Wikipedia

Rurouni Kenshin

"Rurouni" redirects here. For the related word for "wandering samurai", seeRōnin.

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story(Japanese:るろうに kiếm tâm - minh trị kiếm khách lãng mạn đàm -,Hepburn:Rurōni Kenshin -Meiji Kenkaku Roman Tan-)[a]is a Japanesemangaseries written and illustrated byNobuhiro Watsuki.The story begins in 1878, the 11th year of theMeiji erain Japan, and follows a former assassin of theBakumatsu,known as Hitokiri Battosai. After his work against thebakufu,he becomesHimura Kenshin,a wandering swordsman who protects the people of Japan with a vow never to take another life. Watsuki wrote the series based on his desire to make ashōnenmangaseries different from others published at the time, with Kenshin being a former assassin and the story taking a more serious tone as it progressed.

Rurouni Kenshin
28thtankōbonvolume cover, featuringHimura Kenshin(front) andKamiya Kaoru(back)
るろうに kiếm tâm - minh trị kiếm khách lãng mạn đàm -
(Rurōni Kenshin -Meiji Kenkaku Roman Tan-)
Genre
Manga
Written byNobuhiro Watsuki
Published byShueisha
English publisher
ImprintJump Comics
MagazineWeekly Shōnen Jump
DemographicShōnen
Original runApril 12, 1994–September 21, 1999
Volumes28(List of volumes)
Manga
Anime series
Anime film /Original video animations
Live-action films
iconAnime and manga portal

Rurouni Kenshinwas serialized inShueisha'sshōnenmanga magazineWeekly Shōnen Jumpfrom April 1994 to September 1999. Its chapters were collected in 28tankōbonvolumes; it was later republished in a 22-volumekanzenbanedition and a 14-volumebunkobanedition. The manga was adapted into ananimetelevision series,produced bySPE Visual Worksand animated byStudio Gallopand later byStudio Deen,aired from January 1996 to September 1998. In addition to an animated feature film,Rurouni Kenshin: The Motion Picture,two series oforiginal video animations(OVAs) were also produced;Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal,which adapted stories from the manga that were not featured in the anime, andRurouni Kenshin: Reflection,a sequel to the manga. In 2017, Watsuki began publishing a direct sequel,Rurouni Kenshin: The Hokkaido Arc,inJump Square.Asecond anime television series adaptationbyLiden Filmspremiered in July 2023. In addition, other media based on the franchise has been produced, including a series of fivelive-actiontheatrical film adaptations, beginning withRurouni Kenshinin 2012 and ending withRurouni Kenshin: The Beginningin 2021, and video games for thePlayStation,PlayStation 2,andPlayStation Portable.Several art and guidebooks have been published, and writer Kaoru Shizuka has written three officiallight novels,which were published by Shueisha.

The manga, as well as the first light novel and guidebook, have been published in North America byViz Media.TheRurouni Kenshinmanga had over 72 million copies in circulation by 2019, making it one of thebest-selling manga seriesof all time. The series has received praise from various publications for manga, anime, and other media, particularly for the characters' designs and historical setting.

Plot

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See also:List ofRurouni Kenshincharacters

The series takes place in 1878, eleven years after the beginning of theMeiji era.After participating in theBoshin Waras the assassinHitokiriBattōsai,Himura Kenshinwanders the countryside of Japan, offering protection and aid to those in need as atonement for the murders he once committed. Having vowed to never kill again, he now wields a reverse-bladedkatana.Upon arriving inTokyo,he meets a young woman namedKamiya Kaoru,who is fighting a murderer who claims to be theHitokiri Battōsaiand is tarnishing the name of the swordsmanship school that she teaches. Kenshin decides to help her and defeats the fakeBattōsai.After discovering that Kenshin is the trueHitokiri Battōsai,Kaoru offers him a place to stay at herdojo,noting that he is peace-loving and not cold-hearted, as his reputation had implied. Kenshin accepts and begins to form lifelong relationships with others, includingSagara Sanosuke,a former member of theSekihō Army;Myōjin Yahiko,an orphan from a samurai family who also lives with Kaoru as her student; and doctorTakani Megumi,who has become involved in theopiumtrade. However, he also deals with old and new enemies, including the former leader of theOniwabanshū,Shinomori Aoshi.

After several months living in the dojo, Kenshin facesSaitō Hajime,a rival from Bakumatsu who is now a police officer. This challenge turns out to be a test to face his successor,Shishio Makoto,who plans to conquer Japan by destroying the Meiji Government, starting withKyoto.Feeling that Shishio's faction may attack his friends, Kenshin meets Shishio alone to defeat him. However, many of his friends, including a young Oniwabanshū namedMakimachi Misao,whom he meets during his travels, decide to help him in his fight. After his first meeting with him, Kenshin realizes that he must become stronger to defeat Shishio without becoming the cold assassin he was in the past and returns to the man who taught himkenjutsu,Hiko Seijūrō,to learn the school's final technique. Finally accepting the help of his friends, he defeats Shishio, who dies after exceeding the limits of his abnormal body condition, after which a reformed Shinomori stays in Kyoto with the surviving Oniwabanshū.

