Rurouni Kenshin aka Samurai X

[:.Jessie Han.:]

RUROUNI KENSHIN


courtesy of: www.romantation.com/About.php

SYNOPSIS:

Rurouni Kenshin is a Japanese manga series turned TV show that takes place over 100 years ago in Japan. It tells the story of a swordsman with trademark red hair and a cross shaped scar on his left cheek named Kenshin Himura. Kenshin fought valiantly during the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate and played a huge role to bringing about the Meiji Restoration. He became known as the greatest swordsman of all time, earning the nickname 'Hitokiri Battousai' which means 'the man who slashes as he draws his sword'. However, once the Restoration was over Kenshin made a vow to never kill again, became a wanderer and disappeared without a trace. His whereabouts remained unknown for around 10 years, during which he spent wandering around all of Japan assisting people who needed help in some way.

The story actually begins when Kenshin finally resurfaces in Tokyo after 10 long years of wandering. There he meets a young girl named Kaoru Kamiya, who is the owner of a local swordsmanship dojo. Kenshin is pleased when Kaoru says that she doesn't care about his past as the 'Hitokiri Battousai' and when she invites him to live at her dojo, he decides to stop wandering and stay with her. Although Kenshin no longer wanders, he still manages to affect peoples' lives positively. After a short while of living with Kaoru, Kenshin gains two other close allies. One is a gangster/freeloader named Sanosuke Sagara, who's angry outlook on life is turned around after being defeated in a fight by Kenshin. The other is Kaoru's only dojo student, a boy named Yahiko Myojin who was forced to work as a pick-pocket until being rescued by Kenshin and Kaoru. The group is soon joined by Megumi Takani, a 'foxy' female doctor who was rescued by the Kenshin and the others. As time goes by Kenshin becomes aquainted with a whole cast of interesting characters, both friend and foe. Although Kenshin has finally settled down his legendary reputation follows him, and the results are often chaotic. Kenshin often struggles to protect Kaoru and the other people around him from assorted enemies while still trying to maintain his vow to never kill again. The story of Rurouni Kenshin is jam-packed with action and adventure, although it also contains humor, romance and an underlying message about the value of human life.

CREATOR: Nobuhiro Watsuki

Length: *TV Series: 95 Episodes
*Movie: 1 Episode
*OVA1: 4 Episodes
*OVA2: 2 Episodes

[:.Jessie Han.:]

Character Profiles:






Himura Kenshin/Hitokiri Battousai

age: 28 when he first meets Kaoru
also known as: Ken-san, Ken-nii, Hitokiri Battousai, shrimp
animal of assosiation: maybe a dragon, but that's stretching it.
birthday: June 20, 1849
blood type: AB
height: 158cm
weight: 48kg
fighting style: Hiten Mitsurugi ryu
weapon: sakabatou (reverse blade sword)

personality: During the Meiji Restoration, Kenshin was known as the legendary "Hitokiri Battousai". But after the end of the restoration he made a vow to never kill again and became a wandering Rurouni and traveled all around Japan for ten years helping people to atone for his sins. Despite the fact that he is legend, Kenshin remains exceedingly humble. He is very kind and polite, and extremely wise. Kenshin first comes to stay in Tokyo When he saves the life of Kaoru Kamiya, and she invites him to stay with her in return. Kenshin holds Kaoru in the utmost esteem, despite her very sometimes very child-like behavior. One of the reasons is because of the fact that she does not care about his past as the revolution's strongest swordsman. Since Kenshin doesn't have to pay to stay at Kaoru's dojo, he gladly helps out around the house by cooking or doing the laundry. He also serves as a mentor of sorts to Yahiko Myojin, the other border at the Kamiya dojo. Kenshin doesn't like using violence or fighting as a way to solve matters unless it's absolutely necessary. While staying at the Kamiya Dojo Kenshin continues to help others. He is good friends with Sanosuke Sagara, who he helps by making him realize that he should stop being a fighter for hire and turn his life around. Another person he helps is Megumi Takani, who he saved from a greedy businessman. Kenshin in fact tries to help so much that for a while he doesn't value his own life, and at times tries to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders.

[:.Jessie Han.:]

Kauro Kamiya

age: 17 at the beginning of the story
also known as: Kaoru-donno, Takuni, Jou-chan
animal of assosiation: racoon
birthday: June, 1862
blood type: O
height: 155cm
weight: 41kg
fighting style: Kamiya Kasshin ryu
weapon: boken (wooden sword)

