Rurouni Kenshin
Warning: Plot details follow.
Rurouni Kenshin manga, volume 1 (English version)
Rurouni Kenshin (るろうに剣心 Rurōni Kenshin) is a set of anime and manga series set during the early years of the Meiji Era in Japan. It is subtitled Wandering Samurai in some English releases. The name Samurai X is used in various English language releases, due to the X shaped scar on Kenshin's face, and most likely also the general "hipness" the word samurai has in English. This name is unpopular with fans of the series, who also point out that Kenshin never was a samurai to begin with.
The series was created by artist Nobuhiro Watsuki, and first appeared as a pair of separate short stories published in 1992 and 1993 in the manga magazine Weekly Shonen Jump Special. In 1994, Watsuki created a final ongoing version that was published in Shonen Jump until it's conclusion in 1999, which the various anime series are based from. In 2000, it was followed up by Yahiko no Sakabatou ("Yahiko's Reversed-Edge Sword").
There are four animated Rurouni Kenshin series (るろうに剣心 "Rurōni" means "wanderer" according to the creator (the word is technically made-up) so the series could be translated as "Kenshin the Wanderer"):
- The TV series, set during the early years of the Meiji Era and telling of the early romance between Kenshin and Kaoru
- A movie (Rurouni Kenshin: Ishin Shishi no Requiem/Rurouni Kenshin: Requiem for the Ishin Patriots), which used a large amount of material from the TV series and re-told its story
- The first OVA series (Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen, split apart as Samurai X: Trust and Samurai X: Betrayal in the English language releases), set during the downfall of the Tokugawa shogunate and telling of Kenshin's childhood and young adult life. Only a few characters from the TV series appear in this OVA, namely Kenshin, Kenshin's master and Saitou Hajime.
- The second OVA series (Rurouni Kenshin: Seisouhen, called Samurai X: Reflection in the English language releases), set after the TV series and telling of Kenshin and Kaoru's later years, differs from the manga on many key plot points.
The OVA series -- which feature a number of historical characters -- attempts to be more realistic and accurate than the TV series, which begins as a romantic comedy but evolves into a period drama.
The Animated series enjoys immense popularity worldwide, and although designed primarily for male fans, its detailed exploration of emotion and relationships (especially the unrequited love Kaoru has for Kenshin) attracts many female followers. Since the series ran for so long (about 90 episodes), each of the main characters was explored quite in depth. Together with the OVAs explaining Kenshin's past and future, this series is considered by many one of the most complete shows about the period and of the 'samurai' genre.
A term invented by Yahiko, these people are Kenshin and his closest friends.
Japanese Seiyuu: Mayo Suzukaze
The main character of the series, Kenshin was a former Imperialist assassin that went by the name "Battōsai". The nickname implies he is proficient in the use of Battō-jutsu (sword drawing technique, known in modern times as Iaido) and can draw his sword with lightning speed. After the revolution, he traded in his katana and wakizashi (companion sword) for a reverse-bladed sword sakabatou and assumed the life of a "rurōni" (wanderer). He becomes a technical master of the Hiten Mitsurugi fighting style after defeating his master, but declines the official mastership. He has quite a distinctive appearance, slightly feminine (common in most anime/manga) with red hair and a cross-shaped scar on his left cheek.
Japanese Seiyuu: Miki Fujitani
Assistant master of the Kamiya Kasshin (her father's) fighting style. She runs the dojo by herself after the death of her father, which is quite unusual as she is still a young girl (about 17 at the beginning of the series). She is very strong willed and quite a talented fighter. The series starts with her meeting Kenshin, and, after some initial scuffles, lets him stay as a guest. She develops a crush on him even after learning of his past crimes.
