Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan

I mean, sure, I kind of liked Kenshin at first, but as the story progresses, he becomes increasingly annoying and unrealistic with his unwavering vow not to kill people. You could massacre all of his honorable opponents with a machine gun, laugh in his face about smuggling opium, kidnap his loved ones to help produce opium, and he still wouldn't kill you for it. I hate him for that because it makes him seem weak. There is always a line that you don't cross, and if you do cross it, you are supposed to get killed for it. When someone kills his honorable opponents without skill, tact, or honor using a machine gun and he doesn't retaliate, it makes you think that he's a douchebag.

Well, I'm going to continue reading about this jerk because I really want to know if he's going to keep placing his stupid oath above the safety of his friends.

The manga overall was excellent.

I adore Watsuki's art style, and his paneling and page layout are uniquely exceptional. The flow of the manga is very smooth, and there are never moments where I feel a fight drags on too long. Some of the action panels can be hard to follow at times, but nothing is completely incomprehensible. He frequently uses ink splatters when Kenshin hits people, even though Kenshin never actually cuts anyone, so the blood splatters seem out of place. It’s something I had to accept as a stylistic choice, though it initially broke my immersion.

Although the story is fairly historically realistic, there are some fantastical elements like a functioning robot puppet. These more fictional aspects still feel grounded in reality, as Watsuki finds ways to explain their presence plausibly within the time period.

The story is set during the historical Meiji period in Japan, when samurai were no longer around and it was illegal to carry a sword unless you worked for the government. Often, I would pause reading to look up Wikipedia pages about things discussed in the story. Watsuki included many references to actual Japanese history, which I greatly appreciated as it allowed me to learn more about that period.

If you enjoy historically inspired stories and sword battles or martial arts, you will likely love Rurouni Kenshin. Just avoid searching for "Watsuki Arrested" until after you’ve finished the story, as depending on your perspective, it might affect your enjoyment of the work.

Ok, really, I HATE to do this, but I did rate everything a ten. I can't find a reason not to; there is something about this manga that stands out in every aspect, and I have to give it that. I've never rated an anime with more than four 10s, so this is a significant moment for me.

The story is just incredible. It has so many historical references that it's hard to believe how deeply researched a manga can be. It's nothing like other shonen mangas where some random teenager gets some crazy power and fights random bad guys to save the day! Rurouni Kenshin (RuroKen) is nothing like that. It actually makes sense. Everything in the manga could happen in real life. Somehow, Nobuhiro (the author) made it realistic while still standing out. The story gets better as you read; it's awesome at the beginning and continues to improve. Every arc in this manga surpasses typical Shonen-Action animes. It creates something entirely different, blending Action, Adventure, Romance, Historical references, and Comedy into a very intricate plot.

The art is excellent. I can't find any part where he messed up or drew something with less detail than necessary. All the panels look very good. Unlike some other Shonen Jump manga, he doesn't leave anything out in the pictures. He will also draw a character next to another character who shouldn't be focused on at all, which is great because if the character is there, they should be drawn even if it seems pointless. He can switch to a comedic-goofy art style that complements the excellent manga art seamlessly.

The characters are the best part of RuroKen. Each one is unique and memorable. They are all well-developed, none of them are alike, and each has a purpose. There are no filler characters at all. Even villains who shouldn't have much of a purpose are given great detail. That's what's so brilliant! They all have different motives and expressions for various situations. Watsuki also relates many of them to different animals and objects, adding even more humor.

I'm not a fanboy, so please don't think that. I genuinely recommend this to everyone. This manga doesn't have a huge over-populated fanbase, so you can enjoy it without getting annoyed. Have fun!

My absolute favorite manga so far! It was the second manga I ever read, and it took me about a year and a half to collect all 28 books.

- The story is outstanding! I really love it, which is why I rated it a 10.

- Watsuki's drawings are among the best. They start very detailed but become simpler towards the end. However, the characters remain consistent and still look beautiful. I rate his art a 9.

