‘Rurouni Kenshin’ Reboot Samurai Anime Streaming on Netflix This February

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In Japanese animation, which frequently draws inspiration from the nation’s folklore, mythology, and history, it might seem unexpected that there are relatively few samurai-themed anime. Despite the prominence of samurai warriors, Ronin, with their distinctive armor and katanas, often appearing alongside supernatural entities, magic, dark powers, giant mechanical suits, or a combination thereof, a small number of historical samurai anime exist. Among these, there are a select few that truly shine. For instance, Shinichiro Watanabe’s “Samurai Champloo” is highly regarded, but it can be challenging to find on streaming platforms. However, one of the best samurai anime, “Rurouni Kenshin,” is poised to find a new home for viewers to rediscover its greatness.

The manga series titled “Rurouni Kenshin” was penned by Nobuhiro Watsuki, who once faced criticism. This story takes place during Japan’s Meiji era (1868-1912) and chronicles the life of Hitokiri Battosai, a former assassin from the Bakumatsu period, who renounces his violent past to become a wandering samurai known as Kenshin Himura. To date, there have been two anime adaptations of this manga. The first was launched in 1996 to widespread praise among fans, while a reboot anime made its debut much later in 2023. It is the more recent adaptation that has now found a new platform for streaming.

Beginning February 4th, you’ll be able to stream Season 1 of Rurouni Kenshin (2023) on Netflix. All 24 episodes from the initial season will become available simultaneously. When this reboot anime was initially released two years ago, it garnered similar acclaim, and the second season is currently underway (available for streaming on Crunchyroll). The official summary of the plot goes like this:

During the time period called Bakumatsu, there lived an assassin named Hitokiri Battousai. Eleven years after that, he reappeared as the traveling swordsman, Himura Kenshin.

In the era of Bakumatsu, a notorious assassin called Hitokiri Battousai existed. After eleven years had passed, this figure resurfaced as a roaming swordsman named Himura Kenshin.

‘Rurouni Kenshin’s Legacy

Rurouni Kenshin is a cherished and top-selling manga series, often mentioned alongside ’90s favorites like Trigun, Sailor Moon, Slam Dunk, and Cowboy Bebop. It ranks as the 34th best-selling manga series of all time, with sales exceeding 72 million copies, trailing slightly behind Fairy Tail and Gintama.

The 1997 animated series is often regarded as a beloved cult favorite. Despite its relatively simple animation compared to contemporary standards, it’s the spellbinding narrative and enduring tale of redemption that continually draws viewers to revisit the original show repeatedly.

The acclaimed series “Rurouni Kenshin” has been mired in significant controversy due to the legal issues surrounding its creator, Nobuhiro Watsuki. In 2017, Watsuki was accused and subsequently charged with possessing child pornography. After his arrest, he acknowledged these allegations.

To show remorse for Watsuki’s behavior, the voice actor of Rurouni Kenshin, Howard Wang, pledged to contribute a significant amount of his income from the series to charitable causes. In a public statement (via ComicBook.com), he stated, “I acknowledge the offenses committed by the author, and I firmly denounce them. Consequently, a share of all my Kenshin earnings will be given to charity.

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2025-01-14 15:01