About Rurouni Kenshin

Rurouni Kenshin, also known as Samurai X, is an iconic Japanese anime series that aired from January 1996 to September 1998. The series was based on the manga series of the same name by Nobuhiro Watsuki. It was set in the early Meiji period in Japan and tells the story of Himura Kenshin, a peaceful wanderer who was once a feared assassin known as Battousai. The narrative focuses on Kenshin's journey to seek atonement for the lives he took and his efforts to live a more peaceful and righteous life.

Making / Production

The series was produced by Aniplex and Fuji TV, and it was directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi. The creators painstakingly recreated the Meiji era's look and feel in the animation, maintaining historical accuracy while adding in key elements of fantasy and storytelling.

Actors

• Mayo Suzukaze voiced the character of Himura Kenshin. Suzukaze's portrayal of Kenshin was lauded for capturing the character's dual nature - the remorseful wanderer and the feared assassin.
• Miki Fujitani provided the voice for Kaoru Kamiya, the caretaker of the Kamiya Kasshin-ryū dojo who becomes an indispensable part of Kenshin's life. Fujitani successfully gave Kaoru a blend of strength, gentleness, and resilience.
• Yūji Ueda voiced Sanosuke Sagara, a former fighter-for-hire and friend to Kenshin. Ueda's performance added depth to Sagara's character, effectively portraying his loyalty and hot-headed nature.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The character design for Himura Kenshin was inspired by the real-life assassin Kawakami Gensai.
• The name "Rurouni Kenshin" translates to "Kenshin the wanderer".
• Despite the characters using traditional Japanese weapons, the anime rarely shows any explicit violence.

Quotes

• "A man who can't uphold his beliefs is pathetic; in this world or the next." - Himura Kenshin
• "We're all afraid of the dark inside ourselves." - Kamiya Kaoru
• "Is a righteous person someone who detests evil? No, a truly righteous person is someone who loves the weak and the frail!" - Sanosuke Sagara

Music and Soundtrack

• The anime features several memorable songs, including the opening theme "Freckles" by Sandy Fox, which became an iconic tune among anime fans of the 90s.
• The series' soundtrack was composed by Noriyuki Asakura, whose music gave the anime its unique atmosphere, blending traditional Japanese music with modern elements.