In the eleventh year of the Meiji Era (1878), a vagabond swordsman is found wandering the streets of Tokyo. A strange man, he carries a reverse-bladed sword and has an x-shaped scar on his cheek. He wants only to be left alone.
However, a girl named Kamiya Kaoru accuses him of being the man claiming the identity of the legendary Hitokiri Battousai. This man is murdering people in the name of her family's doujo. When he saves her from the real killer, she invites him to come stay at her doujo, since he obviously has no other place to go. This is the beginning of the story of Himura Kenshin.
Before the Meiji Restoration, Himura Kenshin was known as Hitokiri (Murderer) Battousai. He was the top assassin for the reformist group Ishin Shishi. However, when the old government was overthrown and the fighting had drawn to an end, Hitokiri Battousai had disappeared. Kenshin wandered the countryside for nearly eleven years; the world presumed him dead or lost.
When Kenshin meets Kaoru, he is no longer Hitokiri Battousai, for he has sworn never to take another life again. His sword is not a regular sword, but a reverse-bladed sword, meaning that he cannot kill anyone with his sword, but he can defend himself. Kenshin is a man who is trying to escape his past, and create a future for himself. With the help of Kaoru and the others that he meets, he may just have a chance.

THE KAMIYA DOUJO
Kaoru's doujo becomes a haven for the series regulars. After Kenshin's arrival, he and Kaoru find themselves helping a boy named Myojin Yahiko. Yahiko has been pressed into the service of a band of local thieves in order to repay a debt. Kaoru goes to rescue him but finds herself outnumbered. Kenshin shows up and rescues them both, gaining the admiration of the boy. When he says he wants to be just like Kenshin, Kenshin replies he's not interested in teaching anyone how to kill and tells him Kaoru should be his teacher. Reluctantly, he agrees.
Sanosuke's introduction to the doujo is somewhat less peaceful. Incredibly strong, Sanosuke uses the giant Zanba sword, which was originally designed to be used by horsemen. The sword proved too unwieldy to be used, but Sanosuke's strength enables him to use it as a normal sword. When he beats up some drunks at the local restaurant, he catches the attention of several people. Sanosuke challenges Kenshin, but he declines. Meanwhile, one of the other men from the bar hires him to kill Kenshin. After several rounds of fighting, Kenshin wins, and Sanosuke tells him that he'll be keeping an eye on him to see if he will really protect those he cares about. Over time, the two gradually become friends.
The final member of the "family" is Megumi. A promising young doctor, she is unknowningly working for another doctor who is providing opium to the local crime lord. When the doctor is killed, the crime lord takes Megumi prisoner, as she also knows how to make the drug. Ultimately, Kenshin frees her from her forced employment and she becomes the neighborhood doctor, providing medical assistance for not only Kenshin and the others but all the people who live in the area.
Over time, the relationships of the characters develop and deepen. There are several subtle and not-so-subtle romantic relationships about to bloom. But the relationships between the characters who come to call the Kamiya doujo home make them seem very much like a family. They are a group of lost souls who find their place in a very troubled world.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
RUROUNI KENSHIN is set in the Meiji Era, which began in 1868. It was a time of great change and great uncertainty for Japan. The political and economic events of the era play an important part in the KENSHIN story.

THE DEMISE OF THE TOKUGAWA SHOGUNATE
Before the Meiji Restoration, which gave rise to the Meiji Era, Japan had been ruled by the Shogun for over two hundred years. After the Battle of Sekigahara, conveniently held in 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu unified Japan and declared himself Shogun, the ruler of the nation. The Emperor was retained, but his power and status were merely symbolic.
The government system Tokugawa installed was essentially a blanket over the existing local government. Local lords, called daimyos, could do as they pleased, as long as they conformed to the Shogunate's policies and wishes. This loose system of government was obviously not ideal, and after some two hundred years, the foundation for the Shogunate had become unstable.

Samurai during the end of the Bakumatsu period. The United States forced Japan to open its doors to the outside world in 1853.