personality:
Kaoru is very sweet and kind, but when angered can be very belligerent and violent. She has a large heart which is what prompted her to invite Kenshin Himura to stay at her dojo in return for saving her life. As time goes by Kaoru eventually developes very strong feelings for Kenshin. The two clearly grow to care about each other deeply, though sometimes it is unclear sometimes whether Kenshin is in love with her or sees her as a little sister because of their ten year age difference. Kaoru has a very short temper which is often tested by Yahiko Myojin, the second boarder at her dojo who constantly makes fun of her. The two will often fight like brother and sister, and like brother and sister, they care about each other underneath it all. Kaoru is rather naive, and somewhat of a tomboy, which she is constantly reminded of by Megumi Takani who takes much pleasure in teasing her. As the assistant master of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, Kaoru views the sword as a tool to save people with, but that doesn't stop her from trying to beat people up to annoy her. Kaoru is the polar opposite of Kenshin's ex wife Tomoe which at times can cause Kaoru to feel somewhat inept as far as Kenshin is concerned. But Kaoru has her good points that appeal to Kenshin. Besides her general cheerfulness, Kaoru is unconcerned about Kenshin's past as the "Hitokiri Battousai" which was why Kenshin felt drawn to her in the first place. She also cannot cook anything to save her soul.

[:.Jessie Han.:]

Sanosuke Sagara

age: 19 at the beginning of the story
also known as: Sano for short, Zanza the fighter for hire, tori-atama, fish-face
animal of assosiation: rooster, it's because of the hair
birthday: Feb. 1860
blood type: B
height: 179cm
weight: 71kg
fighting style: he uses the futai no kiwami

personality:
When he first appeared in the RK story, Sanosuke was an angry fighter for hire who made a living by beating people up and basing his prices on how much fun he had doing it. But after Kenshin Himura defeats him in battle and turns his life around, he loses a good deal of his anger and becomes a laid back, easy-going freeloader. Sanosuke is often at the Kamiya dojo, since after his fight with Kenshin he became friends with him and the rest of the dojo inhabitants. He enjoys eating at the Akabeko, though he never pays for his food and often has to borrow money from Kaoru Kamiya, who he likes to call Jou-chan. Sanosuke still enjoys fighting and always likes to be where the action is. He tries to be as much use to the Kenshin-gumi as he can be, short of doing housework or chores. He also still harbors a strong dislike for the Meiji Government. There is an underlying attraction between Sanosuke and Megumi Takani and vise versa. The two of them fight quite a bit to the point of ( sometimes violent ) flirtation. This is partly because their personalities are so similar that they clash. Another reason is because their relationship got off to a rocky start since Megumi was the maker of the opium that killed one of Sanosuke's best friends, though he eventually forgave her for this.

[:.Jessie Han.:]

Yahiko Myoujin

age:10
also known as: Yahiko-CHAN
animal of assosiation: none
birthday: Jan. 1869
blood type: B
height: 128cm
weight: 23kg
fighting style: a combination of Kamiya Kasshin and Hiten Mitsurugi
weapon: shinai (bamboo sword)

personality:
Yahiko is a former pick-pocket and the second border at the Kamiya dojo, who was rescued by Kenshin and Kaoru from a local yakuza gang. He has a great deal of pride since he came from a long lineage of samurai. Yahiko wishes to be viewed as an adult despite his sometimes immature behavior, so it annoys him greatly whenever someone calls him 'Yahiko-CHAN'. He shows no respect for Kaoru, and likes to call her 'busu'. The two fight quite a bit, similar to the way a brother and sister fight. Yahiko holds Kenshin in very high esteem and is in awe of his skill. He wishes to become as strong as him when he grows up so that he hand uphold his family's name on his own. When someone makes him mad, Yahiko can be loud and sometimes violent (like the times when he climbs on top of Sanosuke and tries to bite his head) though he's not quite as violent as Kaoru. Yahiko was the one who originally coined the phrase 'Kenshin-gumi' and tries to assist in Kenshin's many battles to prove his strength. He can also show wisdom beyond his years from time to time.

[:.Jessie Han.:]

Megumi Takani

age:22
also known as: kitsune, fox lady (they're basically the same thing)
animal of assosiation:fox
birthday: Dec 1857
blood type: B
height: 166cm
weight: 45kg
fighting style: she doesn't fight

personality:
Megumi is a woman the was rescued by Kenshin and company from a greedy businessman named Kanyruu Takeda, who was forcing her to make opium. She is extremely flirtatious and often flirts with Kenshin, who was the one who helped her realize the importance of her own life when he rescued her. Megumi also enjoys teasing Kaoru Kamiya, who hates it when Megumi flirts with Kenshin. Kenshin never responds to Megumi's advances, though he sometimes becomes extremely flustered by them. Despite her teasing, Megumi acts as somewhat of a guiding force for Kaoru, teaching her to always be there for Kenshin and to smile for him in order to heal his soul. Megumi was the maker of the opium that killed one of Sanosuke Sagara's best friends, which causes the two to be on less than friendly terms in the beginning. Sanosuke eventually forgives her since she didn't willingly make the opium and the two form an odd relationship that consists of a lot of arguing and an underlying mutual attraction. Megumi can sometimes seem cold, but she still harbors guilt in her heart for making opium that killed many people. After she was rescued from Kanryuu she began to work as an assistant doctor, using her extensive medical knowledge. This is her form of atonement.