When Kenshin and his friends return to Tokyo, he findsYukishiro Enishi,who plans to take revenge. At this point, it is revealed that, during the Bakumatsu, Kenshin was to be married toYukishiro Tomoe,who sought to avenge the death of her first fiancé, whom he had assassinated, but instead they fell in love and he proposed to her. Because she was related to the Edo guards who sought to kill Kenshin, they realized her deception and captured her to use as bait. In the final fight against the group's leader, Kenshin accidentally killed Tomoe after she took a blow meant for him. Seeking revenge for the death of his sister, Enishi kidnaps Kaoru and Kenshin and his friends set out to rescue her. A final battle between Kenshin and Enishi ensues, with Kenshin emerging victorious. Misao brings Tomoe's diary to Enishi, who keeps it in a village to hide along with his missing father.

Four years later, Kenshin has married Kaoru and has a son namedHimura Kenji.Now at peace with himself, Kenshin gives his reverse-blade sword to Yahiko as aceremonial gift.

Production

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One-shots

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A prototype series titledRurouni: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Storyappeared as a pair of separate short stories published in 1992 and 1993.[3][4]The first story, published in December 1992 in theWeekly Shōnen Jump Winter Specialissue of 1993, featured an earlier version of Kenshin stopping a crime lord from taking over the Kamiya family dojo. Watsuki described the firstRurounistory, echoing the "Megumi Arc," as a "pilot" forRurouni Kenshin.According to Watsuki, the finalRurouni Kenshinseries was not composed entirely of his free will. Describing the creation of historical stories as "hard," Watsuki initially wanted to make his next series in a contemporary setting. An editor approached Watsuki and asked him to make a new historical story. With the historical concept, Watsuki intended to use theBakumatsuperiod fromMoeyo Ken(Burn, O Sword) with a story akin toSanshiro Sugata.Watsuki experimented with various titles, includingNishin(Two-Hearts)Kenshin,Yorozuya(Jack-of-All-Trades)Kenshin,and variations of "Rurouni" and "Kenshin" with different kanji in that order.[3]

The secondRurounistory, published in April 1993 in theWeekly Shōnen Jump21–22 double issue of that year, featured Kenshin helping a wealthy girl named Raikōji Chizuru. Watsuki recalled experiencing difficulty when condensing "everything" into 31 pages for that story. He said that he "put all [his] soul into it," but sighs when looking at it from his perspective after the publication of the firstRurouni Kenshinvolume. Watsuki said that the secondRurouni: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Storyreceived mediocre reviews and about 200 letters.[4]He referred to it as a "side story."[3]

The design model for Hiko Seijuro, Kenshin's master, inRurouni Kenshinis the character of the same name from his one-shot manga "Crescent Moon of the Warring States," but Watsuki also added some influences from Hiken Majin Hajerun inTakeshi Obata'sArabian Lamp-Lamp.At the time, Watsuki said that he was fascinated by images of "manliness" and that Hiko was one of the first characters to reflect this fascination.[5]Since Watsuki's debut work contained a tall, black-haired man in "showy" armor, he wanted to make a character "completely opposite" to the debut character; the new character ended up "coming out like a girl". According to Watsuki, he used "no real motif" when creating Kenshin and placed a cross-shaped scar on his face "not knowing what else to do". Like several characters, Kenshin was influenced by the Shinsengumi, with Kenshin being affected byOkita SōjiandSaitō Hajimein order to give him an air of mystery.[6]

Publication and influences

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The final scene of the Kyoto arc was influenced by the animated adaptation due to its focus on the wanderer Kenshin being accepted into Kaoru's dojo.

Ever since writing his first storyboards for the manga, Watsuki did sketches of Kenshin's appearance and noticed that he looked likeKuramafromYoshihiro Togashi's mangaYuYu Hakusho.Watsuki considered himself younger back and that he preferred always drawing goodlooking men in contrast to Hiko Seijuro from a previous one-shot. When competing with these series, Watsuki feltRurouni Kenshincompeted more withYuYu Hakushothat focused more on drama rather than action likeDragon Ball.In contrast to theYuYu Hakushoyoung leadYusuke Urameshi,Kenshin was written as an adult with a dark past based on the Edo period in order to make the series stand out. Nevertheless, the manga managed to compete well against otherWeekly Shōnen Jumpmanga from the 1990s includingSlam Dunk,Dragon BallandYuYu Hakusho.Kenshin's age was also a departure from common archetypes in manga as the themes and lore in the story made him an adult in contrast to other young protagonist besidesCity Hunter.Nevertheless, he was careful with how writing these characters as they get old.[7]During his childhood, Watsuki used to practice kendo, which influenced the making of the series. Although Watsuki developed various one-shots before the official serialization of the series, while naming the characters, he based some of their names on places he used to live, such as Makimachi Misaos's "Makimachi" and Sanjō Tsubame, who are named after places in Niigata.[8]

