Hitokiri Battousai was the strongest swordsman of the bakumatsu. In this revolutionary war his lethal blade helped overthrew the shogun and end the feudal system. Then he disappeared into the mists of history. Eleven years later a murderer roams the streets of Tokyo claiming to be Hitokiri Battousai and slaying victims using Kamiya Kashin sword style. Kamiya Kaoru, the true heiress of the Kamiya Kashin sword school, tracks down this Battousai and stuggles to defeat him. Luckily she is saved by a bumbling wanderer named Himura Kenshin who uses a strange sword with its sharp and dull sides reversed. After years of bloody combat Kenshin has sworn to never kill again. However Kenshin's enemies don't follow that same philosophy... and they haven't forgotten who Kenshin really is!
A truly great series featuring memorable characters and a perfect balance of action, comedy, drama, and romance. Both manga and anime versions are excellent. The Kenshin anime is suitable for teen and up and the manga is rated OT (Older Teen).
Samurai X - The Kenshin OAV (original animation video) mini-series and movie are sold in English under the title Samurai X. 'Trust and Betrayal' is an amazing 2-part prequel that goes back in time and shows Kenshin's past life when he was a remorseless killer. A chilling tale you won't forget. I recommend watching it after the main TV series but it's also possible to watch it completely stand-alone. The mini-series is unrated but contains mature content and is certainly not suitable for children. The Rurouni Kenshin movie is a side-story in the setting of the main TV series. The third OAV 'Reflection' contains some stories from the main series redrawn in the art style of Trust and Betrayal.
Kenshin Manga - One of the best adventure manga. The anime is adapted closely from the early part of the manga but some later stories are found only in the manga version.
Tips - Check out the new "VizBig" editions of the manga; these 3-in-1 editions are very economical and feature larger pages and more bonus material.
Data
Shop
DVD - Rurouni Kenshin (TV) 95 episodes
DVD - Samurai X Betrayal (OVA)
DVD - Samurai X Reflection (OVA)
DVD - Samurai X The Motion Picture (Movie)
DVD - Samurai X Trust (OVA)
Book - Rurouni Kenshin (Manga 1994)