Rurouni Kenshin - Legendary Swordsman, Vol. 1

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Set during the second half of the 19th century--a time of enormous change in Japanese society--Rurouni Kenshin begins when a wandering swordsman saves the life of a young woman on the streets of Tokyo. The wanderer's name is Kenshin and his blade is sharpened only on the back edge, meaning that he can use it to disable, but not kill, his enemies. The woman, Kaoru, invites Kenshin to stay at her father's kendo dojo, and he comes to her aid when she is attacked by a disgraced student. During the battle it emerges that Kenshin is Battousai the Manslayer, a vicious assassin who terrorized Japan in the turbulent years before the beginning of the Meiji Era. Now he is looking for redemption, but the forces arrayed against him will make it very difficult for him to escape his past. This first installment contains the first four episodes of a long and complex series, and the plot doesn't really begin to gather steam until episode 4. There's plenty of entertaining scene-setting in the other episodes, which introduce the main characters and give a glimpse of Kenshin's troubled past. The series strikes a nice balance between adventure and cute comedy, but its real strength is its convincing evocation of a fascinating historical period. A refreshing change from the more common science fiction and fantasy titles, Rurouni Kenshin is a thrilling adventure that only gets better as the plot develops. Suitable for ages 12 and up. --Simon Leake

Description

The Meiji Era was one of great renewal for Japan, where swords and killing were outlawed. How-ever, many survivors from the time of Revolu-tion still lived, lurking in the shadows and waiting for a chance to use their killing blades again. Only Kenshin Himura, formerly one of the most brutal of killers, hopes to keep his swordsman's honor and still live in the new era.

Customer Reviews:

A Good Start to the Series.......2006-01-03

I own the PRemium Box Set 1 and this is the first disc in that set.

The episodes on this are good, I really enjoyed the first 1, the other 3 help bring the plot forward and add the other characters, but they are not as exciting.

However his is still a great disc.

The features are cool, but I love the outtakes which are not on this disc.

All in all, this disc is still a must have.

A Miracle Begins (by Joey L. Abdullah).......2005-02-02

O.K., Hikorti Bai'tosai has sworn to no longer kill, but help the defenceless. Know, as Himura Kenshin & his gang fight as team.(Sano,Yahiko, & Karou.) let me tell you characters.

Himaru Kenshin: The "Bai' tosai" is Kenshin. He is a skillful swordsman who acts like he never killed & always says "Oro".
He uses a sako-bato ( a reverese blade sword )otherwise called a " Rurouni".

Kamiya Karou: a very main character. she is the teacher of the Kamiya arts. She also trains young Yahiko. She also has a crush on Kenshin.

Myojin Yahiko: a young samurai,whom has a smart mouth,too.He is being picked on by a gang of thugs. Kenshin comes & saves him. Know he trains with Karou,but calls her "ugly".

Sagara Sanosuke: Sano is my 2nd favorite character.(No one beats Saito)Sanosuke is a karate-master,but for emergency he uses his zanza.

very good.......2005-01-18

I first watched rurouni kenshin on cartoon network,I liked it,than I watched it on VHS...I loved it,BUT anyone who wants to watch this should first watch'Samurai X',which tells the story of kenshin when he was evil.I liked this story so I think anyone who likes samurai storys will like this too.

Something for Everyone.......2005-01-12

Ruroni Kenshin looks like a girl. With Elizabeth Taylor's violet eyes and a matching kimono, he is prettier than his love interest, Kaoru Kamiya. That aside, Ruroni Kenshin is an energetic, easy-to-watch series. The colors in this series are beautiful and vivid, maybe a little too vivid.

This first volume contains the first four episodes of the anime series. I appreciated that they wasted no time in introducing us to the four main characters. Viewers meet them all in this volume. Two hunks, a little boy, and a girl.

In general, this is a series that combines elements of bishounen and bishoujo anime. There are great action and fighting scenes for the boys, and cutesy and romantic things for the girls. For example, in the first episode, Kenshin creates rice balls with berries and vegetables added so they look like bunny rabbits. Then he defeats a murderer by paralyzing the murderer's remaining good thumb. The opening song, "Freckles," is all J-Pop sweetness and light. The closing song is a metal riff-laden, throaty, sexy song with suggestive lyrics and great graphics. Kenshin looks like more of a man in the pics shown during the closing song than the episodes in this volume. I personally prefer the closing song.

There is also something for History buffs. This series is set just after the Meiji Revolution, when Japan is going through a period of transition. The influence of Europe and America is finally being explored after years of Japan being isolated from the West. Samurai have been defeated, and no one except certain police officers are allowed to carry swords. Kenshin gets away with carrying his sword, because it is a "reverse-blade," and therefore can kill no one. Or so it seems.

I will watch more of the series, but Kenshin's incongrous changing between a home economics teacher to "Battousai the Manslayer" is a little much.

The first, but not certainly not the best..........2005-01-10

The first installment of the Rurouni Kenshin anime series acts mainly as an introduction to what is a long series of episodes, 95 in all.

If you have seen the anime on television or know the basics of the characters and their personalities, this isn't for you--you'll want to purchase installments of the second season beginning with volume 7, Shadow of the Wolf, which is when the main plot finally begins to build and action scenes are no longer motionless flashes of light.

However if you are new to the series, I recommend purchasing this volume. It certainly serves its purpose and the purpose of the entire first season, introducing the basics of the characters to those unfamiliar with Rurouni Kenshin. If you buy this and end up feeling disappointed, be aware that it is not the most accurate representation of the content of the anime as a whole.

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