Since the manga started, an editor from Shueisha suggested Watsuki to check theSamurai Shodownfighting gameswhich helped as a form influence for his characters. However, he tried writing a realistic series and avoid supernatural powers regardless of the young demography with few exceptions being Yukishiro Enishi's ability to perform double jumps to counterattack Kenshin's aerial style. When thinking about the ending, Watsuki always thought that a mass murderer should die even if he is on a self antonment journey, seeingAshita no Joeas a famous example of a hero's death.[9][10]When the manga series started to be published inWeekly Shōnen Jump,Watsuki had little hope in the development of the series. He planned to finish the story in approximately 30 chapters, ending with Kenshin's departure from Tokyo similarly to the one from volume 7. Kenshin's enemies would have been people from Kyoto who would send an assassin to kill Kenshin. When the Oniwabanshū were introduced during the serialization, Watsuki noted that the series could be longer as he had created various main characters. At that time, there was a survey, and the series had become very popular.[11]

For its seventh volume, Watsuki's boss suggested to him that it was time to make a longer story arc, which resulted in the creation of the fights between Kenshin and Shishio Makoto. The arc was only meant to be serialized for one year, but it ended up being one year and a half long. This arc was also done to develop Kenshin's character, as he considered him not to have a weak point. Watsuki commented that his artistic skills were honed with this arc, as he could draw everything he wanted to. The last arc from the manga was meant to be much shorter, but it turned out to be a fairly long one as he could not present it simplistically. Watsuki originally made this arc prior to the series' start, having already thought about how Kenshin's scar would have been made.[11]Because of the dark style of the Kyoto arc, Watsuki created the comical Mikimachi Misao in order to contrast Kenshin's serious side.[12]

Being fascinated by theShinsengumi,Watsuki designed the characters by basing their characteristics on those of the real Shinsengumi members and also using fictional representations of them and other historical characters from the Bakumatsu period of Japan.[13][14]The historical characters were considered a hard task by Watsuki. Due to problems with the characterization ofSagara Sōzō,Watsuki decided to illustrateSaitō Hajimein his own style, avoiding the historical figure. He felt very good about Saitō's character, having noted that he fit very well in the manga.[11]However, Watsuki mentioned that many Japanese fans of the Shinsengumi complained about the personality of Saitō, as he was made sadistic.[13]Additionally, the final shot of Kenshin returning to Kaoru's dojo was inspired by the final shot of theRurouni Kenshinanime's first opening theme, "Sobakasu", byJudy and Mary.[15]

In the final arc of the manga, Watsuki wanted to make the five comrades in this storyline as "scum-like" as possible. But because he created villains with no ideals or beliefs, it was difficult to portray them as an enjoyable read.[16]The story took on a darker tone as most of the characters believed Kaoru was killed byYukishiro Enishi,which made Kenshin question his own way of living and escape to a village of wanderers. Watsuki did not enjoy the angst in Kenshin, so his friendMyōjin Yahikotook over as the series' protagonist until Kenshin recovered.[11]Even though the plot for the "remembrance episodes" of Kenshin's past was already set before serialization started, which was three and a half years before her debut, Watsuki was filled with regrets about how he portrayed Yukishiro Tomoe for unspecified reasons.[17]The final villains, the Sū-shin, had no personality models and were created simply to "fill out the numbers". As the story advanced towards Kenshin's final battle, Watsuki realized that the other characters would have no "glamour" and created the Sū-shin on the spot.[18]

Ending

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Watsuki also had ideas to create a "Hokkaido episode, a sequel," but wanted to start a new manga, so he endedRurouni Kenshinwith the last arc he made.[19]Due to the dark nature of Kenshin's life, Watsuki ended the manga in the Jinchu arc, afraid that if he continued writing, the series would not fit theshōnenmanga demography.[20]In 2012, Watsuki revealed that when he clashed with the editorial staff at the end of the series, his editor, Hisashi Sasaki, understood his intentions, saw that he was at his physical limit, and backed him up. He said it was out of respect and appreciation for the readers that he ended the popular series while it was still popular.[21]Nevertheless, Watsuki was happy with how he endedRurouni Kenshin.He felt it was a good place to end the narrative. In contrast, most series keep being pushed and pushed until they lose popularity and are cancelled. Watsuki was gladRurouni Kenshindid not end like this.[22]

For the series' ending, Watsuki conceived new designs with the potential for a sequel in the future. Initially, Watsuki had planned to make Kenshin's hair shorter before the end; however, he found this to be similar to the characterMultiinTo Heart.Additionally, Himura Kenji was introduced in the finale as the son of Kenshin and Kaoru; even though the character was "cliché",Watsuki felt that Kenji had to appear.[23]An elder Sanosuke was drafted by Watsuki to appear in the manga's finale, but this idea was scrapped. In the manga's final story arc, the design was used for Sanosuke's father, Higashidani Kamishimoemon.[24]The author added that he felt attachment towards Enishi and that he would someday like to use Enishi in a future work.[25]