At the beginning of the Tokugawa period (1600-1858), there were essentially three classes in Japan's hierarchy: nobles, samurai, and peasants. The nobles made the rules, samurai enforced them, and the peasants followed them. However, the peasants were also responsible for producing enough food to feed all three classes. Taxes were paid in rice, and from the taxes paid to the local daimyo, he gave stipends to the samurai under his command. It was a fragile agrarian-based economy that could only endure for so long.
Later in the Tokugawa period comes the rise of the "fourth class," the merchants. Merchants were looked down upon because they didn't contribute or produce anything; they merely made money off the work of others. However, despite the disdain from the other classes, the merchants had products that were in demand.
And this increased demand lead to an increase in currency, but there is only so much rice one can grow. Daimyo started taking taxes years in advance to attempt to retain a positive cash flow, but in the end, this strategy proved unsuccessful. But the hardest hit by all of this was the Samurai. Since they only had a fixed income upon which to live, they often found themselves indebted to the merchants, which of course weakened their position.
So when Commodore Perry sailed into Tokyo Bay and demanded Japan open up trade relations, Japan had a very unhappy peasant base, an indebted and nearly powerless samurai class, and a government that could hardly support its own weight. The merchants were the ones quietly holding much of the power. As a result, the government knew that they could not refuse the United States.

THE MEIJI RESTORATION
However, many argue that it was this very act that prompted the beginning of the revolution. People saw their government as weak, since they did not refuse the United States. Still others were afraid that renewed contact with the outside world would have disastrous results. The Ishin movement was born from these concerns, and it wanted to take back to a more "refined" time in Japan's past. Their motto was "Sonno Joi" ("Revere the Emperor and expel the barbarians!"), and that is what they planned to do.

Fights between the shogun's troops and the reformists were common.

But they only got as far as the first part. The Ishin movement (of which Kenshin and Shishio were both a part) claimed its legitimacy through the Emperor, and restored him to the throne. The Shogun could do little to stop them, as the government was a shambles. After taking the reins, however, the Meiji officials decided that modernizing Japan was the best way to go. After all, Imperialism was running rampant in Asia, and Japan did not want to become a colony of a European nation. So they decided the best way to compete was to play their game on their terms.
This move shocked and dismayed many who had once supported the Ishin movement. After all, the whole idea behind restoring the Emperor was to return Japan to a more golden time. But it was not to be. Japan, as a nation, was confused. A few political leaders steered Japan towards modernization and dragged the nation, kicking and screaming, into the Industrial Age.
The Meiji Era also marked the elimination of the samurai class. With no feudal lords to serve anymore, many of the samurai joined the army or local law enforcement offices, just as Saito did. Others attempted to become bureaucrats in the newly-formed government. They were also forbidden to carry swords anymore, something they had done since before the Tokugawa period. In one of the early episodes, the Meiji police warn Kenshin that it is illegal for him to carry a sword. Without a doubt, since their income had suddenly dried up and they were suddenly displaced, there was cause for much dissension.

National pride could not hide the fact that the nation was still confused over its direction.

The politics of the Meiji Restoration are felt in Kenshin, but serve as background rather than as the main story. Many of the actions of the characters are motivated by what the Meiji government or its officials have done to them in the past.
Kenshin is no longer fighting for the Ishin, but for himself. He does not want to fight at all, and will only do so to defend himself or those he cares about. He is no longer interested in the political power struggles and squabbles that were once a part of his past. Yet for a while he is plagued both by those who would have him join the Meiji government and by those who would exact their revenge for his past actions. Sometimes it seems that Kenshin will never find peace in Meiji Japan.
Saito is a different story. Since his days as part of the Shinsengumi, he has followed the credo of "San Zoku An" ("Destroy Evil Instantly".) It is this credo that allows him to justify changing sides after the Restoration and joining the Meiji police force. After all, he will still be allowed to carry out his quest for eliminating evil. It is this ideal that brings him first to Kenshin as an enemy, and later as an ally. In his case, politics is second to his particular brand of morality; they are a means to an end.
As a child, Sanosuke saw his squad leader and mentor brutally executed by the Meiji officials when his group was no longer of any use to them. As a result, he despises the Meiji government and what it stands for. Before Kenshin and Kaoru change his mind, he is obsessed with vengeance against those who dishonored his squad and killed his friend.
The character most personally affected by the Meiji government is, naturally, Shishio. As Kenshin's successor to the title of Hitokiri, he was invaluable to them while the battles raged. However, after establishing the legitimate government, the leaders decided that Shishio knew too much; his knowledge was dangerous and could destroy the Meiji government while it was still in its infancy. So they arranged to have Shishio wounded and set on fire. Shishio harbors an intense hatred for the Meiji government because of this (and who wouldn't?). He views those in power as liars who are unfit to rule, just as many did at the time, but his reasons are much more personal. He becomes willing to sacrifice any and everything to get the power he feels he deserves.

