Series synopsis
Rurouni Kenshin, also known as るろうに剣心 明治剣客浪漫譚 is a Japanese action & adventure animation comedy television series that premiered on Fuji TV on January 10, 1996. It ended on September 8, 1998. It stars Mayo Suzukaze, Miki Fujitani, Mina Tominaga and Yuji Ueda.
The Meiji Era was one of great renewal for Japan, where swords and killing were outlawed. However, many survivors from the time of Revolution still live, lurking in the shadows and waiting for a chance to use their killing blades again. Only Kenshin Himura, formerly one of the most brutal of killers, hopes to keep his swordsman's honor and still live in the new era.
Premise
The Meiji Era was one of great renewal for Japan, where swords and killing were outlawed. However, many survivors from the time of Revolution still live, lurking in the shadows and waiting for a chance to use their killing blades again. Only Kenshin Himura, formerly one of the most brutal of killers, hopes to keep his swordsman's honor and still live in the new era.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Mayo Suzukaze as Kenshin Himura (voice)
- Miki Fujitani as Kaoru Kamiya (voice)
- Mina Tominaga as Yahiko Myoujin (voice)
- Yuji Ueda as Sanosuke Sagara (voice)
- Mika Doi as Megumi Takani (voice)
- Hirotaka Suzuoki as Hajime Saitô (voice)
- Tomo Sakurai as Makimachi Misao (voice)
- Yoshito Yasuhara as Aoshi Shinomori (voice)
Supporting cast
- Noriko Hidaka as Sojiro Seta (voice)
- Yoku Shioya as Gensai (voice)
- Masanori Ikeda as Makoto Shishio (voice)
- Shozo Iizuka
- Junko Takeuchi
- Mayumi Tanaka
- Chieko Honda
- Yoshisada Sakaguchi
- Kazuhiro Nakata
- Hochu Otsuka
- Yasunori Matsumoto
- Hiroko Kasahara
Guest cast
Episodes
This series spans 4 seasons with 103 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 9 | December 2, 1998 | June 23, 2012 |
| Season 1 | 27 | January 10, 1996 | October 30, 1996 |
| Season 2 | 35 | October 30, 1996 | September 17, 1997 |
| Season 3 | 32 | October 14, 1997 | September 15, 1998 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
End of Wanderings: The Bond of Scarlet and Azure is in the Sound of the Sea Kenshin and Kaoru leave on a boat to visit a graveyard. In exchange for dinner, Sanosuke assists Megumi with the chopping of firewood. Yahiko is currently working at the Akabeko under Tae with Tsubame. Meanwhile, Kenshin and Kaoru spend the night at a local couple's house because of the rain. |
December 2, 1998 |
| 2 |
Trust & Betrayal: Act 1 - The Man of the Slashing Sword This is the story of how Kenshin came under the wing of Soujiro Hiko the 13th, and how Kenshin became a manslayer. |
February 20, 1999 |
| 3 |
Trust & Betrayal: Act 2 - The Lost Cat Act two details Kenshin's role in the revolution, how he met Tomo, and how the rebellion was almost quelled. |
April 21, 1999 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Handsome Swordsman of Legend: A Man who Fights for Love A mysterious wanderer known as Kenshin is taken at the Kamiya Kasshin Dojo, a martial arts school run by a young woman named Kaoru. |
January 10, 1996 |
| 2 |
Kid Samurai: A Big Ordeal and a New Student Following an encounter with a young pickpocket named Yahiko, Kaoru risks her own freedom to gain his from some local gangsters. |
January 17, 1996 |
| 3 |
Swordsman of Sorrow: The Man Who Slays His Past After reining in some renegade police officers, Kenshin is recognized as the Samurai whose bravery helped establish the Meiji Era and is asked to rejoin the army. |
January 24, 1996 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Prelude to the Impending Fight: The Shadow of the Wolf Draws Near A persistent nightmare comes true when Kenshin's old enemy, the former leader of a shadowy anti-Royalist organization, is hired to assassinate him. |
October 30, 1996 |
| 2 |
Strongest Opponent From the Past: Merciless Fangs Strike! Saito sets a trap for Kenshin by enlisting another assassin in his plan. And once Kenshin repels the accomplice, he's left to take on his old rival. |
November 6, 1996 |
| 3 |
A Devil of Vengeance: Makoto Shishio's Plot After stopping a fatal battle with Hajime Saito, a top government official asks Kenshin's help in killing a shadowy assassin who's threatening the future of the regime. |
November 13, 1996 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Legend of the Fireflies: A Girl Who Waits for Her Love Back at home, Kaoru works to restore the dilapidated dojo, while Kenshin encounters a wise old fisherman who teaches him an important lesson about love. |
October 14, 1997 |
| 2 |
The Birth of Prince Yahiko? An Elegant Debut into Society After stepping in to stop what appears to be a robbery, Kenshin and Kaoru meet a young prince who looks exactly like Yahiko. |
October 28, 1997 |
| 3 |
Find the Lost Treasure! The Great Detective Dog Notaro Sanosuke adopts a stray dog, unaware that it holds the key to a criminal gang's plot to blackmail some local officials and gain political control. And when the gang finally tracks him down, Kenshin and Yahiko join Sanosuke to foil their plan. |
November 4, 1997 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Fuji TV |
|---|---|
| First aired | January 10, 1996 |
| Last aired | September 8, 1998 |
| Runtime | 25 minutes |
| Status | ended |