Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 7: In the 11th Year of Meiji, May 14th

A few years ago, I began to start watching anime, and decided to try manga. Okay, to be honest, it wasn't entirely that way. I had thought of reading manga before as I had thought of watching anime before, but I just didn't know where to start reading first. A relative, who knows my tastes in fiction, and my beliefs, found a manga of a character that I could enjoy watching. *Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story*, or plain-old *Rurouni Kenshin* (or *RuroKen* even more so) for short, is a manga about a wandering swordsman named Himura Kenshin, who rescues a young girl from a fight with a hulking killer who claims to be the legendary “Battousai”, the deadliest of a group of assassins (known as the Hitokiri) who fought during the recent war inaugurating the Meiji era in Japan. The girl, a young heir to the dojo of her father, who was slain in the recent war, is named Kamiya Kaoru. She is grateful, though a tad peeved at Kenshin for his goofy ways. She also is a tad prejudiced against him for his “Rurouni” ways. Rurouni means “wanderer” (though it should be noted that is a fake word that the mangaka - Watsuki-sensei - made up), and that is what Kenshin has done lately. This is not exactly considered respectable. Eventually, the reason is revealed why, when she learns that he is, in fact, the *true* Hitokiri Battousai. In guilt over his past as an assassin, as well as for other reasons, Himura has changed his path, and wanders around, doing good, with his reverse-bladed sword. With this peculiar blade, it is almost impossible to kill someone, which is just how he wants it to be. He can still do so, but prefers to avoid that irrevocable step. Eventually, a lonely and grateful Kaoru invites him to stay with her at her dojo as a boarder. At this point, it should be noted, nothing romantic occurs, he is just her friend. This manga appealed to me for a number of reasons. First of all, it was unique compared to American comics. It was not filled with super-heroes, or some adaptation of a popular book or movie, for instance. In other words, it wasn't the typical “comic-book” fare. It was a historical drama. Granted the “history” was played with, as the author freely admits. That in itself, I will add, was quite refreshing. All too many authors try to pretend their stories are more accurate than they truly are. The author here does the opposite of this, freely admitting the story is largely fabricated. The premise is also interesting to me, as it centers on the adventures of a former warrior in late-19th century Japan who did his best to fight for justice. He also, as we see in later volumes, seeks to atone for his misdeeds and mistakes and struggles with self-worth. As a veteran, I empathize and identify with this character type. The other part I liked was that his philosophy was one I agree with entirely. I freely admit that I enjoy it when the hero of a story shares my beliefs instead of trashing them. In this case, this is not beliefs of a religious nature. The author seems to have studiously left out religion for the most part, and, from what I have heard, when there are some Christian bad guys later on, they are made clear to not be typical Christians, but guys who are misusing their faith. In general, the author, Nobuhiro Watsuki, stays away from political and ideological issues of today. That is not to say that politics or religion are not dealt with, but that they are limited to those issues that the characters would have dealt with and discussed *at the time* when the story takes place. This does take the story into condemning later evils like imperialism beginning to rise. Philosophically, Kenshin is someone who is mostly a pacifist, but *WILL* fight when the need arises. Even then, he will not kill normally, but he will do so if he has no other choice. He just tries to avoid each step of the way, and when he does have to do what he would rather not, he takes no pleasure in doing so. The dynamic for the character is sort of similar to that for Superman in his stories, where there are some bad guys who can pose a physical threat to Big Blue, but it is much more a story of Superman's personal and moral struggles. Here too, few can defeat Kenshin, but there are enough people who are good enough to challenge him to the point that he has to fight hard enough that he risks killing them. It is the personal struggle at heart here that makes the tale so interesting. Most people may not care for the philosophy quite as much as I do, because they might not share it, or might even find it weird and absurd. In our darker and edgier age of movies with guys that freely kill, a highly moralistic and extremely pacifistic character is not welcome to most, but he is to me. I can't recommend this enough. You see, I can sympathize with Kenshin, because I feel the same way for similar reasons. I didn't assassinate folks like the fictional Kenshin (based, as all the characters are, *very loosely* on an actual historical figure) did, but I was affected by a recent war, and I do hate violence, but if it is necessary to be violent, I hate any and all sadistic enjoyment thereof. I am a lot like the character in that regard, though certainly not similar in actual fighting prowess (obviously!). For those who also like insights into the author's thoughts, there are character sketches and tidbits from the author about the work in progress. This is an incredible manga and If really can't recommend it enough.