Another idea explored for a sequel was the handling of Yahiko as a teenager. Watsuki had redesigned his appearance. He wanted Yahiko to impress manga readers so that he could be the protagonist of a possible series sequel. He said this goal influenced his design of Yahiko with Kenshin's physical appearance as well as Sanosuke's personality. He added Sanosuke'skanjifor "evil"(Ác,aku)to the back of his clothes and was pleased that various readers recognized it. Although he suggested he was not going to make a sequel, he said the main characters would be Yahiko,Sanjō Tsubame,andTsukayama Yutarō.Watsuki thought about writing a story in which Yahiko and Tsubame would have a son, Myōjin Shin'ya, who would become a skilled swordsman.[26]

Themes

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The series' main theme is responsibility, as seen through Kenshin's actions, as he wants to atone for all the people he killed during the Bakumatsu by aiding innocent people by wielding a non-lethal sword.[27]Marco Olivier from theNelson Mandela Metropolitan Universitysaid that the sakabatō symbolizes Kenshin's oath not to kill again, which has been found challenging by other warriors appearing in the series.[28]This theme also encourages former drug dealer Takani Megumi to become a doctor upon learning of Kenshin's past and actions. Another theme is power, which is mostly seen by Sagara Sanosuke and Myojin Yahiko. However, like Megumi, these two characters are also influenced by the main character, as they wish to become stronger to assist Kenshin across the plot. Additionally, the series discourages revenge, as seen in the final arc when Yukishiro Enishi believes he succeeded in getting his revenge on Kenshin but starts having hallucinations of his late sister with a sad expression on her face.[27]As an "outlet" for Watsuki's kendo emotions, Yahiko "knows a pain that hero-types like Himura Kenshin and Sagara Sanosuke can never know".[29]As a result, Yahiko was made a stronger character little by little to relate to the demography. eventually giving him a stronger characterization during the Kyoto arc, which surprised his readers.[30]

When questioned about the series' theme being Kenshin's self-redemption, Watsuki mentioned that when he was young, he used to readshōjomangaand that it influenced his writing ofRurouni Kenshin.He added that he wanted to make the story different from other comics as he considers the main character, Kenshin, neither a good nor evil character. Since volume 7, Watsuki mentioned the series took on a more adult tone due to the various conflicts in the story, but commented it was influenced by theshōjomanga he read. Through the series' development, Watsuki was deciding ifKamiya Kaoru's character was going to die before the end. However, he later decided to keep Kaoru alive as he came to the conclusion that he wanted a happy ending and that the manga was aimed at young readers.[11]InThe Oxford Handbook of American Folklore and Folklife Studies,Kenshin is regarded as a "far cry" from American superheroes due to his androgynous look and self-deprecating personality. However, the character is said to be relatable to the Eastern audience through Kenshin's quest for redemption, which is called the main theme of the manga. The manga is further noted to have a balance between individualism and community.[31]

Watsuki said he was an "infatuated" type of person rather than a "passionate" kind of person; therefore,Rurouni Kenshinis a "Meiji Swordsman Story" as opposed to a "Meiji Love Story".[32]According to the bookBringing Forth a World: Engaged Pedagogy in the Japanese University,the manga reflects the confusion of Japanese society after the big economy disenchantment in the early 1990s. It confronts visualizations of Japanese education in a manner that contrasts school books, especially because of the series' young demography.[33]Since the manga focuses on realism but is aimed at young readers, the series is notable for changing the portrayals of samurais in order to create a more optimistic take in comparison to real-life events. The unique take on Kenshin's handling gave the manga the concept of "neo shonen" due to how different it was from previousWeekly Shonen Jumpseries.[34]

Media

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Manga

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Main article:List ofRurouni Kenshinchapters

Written and illustrated byNobuhiro Watsuki,Rurouni Kenshinwas serialized inShueisha'sshōnenmangamagazineWeekly Shōnen Jumpfrom April 12, 1994,[b]to September 21, 1999.[c]The 255 individual chapters were collected and published in 28tankōbonvolumes byShueisha,with the first volume released on September 9, 1994, and the last on November 4, 1999.[41][42]They re-released the series in a 22-volumekanzenbanedition between July 4, 2006, and May 2, 2007.[43][44]Shueisha published a 14-volumebunkobanedition between January 18 and July 18, 2012.[45][46]A single-chapter follow-up to the series that follows the character ofYahiko Myōjin,"Yahiko no Sakabato"(Di ngạn の nghịch nhận đao,"Yahiko's Sakabatō" ),was originally published inWeekly Shōnen Jumpin 2000 after the conclusion of the series. Left out of the original volumes, it was added as an extra to the finalkanzenbanrelease.[44]

In December 2011, Shueisha announced Watsuki would be putting his series,Embalming -The Another Tale of Frankenstein-,on hold to begin a "reboot" ofRurouni Kenshin,calledRurouni Kenshin: Restoration,as a tie-in to thelive-actionfilm. The series began in the June 2012 issue ofJump Square,which was released on May 2, 2012,[47]and ended in the July 2013 issue on June 4, 2013.[48]The reboot depicts the battles that were featured in the first live-action film. Another special, "Act Zero", was published inWeekly Shōnen Jumpin August 2012 as a prologue toRestorationand included in its first volume.[49]In 2014, Watsuki wrote a two-chapterspin-offtitledRurouni Kenshin: Master of FlameforJump SQ.,which tells how Shishio met Yumi and formed the Juppongatana.[50][51][52]

