joaniemaloney's review
5.0
A beautiful story about atonement. I'm rating just volume 1 but really, this is for the entire series. I started and finished this series (in a super short amount of time that I would advise against) all thanks to the live-action film. Everyone was buzzing about this and that for the sequels (!!!) and I had to read the original work to know all about it, from the very beginning. I have no patience to wait for sequels if I can just read the original work and know everything.
Himura Kenshin is burdened with his past as a ruthless assassin and so, vows to never take another life again. As expected, the change in his ideals do not sit well with his former enemies, and his ability to kill is how he's defined by everyone. Kenshin is a wonderfully nuanced character and when I first saw the film, I was really curious to see how the two sides of him, past and present, would work to create this one person. There's a warmth to him that was very refreshing to see and I think the character development was done quite well because the progression made sense. It isn't an abrupt change - he still struggles to keep his past self, that killer instinct, in check. It's an ongoing progress. How do you restrain that part of yourself when it may be the difference to saving your life, or the lives of the ones you care about?
Of course, the story isn't just about Kenshin. He wanders and by chance, gets to know Kamiya Kaoru, the assistant instructor of a school that teaches a style of swordmanship that emphasizes not killing, but living. The dynamic between these two is possibly my favourite thing about this series. I enjoyed the friendships that blossomed with the other characters as well, but Kenshin and Kaoru was the strength of the story for me. I wasn't expecting to care about these characters so much but it all snuck up on me. I can't comment much on the art or the action scenes - there were plenty of the latter - since this is the first anime I've read so there isn't anything to compare to, but I had such a blast reading this from beginning to end. WOW.
I may be getting too greedy but now I want at least two more movies in the series so we can get everything adapted. PLEEEEEEEEEASE.
Himura Kenshin is burdened with his past as a ruthless assassin and so, vows to never take another life again. As expected, the change in his ideals do not sit well with his former enemies, and his ability to kill is how he's defined by everyone. Kenshin is a wonderfully nuanced character and when I first saw the film, I was really curious to see how the two sides of him, past and present, would work to create this one person. There's a warmth to him that was very refreshing to see and I think the character development was done quite well because the progression made sense. It isn't an abrupt change - he still struggles to keep his past self, that killer instinct, in check. It's an ongoing progress. How do you restrain that part of yourself when it may be the difference to saving your life, or the lives of the ones you care about?
Of course, the story isn't just about Kenshin. He wanders and by chance, gets to know Kamiya Kaoru, the assistant instructor of a school that teaches a style of swordmanship that emphasizes not killing, but living. The dynamic between these two is possibly my favourite thing about this series. I enjoyed the friendships that blossomed with the other characters as well, but Kenshin and Kaoru was the strength of the story for me. I wasn't expecting to care about these characters so much but it all snuck up on me. I can't comment much on the art or the action scenes - there were plenty of the latter - since this is the first anime I've read so there isn't anything to compare to, but I had such a blast reading this from beginning to end. WOW.
I may be getting too greedy but now I want at least two more movies in the series so we can get everything adapted. PLEEEEEEEEEASE.
invisibleninjacat's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It took a bit for me to get into it (it's only my second manga and I'm not familiar with the period or setting), but I did end up liking it. I like the funny little faces Kenshin makes.
gillianalice's review
5.0
I just found the anime on Netflix, but realized too late that it didn't go into Enshi's story. So I did the only logical thing and started buying the manga. I'm going to have to pace myself!
sypher's review
5.0
Loved this series growing up. The ending was a little strange, but the emotions it put me through throughout all of the stories made up for it to me.
ubalstecha's review
4.0
Someone is murdering the police and towns people and claiming to be the legendary Hitokiri. Kaoru is trying to stop him when she runs into the bu,bling and wandering Kenshin. He proves to be more than he appears to be, but can he help her unmask the murderer while saving her family dojo at the same time?
A romantic, action-comedy manga that will be a hit with the same people who like Inu Yasha.
A romantic, action-comedy manga that will be a hit with the same people who like Inu Yasha.
wren_in_black's review
5.0
This is a great series for those interested in Meiji Japan or swordsmen with extreme codes of ethics. Kenshin is a great cross between the comic and the emotionally intense.
puzumaki's review
4.0
I saw the anime first; the storyline is nearly exact. Follows Himura Kenshin, a former assassin as he tries to repent for his years in the revolutionary wars of Japan. The new Meiji era just isn't kind to samurai anymore. I really liked Rurouni in the 30 or so episodes I saw, so I'm excited to read more.