Great books! Ièm buying all of them!

It's amazing when manga actually delivers. Usually, it's just throwaway entertainment at best, grating dreck at worst. But the second arc of Rurouni Kenshin manages to rise above the rest. This is probably my favorite Japanese comic I've ever read (and for whatever reason, I've read a bunch of them). As in another review, I'll use this volume to review the entire story arc. This time, the arc will encompass volumes 7-17 of the manga. It just makes no sense to me to review these individually. Anyway, volumes 1-6 introduced our hero Kenshin and his band of merry followers. The proceedings were fun, but they were really put in place as introductions. Of course, there is the mystery of what Kenshin was, what he did, and why he has changed from a bloodthirsty killer to a man who has vowed never to kill again. But now, his past begins to catch up, as we are introduced to villains and anti-heroes. Our first introduction is Saito Hajime. A historical personage who apparently has some fanboy following in Japan, his appearance here is remarkably good. An enemy of Kenshin during the civil war, he returns ostensibly to recruit him to a new cause. In actuality, he wants to kill him. As he ultimately joins forces with Kenshin, he provides our first real tension in this tale. The reader feels like Saito is a foil to Kenshin's true power, and a legitimate threat. As I read along, I wondered to myself - will Kenshin really pay an ultimate price to this shadow of the past? It made for great reading. We are then introduced to our true villain: Shishio Makoto. An evil samurai during the civil war, he has resurfaced in the hope of overthrowing the new Meiji-led government in order to bring an age of chaos. I can't tell you how pleased I was at this character. While Kenshin is the clear central point in these volumes, it's so nice to see a villain who interacts not because of some petty revenge scenario, but because he is an opposite force. There is some tenuous connection that is completely unimportant, but the real point is this: Kenshin wishes to protect the weak, Shishio wishes to enhance the strong. Kenshin seeks peace in the new government, Shishio seeks chaos and perpetual war. They are thrown together not because they are old friends or because of a girl, or a slight. They come together because it is inevitable, Hegelian conflict, and the ultimate synthesis that arises will be nothing like what either party envisions. Just like Kenshin, Shishio has also gathered a group of followers. Some respect his power. Some want to see the destruction of the new world. But all of them are ultimately united against Kenshin and his followers. And, with one exception, all are notable and memorable. The emotionless, abused child who rises with the help of Shishio. The cold strategist, who is a true believer in Shishio's world. The fallen monk, who only sees redemption in destruction. The ex-Geisha, thrown out on the street by a cold government that took everything from her. The list goes on, and all of the characters are interesting. I won't say that they aren't stereotypical - rather, I'll say that it's a rare feat that a Japanese writer can work well within such stereotypes. There are some missteps here. Kenshin's power to trace the action of swordsmen, but only by tracing emotion, is some of the worst argle bargle I've read in any comic ever. Saito trying (and failing) to stab Shishio in the forehead just looks stupid. But despite these misfires, this is easily the best read I've ever seen in a shonen jump manga, and arguably the best read I've had in any japanese manga ever. Highly recommended.

Saito Hajime,Former Captain of the Third Squad of the Shinsengumi,re enters Kenshin's life to set the stage for the next possible revolution of Japan,in this,the first volume in the "Kyoto" Story Arc. In this,the best volume of Rurouni Kenshin at this point,we have the beginning of a more darker storyline.We have a new villian who is in every way,Kenshin's equal.By day,he's a Police Officer for the new Meiji Goverment,while at night,he's a spy for a local Crime Boss.Saito enters the Kamiya Dojo to conclude a duel the two had 10 years ago and I'll tell you:this is one of the BEST fights in both the Anime Version and in this edition.From the pre-fight chat the two have,on how Kenshin is actually weaker now then he was in the past,to the duel itself,everything is perfect!Once again,we have incredible artwork from Nobuhiro Watsuki,who brings every aspect of this suspenseful battle to life. And thats only the middle section of this volume.Without listing any spoilers,the true meaning of the fight isn't what you would suspect and the absolute ending to this voulme will leave you wanting more.I really don't have anything negative to say about this volume.With this being the first entry in the "Kyoto Arc",it really starts it off with a bang... ...just wait for the last couple of fights later down the road,they're just as good as this battle. Buy this volume now!

damage I don't know if this book is stolen ??? had a bar code for fairfax public library ???

Definitily must have series, deep plot, with of course a lot of funny scenes!