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 General History
     Rorouni Kenshin takes place during the Meiji Era of Japan.  It was a time of uncertainty and change.  The events of this era play a major role in the Kenshin story.  Here you will find a breif history of what led up to the Meiji Era.

The Fall of the Tokugawa

     The Tokugawa Shogunate was formed after the battle of Sekigahara in the year of 1600 in which Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated the last remaing heir to the Toyotomi clan thus gaining complete control over Japan.  After moving the capitol back to Edo (Tokyo) he distributes the land amongst 'daimyos' (much the same as fuedal Europe).  After the battle at Osaka Castle there is no longer any threats to the Tokugawa's power and peace flourishes.  Samurai take up learning and the arts, the birth of the Tea Ceremony and kabuki are attributed to this time.  By 1639 the Shogun's nearly had Japan completely closed off from the outside world with the exception of one port where the Dutch and Chinese were allowed to trade, and all foreign books are banned.  
     During this time there are essentially three classes of people; the nobles, the samurai, and the peasents or artisans.  Eventually a fourth class begins to emerge, the merchants.  Viewed as lower than the peasents because they neither made nor provided anything, the merchants still grew in power and wealth because they could provide items that were in demand.  Financial situations worsened within Japan while the merchants grew wealthy and the samurai who had fixed incomes found themselves relying on them.
      Demand grew and grew creating a greater need for money and lords began collecting taxes for years in advance.  This method of finance proved to be a failure and eventually the US had forced Japan to open its borders.  Great disdain and resentment grew within Japan and factions formed calling for the reinstatement of the emperor, while others stood in favor of open trade.  In 1867 the Tokugawa falls due to immense political pressure and the Emperor moves back to Edo (Tokyo) where he regains power by 1868 marking the beginning of the Meiji Restoration or Meiji Era.

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 Television Series
Series Rating - 100% A++
     The series starts with a narrative explaining the legend of Hitokiri Battousai (hitokiri basically means 'murderer', but is used in this sense to mean more like 'assassin'), a legendary swordsman who helped build the Meiji Era and has been missing for the last ten years.
     Someone has been killing innocent people and claiming the name of Battousai.  Kaoru blames a young red-haired samurai as this man.  This samurai is Kenshin, he shows to Kaoru his reverse sword (a sword with no edge) and explains he is no more than a rorouni, or wanderer.  Alerted by sounds of battle Kaoru rushes to see a masked man claiming to be Hitokiri Battousai and that he is battling in the name of the  Kamiya Kashiin Ryuu.  After a battle she is saved by Kenshin and faints.  She awakens in the Kamiya dojo (which she is the leader of) and finds the young rorouni cooking food in the backyard.  Out of gratitude she offers to him a place to stay.
     Kenshin realized during his fight with the supposed Battousai his right thumb was dislocated and asks Kaoru if she knows of anyone with this injury.   After a while she remembers an unruly disciple her father had barred from the dojo eleven years ago.  He had dislocated his right thumb in order to prevent him from using a sword anymore.  At that moment the man attacks the dojo and easily defeats Kaoru.  The young rorouni, Kenshin, easily defeats the attackers and the fake Battousai as well.  He spoke of the real Battousai who used his special technique called the Hitten Mitsurugi.  With this both Kaoru and Gohei (the fake Battousai) realized who this rorouni was!  He was the real Hitokiri Battousai !!  Kenshin then injured the mans left thumb as well, preventing him from using a sword with that hand too.
     Kaoru then asks the young rorouni to stay, proclaiming she doesnt care about his past....but if he must leave again she wanted to know his name.  He decided to stay and told her his name, Himura Kenshin.  And so the story begins.....

!Major Spoilers Ahead!
If you choose to read further, the summary of this 95 episode Masterpiece will be revealed
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 Samurai X OVA
Series Rating - 90% A

     The Samurai X OVA takes place before the TV Series and provides a background story to how and why Kenshin became the way he is.

     Captured as a young boy by slave traders Kenshin witnesses firsthand the slaughter of those who had been taking care of him.  The last survivor of a bloody battle the young Kenshin picks up a sword for the first time and stands to protect his life and avenge the deaths of those around him.  As his pursuers move in to kill the child who defies them they are in stead slain by , Hiko, a master swordsman who was luckily in the area.  After burying the bodies of both the victims and the attackers, Hiko takes Kenshin under his guidance and once again takes on a disciple to teach the Principles of Master Hitten Mitsurugi.

     Years have passed and Kenshin’s sword is as strong as anyone else’s.  Distraught about the killing and injustice being done in the towns and villages Kenshin announces to his master that he wishes to go and help these people by using his sword fighting ability.  Unable to stop his star disciple, Hiko grudgingly allows Kenshin to leave and pursue what he feels is right.

"Go down there and brand yourself a murderer.  Murder is the only art a swordsman can practice, no ornamental words can change that.  You want to protect people with murder?  You will slaughter legions so that a few may live.   The world you ardently desire to enter will not know what to do with you.  It will decieve you into believing you are saving lives even as you destroy them.  You will accept its lies and all the while your hands will be stained with the worst of offenses."

"Perhaps, but my hands will bring relief to those who have learned to live without hope.  A man who feeds on his brother is no longer a man, he is a mad dog!  And should be dealt the same fate.....MASTER!  Listen to me!"

"It is foolish to listen to someone who will not listen to you.  Go on, go to them..."

     Taken in as an assassin for a young lord Kenshin displays extraordinary skill and quickly gains a reputation amongst the fighting class.

      On a routine bodyguard mission a young samurai leaves his beloved just one last time before they are to be married.  The man he is guarding is an enemy to those Kenshin works for and while in the street Kenshin attacks him and his bodyguards.  After putting up a noble fight and leaving behind the first half of Kenshin’s X-shaped scar the young samurai lies on the verge of death reaching out to the love he left behind.  Tomoe.

     Bereaved at the loss of her fiancé, Tomoe sits in a bar far from home drinking sake.  Outside in the rain Kenshin is walking along when he realizes he is being followed.  The pursuer attacks and Kenshin recognizes him as a hired assassin.  Someone really important is involved now!  After a hard battle Kenshin manages to kill his attacker just as Tomoe rounds the corner into the street they are in.  Blood and rain fall onto her clothes and face and in a drunken state she stumbles up to Kenshin proclaiming "You made it rain blood" and then passes out into his arms.   Kenshin then carries her to the inn he stays at, where she is rested and cared for.  The next morning Kenshin wakes to find out that she will be staying there and working for now.


!MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!
If you choose to read further the entire plot and outcome of this wonderful 4-part OVA will be revealed!!!!!
If you wish to continue click below
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