Show: Rurouni Kenshin(a.k.a. Samurai X)

Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance

Creator: Nobuhiro Watsuki/Animeworks

Company: Media Blasters

DVD Info: 95 TV episodes, 6 OVA’s, 28 DVD's

Summary: This cartoon is set during the Meiji Era in Japanese history, during the late 19th century. It focuses on Kenshin Himora, a samurai warrior who once fought in the revolution that started the Meiji Era. Because he was forced to kill innocent people, Himora has taken an oath never to kill again and to protect the weak and oppressed.

The Good: Kenshin is an admirable hero who only fights when he sees no other option. He actually prefers to reason with his enemies rather than fighting them.

The Bad: At times, the show can get pretty slow.

Offensive Material: Although Himora is an admirable character, the same cannot be said for his enemies. They are often quite bloodthirsty and ruthless. The show is very violent and not recommended for younger viewers.

Overall: Kenshin is a great role model because he uses his talent to fight for what’s right. If you can overlook the violence, this is a very good show.

My Rating (out of 4): 4.0 Category: B (Parental Guidance)

Note: This cartoon is based on a manga that originally appeared in Weekly Shonen Jump. Viz is publishing graphic novel collections of the manga version.