Japanese Seiyuu: Miina Tominaga
For a descendant of samurai, the new Meiji era was not the best place to grow up. His father died during the Boshin War, slain at the Battle of the Keneiji Temple. His mother died not long after giving birth to her son. Yahiko was originally forced to live as a thief for the local Yakuza, who tricked him into believing that he still had to pay off the money the gangsters gave to his mother to buy medicine. But with the help of Kenshin and Kaoru, he becomes an apprentice of the Kamiya Kasshin style. Yahiko is a hotheaded child. He is arrogant, a potty-mouth, and bad-mannered; and he already bestowed upon himself the title 'Tokyo Samurai'. But, as the years go by, Yahiko learns the principles of Kasshin Kamiya Ryu, which coincides with Kenshin's ideals. Even though he overrates himself, Yahiko defeats several enemies - even one of Shishio's henchmen. In time Yahiko becomes a master swordsman, and trains Kenji, Kenshin's son.
He has a sweetheart, Tsubame, who works at a local restaurant as a waitress.
Japanese Seiyuu: Yuji Ueda
The last of the Sekihoutai, who fought in the imperial alliance at the end of the Tokugawa regime, he initially bore a hatred for all former Imperialists. The reason that he is the last of the Sekihoutai is because his master, Sagara, and his followers, were executed by the Meiji police for impersonating the imperial army and spreading false allegations about low rice prices. This setup was engineered by Shindo Tatewake, a former officer in the imperial alliance. Sanosuke, full of anger and bitterness, made a living as a fighter-for-hire who bore the nickname "Zanza" derived from his weapon, the zanbatou. He was hired to kill Kenshin, but after being defeated by the former assassin and learning of Kenshin's no-kill approach, Sanosuke becomes a valuable ally. He later adopts a boxing-like fighting skill. During the Shishio crisis, Sanosuke learns 'Futae no Kiwami' (Double Level Limit) from a former monk, Anji no Myoou. Futae no Kiwami is a special art, whereby the assailant uses two punches in quick succession; the first punches, then the second breaks the resistance of the opponent's block.
Megumi is a doctor who came to Tokyo from Aizu, the scene of a famous battle between the Oniwa Banshu ninja and the allied factions. Megumi was the apprentice of an eminent doctor in Tokyo. He became involved with Kanryu, a wealthy drug and armaments dealer. Kanryu tried to force Megumi's mentor to make cheap variants of opium (Known as "Spider's Web") to sell on the Tokyo black market. When he refused, Kanryu murdered him. From then on, he forced Megumi to make the drugs. She escaped, and came under the care of Kenshin, but was forced to return to Kanryu's mansion after he threatened to burn down the Kamiya Dojo along with its residents. Convinced that death was the only escape, Megumi tried to commit suicide, only to be saved by Sanosuke. She became a full doctor ever since, helping more people with healing hands, as Kenshin told her, than with his sword.
Other people with whom Kenshin has formed friendships in Tokyo and beyond.
A rich son of a former samurai, who wants nothing more than to learn swordsmanship. He learns the basics of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu from Kaoru and becomes a rival to Yahiko, but then returns to the person he believes to be his true sensei, Raijuta. After Raijuta injures him to the extent where he can't use his right hand, he goes to Germany where they have more advanced medicine.
The Thirteenth successor to the sword art of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, Seijuro Hiko saved Shinta from marauding bandits who killed his caretakers. Hiko then took care of Shinta, and named him Kenshin ("Heart of Sword"). He became angry and disappointed with Kenshin, because he ran away to join the rebellion against the Tokugawa regime. Hiko knew the tragedy of not completing Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu; people with such power tend to get into things they shouldn't and from it blossoms tragedy; what happened to Kenshin happened to him, as well. That is why he shut himself away from the rest of the world; he lives as a sculptor close to the forest near Kyoto. He also realizes the fact that the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu no longer seems relevant in the changing world, as he remarks to Yahiko: "The only thing that doesn't seem to change is the moon." Hiko is perhaps the strongest swordsman around; he is superior, even to Kenshin. Hiko is physically stronger than Kenshin. Hiko's favourite technique is Kuzu Ryu Sen. After thirteen years, master and student meet once more. It is then that Kenshin will complete his training.