Watsuki and his wife, Kaworu Kurosaki, collaborated on a two-chapter spin-off titledRurouni Kenshin Side Story: The Ex-Con Ashitarofor the ninth anniversary ofJump SQ.in 2016.[53]It acts as a prologue toRurouni Kenshin: The Hokkaido Arc,which began in September 2017 as a sequel to the original manga series. In 2021, Watsuki created the manga "Sakabatō Shogeki"(Nghịch nhận đao sơ kích,"Reverse-Blade Katana: First Bout" )that was exclusively shown at an exhibition celebrating the 25th anniversary ofRurouni Kenshin.It serves as an epilogue to chapter 81 of the original manga and shows the first time Kenshin used his sakabatō.[54]The chapter was later adapted into the episode 34 of the 2023Rurouni Kenshinanime series, "Sakabato First Attack".[55]

Rurouni Kenshinwas licensed for an English-language release in North America byViz Media.The first volume of the series was released on October 7, 2003.[56]Although the first volumes were published on an irregular basis, since volume 7, Viz has established a monthly basis due to good sales and consumer demands.[57]Therefore, the following volumes were published until July 5, 2006, when the final volume was released.[58]"Yahiko no Sakabatō" was also published in English inShonen Jumpon August 1, 2006.[59]Between January 29, 2008, and March 16, 2010, Viz re-released the manga in a nine-volume omnibus format called "Viz Big Edition", which collects three volumes in one.[60][61]The ninth and final volume includes "Yahiko no Sakabato" and "Cherry Blossoms in Spring".[61]They released a similar "3-in-1 Edition" across nine volumes between January 3, 2017, and January 1, 2019.[62][63]Viz uses the actual ordering ofJapanese names,with the family name or surname before the given name, within the series to reduce confusion and becauseRurouni Kenshinis a historical series.[64]

Anime series

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Main articles:Rurouni Kenshin(1996 TV series)andRurouni Kenshin(2023 TV series)

Ananime television seriesadaptation ofRurouni Kenshin,produced bySPE Visual WorksandFuji TV,animated byStudio Gallop(episodes 1–66) andStudio Deen(episodes 67–95),[65][66][67]and directed byKazuhiro Furuhashi,was broadcast on Fuji TV from January 1996 to September 1998.[68]

Asecond anime television seriesadaptation byLiden Filmswas announced atJump Festa '22in December 2021.[69]The series' first season was broadcast from July to December 2023 on Fuji TV'sNoitaminaprogramming block.[70][71]A second season, subtitledKyoto Disturbance,premiered in October 2024.[72]

Animated film

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Main article:Rurouni Kenshin: The Motion Picture

An anime film with an original story, titledRurouni Kenshin: The Motion Picture(るろうに kiếm tâm - minh trị kiếm khách lãng mạn đàm - duy tân chí sĩ への trấn hồn ca,Rurouni Kenshin: Ishin Shishi e no Chinkonka,lit.Rurouni Kenshin: Requiem for Isshin Patriots),also known asRurouni Kenshin: Requiem for Patriots,originally released in North America asSamurai X: The Motion Picture,premiered in December 1997.[73]

Original video animations

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Main articles:Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal,Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection,andRurouni Kenshin: New Kyoto Arc

A 4-episodeoriginal video animation(OVA), titledRurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal,which served as a prequel to the first anime television series, was released in 1999.[74]

A two-episode OVA titledRurouni Kenshin: Reflection,which served as a sequel to the first anime television series, was released from 2001 to 2002.[75][76]

A two-episode OVA,Rurouni Kenshin: New Kyoto Arc,which remade the series' Kyoto arc, was released from 2011 to 2012.[77][78]

Live-action films

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Main articles:Rurouni Kenshin(film),Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno,Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends,Rurouni Kenshin: The Final,andRurouni Kenshin: The Beginning

Fivelive-actionfilms have been released theatrically. The live-action film adaptation ofRurouni Kenshinwas announced on June 28, 2011.[79]Produced byWarner Bros.,with actual film production done by Studio Swan, the films were directed byKeishi Ōtomoand starredTakeru Satoh(ofKamen Rider Den-Ofame) as Kenshin,Munetaka Aokias Sanosuke Sagara, andEmi Takeias Kaoru.[80]The first film, titledRurouni Kenshin,was released on August 25, 2012.[81]In August 2013, it was announced that two sequels were being filmed simultaneously for release in 2014.Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto InfernoandRurouni Kenshin: The Legend Endsadapt the Kyoto arc of the manga.[82][83][84]In April 2019, it was announced that two new live-action films would adapt the Remembrance/Tenchu and Jinchu arcs;[85]the films, titledRurouni Kenshin: The FinalandRurouni Kenshin: The Beginning,premiered in 2021.[86]

Stage shows

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In 2016, theTakarazuka Revueperformed a musical adaptation of the manga calledRurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story.The show ran from February to March and starred Seina Sagiri as Kenshin and Miyu Sakihi as Kaoru.[87]The musical was written and directed by Shūichirō Koike.

