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Rurouni Kenshin |  |
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Rurouni Kenshin | |
140 years ago, near the end of the Edo dynasty, there was a samurai around Kyoto with the nickname of Hitokiri Bathow-sai. The Bathow-sai was the samurai who's courage brought Japan into a new dynasty, Meiji. He suddenly vanished at the end of the conflict. Nobody knew where he disappeared to. He is now know as the legendary warrior Bathow-sai.
Rurouni Kenshin (roughly translated as "Wandering Swordsman Kenshin") is the story of Himura Kenshin. While traveling in Tokyo, Kenshin is confronted by Kamiya Kaoru, the young master of Kamiya-Katsushin-Ryu (a form of Kendo I believe) who searching for a murdered who claims to be the Hitokiri Bathow-sai and user of Kamiya-Katsushin-Ryu. Seeing Kenshin sword, she believes he's the Bathow-sai (swords are illegal in Meijin era), but she quickly find out otherwise when she discovers that Kenshin sword is not a katana but actually a sakabatou (reversed blade) "incapable" of killing. Kenshin eventually protect her against the killer and is revealed as the real Hitokiri Bathow-sai who sworn ten years ago to use his sword only to protect innocent people as best as he can without ever killing someone. Kaoru offers Kenshin a home at the Kamiya dojo if he's willing to help restoring the pride of Kamiya-Katsushin-Ryu. They are later joined by Myojin Yahiko, the proud 10 year-old son of a samurai family, and the ex-gangster Sanza, a.k.a. Sagara Sanosuke. Together they deal with assassins, ninja groups, drug dealers, etc. while trying to protect those they care about. They eventually take off to Kyoto, where they most face the dangerous Shishio Makoto - an ex-hitokiri determined to rule Japan - and his elite mercenary group, the Juppon-Gatana.
Rurouni Kenshin is one of my favorites series for many reasons. First, it's really great artistically speaking. The characters are really drawn in a way I like, there's a good attention to details and the series is supported by a nice soundtrack. Everything moves fine even when the action gets fast paced.
What I also like about Rurouni Kenshin si that it's very original. There's a bundle of stories out there starring samurai, ninjas or martial artists, yet RK is original in it's own way. It's basically the story of a man who seek to get a peaceful life he'll likely never really get, while redeeming himself for is past crimes. The story line has action and intrigue and never really let you guess what's gonna happen next. Not to mention that all of RK characters are all very interesting and generally very complex. RK characters usually never are what they seems at first glance. And lets not forget that RK is a well balanced mix of action and comedy, with a slight touch of romance. It is also informative as it gives a (very rough) glance of Japan more then 100 years ago.
But the most appealing aspect of RK is very likely it's philosophy: a philosophy of life. RK is not a show about how people can the hero kill. Since Kenshin is a non-killing fighter, life means a great deal in this series. It is not never taken lightly and there is a strong belief that no matter what you've done in the past, it's still possible to start again and leave a worthy life. That's what Kenshin tries to apply by protecting Japan and especially those he loves. Because, as Kenshin himself learn in this great series, there is no greater power then the will to live.
Interesting Rurouni Kenshin pages I visited:
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Updated June 8th 1998