Kenshin and Kaoru's son. In the manga we only get a glimpse of him. We learn that he tends to take a liking to his mother more than his father and enjoys to pull on Kenshin's hair. In SeisouHen we see him as a teenager. He dispises his father for always leaving Kaoru's side and has left them to begin training with Hiko Seijuro XIII to learn Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. Until Yahiko shows up one night and shows him otherwise, Kenji believes that is is all right to kill people. In the end, he was given the sakabatou as a late Genpuku present.
The manager of the hot beef pot restaurant, the Akabeko. She has a twin sister managing in a similar restaurant in Kyoto. Sanosuke also owes her a seemingly large sum of money in which interest is accounted for. She has also tried to push the relationship between Kenshin and Kaoru since it seemed it to her that it wasn't going anywhere.
A venerable old doctor and friend of the Kamiya Dojo, he often offers treatment or advice early in the series. In the television show, he is the grandfather of two impossibly cute little girls (Genzai Ayame and Genzai Suzume) who also like hanging around the Dojo. After the group meets Takani Megumi, he offers her training and lets her take over his clinic when on vacation or out collecting herbs.
The ninja clan from Kyoto (Oni Gang in the translated TV series).
Originally raised by Shinomori Aoshi (the leader of the group) as a daughter, she is not biologically related. She treats him as a father figure, as well as the other male characters (to some extent) in the Oniwabanshu. At some point in her childhood, Aoshi hands over custody of here to former Oniwabanshu member Okina (Kashiwazaki Nenji), in order to have a safe and normal childhood. Misao therefore has abandonment issues, and upon growing older (she is approximately 16 during the series) begins searching Japan for Aoshi and the other members of the Oniwabanshu. She idealizes them and does not realize that many others see them as murderers and criminals. She also has a romantic crush on Aoshi.
She is trained as a ninja and uses throwing knives as her weapon.
Upon meeting Himura Kenshin, she learns that he may know the whereabouts of the Oniwabanshu and becomes a member of his 'group' (Kenshin Gumi).
Former leader of the Oniwabanshu. He is a strong fighter and a talented strategist. Upon retiring, he gave up his fighting ways (although he was seen fighting Aoshi) and now lives peacefully in Kyoto at the Aoiya, the headquarters of the Oniwabanshu (which is now a hotel), where he raised Misao. Although old, he still possesses a quick mind and tends to like drinking games.
Leader of the Oniwabanshu, and successor to Kashiwazaki Nenji (Okina). Aoshi, once kindhearted, even raising Makimachi Misao as his daughter, now seeks power and strength by any means necessary. A dangerous opponent, he uses his speed together with a mix of sword and hand-to-hand combat moves. He joined with Kanryu as 'muscle' in his drug manufacturing operation, and then came face to face with Kenshin trying to rescue Takani Megumi.
Bad guys Kenshin meets throughout the Rurouni series.
Japanese Seiyuu: Hirotaka Suzuoki
A former leader of the Third Squad of the Shinsen Gumi, an extremely powerful loyalist faction in Kyoto during the time of the Bakumatsu war. Now a policeman working for the Meiji Government. Extremely strong and vicious, he has a long time rivalry with Kenshin. He was responsible for foiling the Choshu movement, although he failed to prevent the Kyoto Holocaust, and, ultimately, the victory of the Ishin Shishi. He has no compassion or mercy for anyone. He lives by the Shinsen Gumi code "Aku Soku Zan"("Slay Evil Swiftly"). He believes in peace and order, even in the society created by his enemies. Anyone he considers to be evil is a target for elimination. He is an agent of the destruction of corrupt political elements in Japan. He considers Sanosuke to be a child with mild potential, due to Sanosuke's lack of insight. Saitou Hajime was an actual historic figure of this era, and a number of details presented on his character are based on fact. Saito is an excellent warrior, as he is an able observer and a quick analyst. Saito, as he describes to Usui, has his own 'Shingan' - 'Mind Eye.' Saito is a master of the standard Shinsen Gumi style, Migozuchi Haitou-ryu. It consists of the techniques of Gatotsu - the Fang Stab. The four standard techniques are Ichiki - First Stance (standard level ground), Nishiki - Second Stance (attacking from the air toward the ground), Sanshiki - Third Stance (attacking from the ground toward the air), and his succession technique, Ougi - Zero Stance (attacking at point-blank range). He is married to Tokio Takagi, the daughter of a daimyo.
