Hey! So the newest installment of the ever-popular “What’s in a Character” pieces is actually from my friend Onamerre, who’s contributed a few guests pieces in the past. For anyone who remembers, he was responsible for a terrific review of the show in question where this character hails from (Rurouni Kenshin). Take a trip from the last character piece at Luna Nova Academy to the early years of the Meiji Restoration in Japan, and discover a deep dive into the wandering swordsman. Onamerre, take it away!
No doubt longtime followers of AniB Productions know that Rurouni Kenshin is my all-time favorite anime, and with that my all-time favorite anime character is the titular protagonist, Kenshin Himura. So the answer long time questions of why on Earth am I so obsessive over this show and its protagonist, want to know further as I give a fair assessment of the character promoting his strengths and exploring his weaknesses.
The reverse-blade sword. This rurouni is the real deal!
What makes Kenshin first and foremost one of the most interesting shonen manga/anime protagonists isn’t the fact that he was essentially raised to kill and became one of the most notorious assassins during the Tokugawa Civil War, but rather it’s primarily what he did after all the bloodshed ceased. Instead of taking up a high ranking military position within the new government (arguably a quick way to make a vast fortune), he took a personal vow to never kill again and lend his superhuman samurai slashing abilities to those in need, courtesy of his unique reverse blade sword. I get many people reading this right may recognize what I just said if they watched Digibro’s review of the same character, but I want you to know my take on this character as well.
Very early on in the series a high-ranking government official comes and visits Kenshin and offers him a high-ranking job within the Japanese government. I would like to take a minute and ask everyone reading this piece to reflect on what the scene is about. How many anime characters have the soul character motivation of becoming the best blank? The best ninja, the best hunter, the best fighter, the best pirate, the best bounty hunter, etc etc? Kenshin is literally handed the end goal of much of the previous and continuing anime protagonist goals on a silver platter, and concludes that this is not what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Indeed, the peaceful warrior would rather live the rest of his life on a moment-to-moment basis and lend his sword to those in need. Where the real fun and drama comes in is what happens when he is pushed to the brink…
Serious and somber Kenshin. It’s not easy to leave the ways of the manslayer.
Of course, Kenshin’s solemn vow is hardly an easy path. Early on in the series as well as at the beginning of the of legendary Kyoto Arc (which very well might be analyzed soon), there are moments when he is pushed to his emotional limit and almost reverts back to his old man-slaying ways. We see this when Kaoru is kidnapped early on in the series and puts her in a lethal trance that can only be ended if Kenshin takes the life of the kidnapper (“Deathmatch under the Moon! Protect the One You Love”, episode 7). This moment is the closest in the entire series where he was to reverting back to his old ways, save only by Kaoru’s amazing courage.
Another example takes place during the Kyoto Arc. A former opponent of Kenshin makes an appearance at the dojo he is staying at and immediately reverses his mentality back to during the revolution. For 20 minutes Kenshin and his opponent are locked in a death battle until it’s broken up by a government representative. What keeps the audience on their toes, holding the tension, is again the temptation- will Kenshin will go back to his manslaying ways during this confrontation? This struggle gives the audience a real hook to watch- if the now peace-loving optimist that is Kenshin will continue his path of redemption and peace, or revert back to his previously demented life.
For all his virtues and toughness, Kenshin can be a bit of a goofball.
One final interesting take about this character is that Kenshin, despite the common trend of manga and anime protagonists being in their early to mid teens, is 28 years old at the start of the manga and possibly is around the age of 30 as of the newer Hokkaido Arc recently printed in Shonen Jump. Why this matters is there have been quite a number of years from once he started killing at a young age till the current present in which he had time to observe, learn, and reflect on all of his experiences. To borrow from a different fictional universe, one could easily make the claim that Kenshin is basically the samurai version of Obi-Wan Kenobi, in which the knowledge he knows in the ways of the sword is pretty much invaluable, all the while using his skills along with his heart and ungodly determination to make the world a better place.
As of now I have not read into the series original finale arc that is known as the Jinchu arc, nor began the continuation with the Hokkaido Arc. But from what I’ve seen from the anime and bits and pieces of the original manga, it’s safe to say without a shadow of a doubt that Kenshin may just be one of the most interesting and unique protagonists ever put to page and screen. Thank you all for reading this to the end and putting up with my deep obsession with the show and the character. I’m Onamerre, and I’m outta here.
And that’s a wrap from Onamerre! Feel free to leave him feedback and comments, especially if you’re a fan of Rurouni Kenshin or the titular character.
AniB Productions 
Himura Kenshin just wants a peaceful life.
LikeLiked by 1 person