Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin

If you follow manga and anime, you've probably heard of Rurouni Kenshin. If you don't, perhaps you've glimpsed the title's lead character. With his bright red hair, the x-shaped scar on his right cheek, and his lightening-fast sword, Himura Kenshin is one of today's most recognized manga and anime characters.

To put it plainly, Himura Kenshin is a former government assassin who can't get a break. He's worked to become a peaceful person and to pay for his sins, but the bad guys just won't leave him alone.

Rurouni Kenshin Origins

Nobuhiro Watsuki is the artist behind the Rorouni Kenshin manga, with his series first appearing in the pages of Japan's leading shonen (boys manga) magazine Shonen Jump, which published the beginnings of series like Dragon Ball Z, Bleach, Naruto, and Yu Yu Hakusho. Rurouni Kenshin made it's debut as a short story in 1992. It then ran as a series from 1994 to 1999, and made it's first appearance in the U.S. as a collected volume in October of 2003.

The Manga

The immensely popular Rorouni Kenshin manga spans 28 volumes, and is an energetic mix of action, adventure, humor, and romance. Kenshin himself is loosely based on a historical persona, and the series mingles a bit of Japanese history with Watsuki's original adventures.

Himura Kenshin is an ex-samurai, and a "rorouni"; a wanderer, a vagabond. He's traveled aimlessly for 10 years, searching for peace, and doing penance for his murderous past. The series starts with a foreshadowing of things to come when Kenshin is attacked by his future love interest Kaoru Kamiya, who claims that he is the legendary assassin Hitokiri Battosai. Could this seemingly harmless creature be the great "man killer"? Kenshin's not telling.

Kenshin wants to avoid trouble but two things stop him from doing so: a) his enemies want him dead at all costs and b) his nature demands that he help those who cannot defend themselves. Kenshin steps in to help Kaoru defend her family dojo, and in what becomes the template for the manga, both new and old enemies emerge to challenge Kenshin.

The template that I speak of goes something like this: An enemy attacks Kenshin, he resists, and the enemy provokes and pushes him into a fierce battle. Once the enemy is defeated, a more menacing opponent steps in to take on Kenshin. This pattern repeats throughout the series. Yes, the battles do get repetitive, but on the other hand, these patterns are a common characteristic of shonen manga.

When it comes to shonen titles, above all, action is of the most importance, and Rouroni Kenshin never lacks in this aspect. Though the manga's plot lacks variety, Nobuhiro Watsuki's kinetic artwork, and intense battles do not let the reader down.

Himura Kenshin's Appeal

The Rurouni Kenshin manga also possesses character development and emotional elements that intrigue readers. Himura Kenshin's appeal lies within the dynamics of his character. Composed of two polar opposites, he is a sweet and seemingly harmless man who becomes an incredibly efficient and lethal warrior when pushed to do so.

One wonders if Kensin will ever find peace, and it does seem that he will, as he strengthens new relationships and begins to settle down with his band of friends. As Kenshin begins to fall for Kaoru, and forms bonds with a rather unique cast of characters, Kenshin rediscovers love and family, after years of wandering the countryside alone.

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Overall, the Ruroni Kenshin manga is a brilliant combination of action, humor and romanticism that has lead to it's great success. The series appeals to a wide audience. Fans of dynamic fight sequences will get their fill, and fans of drama and humor will find these elements in the lovable Himura Kenshin and in his interactions with the colorful personalities that he meets.

The Rorouni Kenshin saga has expanded to include an anime that is rather true to the manga, a mature and beautifully rendered prequel and sequel titled "Samurai X", and a spin-off manga titled "Yahiko no Sakabato".