Jin-E was also an assassin during the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate. He is remarkably bloodthirsty, and serves his victims advance warning of their impending doom. He then kills them exactly on time no matter what preparations they have made in their defense. He possesses a technique where he immobilizes people with a glance. He longs to face Kenshin to see who is the stronger.
The Juppongatana (Ten Swords) is the elite group of swordsmen organized by Hoji that are fighting beside Shishio against the Meiji government.
Japanese Seiyuu: Masanori Ikeda
The successor to Kenshin after he became a wanderer. Shishio handled assassinations since Tomoe's death. He was responsible for the murder of Izuka, the man who had sold Kenshin. He was very secretive about himself, even more so than Kenshin; not even did members of the Choshu or Satsuma clans know a great deal about him. He became very violent, and the Ishin Shishi were forced to sanction him themselves, since Kenshin had disappeared. Shishio was shot in the head and burned alive by the Meiji government, but he survived. Afterwards, he swore revenge and assembled a group of the best swordsmen in Japan, called the Juppongatana, to overthrow the new government, but Kenshin, Saitou, Sanosuke, Kaoru, Yahiko and the Oniwabanshu rallied against his plan. Shishio envisioned a Japan ruled by him, enforcing the principles of natural selection. He also wanted to strengthen the economy with petroleum. Shishio is a genius swordsman, and he created his own innovative fighting style. He uses a serrated Sakabatou sword, which is soaked in the oil of the victims he had killed. Thus, he is able to execute fire-oriented techniques. He, like Kenshin, is able to register his opponent's techniques, and could then analyse their strengths and weaknesses, and then take advantage of them. His speed is good, but his strength is monstrous. His weakpoint, however, is his medical condition. Due to the intense burns he received, his sweat glands and pores were closed by ugly scabs that adorned his body, covered by bandages. As a result, he could fight for no more than fifteen minutes, otherwise he would die - combust, from the denatured enzymes caused by the heat. Shishio fervently believes in natural selection - the strong live, the weak die, and moulded an ideological disciple out of Soujiro. He is also the lover of Yumi Komagata.
Soujiro Seta is a teenage assassin, trained by the master mankiller Makoto Shishio. Soujiro is famous for his lack of battle aura, or, simply, emotion. He expresses no anger, cites no fear in his enemies, other than with his sword. His constant, sweet, smiling face and kind manners stem from his tragic past. The son of a prostitute, Soujiro's father left him in the care of his family, who badly mistreated him because he was the child of a whore. He was assigned tasks such as carrying rice to and from the family warehouse. Soujiro built a defense against their lashings at him; he put on an optimistic face, and became used to the torture. Then, they would leave him alone. One night, he met Shishio, who was on the run from the police. Shishio taught Soujiro that only the strong may live. With that mentality, Soujiro slaughtered his oppressors, who, in turn, tried to murder him for housing a branded killer. Although he's not particularly bright, Soujiro's apparent lack of emotion and his simple, insensitive mentality, "The strong live, the weak just die," and his skills make him a formidable foe to Kenshin. Soujiro wields the legendary sword Nagasone Kotetsu, and is already master of the style Shukuchi (Reduced Earth). The Shukuchi utilizes such powerful speed that, to an observer, it appears that the distance between the two fighters has shrunk (hence the name "reduced earth"). During his fight with Kenshin, Soujirou continually states he's only moving "three steps below Shukuchi" or "two steps below shukuchi." While moving at this speed, the only thing that could be seen was Soujirou's footsteps ripping through the tatami mat. While doing the true Shukuchi, Soujirou simply cannot be seen, even by Kenshin.
