Rurouni Kenshin (1996 TV series)

Rurouni Kenshin (るろうに剣心 -明治剣客浪漫譚-), sometimes called Samurai X, is a Japanese anime television series, based on Nobuhiro Watsuki's manga series Rurouni Kenshin. It was directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi, produced by SPE Visual Works and Fuji Television, and animated by Studio Gallop (episodes 1–66) and Studio Deen (episodes 67–95). It was broadcast on Fuji TV from January 1996 to September 1998. Besides an animated feature film, three series of original video animations (OVAs) were also produced; the first adapts stories from the manga that were not featured in the television series; the second is both a retelling and a sequel to the television series; and the third was a reimagining of the second story arc of the series.

Sony Pictures Television International produced its own English dub of the series, releasing it as Samurai X in Southeast Asia. Media Blasters later licensed the series in North America and released it on home video from 2000 to 2002.

Production

In a manga volume published prior to the anime's release, Watsuki stated that while some fans might object to an adaptation, he anticipated it, believing the manga was already "anime-esque". He expressed concerns about the series' sudden creation and its "tight" production schedule.[4] In the same volume, he noted he had little involvement in the anime due to his busy schedule with the manga and a misalignment with the production staff's timeline.[5][6] Watsuki believed it was impossible to make the anime and manga identical and was satisfied as long as the adaptation utilized the strengths of the anime medium.[5]

After production began, Watsuki stated the final product was "better than imagined" and made with the "pride and soul of professionals". He criticized the pacing, certain subtitles, and the compression of story arcs, such as feeling the Jin-e storyline was insufficient for two episodes. Following a consultation with director Kazuhiro Furuhashi, he believed the anime would improve.[7] Watsuki was disappointed that the voice actors from the CD dramas, particularly Megumi Ogata (Kenshin) and Tomokazu Seki (Sanosuke), were not cast in the anime. He reported receiving letters of protest and requests for Ogata to play Seta Sōjirō; Watsuki himself thought she would be suited for Misao. Watsuki expressed a hope that the original CD drama actors would find other roles in the anime.[8] He attributed the recasting to the larger number of companies involved in the anime's production, which introduced industry power dynamics not present for the CD dramas.[6]

The anime's second season included original stories not found in the manga. While Watsuki acknowledged some viewers disliked "TV originals", he found the concept "exciting". He noted that the first season had condensed the manga's initial story arc and looked forward to a "more entertaining" second season that would serve as a "much better stage" for the production staff's talents.[6]

For the English dub, Media Blasters cast Richard Hayworth as Kenshin, giving the character a more masculine voice; Mona Marshall, a finalist for the main role, voiced the younger Kenshin in flashbacks. Script writer Clark Cheng stated that localizing Kenshin's distinctive speech patterns, particularly his use of de gozaru and oro, was challenging. These were replaced with phrases like "that I did" and the non-lexical interjection "huah" to convey the original intent without direct translation.[9] Lex Lang was cast as Sanosuke. Cheng noted that Sanosuke appeared smarter in early episodes than intended, so his dialogue was gradually adjusted to align more closely with the Japanese version's portrayal.[9]

Reception

On TV Asahi's top 100 most popular anime television series poll, Rurouni Kenshin ranked 66th.[61] They also conducted an online web poll, in which the series ranked 62nd.[62] Nearly a year later, TV Asahi once again conducted an online poll for the top one hundred anime, and Rurouni Kenshin anime advanced in rank and came in twenty-sixth place.[63] It also ranked at tenth place in the Web's Most Wanted 2005, ranking in the animation category.[64] The fourth DVD of the anime was also Anime Castle's best selling DVD in October 2001.[65] Rurouni Kenshin was also a finalist in the American Anime Awards in the category "Long Series" but lost against Fullmetal Alchemist.[66][67] In 2010, Mania.com's Briana Lawrence listed Rurouni Kenshin at number three of the website's "10 Anime Series That Need a Reboot".[68]

The anime has also been commented by Chris Shepard from Anime News Network (ANN), noting a well-crafted plot and good action scenes. However, he also criticized that during the first episodes the fights never get quite interesting as it becomes a bit predictable that Kenshin is going to win as the music of moments of victory is repeated many times.[69] Lynzee Loveridge from ANN highlighted as the most known series to use the Meiji period and saw the Kyoto arc as one of the best ones.[70]

However, Mark A. Grey from the same site mentioned that all those negatives points disappear during the Kyoto arc due to amazing fights and a great soundtrack.[71] Tasha Robinson from SciFi.com remarked "Kenshin's schizoid personal conflict between his ruthless-killer side and his country-bumpkin" side was a perfect way to develop good stories which was one of the factors that made the series popular.[72] Anime News Network acclaimed both Shishio's characterization in regards to what he represents to Kenshin's past: "a merciless killer who believes his sword to be the only justice in the land."[73] Similarly, Chris Beveridge Mania Entertainment praised the build up the anime's Kyoto arc has had as after fighting so much build up, Shishio fights and delivers skills that would amaze viewers despite suffering major wounds in the process. Beveridge reflected that while Shishio's death caused by his old wounds rather than an attack by Kenshin, the series' protagonist was also pushed down to his limits in the story arc due to fighting Sojiro and Shinomori before Shishio. Nevertheless, the writer concluded that it was still way paid off despite assumptions that Shishio's death might initially come across as a copout.[74]

Although Carlos Ross from THEM Anime Reviews also liked the action scenes and storyline, he added that the number of childish and violent scenes make the show a bit unbalanced, saying it is not recommended for younger children.[75] Daryl Surat of Otaku USA approved of the anime series, stating that while half of the first-season episodes consisted of filler, the situation "clicks" upon the introduction of Saitō Hajime and that he disagreed with people who disliked the television series compared to the OVAs. Surat said that while the Media Blasters anime dub is "well-cast," the English dub does not sound natural since the producers were too preoccupied with making the voice performances mimic the Japanese performances. Surat said that while he "didn't mind" the first filler arc with the Christianity sect, he could not stomach the final two filler arcs, and Japanese audiences disapproved of the final two filler arcs.[76] Robin Brenner from Library Journal noted that despite its pacifist messages, Rurouni Kenshin was too violent, recommending it to older audiences.[77]

In the making of the 2019 anime series Dororo, Kazuhiro Furuhashi was selected as its director mainly due to his experience directing Rurouni Kenshin.[78]

type	tv series
director	Kazuhiro Furuhashi
producer	Koji Kaneda Mitsuhisa Hida Akio Wakana (1–66) Hiroshi Hasegawa (67–95)
music	Noriyuki Asakura
studio	Studio Gallop (1–66) Studio Deen (67–95)
network	FNS (Fuji TV)
first	January 10, 1996
last	September 8, 1998
episodes	95
episode list	List of Rurouni Kenshin (1996 TV series) episodes

Rurouni Kenshin (1996 TV series)

Plot

Production

Release

Soundtracks

Anime film

Original video animations

Reception

Further reading

External links

References

Plot

Production

Release

Soundtracks

Related media

Anime film

Original video animations

Reception

Further reading

External links

References