"Rurouni Kenshin" is the story of a ronin
warrior with a legendary reputation as an invincible swordsman and a strong sense of
justice. As a supporter of the Meiji reforms, Kenshin has sworn off killing for good.
Nonetheless he still carries a special sword whose cutting and blunt edges are reversed,
allowing him to put attackers out of action without killing them. The tale begins as
Kenshin encounters a beautiful young woman named Kaoru Kamiya, an authority on the Kamiya
sword-handling method and adjutant Master of the Kamiya Swordsmanship Dojo(training
facilities). Kenshin helps Kaoru uncover a plot aimed at destroying the Kamiya
reputation; a trusted friend has been secretly terrorizing the local citizenry, murdering
wantonly and ensuring that Kamiya-trained fighters are blamed.
Although Kenshin unmasks the conspiracy, it's too late-- all the school's students have
already run off. Kenshin, who is jobless and penniless--with no where else to go--takes
advantage of Kamiya's hospitality and moves into the deserted dojo.
After a time, a single new student applies for admission to the school. He is Yahiko, a
10-year old pickpocket Kenshin has saved from a group of Yakuza (gangsters). Subsequently,
the Kamiya school gains another disciple, when Sanosuke, a former rabble-rouser comes
seeking training following his defeat by Kenshin in a duel.
One day, Sanosuke presses Kenshin to accompany him to a gambling den and the ronin
eventually, but reluctantly, agrees. Suddenly, a beautiful woman bursts in, pursued by a
mob of attackers. Kenshin goes to her aid and defeats the group in short order. The woman,
who is known as Megumi, is so impressed by Kenshin's swordsmanship that she asks him to
become her protector. Apparently, she is under constant threat of attack from the private
army of Kanryu Takeda, a power- hungry entrepreneur.
Kenshin agrees to help Megumi and leads her to the Kamiya dojo, where he hopes to
conceal her from Takeda. However, the wily businessman sniffs out her whereabouts and
hatches a plan to destroy both her and Kenshin, whom he has discovered is the legendary
invincible swordsman. He succeeds in enticing Megumi to his lair, knowing Kenshin will
follow.
Discovering Megumi's absence, Kenshin and his followers set off to rescue her. The
group engages Takeda's men, and after much swordplay, apparently succeeds in annihilating
them. Takeda, rattled by Kenshin's extraordinary skill, attempts to buy him off with cash,
but fails. Meanwile, Aoshi, the most dangerous member of the Takeda guard arrives, along
with a band of menacing confederates. As the villains prepare to meet them, Kenshin and
friends succeed in breaking into the Takeda residence. Once inside, they square off with
Aoshi and his warriors, each of whom possesses a uniquely lethal fighting style...