He is also well versed in the Battōjutsu style, like Kenshin. His ability has earned Soujiro the title of Tenken or Heavenly Sword (Ten meaning Heaven and Ken meaning Sword). Combining true Shukuchi with the Battōjutsu he has created his only other named technique, Shun Ten Satsu (Instant Heaven Murder). It is named this because the speed behind the attack is so swift that "there isn't an instant even to feel the pain." The speed behind the Shun Ten Satsu completely equals to that of Kenshin's Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki. In terms of power however, it is slightly weaker than the Hiten Mitsurugi ougi.
At the fall of the Shogunate, Yumi Komagata was a deiran, an expensive prostitute. Despite that, she is intelligent, dignified, well-cultured, and was brought up in a comfortable life. She was always interested in social issues and occurrences in Japan, and she reviled the lack of opinion amongst the Japanese people regarding the new rulership. She came to love Makoto Shishio with an utmost passion, which he returned. Thus, she joined Shishio's conspiracy to bring down the Meiji government. She is constantly concerned about Shishio's medical state. And, even though she loved the Meiji era's devil, Yumi is kind and feels justified. She also became Soujiro's best friend, and cares for him dearly.
Also known as 'The Sword Hunter', Chou possesses quite a collection of rare and unusual swords, including a long flexible sword he keeps hidden around his waist. He is only a mediocre opponent when not using this exotic weapon. He has a very calm and cool exterior, and normally keeps one eye closed when talking, and only opens both eyes when excited in the heat of battle.
'The Blind Swordsman', Usui was made into a formidible fighter after being blinded in a fight with Shishio Makoto. He possesses 'Eye of Heart', which actually is superhuman hearing that lets him hear another's heartbeat thus enabling him to sense people around him and detect the emotions of others. Although he seems to hate Shishio Makoto, he actually thanks him for enabling to use his enhanced ability of the Eye of Heart. He fights using a short spear with a weighted end, and a tortoise shell as a shield.
Known as Hennya the Flight, he aided the attack of the Aoiya, the Kyoto secret headquarters of the Oniwabanshu, with four other Juppongatana members. He uses bombs to attack and also to lift him into flight. Yahiko defeated Hennya by attempting to using the Ryu Tsui Sen that he has often seen Kenshin use. Later on, he is used as a government spy because of his aviation abilities.
Hoji is Shishio's lapdog, and, aside from Yumi and Soujiro, he is closest to him. Hoji, too, envisions Japan as a mighty power led by Shishio, ruling with the principles of basic animal survival. Hoji is indeed unique; although he is not proficient in any fighting style, he is a cunning organiser and possesses frightening leadership qualities. Hoji was 'baptized' by Shishio's intense body heat to kindle in him a belief in hell. Hoji will follow Shishio, even to the depths of hell...
Anji is a warrior-monk who fights along Shishio to destroy the Meiji government who did nothing to stop the anti-Bhuddist purge which destroyed his home and loved ones. He has dedicated himself to total destruction of the current system, and is willing to side with evil to achieve this. He is the most merciful of the Juppongatana and has made a contract with Shishio that Anji decides whether someone lives or dies. He does not use a blade directly in combat, instead utilizing 'Futae no Kiwami' (Double Level Limit) to strike the blade into the ground to attack from a distance, or more usually directly with his fists. He is enormously strong and has trained his entire body into a killing weapon. Upon meeting Sagara Sanosuke, he teaches him his secret technique, without realizing Sanosuke is allied with Kenshin.
