The Return of Rurouni Kenshin

Twenty seven years after the release of the original Rurouni Kenshin, the anime is getting a remake this year. The plot of the upcoming Rurouni Kenshin anime will be based on the original manga series by Nobuhiro Watsuki, which was published in 1994. In this post, I discuss what you can expect from the new adaptation.

The name of the new season

The name itself is not being adjusted, other than a minor difference. Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan is the original title and Rurouni Kenshin -Meiji Kenkaku Romantan- is the new title. So the colon (:) has become a dash (-).

A change from a colon to a dash is a common stylistic choice in titles. Colons are often used to introduce subtitles or to separate distinct parts of a title, whereas dashes are used more to connect phrases or to indicate a break in thought. Therefore, the change from a colon to a dash may have been made to improve the flow or readability of the title. Additionally, changes in punctuation may have been made to distinguish the new edition of the series from the original, or to reflect changes in formatting conventions over time.

Who is in charge of making the new adaptation of Rurouni Kenshin?

Hideyo Yamamoto is directing the new adaptation with the studio, LIDENFILMS. Hideyo Yamamoto is a director who has previously directed anime such as “Cells at Work! Code Black” and “Strike the Blood”. Liden Films has been involved in various anime productions, including “Tokyo Revengers”, “Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches”, “Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works”, and “FLCL Alternative”.

What is Rurouni Kenshin about?

Rurouni Kenshin is a Japanese manga and anime series set in the Meiji era of Japan. The story follows the adventures of Kenshin Himura, a skilled swordsman and former assassin known as “Hitokiri Battosai,” who becomes a wanderer and takes on the name “Rurouni” to atone for his past actions.

As he travels through Japan, Kenshin encounters a variety of people, including a young woman named Kaoru Kamiya, who runs a martial arts dojo in Tokyo. Kenshin becomes involved with Kaoru and her friends, who include a street fighter named Sanosuke Sagara and a young doctor named Megumi Takani. Together, they face various threats to their town and country, including corrupt officials, bandits, and assassins.

Throughout the series, Kenshin must confront his past and deal with the consequences of his actions as Hitokiri Battosai. He also develops romantic feelings for Kaoru, and their relationship becomes a central part of the story.

As the series progresses, Kenshin’s past catches up with him in the form of old enemies and a group of warriors seeking to overthrow the Meiji government. Kenshin must use all of his skills and courage to protect his friends and his country, while also reconciling with his violent past.

The series blends action, romance, and historical drama, and has become a beloved classic of Japanese popular culture.

Genre list: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Historical Romance, Samurai, Shounen

Why watch the reboot if you have watched the original?

The manga was still being released when the anime wrapped up in 1998. Which means we did not see the entirety of Kenshin’s story. The reboot will re-adapt the manga and go beyond where the original left off. The new adaptation will feature the finals of the Kengan Annihilation Tournament and include the conclusion of the original story in the manga. 

When is it going to air?

The release date for the upcoming Rurouni Kenshin anime is set for July 2023. The series will be directed by Hideyo Yamamoto and animated by Liden Films. As of now, no specific release date has been announced.

Promotional videos:

In September 2022, Anime News Network announced the “New Rurouni Kenshin TV Anime Reveal” and I was instantly excited. I then kept an eye out for anything related to the anime.

Character Visuals

The below character visuals are sourced from livechart.me. What do you think of these character designs?

The new anime adaptation of Rurouni Kenshin is highly anticipated by fans of the original series like myself. With a complete adaptation of the manga series, new content, and an amazing team working on it, it’s sure to be a hit and I am really looking forward to watching it.