Rurouni Kenshin

The complexity of Rurouni Kenshin derives from its hero Himura Kenshin, a former hitokiri (assassin) who delivered tenchuu. Currently a peace-loving rurouni, he finds it difficult to maintain his pacifist position as his enemies come after him for revenge or to challenge him to see who's best.

Fortunately, Kenshin makes friends who genuinely care for him and like him for who he is. Probably the only reason he did what he did in the Kyoto arc and Jinchuu arc is due to his friends' support. ^_^x

Himura Kenshin

Also known as the infamous hitokiri battousai of the Ishin shishi. His reputation is such that after ten years since the beginning of Meiji Restoration, people still speak of him.

He has several deadly enemies, mostly made while he was hitokiri battousai. He is easily recognizable because of his red hair and a cross scar on his cheek.

Because he never had any desire to kill, he quits after the ishin shishi wins. However, because of his past, Kenshin decides to wander around Japan and atone for his crime, i.e. killing people.

Kamiya Kaoru

Probably the first person since Hiko to not want to use Kenshin for anything, not even for protection. She wants to protect everyone around her (which occassionally gets her into a lot of trouble). The series begins when she "mistook" Kenshin for the murdering hitokiri battousai. Later she plays a significant role as her presence prevents Kenshin from completely giving into his darker side.

Myoujin Yahiko

Yahiko is a son of a samurai family, but because he was orphaned, he becomes a pickpocket before Kenshin and Kaoru rescue him. He wants to learn kenjutsu from Kenshin, but Kenshin refuses to teach him because Hiten is a very effective satsujinjutsu.

Because Yahiko is the youngest member and feels the he owes a lot to Kaoru and Kenshin for giving him a new better life, he tries to help Kenshin's fight, esp. in the Kyoto arc.

Sagara Sanosuke

Sanosuke, affectionately known as Sano, used to be a ganster, but after fighting Kenshin, he "reformed". Very loyal but hot tempered and not particularly brightest person, i.e. Kenshin's always three steps ahead of him. ^_^ But many people like Sano because of his cool personality.

Takani Megumi

Megumi is a doctor in the town. Actually, she used to be the opium maker (not by choice), but Sano and Kenshin rescued her from the bad guys, so she can be a good doctor. ^_^x Megumi is the chief rival for Kenshin's affection in anime against Kaoru. She's also known as the Lady Fox or foxy lady.

Shinomori Aoshi

Aoshi is the leader of the Oniwabanshuu. He's generally cold-hearted and extremely Machiavellian, i.e. as long as he achieves his goals, he doesn't care who gets hurt. Many girls think he's kinda cute, but I think he's not a good romantic interest material despite Misao's foolish crush/love for him. (Misao deserves better...)

Saitou Hajime

Mibu's wolf. He's one scary man with ice in his vein. Probably as bad as Aoshi, but I find Saitou so much cooler. He starts the Kyoto arc by challenging (or stalking??) Kenshin. He wants to conclude the match Kenshin and he started but never finished.

Makimachi Misao

A member of Oniwabanshu and an excellent thief to boot. She meets Kenshin in the beginning of the Kyoto arc and becomes a good friend to Kenshin. She's in love with Aoshi, but I frankly have no idea why. He's probably the nastiest and coldest man out there.

Saitou Tokio

Saitou Hajime's wife. Nobody ever met her in the anime as far as I know, but any woman who can tame Miburo's wolf deserves respect!

Rurouni Kenshin has basically three story arcs. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your view), all the crap fillers Sony made after the Kyoto arc does not count since no self-respecting otaku will admit to liking them.

The tone of the first arc is very upbeat. The series opens when Kaoru attacks Kenshin, thinking that he's the evil hitokiri battousai killing people around and dishonoring her dojo. It turned out that she was right about the hitokiri battousai part, but she was wrong about Kenshin being the cold-blooded killer. She invites him to stay with her, and he stays with her although he tells her he might have to leave later because he's, after all, a rurouni. Kenshin has three major fights against cool enemies.

The first fight is against Sano, and through his fight against Sano, Kenshin reveals a lot about the politics of Japan and what he thinks about it. Then Kenshin fights Jinnye, aka X-Men reject (he looks just like Gambit), to rescue Kaoru. Jinnye was the ex-member of Shinsen Gumi, but he got a bit weird and became a hitokiri. This is actually a good fight. (Unfortunately, the first arc has too many "filler" fights or dumb fights.)

Then finally, Kenshin fights Aoshi. Aoshi is an excellent kenkaku, and he fights to kill, while Kenshin fights to protect. Hence, the fight is uneven from the very beginning. They part as enemies still. *Sigh*

Kyoto arc is arguably the best arc in the series, esp. in anime. Kyoto arc features Kenshin's quest to fight Shishio. The arc begins with Kenshin's fight with Saitou. During the fight, Kenshin's darker side takes over, and Kenshin almost kills Saitou. This frightens Kenshin (Saitou actually thought it was cool....speaking of twisted.....-_-x), and Kenshin accepts the quest in order to protect the loved ones.

Shishio is a pseudo-Darwinist, who believes that all weak must die as he is the strongest. Ororo... He took over the role of hitokiri after Kenshin quit his job. Fortunately for Shishio, Kenshin decides not to kill anybody. However, in order to do so, Kenshin must learn the Hiten Mitsurugiryuu ougi from his shisho Hiko Seijuurou XIII. If I tell you what happens, it's going to spoil the arc. Let's just say that Kenshin meets most unusual enemies, such as Seta Soujirou. He's so good, he's called tenken, which means Heaven's Sword. But he is emotionally dysfunctional, and he can only smile and be polite to people even as he stabs them with his katana.

Let's just say that the ending of the Kyoto arc was somewhat of a surprise. You'll see what I mean when you watch it. ^_^

The third arc isn't really in the anime. Jinchuu arc is only in the manga, and it tells everything about Kenshin's past. Furthermore, Kenshin must face an enemy who isn't interesting in killing him. This time, his enemy wants to kill Kenshin's most beloved person: Kaoru. In addition, his enemy can counter Hiten Mitsurugiryuu ougi Amakakeru Ryuu no Hirameki. @_@x Orororoooo....

After Jinchuu, the story ends. I believe the manga had gone for 5 years. ^_^x There's also OVA, which I believe will be released by the end of this year. :)

We cannot discuss Hiten Mitsurugiryuu without talking about Hiko Seijuurou XIII. Hiko is the complete opposite of Kenshin. While Kenshin is humble, Hiko is arrogant. While Kenshin is petite and slender, Hiko is big and muscular.

Ahh, poor Kenshin! Hiko likes to torture Kenshin with the most gruelling training program imaginable. Ororororooo....

Hiten Mitsurugiryuu is considered the most powerful kenjutsu of all time. Its strength is speed and power, and pity the poor soul happened to be in Kenshin's way...(or more aptly Hiko's way since Hiko doesn't mind killing when necessary, unlike Kenshin). Furthermore, because of the speed and power, Hiten Mitsurugiryuu can kill multiple enemies at the same time. That's why Kenshin was such a good hitokiri.