In 2018, a stage play adaptation was performed in the Shinbashi Enbujō theater in Tokyo and Shōchikuza theater in Osaka. Seina Sagiri returned to play Kenshin, whileMoka Kamishiraishiplayed Kaoru. Kanō Sōzaburō, an original character introduced in the previous musical, made a return appearance, played by Mitsuru Matsuoka. Shūichirō Koike returned as the director and the script writer of the play.[88]

In 2020, a stage musical adaptation of the manga's Kyoto arc was scheduled to be held from November to December 2020 at IHI Stage Around Tokyo. Starring Teppei Koike as Himura Kenshin and Mario Kuroba as the antagonist Makoto Shishio, Shūichirō Koike returned as director and script writer of the play.[89]This stage musical was cancelled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[90]

Art and guidebooks

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Twoencyclopediasof theRurouni Kenshinmanga were released; the first one,Rurouni Kenshin Profiles(Nguyên điển),was released first in Japan on July 4, 1996, by Shueisha and in the United States by Viz Media on November 1, 2005.[91][92]Kenshin Kaden(Kiếm tâm hoa vân),released on December 15, 1999, includes the storyHaru no Sakura(Xuân の anh,lit."Cherry Blossoms in Spring" ),which details the fates of all of theRurouni Kenshincharacters. The story takes place years after the manga's conclusion, when Kenshin and Kaoru have married and have a young son, Kenji. Many of the series' major characters who have befriended Kenshin reunite with him or otherwise reveal their current whereabouts at a spring picnic.[93]For the anime, threeKenshin Soushiartbooks were published from 1997 to 1998. While the first two were based on the TV series, the third one was based on the film. The film one was namedIshin Shishi no Requiem Art Bookand was released along with the movie.[94][95][96]Also released was theRurouni-Art Book,which contained images from the OVAs. A guidebook from thekanzenbanimprint of the series was published on June 4, 2007.[97]

Light novels

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TheRurouni Kenshinlight novelswere published by Shueisha's Jump J-Books line and co-written by Kaoru Shizuka. Most of them are original stories that were later adapted into the anime. Others are adaptations of manga and anime stories. The very first novel,Rurouni Kenshin: Voyage to the Moon World,which was published in Japan on October 10, 1996, and in North America on October 17, 2006, details another adventure involving the return of Tales of the Meiji Season 3's Beni-Aoi Arc characters like Kaishu Katsu and the Kamiya Dojo's third pupil, Daigoro.[98][99]The second,Yahiko's Battle,was released on October 3, 1997. It retells various stories featured in the manga and anime series.[100]The third novel,TV Anime Shimabara Arc,was published on February 4, 1999.[101]A novel adaptation ofRurouni Kenshin Cinema-ban,titledRurouni Kenshin -Ginmaku Sōshihen-(るろうに kiếm tâm ― ngân mạc thảo chỉ 変―)and written by Watsuki's wife Kaoru Kurosaki, which was released on September 4, 2012, is a Japanese light novel version of America's Restoration's New Kurogasa (Jin-E) Arc manga featuring Banshin and a different younger Gein. Both are Ishin members of Enishi's team in the Jinchu/Tenchu (Judgment of Earth/Heaven) portions of the Enishi saga in the main plot manga series.[102]

Video games

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There have been fiveRurouni Kenshinvideo games released for thePlayStationseries of consoles. The first,Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan: Ishin Gekitōhen(るろうに kiếm tâm - minh trị kiếm khách lãng mạn đàm - duy tân kích đấu biên),was released on November 29, 1996. It was developed byZOOM Inc.and published bySony Computer Entertainment.The game is a 3D fighting game with nine playable characters, with the plot being based on the first seven volumes of the manga.[103]The second one,Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan: Jūyūshi Inbō Hen(るろうに kiếm tâm - minh trị kiếm khách lãng mạn đàm - thập dũng sĩ âm mưu biên - The Ten Warrior Conspiracy),was released on December 18, 1997, and was re-released in the PlayStation The Best lineup on November 5, 1998. The game is arole-playing video gamewith an original story unrelated to either the manga or anime.[104]

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan: Enjō! Kyōto Rinne(るろうに kiếm tâm - minh trị kiếm khách lãng mạn đàm - viêm thượng! Kinh đô luân hồi)is the only video game for thePlayStation 2console. Its Japanese release was slated for September 13, 2006.[105]The game has sold over 130,000 copies in Japan.[106]The game was developed byEightingand published byBanpresto.A 2D fighting game titledRurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan: Saisen(るろうに kiếm tâm - minh trị kiếm khách lãng mạn đàm - tái thiểm)was released for thePlayStation Portableon March 10, 2011.[107][108]On August 30, 2012, a sequel,Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan: Kansei(るろうに kiếm tâm - minh trị kiếm khách lãng mạn đàm - hoàn tỉnh),was released.[109]Both games were developed byNatsume Co., Ltd.and published byBandai Namco Games.

