Rating: * * * *Be sure to check out the Honorary AMV for this series, located in the right-hand sidebar in 'Equinox Videos'!
Episode # - 95
Movie # - 1
Game # - 3 (Kenshin also appears as a battle character in the Nintendo DS game Jump Ultimate Stars)
Recommendation - sub/dub
Eleven years ago in Japan, the country and economy suffered devastatingly from the bloody Batumatsu war. Where brother had been pitted against brother and hired assassins had been among the common, one of the most infamous had been the feared swordsman named Hitokiri Battosai. Heartless and brutal, Battosai had killed without hesitation when ordered, and through the years became a legend. But after the war, when many soldiers returned to what was left of homes and former assassins searched for other places of work, the crimson-streaked name Battosai disappeared into mere stories, and was eventually lost.
Now, in the early Meiji era, Japan is still a place of conflict and restoration. Traveling peacefully among the country roads is a man who calls himself a rurouni, or wanderer, with a highly unusual sword. In a string of heroic events, Kenshin befriends a young woman, Kaoru Kamiya, who is the proud owner of a dojo. Before long, he is making lifelong relationships with others, such as the mischievous orphan Yahiko Myojin, the fighter-for-hire Sanosuke Sagara, and the clever doctor Megumi Takani.
As he settles into a new life, though, his past soon catches up with him, bringing enemies old and new. Trying to protect his rag-tag family and his morals as a rurouni, Kenshin must balance himself between the brightness of his current life and the darkness of his past.
Critically: Animation of this story is very simple and well done. Nothing particularly special, but pleasing, nonetheless. One gets more wrapped up in the storyline and problems of the main character than the art, which is fine. Battle sequences in many ways are exciting, but it rests into somewhat of a pattern; certain battles are given more attention and variation, while others seem to get left out when they could have been worked with. The humor in the anime is especially great because of the expressions given to the cast or their surrounds. And who can easily dismiss Kenshin's clueless face?
Personally: This is an anime from childhood, so perhaps my view isn't quite fair for this one. Aside from that, I would have to say that, though not especially eye-catching, this show is definitely one to see. The story is sweet and drawing, almost hypnotically. You are pulled into Kenshin's past and who he used to be, all the while seeing him thrive in the new way of life he had vowed himself to, and it's nice to see the struggle. You can't help but love both sides of him.