THE MANGA
The manga began running in WEEKLY JUMP in 1994. It was the first published continuing series of author Watsuki Nobuhiro. According to Watsuki, the story was only supposed to run for ten issues of JUMP, resulting in a series of approximately three or four volumes. However, it was obviously more successful than that, as there are currently 23 volumes of tankuobon available to date.
KENSHIN came to be when Watsuki decided that he wanted to do a fantasy-type manga. After some consideration, he chose to set his manga in the Meiji era, partially because he was inspired by historical novels he was reading at the time. When he was planning the manga to be only a ten-installment series, he decided to use the eleventh year of the Meiji Period because things were less tumultuous. Before then, there was too much going on, too much background that would be required to tell a good story, he believed.
However, there is still plenty of historical background that comes to play in RUROUNI KENSHIN, which is perhaps one of the reasons that the series continues its run. After all, there were a lot of political factions at the time, and the transition from an isolationist feudal nation to a fully-modern industrial power was not an easy one.

THE ANIME
The television series can be divided into two parts. The Tokyo Chapter introduces Kenshin and the rest of the main characters who will come to call the Kamiya doujo home. After these characters become established, the show tells a variety of individual stories; there is not a unifying plot thread throughout the episodes. Many of these stories are not found in the manga.
The Kyoto Chapter begins when Kenshin departs for Kyoto to prevent Shishio from overthrowing the Meiji government. A marked change in the series occurs as Kenshin leaves behind his friends and adopted family in Kyoto. He refuses their help and their company, partly because they will only be a hindrance to him, but also because he does not want them involved in what he knows he must do. A somber Kenshin makes his way to Kyoto, dreading what he knows in his heart he must do. He must become the Hitokiri again. Of course, Kaoru and the others don't sit idly by and eventually they join him in Kyoto. The Kyoto chapter is much more faithful to the manga.
The television series ran 94 episodes (95, if counting the "unaired last episode"), a remarkable run when considering that the average length of an anime television series is currently 26 episodes and shrinking. For Kenshin to have run three times the length of the normal animated series is certainly proof of its popularity in Japan.
The movie REQUIEM FOR THE ISHIN SHISHI was released in theaters in 1997 and borrows again from the historical events. After the establishment of the Meiji government, some people began to see that the new government was as corrupt as the old one. There were several revolts in an attempt to oust the Meiji officials. In REQUIEM, Shigure is one of those who believes the government to be corrupt. He organizes a revolt, but it is put down. Once again, betrayal from within the Meiji government leads to the downfall of a character in RUROUNI KENSHIN.
The OVAs have just begun, and will continue the story from the end of the television series. The OVAs are being called the "Reminiscence Chapter," and the first volume should be released by the time this article is published. There are four volumes in the OVA series.
The anime, like the manga, manages to be both serious and funny. At times, the anime is very serious, usually when Kenshin is fighting or trying to avoid a fight. But humor presents itself during the more mundane events of everyday life. One such area is of course when Kenshin and Kaoru get into an argument. The anime manages to show a humorous side to the characters and their life in the Meiji era. Without such periods away from the overwhelming seriousness of the story, the series would surely become tired. The humorous moments always provide a laugh and keep the series from becoming stale.
Since the manga is still being serialized in JUMP, it is doubtful that the OVAs will be the finale of the series. While the "Reminiscence Chapter" may be the last animated KENSHIN, the story will no doubt continue on to its true end in the manga.

IN THIS CASE, "X" MEANS "NO"
Over a year and a half ago, there was talk of Sony releasing the KENSHIN anime here in the United States under the name of SAMURAI X. Those familiar with KENSHIN bristled at the title change. However, the plans to bring KENSHIN to American shores seem to have crumbled like the Tokugawa government at the beginning of the Meiji Restoration. No further plans have been announced for this series in America by Sony, and no one else has bought the rights.

