feel quite as well-realised as the first two parts, with some unusual pacing and a conspicuous lack of tension despite the stakes and emotionally intensity being at an all-time high. Kenshin’s backstory and development in this half is what solidified him as a favourite character of mine, but for many of the side characters, barring Kaoru, their developments seems slightly redundant given everything they went through in the Kyoto arc. Ultimately, with a great backstory for Kenshin (which was adapted into the universally acclaimed “Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal”) and a story final boss figure, the finale does manage to stand alongside its predecessors, though it lacks their consistency. Overall, in spite of its rather intimidating length, Rurouni Kenshin is one of the easiest manga series to read, rarely feeling boring and often proving that shounen series can be more than just fan service, explosions and childish philosophy.

The characters, even more so than the story, are where Rurouni Kenshin shines. Kenshin himself is by far and away the best character in the story, having won every single popularity contest within the manga and complimenting, rather than overshadowing, the rest of the cast excellently. He’s a kind and fair person who has strong moral obligations, but he never comes across as annoying, naïve or obnoxious, which is very uncommon in a shounen protagonist. His backstory and time spent as Himura Battousai are very intriguing, but he is neither a character completely defined by his past or separated from it; his character at the beginning of the series feels natural and relatable, as opposed to going for the lazier and more deterministic “I’m angry because my childhood sucked!” His struggle with self-acceptance, moral incapability to kill and desire to protect his new found family really sell the less consistent third of the story, and permeate throughout its entirety. On top of that, he’s multifaceted without being inconsistent, and can believably switch between being funny and serious in the space of a few seconds. The other main characters include Kaoru, a relatively fine character who doesn’t do much in the way of action, serving mainly as foil for Kenshin, Sanosuke, a delinquent who becomes more mature and willing to make sacrifices as the story goes along, and Yahiko, a brat who becomes a fine warrior, though physiologically really shouldn’t be anywhere near the battle. Sanosuke and Yahiko receive abundant development in the second third of the story, but are relatively likeable throughout and have good chemistry with the other characters, while Kaoru goes through the most in the final few chapters, reaching a satisfying conclusion with her character arc.

For the most part, the various supporting characters are interesting, varying significantly in their input to the story. Saito is a stone cold professional with a peculiar interest in Kenshin, and serves as great foil for him, and is an engaging recurring character that never ceases to be entertaining. Aoshi is another reoccurring character, but as he doesn’t quite have Saito’s flare, serving mainly as a walking sword after his emotional resolution in the Kyoto section. Megumi is strong and likeable, and gives some very wise and thoughtful advice, grounding the series very effectively and serving as a reminder that these characters are human and fragile. The villains towards the beginning are fairly generic, but Shishio and Enishi are anything but. Shishio is very much a megalomaniac, a psychopathic, power-hungry and fierce, having no ethics or people he isn’t prepared to sacrifice whatsoever. Serving as the only true “super villain” in Rurouni Kenshin, this scenery gobbler and his army are intimidating and add a layer of urgency that wasn’t present in the earlier sections. He doesn’t have much development, having been shown in a flashback to have always been the way he is, but with such charisma and energy it isn’t needed. Enishi is a much more misguided character, someone who is not kind by any definition, but doesn’t quite have Shishio’s hellfire attitude or complexion. He serves as a good final boss for Kenshin, though doesn’t quite reach the heights of Shishio. On the whole Rurouni Kenshin’s cast of characters is strong, with no dreaful characters and many great ones.

The art for Rurouni Kenshin isn’t quite as polished as other shounens, but has a strong Eastern flavour and character designs that makes this entirely forgivable. The characters eyes are more Shoujo than shounen in the earlier parts, though this does fit with the more laid back tone of the beginning. The backgrounds are rather plain, though detailed when necessary and very true to Japanese culture. The designs of the swords are a stand out, and the curvature, length and weight of them are all addressed and presented with consistency, giving each of the main characters’ swords a sense of identity. The outfits for the characters are also quit detailed and characteristic, from Kenshin’s teacher’s ridiculously long collar to Megumi traditional attire, the formality or militaristic qualities of the characters are well reflected in their clothes. The actions scenes are also quite strong, with each blow having a sense of weight and direction to it that never leaves the audience confused as to what is going on. The subtle facing expressions are another quality worth noting, as they capture complex emotions in a way that few manga series are able to do effectively, making the characters truly shine.

On the whole, Rurouni Kenshin is a narrative and artistic success that exceeds the quality to most shounens that followed it. Kenshin and the other characters serve their purpose well, even if some development feels repetitive, and the story is deliberately paced, rarely feeling rushed or drawn out. Rurouni Kenshin is a should-read manga that stands high among shounen titles.

Amazing. amazing, AMAZING!!! This manga was absolutely fantastic- from the deep rooted history of feudal Japan, to the spectacular swordsmenship. This story (for those who don't know, where the hell have you been?) follows the life of a rurouni (wanderer), Kenshin Himura, and tells of the epic battles, forgotten romance, and struggling times of Japan during the 1800's. This manga is for him and her- while it is mostly action, there are plenty of romance scenes to make both happy. My only criticism is that I wish the final few chapters (with Enishi) were done better, almost seems like it was an after thought- like Majin Buu in Dragon Ball Z (ugh!). This manga has also a modest re-readable value. So if you are looking for an excellent story with drama, history, and lots and lots of sword slices then you will have a field day with Rurouni Kenshin!

Manga in Japan not only performs the function of entertainment, rather, it is not so much as function, call it so, upbringing and education. And Kenshin — it is not fighting and screaming, it's not rubilovka and ninjas, it's not Japanese swords and other branchy cranberry, and a very serious story about a human duty and destiny, sin and redemption. And inscribed (and very carefully!) In the historical reality of post-revolutionary Japan. Author manga, Watsuki Nobuhiro, has built into its story many real people, known in Japan about the same as ours — those who overthrew the monarchy in the 17th year. And in a sense, this was intended to arouse interest in its own history and the people who made the first step of the country to prosperity. And the hero of this manga — Kenshin — not drunk with the blood of the samurai, but just the opposite — the man who gave his youth to those who believed the fighters for a just cause, then making sure that his pure intentions — to help and protect the weak — turned into what he was weapon in the hands of those in power. Became hitokiri. Saw the light, the person gives an oath never to kill, and to atone for the affairs of life taken away. And to wander off, forbidding yourself to have a house, family, friends, barring a happy and loving. But the fate of experiencing (or reward it), giving it what he did not even dare to dream. And after sending a test that — who knows — he may not survive. Life or principle? Humanism, or self-preservation? Is it possible to survive and stay with a man?
And it is this manga. As a person looking for the answer — you can if you want to live after the offense? Does it have a right to happiness? For good reason in the manga he does not just completely «broke» him, he even speaks of himself in third person, without using «I'm proud» — or rather, taking advantage of, but very rarely, when it is absolutely unbearable.

I love this manga/anime, because unlike many stories like this, the main character is a total enigma when the story starts and we have to wait for the layers of the mystery to be pealed back before we can fully know him.

What I also love is that Rurouni Kenshin has a bit of everything in it: action, comedy, drama, romance and tragedy. All of these things fit seamlessly together to create a deep and very satisfying story.

The characters themselves are all well developed, even those who don't play a large part. Nobody feels one dimensional in this. These all seem like people that you might be able to run into in real life.

The artwork is gorgeous with beautiful and fluid action scenes and gorgeous guys to titillate the senses.

Also, the historical setting is a treat for history buffs and nipponophiles.