[:.Jessie Han.:]

Aoshi Shinomori

age: 26 at the beginning of the story
also known as: Ice Blue Eyes
birthday: Jan. 1853
blood type: A
height: 182 cm
weight: 72kg
fighting style: Kodachi Nitou-Ryu
weapon: Two Kodachi (which are short swords)

personality:
Aoshi is the leader of the Oniwaban-shu. He is very serious, in fact he never smiles and often acts like he has no emotions at all. He allied himself with a greedy businessman named Kanryuu Takeda and helped him hold Megumi Takani captive, forcing her to make opium until she was rescued by the Kenshin-gumi. After being defeated by Kenshin and witnessing the deaths of his loyal men, Hanya, Beshimi, Hyotoko and Shikijo at the hands of Kanryuu, Aoshi goes on a quest for strength in order to someday defeat Kenshin. Aoshi wants to become the greatest fighter in history as a testament to his late men who were killed by Kanryuu and to prove that the Oniwaban-shu are the most powerful ninja group ever. He is also more than willing to go to whatever lengths necessary to achieve his goal. This is why he is so intent on defeating Kenshin. He even leaves the Oniwaban-shu for a period of time and allies himself with Makoto Shishio in order to have a chance to fight him again. All in all, Aoshi is a very misguided individual, but he is not actually evil and he proves himself to be a useful fighter in the end. Despite himself, he has a soft spot for Misao Makimachi, who he helped raise along the rest of the Oniwaban-shu.

[:.Jessie Han.:]

Misao Makimachi

age:16
also known as: weasel girl
animal of assosiation:weasel
birthday: Nov. 1863
blood type: B
height: 149cm
weight: 37kg
fighting style: kempo
weapon: kunai

personality:
Misao is very happy-go-lucky, and extremely perky. Her personality is very similar to that of Kaoru's in that while she can be very cheery, she is easily angered and once angered, can be very violent ( which might explain why the two get along so well ). Misao is very proud of the fact that she is a member of the Oniwaban-shu, which is basically her adoptive family. She has always been extremely devoted to Aoshi Shinomori, the leader of the Oniwaban-shu. She is hopelessly in love him and hopes to one day finally make him smile. Misao is caring, compassionate, and friendly. Despite being somewhat tomboyish, she is actually quite sensitive. Misao first enters the story when Kenshin Himura comes across her in the woods during her search to find Aoshi and the other members of the Oniwaban group that went with him. After some squabbling and an adventure or two later she invites him to stay at the Aoiya and even provides him with the resources to locate his old master. Misao then joins the Kenshin-gumi in their fight against Shishio.

[:.Jessie Han.:]

Hajime Saitou

age:35
also known as: narrow eyes, Gorou Fujita
animal of assosiation: wolf
birthday: January 1844
blood type: O
height: 183cm
weight: 71kg
fighting style: Mizoguchi Haiitou Ryu
weapon: Nihontou (Japanese Sword)

personality:
Hajime Saitou is the former captain of the Third Squad of the Shinsengumi, and Kenshin Himura's long time adversary from back in the days of the revolution. He works as an undercover policeman and lives by the Shinsengumi motto, which is 'aku soku zan' meaning, 'Slay Evil Instantly'. Saitou is always cool and collected, and enjoys smoking quite a bit. He has no sort of emotional connection to his allies and has no loyalties to anyone buy himself, the exception perhaps being his wife Tokio. Though throughout the story, Saitou is technically on Kenshin's side, the two are still adversaries and Saitou is always trying to convince Kenshin that he should give up his vow to never kill again and become the man he used to be. This is because Saitou believes that ones a hitokiri, always a hitokiri, and that Kenshin is merely fooling himself by being a pacifist. Saitou also has an adversarial relationship with Sanosuke Sagara, whom he views as 'an amateur fighter who doesn't know the first thing about self defense'. Saitou is very confident in his abilities and is waiting for the chance to finish his dual with Kenshin once and for all.

[:.Jessie Han.:]

Seijuro Hiko

age: 43
also known as: Shishou
birthday: Nov. 1836
blood type: O
height: 189 cm
weight: 87kg
fighting style: Hiten Misturugi Ryu
weapon: katana ( regular Japanese sword )

personality:
Hiko is the man who taught Kenshin how to fight and is also the one who raised him for most of his childhood. He is very smug and self-confident. He believes himself to be a genius and thinks that no one is a better fighter, or better looking than he is ( which is somewhat true to a certain point ). Hiko never finished teaching Kenshin since they parted ways before the Restoration, so during the course of the story Kenshin returns to Hiko to complete his training. Hiko enjoys making fun of Kenshin and likes to call him 'baka deshi' meaning 'stupid pupil'. He also really enjoys drinking sake. Hiko is extremely wise and will sometimes share some of his wisdom with Kenshin ( sort of ). He is the one who finally makes Kenshin realize the importance of his own life ( he practically has to beat it into his skull ). Hiko also eventually becomes the love interest of the Oniwaban-shu ninjas Omasu and Okon.

[:.Jessie Han.:]

PICTURES