Rurouni Kenshin
Synopsis
In the final years of the Bakumatsu era lived a legendary assassin known as Hitokiri Battousai. Feared as a merciless killer, he was unmatched throughout the country, but mysteriously disappeared at the peak of the Japanese Revolution. It has been ten peaceful years since then, but the very mention of Battousai still strikes terror into the hearts of war veterans. Unbeknownst to them, Battousai has abandoned his bloodstained lifestyle in an effort to repent for his sins, now living as Kenshin Himura, a wandering swordsman with a cheerful attitude and a strong will. Vowing never to kill again, Kenshin dedicates himself to protecting the weak. One day, he stumbles across Kaoru Kamiya at her kendo dojo, which is being threatened by an impostor claiming to be Battousai. After receiving help from Kenshin, Kaoru allows him to stay at the dojo, and so the former assassin temporarily ceases his travels. Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan tells the story of Kenshin as he strives to save those in need of saving. However, as enemies from both past and present begin to emerge, will the reformed killer be able to uphold his new ideals? [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Rurouni Kenshin is a highly regarded samurai anime, praised for its engaging story, well-developed characters, and action sequences. However, the significant amount of filler in the latter part of the series is a major point of criticism. There is a genuine split on whether the episodic nature of the pre-Kyoto arc is enjoyable or just slow.
Strengths
- Well-developed characters, especially Kenshin and villains
- Intriguing plot with comedy, suspense, and action
- Excellent animation for a 1990s anime, particularly in fight scenes
- Memorable and well-chosen soundtrack
- Exploration of moral themes and redemption
Weaknesses
- Filler episodes in the final third of the series detract from the overall quality
- Inconsistencies in character behavior and rushed development
- Over-reliance on simplistic action and corny humor in later episodes
- Some find Kenshin's 'Oro?' act and the show's humor to be grating
- The romance aspect is not well-developed, particularly with Kaoru