This character is an interesting one. But, we have a case of 'Miriam-ism' here. Although Kamatari appears to be a woman, she is not. She is in fact a man. And yet, Kamatari is so good at being a woman. Unfortunately for him/her, hormone therapy did not exist in 1878. Kamatari uses an very heavy scythe-like weapon, a reaper, with a chain ball on the butt of the weapon; this is called Ogama. He/she was defeated by the combined efforts of Kaoru and Misao on the attack against the Aoiya.
Iwanbo is one of Shishio's Juppon Gatana. He is a fat oaf who uses his immense size, his strength, and his ability to entrap weapons in his flab. He is very stupid, and, apart from taking part in the battle of Aoiya against Kaoru, Yahiko, Misao, Jiya and the Oniwa Banshu as well as grinning like an utter idiot, he doesn't say anything, and he doesn't do anything. He was last seen on a cliff outside of Kyoto...
The leaders of the Christian movement of Shimabara.
Claimed to be the Son of God in order to protect the people of Shimabara. He is one of the few people that knows the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu other than Kenshin and Hiko. His uncle learned the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu from Hiko Seijuro XII but failed to learn the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki against his master's Kuzu Ryu Sen which resulted in him being knocked into a waterfall. His uncle survived and later taught the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu to Shougo. He was the only person to add on a move to the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu; the Rai Ryu Sen, which is a techinique that manipulates light reflected on his sword in order to blind his opponent. Both Kenshin (though temporarily) and Shougo's uncle was blinded by this attack. His parents were killed for being hidden Christians who at the time told Shougo to be strong like God and to protect people of Shimabara. He and his sister moved to Europe with his uncle after his parents were killed. It was there that he learned astrology and medicine and later used that knowledge in Shimabara to predict major events and cure diseases. Because of that knowledge, people believed that he was performing miracles which led to further "evidence" for him being the Son of God. His plans were to make Japan into the land of God where the people could live peacefully without fear of being persecuted but he was manipulated by Kaiou.
People that haunt Kenshin's memories of the Bakufu.
Tomoe Yukushiro was employed by the Shogun spies. She was to kill Kenshin for the murder of her lover, Kiyosato. She was determined to do so. A drunk Tomoe met Kenshin one night, who had just finished spraying a ninja's blood on a rainy street. She came to befriend Kenshin, but was also torn between her familial allegiances to the Shogunate and her assignment to kill the Battōsai, and her growing feelings for the young assassin. After the holocaust of Kyoto and the destruction of the Choshu clan, Katsura assigned Tomoe and Kenshin to live as husband and wife in hiding in the mountains. Over the coming months, Tomoe taught Kenshin the way of living as a civilian; as a farmer, and as a husband. As the political conflicts of Japan drew closer and closer to their home each day, Tomoe went to the waiting Shogun assassins in order to save Kenshin. Realizing that her feelings for Kenshin were being used to the advantage of his assailants, she throws herself in front of Kenshin's opponent in order to disorientate him, thus giving Kenshin the upper hand in the fight. But the cost was great. Kenshin had sliced through her. From that day forward, Kenshin was burdened with the lives of everyone in Japan - especially those he had taken. Tomoe loved him forever.
Enishi Yukushiro was Tomoe's little brother. He loved her very much, since he lost his mother and his father was ill. He loved her so much that he became consumed by his selfishness to bring her back to Tokyo, then Edo, so they could be together. At the age of thirteen or so, Enishi ran away from Edo, and was gone for seven months. He discovered the location of Tomoe through the Shogun agency, and worked with the Shogun spies to kill Kenshin in revenge for butchering Tomoe's lover, Kiyosato. After witnessing Kenshin's accidental killing of Tomoe, Enishi swears Jinchu, or 'Man's Punishment,' to be brought down on Kenshin's head. He meets him again almost twenty years later, with four gifts: A technique to defeat Kenshin's Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu, a Chinese war sword, a kidnapped Kaoru, and white hair, the result of years of stressful mourning for his sister.
