Rurouni Kenshin is a set of anime and manga series set during the early years of the Meiji Era in Japan. It is subtitled Wandering Samurai in some English releases. The name Samurai X is used in various English language releases, due to the X shaped scar on Kenshin's face, and most likely also the general "hipness" the letter X has in English. This name is unpopular with fans of the series, who also point out that Kenshin never was a samurai to begin with.
There are four Rurouni Kenshin series (るろうに剣心 "Rurouni" means "wanderer," so the series could be translated as "Kenshin the Wanderer"):
The OVA series -- which feature a number of historical characters -- attempt to be more realistic and accurate than the TV series, which begins as a romantic comedy but evolves into a period drama.
Table of contents |
1.1 Himura Kenshin (Hitokiri Battousai)
2 Theme Songs1.2 Kamiya Kaoru 1.3 Myoujin Yahiko 1.4 Sagara Sanosuke (Zanza) 1.5 Saitou Hajime (Fujita Goro) 1.6 Shishio Makoto |
Japanese Seiyuu: Mayo Suzukaze
The main character of the series, Kenshin was a former Imperialist assassin that went by the name "Battousai". After the revolution, he traded in his katana for a reverse-bladed sword sakabatou and assumed the life of a wanderer. He becomes a technical master of the Hiten Mitsurugi fighting style after defeating his master, but declines the official mastership.
Japanese Seiyuu: Miki Fujitani
Assistant master of the Kamiya Kasshin (her father's) fighting style. She runs the dojo and, after some initial scuffles, lets Kenshin stay as a guest.
Japanese Seiyuu: Miina Tominaga
For a descendant of samurai, the new Meiji era was not the best place to grow up. He was originally forced to live as a thief for the local Yakuza, but with the help of Kenshin and Kaoru, he becomes an apprentice of the Kamiya Kasshin style.
Japanese Seiyuu: Yuji Ueda
The last of the Sekihou Tai, he initially bore a hatred for all former Imperialists. He made a living as a fighter-for-hire who bore a nickname based on the name of his favorite weapon, a zanbatou until he was hired to kill Kenshin. After being defeated and learning of Kenshin's no-kill approach, he becomes a valuable ally.
Japanese Seiyuu: Hirotaka Suzuoki
A former member of the Shinsen Gumi, an extremely powerful loyalist faction in Kyoto during the time of the Bakumatsu war. Now a policeman working for the Meiji Government. Extremely strong and vicious, he has a long time rivalry with Kenshin. He has no compassion or mercy for anyone. He lives by the Shinsen Gumi code "Aku Soku Zan"("Slay Evil Swiftly"). Anyone he considers to be evil is a target for elimination. Considers Sanosuke to be a child with mild potential.
Japanese Seiyuu: Masanori Ikeda
The successor to Kenshin after he became a wanderer. Shishio was burned alive by the Meiji government, but survived. Afterwards, he swore revenge and assembled a group of the best swordsmen in Japan, called the Juppongatana (10 swords), to overthrow the new government, but Kenshin, Saitou, Sanosuke, Kaoru, Yahiko and the Oniwabanshu rallied against his plan.
Characters
(names are being listed traditionally in surname given name fashion)Himura Kenshin (Hitokiri Battousai)
English Voice Actor: Richard HayworthKamiya Kaoru
English Voice Actor: Dorothy MelendrezMyoujin Yahiko
English Voice Actor: Elyse FloydSagara Sanosuke (Zanza)
English Voice Actor: Lex LangSaitou Hajime (Fujita Goro)
English Voice Actor: Sparky ThorntonShishio Makoto
English Voice Actor: David LucasTheme Songs