Kenshin Himura, The Wanderer.

Good Day to all!

I am back this week with Anime!

And today, I shall be featuring the Main Character of Samurai X and Rurouni Kenshin. He is none other then Kenshin Himura. Quite awhile back, I have talked about the entire anime series and what was the Kenshin Story about.

This time around, I shall elaborate further about Kenshin Himura's character and how this Anime has influenced me.


To start off, I discovered Kenshin Himura from the first OVA, "Samurai X: Trust & Betrayal" when I had a stay over in my close friend's place back during my late High School years some 11 years ago. I guess I started out with one of the most finest part of the Samurai X series as stated by many fans and critics.


As seen in the seriousness and killer instinct eyes in this picture of which I have taken from an angle, the Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal OVA talks about the starting of Kenshin Himura's life. What really captivated me about the OVA was its portrayal of the brutality of war and sword fighting that I have never seen before in cartoons. The OVA also portrays the reality of life rather than a typical Hero story.


Back then, the closest thing I was ever captivated about the Japanese Feudal Culture was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (and they weren't even Ancient, Samurai looking or human for that matter). It would be another year or so before I discover Shogun Total War and started watching Rurouni Kenshin. As such, you could safely say that Samurai X first OVA was what made me captivated by the Samurai Philosophy and Japanese Culture. It was the foundation to my interest in all things Japanese.


As I have told you pretty much a summary of Kenshin Himura in a previous post featuring Seta Soijiro, I will not repeat myself but I must say that the reason why the Anime has been so compelling to me aside from the actual historical events that were illustrated is that there was lots of character development put into making Kenshin Himura who he is.


(This is one of my most favourite shot taken of my Kenshin Himura Figure)

Even though I haven't read much of the manga, the anime has taken me on a great adventure that made me grow more and more attached to Kenshin. In my years in Junior College, I would alway smake it a point to watch and not miss a single episode of the Rurouni Kenshin TV Series. I can still remember that it was in the AXN channel on Singapore's Starhub Cable TV. During the Rurouni Kenshin TV Series, things for Kenshin took a little more brighter turn as you could see Kenshin being less serious and more of a goof ball at times.


But while there was less grit in the TV Series, the philosophy behind his resolve and his new ways was something that inspired me. And it is through the duration of the anime, that we begin to uncover more of how determined Kenshin was to live by his principle and ideals of not killing. It was this profound quality that was forged from his dark past that has made him the greatest swordsman.


Throughout the anime (From the OVAs and TV Series), we see a boy traumatized by a family tragedy, discovering a talent for swordsmanship which he used to pursue an ideal of changing the world around him by exacting death using his skills. Disillusion, he encounters an epiphany in his life through another major tragedy which changes him to not kill anymore. it is throughout this journey of life that his martial prowess in the way of the Sword and his philosophical ideal of not killing that has made him ascend to another level of enlightenment that makes Kenshin the best there ever was as a Samurai in the anime series. Lastly, in observing the life of Kenshin Himura, we find love, sacrifice and companionship that were heartfelt to say the least.


I could continue to go on for hours on end about how this Anime has influenced me but I shall just proceed on to state some exciting news! Rurouni Kenshin is going to have a live action movie as shown on the trailer below!



For those die-hard fans like me, I am sure you all would have already known by now as this trailer was featured a few months back. From the looks of it, it seems to be a really good adaptation with live cast that looks really like how I would have pictured them in real life. (Aside from Saito) The Live action film adaptation of Rurouni Kenshin will feature Takeru Satoh from Kamen Rider as Kenshin and Emi Takei as Kaoru. Directed by Keishi Otomo, the film is expected to release on August 25, 2012. The film is aim to release internationally with intention to make a series out of it.


I wouldn't be your crazy anime fanboy that goes to every anime festival. Let alone one who knows what is the latest popular anime show and what is in trend in Japanese animation. However, I must say that Samurais rocks and after all these years I have grown to appreciate the Japanese Modern and Ancient Culture. Almost every part of my hobbies and appreciation to Japan can be stem from Rurouni Kenshin. The Samurai X has gave me much awesome memories that are vital to who I am today as a person. It has also made me have a more keen interest in the Japanese Language too.



Of which, I am learning using textbooks given to me by my girlfriend. Guess what Japanese Manga I got to learn the language while I enjoy the story? Picture above pretty much explains it all.

Can't wait to see the Movie soon!! There are speculation that there will be a re-imaging of the Anime and it might also include more elaboration more on the Jinshu/Revenge Arc of Kenshin Himura's story which was not shown much in the Seisouhen OVA.

If that is the case, Major awesomeness for me!!!

Hope you all enjoy my tribute to the Samurai Swordsman with the X scar! It is definitely one super duper long post. Will be featuring more characters of the Series soon!

Stay tune!

As of now, I end of with my most favourite Rurouni Kenshin Opening Theme! And one of the first few Jap songs I memorised and learn to Sing. :3