Himura Kenshinalso appears in the 2005 and 2006Nintendo DSgamesJump Super StarsandJump Ultimate Starsas the sole battle character representing his series, while others are support characters and help characters.[110]Kenshin and Shishio appeared as playable characters in the 2014PlayStation 3andPlayStation VitagameJ-Stars Victory VS[111][112]and in the 2019 gameJump ForceforWindows,PlayStation 4,andXbox One.[113]

Audio dramas

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Severaldrama CDsthat adapt stories from theRurouni Kenshinmanga were released. They feature different voice actors than those that later worked on the anime adaptation.[114]In Volume 5 of the manga, Watsuki stated that he was anticipating the third installment, which would adapt theUdō Jin-earc. He expected it to be "pretty close" to his original, but with additional lines for Sanosuke and Yahiko.[115]

Merchandise

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Watsuki commented that there had been a lot ofRurouni Kenshinmerchandise released for the Japanese market. He recommended that buyers consider quality before paying for merchandise items and that they consult their wallets and buy stuff that they feel is "worth it". Watsuki added that he liked the prototype for a stuffed Kenshin doll for theUFO catcherdevices.[116]

Reception

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Sales and popularity

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Rurouni Kenshinhas been highly popular, having sold over 55 million copies in Japan alone up until February 2012, making it one of Shueisha's top ten best-selling manga series.[117]In 2014, it was reported that the series had 70 milliontankōboncopies in circulation.[118]By December 2019, the manga had over 72 million copies in circulation, including digital releases.[119]Volume 27 of the manga ranked second in theViz Bookscan Top Tenduring June 2006,[120]while volumes 21 and 20 ranked second and tenth, respectively, in theTop 10 Graphic Novels of Vizof 2005.[121]Rurouni Kenshinvolume 24 ranked 116th onUSA Today's best-selling book list for the week ending February 26, 2006.[122]During the third quarter of 2003,Rurouni Kenshinranked at the top ofICv2's Top 50 Manga Properties.[123]In the same poll from 2005, it was featured at the top once again based on sales from English volumes during 2004.[124]In the Top Ten Manga Properties from 2006 from the same site, it ranked ninth.[125]In November 2014, readers ofDa Vincimagazine votedRurouni Kenshinas the thirteenthWeekly Shōnen Jump's greatest manga series of all time.[126]OnTV Asahi's Manga Sōsenkyo 2021 poll, in which 150,000 people voted for their top 100 manga series,Rurouni Kenshinranked 31st.[127]

Critical response

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The manga has received praise and criticism from various publications. Mania Entertainment writer Megan Lavey found that the manga had a good balance between character development, comedy, and action scenes. Watsuki's artwork was said to have improved as the series continued, noting that characters also had reactions during fights.[128][129]Steve Raiteri fromLibrary Journalpraised the series for its characters and battles. However, he noted that some fights were too violent, so he recommended the series to older teenagers as well as adults.[130]Surat described the series as an example of a "neo-shōnen" series, where a shōnen series also appeals to a female audience; Surat stated that in such series, character designs are "pretty" for female audiences but not too "girly" for male audiences. Surat citedShinomori AoshiandSeta Sōjirō,characters who ranked highly in popularity polls even though, in Surat's view, Aoshi does not engage in "meaningful" battles and Sōjirō is a "kid". Surat explained that Aoshi appears "like aClampcharacter wearingGambit's coat and Sōjirō always smiles despite the abuse inflicted upon him.[131]Surat said that the character designs for the anime television series were "toughened up a bit". He added that the budget for animation and music was "top-notch" because Sony produced the budget.[132]Watsuki's writing involving romance and Kenshin's psychological hidden weakpoints also earned positive responses from other sites, withAnimeNationalso comparing it to Clamp'sXbased on the multiple elements of the series.[133][134]In general, Mania found Watsuki's art appealing as well as its evolution across the twenty-eight volumes, as it made female characters more attractive while the male characters seemed simpler while retaining the early handsome looks.[135]

As a result of the series taking a darker tone in later story arcs with Kenshin facing new threats and at the same time hisBattosaiself, Kat Kan fromVoice of Youth Advocatesrecommended it to older teens. Kan also found that anime viewers will also enjoy Watsuki's drawings due to the way he illustrates battles.[136]This is mostly noted in the "Kyoto arc", where Mania Entertainment writer Megan Lavey applauded the fight between Himura Kenshin and anti-hero Saito Hajime, which acts as the prologue of such a narrative.[129]Mania remarks on the buildup Aoshi, Saito, and other characters bring to the story due to how they share similar goals in the same arc, with newcomer Misao helping to balance the style by bringing more comical interactions with the protagonist.[137]Although the site Manga News enjoyed Seta Sojiro's fight and how it connected with Shishio's past, they said the sixteenth manga's best part was Kenshin's fight against Shishio due to the buildup and symbolism the two characters have.[138]The eventual climax led to further praise based on how menacing Shishio is shown in the battle against his predecessor, although he questioned if Kenshin had been a superior enemy if he had kept back his original killer persona.[139]