- The characters are amazing, especially the main ones. Each has a unique background and special skills, making them stand out. Some villains may appear too monstrous or inhuman for a Meiji-era tale, but overall, they're great. I rate the characters a 9.

- I thoroughly enjoyed reading Rurouni Kenshin. With no loose threads that I noticed, it truly deserves its status as one of the most beloved manga ever. I rate enjoyment a 10.

In conclusion, this manga deserves a perfect 10. I've recommended it to several people, and they all found it cool, awesome, or amazing! Don't hesitate to read Rurouni Kenshin; it's definitely worth your time.

Rurouni Kenshin is undoubtedly one of the best things I've ever come across. With severe ADHD, my attention span is practically non-existent; it took me a month to finish a 2-hour movie (watching it in fragments) and three years to complete an anime with just 10 episodes (no exaggeration). So, finishing series is usually a struggle for me, but I do eventually get there.

Rurouni Kenshin was different. I finished this series in just 10 days flat because it was such a compelling read. Never in my life did I think that still pictures with dialogue could make my adrenaline surge. Unlike other series where the beginning drags and the plot unfolds slowly, Rurouni Kenshin hits you with a BANG right from the start. Plot twists appear within the first few chapters, and the story keeps escalating. You thought the Jinchu Arc was good? It's nothing compared to the second arc. And if you think the Kyoto Arc can't be topped, think again, because the Tokyo Arc will blow your mind so hard you'll leave Earth's orbit.

It's tough to choose which arc is the best because every fight scene is brilliant and hardcore. Every aspect of the manga is well-handled, and the character development is stunning. Characters evolve throughout the series, but their growth feels natural as you grow alongside them. When you reflect or revisit the beginning after finishing, you truly appreciate their transformations. Kaoru Kamiya's development is particularly remarkable, making me feel like a proud parent. Yahiko Myojin also evolves subtly from a brat to a formidable warrior, though many overlook his growth.

If you're debating whether to read or watch the series, I highly recommend reading it over watching it, and this comes from someone who usually prefers watching content. Unfortunately, I watched the anime first and quickly lost interest. The anime doesn't follow the manga closely at the beginning but starts following it more faithfully during the Kyoto Arc, which was great. However, after that arc, the remaining episodes were mostly fillers, making it hard to stay engaged.

The show doesn't handle the relationship between the hero and heroine well. In the manga, their potential romance is much more smoothly developed, whereas in the anime, it wasn't clear until a specific moment. The manga's art is excellent, and I loved its format. While I didn't mind the artist's decision to reduce line work, I wish he hadn't done it towards the end because I was used to seeing the characters in a more detailed style. The change felt jarring, even though it doesn't mean the artwork is bad—it just looked less intricate compared to earlier chapters.

This historical-fiction samurai manga is amazing, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for top-notch content. Rurouni Kenshin is the only series I've had a hard time saying goodbye to once I finished reading the manga. I bought the books because the series has become so dear to me that I wanted my own copies.

*This was a long review, so sorry for any grammar mistakes.

Of all the mangas I've read, this one stands out as my absolute favorite, featuring my favorite character, Kenshin. Although it falls under the shounen genre (if I recall correctly), I believe it is equally, if not more, suitable for girls. This manga has everything you could desire: action-packed and intense fighting scenes, profound words of wisdom (I particularly enjoy the insightful quotes that make you think), historical elements (many characters are based on real historical figures), humor, and, last but certainly not least, one of the most beautifully told love stories.

I have enthusiastically recommended Kenshin to many people, and all of them ended up loving it, including those who initially weren't fans of manga or anime. These individuals soon became even bigger fans than me. To me, Kenshin symbolizes hope and change. Despite his troubled past, he continues to move forward and fights for the people. His journey represents a beacon of hope and transformation.

Mod Note: This review was initially posted for the one-shot, Meteor Strike, and was subsequently merged into Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan.