Characters Kenshin and his friends meet in Yokohama in the movie.
People Kenshin knows in high places.
General Aritomo Yamagata, a former Choshu clansleader, is the commander-in-chief of the Japanese imperial army and the minister of war. Yamagata was a real person, and an important Meiji statesman; he was also the first Prime Minister under the Meiji constitution of 1889. With his modern army, he defeated the samurai uprising led by Saigo Takamori. He died in 1922. The general appears a few times in the series; the first was in episode three, when he sought Kenshin's skills in the new army. They also meet in the Samurai X movie during Shigure Takimi's uprising.
Okubo was one of the five Ishin Shishi - Men of Spirit. He outlived Katsura and Saigo Takamori. He was a leader of the Satsuma clan, who supported the restoration of imperial power. He was responsible for the suppression of the Satsuma rebellion in 1877, led by Okubo's college friend, Saigo Takamori. In Ruruouni Kenshin, Okubo appears to Kenshin for help in the Shishio crisis. In real life, Okubo was murdered by six discontented clansmen on his way to Tokyo on May 14, 1878. In the Kenshin series, it was Soujiro who murdered him; the clansmen merely took responsibility.
The Ultimate RK FAQ A site that has a FAQ that tries to answer every question about Rurouni Kenshin that has ever been asked (anything from character ages, character translations, a list of OSTs, and whether or not nazis are in RK).
Characters
(names are being listed in Japanese order, in surname before given name fashion)Kenshin Gumi
Himura Kenshin (Hitokiri Battōsai)
English Voice Actor: Richard HayworthKamiya Kaoru
English Voice Actor: Dorothy MelendrezMyoujin Yahiko
English Voice Actor: Elyse FloydSagara Sanosuke (Zanza)
English Voice Actor: Lex LangTakani Megumi
Friends of Kenshin
Tsukayama Yutaro
Tsukioka Tsunan
Hiko Seijuro XIII
Himura Kenji
Sagara Souzou
Sekihara Tae
Sanzou Tsubame
Dr. Genzai
Genzai Ayame
Genzai Suzume
ONIWABANSHU
Makimachi Misao
Kashiwazaki Nenji (Okina)
Shinomori Aoshi
Hannya
Wears a frightening demon mask, and uses armoured gloves with his devastating fist fighting technique. He has surprisingly long arms and good speed. Probably the second best fighter in the Oniwabanshu next to Aoshi.Hyottoko
Shikijo
Beshimi
Kenshin's opponents
Saitou Hajime (Fujita Goro)
English Voice Actor: Sparky ThorntonUdo Jin-E
Kanryu Takeda
Raijuta Isurugi
The Juppon Gatana
Shishio Makoto
English Voice Actor: David LucasSeta Soujiro
Komagata Yumi
Sawagejo Chou
Unuma Usui
Kariwa Hennya
Sodojima Hoji
Yukyuzan Anji
Honjou Kamatari
Iwanbo
Saizuchi Roujin
Fuji
Christians from Shimabara
Amakusa Shougo
Amakusa Sayo
Kaiou
Shouzo Lorenz (Rorenzo)
Characters from the Rurouni Kenshin OAV
Yukushiro Tomoe
Yukushiro Enishi
Katsura Kogorou
Okita Soushi
Iizuka
Murakami
Kiyosato Akira
Sumita
Yatsume Mumoyouni
Tatsumi
Nakajo
Characters from the Rurouni Kenshin movie
Takatsuki Toki
Takatsuki Gentatsu
Takimi Shigure
Tamono Eibin
Musashino
Kajiki Sadashiro
Leaders
Yamagata Aritomo
Okubo Toshimichi
Detective Muraki
Superintendent Kawaji
Ambassador Elsten
Theme Songs
External Links
Let it Burn A site that has the best RK Character guide ever created on the net, in addition to a lot of RK information.