About The Series: Rurouni Kenshin is a Anime and Manga series about a Samurai named Himura Kenshin who lives in a time when Samurai have been outlawed, and people are not allowed to carry metal swords. Kenshin used to be hitokiri (a master assassin) for the government, and killed many people. Because of his past, he has sworn never to kill again because he fears that he will return to being hitokiri. Since he is a master swordsman, he has a custom made sakaba sword, with the blunt side where the sharp side should be. The sword is this way so he can hit people, but not kill them. The other side of the sword is sharp and is rarely used, and only on non-living things.
Background Info: In Japan in the mid-1800s, the old government was overthrown by the people, and the new Meiji era began. The Samurai class was eliminated by the government under a new non-class system of living. This new non-class system was one of the things that got the new government put in, but there still remains a distinct elite society within the government. Eliminating the Samurai was quite convenient for them, because the Samurai were the only ones who could bring them down. The Beginning: Someone is murdering people in Tokyo. Kamiya Kaoru is out looking for this person because he is using the name of her family dojo, and ruining its image. Kenshin just happens to be wandering through at this time, and Kaoru sees his sword. Having a metal sword in this time is illegal, and she suspects him of being the killer. Naturally, she attacks him to restore the honor of her dojo, and Kenshin stumbles and falls over. After he gets up, he explains the situation to her. While he is doing this, real killer shows up. He easily defeats him, and takes Kaoru back to her dojo. In the morning she offers to let him stay with her indefinitely because it will benefit the dojo and neighborhood. From this point on, he makes many friends and swears to protect them all.
Season Two (Useful info): That was Season One, fairly straightforward and episodic. Season Two on the other hand follows a distinct, continuous plot line. Shishi-O has gathered his terrorist army (Ju-pon Gatana), and is poised to take over Japan. Kenshin leaves Tokyo along with Hajime Saito in order to travel to Kyoto and stop Shishi-O's plans. Instead of following various events like in season 1, there is more continuity here. Every episode traces Kenshin's (and his friends') journey and progress. The story line here is very strong, so it is important not to miss an episode this season.
This information courtesy of Jacob Rens © 1998