This one-shot appeared at the end of the final volume of Rurouni Kenshin. After enjoying the satisfying conclusion of Rurouni Kenshin, readers are treated to the light-hearted and cheerful story of Meteor Strike.

After immersing oneself in a tale filled with characters in traditional Japanese attire, it's quite a surprise to suddenly encounter characters in school uniforms. That was my first reaction upon reading this one-shot.

As for the main characters, Watsuki has a knack for crafting silly yet endearing protagonists (just look at Kazuki and Kenshin!) alongside strong, boisterous female characters who keep their male counterparts in check.

Similar to Rurouni Kenshin and many other shonen stories, the protagonist, Shinya, gains a power—in this case, a meteorite that grants him superhuman strength—which he uses to protect those around him rather than for selfish reasons. Through this experience, Shinya matures, and his energetic friend, Chiho, begins to see him not as the bumbling fool she once had to manage but as a protector.

In summary, Meteor Strike is an enjoyable quick read packed with all the expected elements of a fun and upbeat shonen story.

Manga in Japan is not just a form of entertainment; it also plays a significant role in upbringing and education. Kenshin is not about fighting and screaming, nor is it about brawls and ninjas, Japanese swords, or other convoluted elements. It is a profound story about human duty and destiny, sin and redemption. Set within the historical context of post-revolutionary Japan, the manga by Watsuki Nobuhiro intricately weaves real historical figures into its narrative—figures well-known in Japan for their roles in overthrowing the monarchy in 1917. This approach was intended to spark interest in Japan's history and the individuals who laid the groundwork for the nation’s prosperity.

The protagonist, Kenshin, is not a bloodthirsty samurai but quite the opposite—a man who dedicated his youth to those who believed in the fight for justice. However, he soon realized that his pure intentions to help and protect the weak were manipulated into becoming a weapon for those in power, turning him into a hitokiri (assassin). After seeing the light, he takes an oath never to kill again and seeks atonement for the lives he has taken. He wanders aimlessly, denying himself a home, family, friends, and even happiness, believing it is his penance.

Yet, fate—or perhaps a reward—brings him experiences he never dared to dream of. He faces tests that challenge whether he can survive while adhering to his principles. Life or principle? Humanism or self-preservation? Is it possible to live on and remain human?

This manga explores these questions through its protagonist, who searches for answers on whether one can find happiness after committing grave wrongs. Does one have the right to be happy? In the manga, Kenshin does not fully break down; instead, he often refers to himself in the third person, rarely using "I" unless absolutely necessary. This subtle choice reflects his internal struggle and humility.

A classic tale that seems to have inspired Trigun a year later, this story follows an incredibly skilled warrior with an unbreakable vow never to kill. Initially, it felt somewhat directionless, with minor villains taking up one or two volumes at most. Then, it suddenly shifts into the final two arcs - Kyoto and Revenge. It's fascinating to see Kenshin gradually unleash more of his strength in the first third, then struggle with his limitations during the Kyoto arc and embrace new techniques. However, it's far less enjoyable to watch him face the final antagonist, who pales in comparison to Shishio. In my opinion, no villain has ever had a better ending than the last two pages of Shishio's arc.

The art starts off more realistic and evolves into a more "90s anime" style as the series progresses, which is fitting given its status as a seminal 90s anime! The special techniques are given ample space to showcase their impact, with Kenshin's ultimate move looking absolutely devastating in almost every instance, often depicted in a two-page spread.

In terms of characters, Kenshin is an intriguing protagonist, Saito serves as an excellent foil, and Sanosuke gets to be a fun, goofy sidekick. I've always hated Yahiko, though! Kaoru doesn't get much to do outside of one fight and mostly comes across as either feisty or whiny. While not the best cast, they are enjoyable enough to keep you engaged.

I would honestly recommend stopping after the Kyoto arc, but the extended flashback about Kenshin's past is pretty excellent, making the final arc have a few shining moments. However, the final fights are by far the weakest part of the series. Nonetheless, this remains a hugely important manga from decades past.