MEIJI AND BEYOND
Yet, despite the fact that the plans for American release by Sony have faltered, and the fact that the manga has not been released commercially in the United States, the fans of KENSHIN remain strong. In fact, if the series keeps running, in a few years Kenshin may find himself facing the problems of the Taisho era.
The rich political and historical tapestry of the Meiji period can provide many additional stories of everyone's favorite samurai. Like any underdog, whatever the odds, Kenshin will keep fighting. And Kaoru will keep

		Himura Kenshin aka "Hitokiri Battosai" Before the end of the Tokugawa period, Kenshin was a killer for the government. He disappeared during the final battle that led to the downfall of the Tokugawa Shogunate. After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, he saw the error of his ways and wandered Japan as a ronin (masterless samurai) for ten years. Upon meeting Kaoru, his life changes and he begins to settle down and begin to care about people once again. His school of fighting is the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu, which specializes in quick sword strikes that kill instantly. He was given the name "Battosai," which means "master of sheathing a sword," because his attacks were so fast. However, at the end of the Meiji Restoration, Kenshin renounces killing and uses only a sakabatou (reversed-blade sword). He now uses his sword to protect rather than kill.
		Kamiya Kaoru Since her father was killed in the war, responsibility for running the family doujo fell to young Kaoru. She is the one who first identifies Kenshin as Hitokiri Battosai and challenges him to a fight. Her pure heart and gentleness touch Kenshin and he accepts her offer to stay at the doujo. As the story progresses, their relationship continues to grow, and Kaoru seems to be harboring feelings for Kenshin. Feelings that she won't openly admit, however. And when she gets angry, Kenshin usually bears the brunt of her rage.
		Myojin Yahiko Son of a samurai, Yahiko fancies himself a samurai as well. He is a little young to truly fit the bill, but his heart is in the right place. And after being rescued by Kenshin from the thieves guild, he finds a home at the Kamiya doujo. Kaoru begins schooling him in her family's fighting techniques. Thus, Yahiko joins his surrogate family at the doujo. In this environment, he resolves to become as great a fighter as he can be. He idolizes Kenshin and wants to become as strong as he is so he can protect the ones he loves.
		Sagara Sanosuke When he was young, Sanosuke was a junior member of the Sekihora squad. When the squad was betrayed by the Meiji government, he saw its leader and his idol, Sagara Souzo, beheaded. As a result, Sanosuke hates the Meiji government. To honor his fallen idol, he took the surname of Sagara. He wears the chinese character for "evil" on his back. He is incredibly strong and uses a very large sword to defeat his enemies. It took defeat at the hands of Kenshin to make him realize that he was going about things the wrong way, and he too joined the others at the Kamiya doujo.
		Takani Megumi The daughter of a renowned doctor, she is the only surviving member of her family. The doctor she was working for in Tokyo was helping another to distill opium. When this doctor was killed, Megumi was forced to help in the manufacture of the opium. When she met Kenshin and Sanosuke, she managed to break free of the terrible life she was forced to lead. When she was freed, she became the local doctor for the area around the doujo. Her medical skills are exceptional and she often finds herself dressing wounds that the others sustain in battle. She is attracted to Kenshin.
		Saito Hajime Saito is based on an actual historical figure. Saito was a member of the Shinsengumi, but after the Meiji Restoration, he joined the police force. His motto is "Kill whoever is evil," which is why he joined the police. He and Kenji have had past encounters and although Saito considers Kenshin an enemy, he forms an alliance with him later on in the series to defeat a greater evil.
		Shinomori Aoshi The head of the Oniwabanshuu (Ninjas), Aoshi becomes consumed with revenge against Kenshin. When they first fought, Kenshin defeated him; Aoshi wants a rematch to reclaim honor for the Oniwabanshuu. He becomes so obsessed with defeating Kenshin that he even betrays his fellow ninjas and allies himself with Shishio.
		Machimaki Misao A young ninja Kenshin meets en route to Kyoto, Misao is a rather headstrong girl. At first she journeys with Kenshin rather reluctantly, but when she is betrayed by Aoshi, she joins his cause. She is the granddaughter of the former head of the ninja clan.
		Shishio Makoto Shishio succeeded Kenshin as "Hitokiri," and his methods were much more aggressive. He became embroiled in so many dirty dealings in fact that the Meiji Government ordered him killed, because what he knew could destroy the new government. Despite being wounded and set afire, Shishio survived. Now enraged, Shishio seeks to claim power for himself and the destruction of the Meiji Government for its betrayal. His goals is power absolute; he does not care who or what gets in his way.