Critics expressed mixed opinions in regards to the final arc. Zac Bertschy fromAnime News Network(ANN) praised the story from the manga but noted that by volume 18 of the series, Watsuki started to repeat the same type of villains who were united to kill Kenshin, similar toTrigun.Although he praised Watsuki's characters, he commented that some of them needed some consistency due to various "bizarre" antagonists.[140]Due to Kaoru, Kenshin, and Sanosuke missing from the final arc during the Jinchu arc, Manga News described Aoshi as the star of the series' 24th volume due to how he explores the mysteries behind Enishi's revenge and his subsequent actions that made him stand out, most notably because he had been absent for multiple chapters.[141]IGNreviewer A.E. Sparrow liked the manga's ending, praising how the storylines are resolved and how most of the supporting cast ends up. He also praised the series' characters, remarking that Kenshin "belongs in any top ten of manga heroes."[142]Otaku USAreviewer Daryl Surat said that the manga's quality was good until the "Revenge Arc", where he criticized the storyline and the new characters.[143]Carlo Santos from the same site praised Enishi and Kenshin's final fight despite finding the ending predictable.[144]While also liking their final showdown, Megan Lavey from Mania Entertainment felt that the twist that happens shortly after the battle is over serves to show Enishi's long-life trauma and, at the same time, Kenshin's compassion towards others.[135]

InBringing Forth a World: Engaged Pedagogy in the Japanese University's seventh chapter, "The Renegotiation of Modernity", bymedia studiesprofessor Maria Grajdian, Kenshin's heroic nature as a wanderer was compared to bothLuke SkywalkerandHarry Potterdue to how he wishes to protect the weak people, seeing nothing wrong with such trait. This is heavily explored in the series when confronting the young Seta who had opposite values in terms how should the strong men act. This soft masculinity is exemplified as a result. There is also a balance between Kenshin's supernatural strength and small design, led a major impact in the audience due to how likable the protagonist is. His introduction marks his values with the sword which also affected Kaoru, Yahiko's and Sanosuke's values upon their meetings. In doing so,Rurouni Kenshinlaid "more than twenty years ago the foundation of a fresh paradigm of humanity based on tenderness and mutual acceptance as a counter-movement to the individualism, competition and efficiency that characterize the project of modernity".[145]

Legacy

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Before becoming an official manga author,Naruto's author,Masashi Kishimoto,decided that he should try creating achanbaramanga sinceWeekly Shōnen Jumphad not published a title from that genre. However, during his years of college, Kishimoto started readingHiroaki Samura'sBlade of the ImmortalandRurouni Kenshin,which used the said genre. Kishimoto recalls having never been surprised by manga ever since readingAkiraand finding that he was still not able to compete against them.[146]Hideaki SorachicitedRurouni Kenshinas a major source of inspiration for his manga series,Gintama.He also commented that the series influenced the existence of modern historical works, such as manga and video games.[147]Kenshin's design partially inspiredKoyoharu Gotougefor the appearance ofTanjiro Kamado,protagonist ofDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.[148]

For the series 25th anniversary in January 2021, 15 manga authors sent congratulatory messages: three of Watsuki's former assistants,Eiichiro Oda(One Piece),Hiroyuki Takei(Shaman King), and Shinya Suzuki (Mr. Fullswing);Nobuyuki Anzai(Flame of Recca);Riichiro Inagaki(Eyeshield 21);Takeshi Obata(Death Note); Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto);Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro(Toriko); Hideaki Sorachi (Gintama);Yasuhiro Nightow(Trigun);Kazuhiro Fujita(Ushio & Tora);Yusei Matsui(Assassination Classroom); andKentaro Yabuki(Black Cat).[149]In an interview for the event, Oda told Watsuki thatRurouni Kenshinis popular due to his loyalty to his fans.[150]

Watsuki commented that Kenshin's tendency to defeat his enemies without killing them became a common trend for protagonists from otherWeekly Shonen Jump,series such asMonkey D. LuffyfromOne PieceandNaruto UzumakifromNaruto.[151]

Notes

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  1. ^"The Epic Tale of a Meiji Swordsman: The Wanderer, Kenshin". The wordRurōni(るろうに)is the author's altered reading of the wordRurōnin(Lưu lãng nhân),that means 'wanderer'.
  2. ^It debuted in the magazine's 19th issue of 1994 (cover dateApril 25),[35][36]released on April 12 of that same year.[37]
  3. ^It finished in the magazine's 43rd issue of 1999 (cover dateOctober 4),[38][39]released on September 21 of the same year;Naruto's debut issue.[40]

References

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Further reading

edit
  • "Rurouni Kenshin, vol. 1".Voice of Youth Advocates.29(5). E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC: 399. December 1, 2006.ISSN0160-4201.
  • "OPINION: Japanese fiction holds life lesson".Quay County Sun (Tucumcari, NM).McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.March 15, 2011.
  • Dennys, Harriet (November 11, 2005). "Big in Japan, America and now the UK: manga novels are moving from niche status into the UK mainstream.(GRAPHIC NOVELS: MANGA)".The Bookseller(5204). The Nielsen Company: S10(2).ISSN0006-7539.
  • "Publications of the week.(book lists )".The Bookseller(5173). The Nielsen Company: 39(13). April 8, 2005.ISSN0006-7539.
edit
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