Rurouni Kenshin (2023 TV series) EP 1 Review, Should You Sit For Watching The Anime?*Spoilers*

Rurouni Kenshin 2023 is featuring the same story from 1996 but with modern animation. This time it is produced by Lidenfilms. I always wanted to watch the show, and surprisingly the new adaptation dropped a few days back fulfilling my wish just suddenly. And now I am here, with Rurouni Kenshin’s review for the ones who are like me, i.e. who do not have the slightest knowledge about the 1996 adaptation.

So, I was made aware of the fact that this new 2023 version is nothing but a reanimation of the older show, hence without any further delay I watched the anime.

Now let’s begin with what I liked and what I did not like about the first episode, Kenshin: Himura Battosai.

Things I Liked About Rurouni Kenshin: Kenshin Himura Battosai

The Narrative

The episode begins with a brief on the past life of Kenshin Himura, which is however represented very vaguely. At that time he was Hitokiri Battosai. Fast forward we are in the present which is the 11th year of the Meiji Era of Tokyo, Rurouni meets Kamiya Kaoru. She mistakes him for a miscreant names Hitokiri Battosai. Their conversation clarifies Rurouni’s identity.

Just then a nearby commotion catches Kaoru’s attention. She jumps into the ruckus and finds out a criminal, having huge physic, rumored to be Hitokiri Battasoai is causing uproar while going left and right with his sword injuring the police officers.

Kaoru without hesitation strikes her Dojo sword with the criminal. Her reckless behavior, wounds her however this injury was not enough to stop her from going face-to-face with the criminal. Rurouni appears and stops her. Just at the moment, more police backup arrives and this makes the criminal run for the moment.

Rurouni prevents Kaoru from further adventure for the night. He advises her to stop and take care of the injury instead. We the audience finally learn why Kaoru was adamant about fighting the bandit in the first place. The criminal was using their swordsman style birthing a poor reputation of her Dojo institute which was established by her father. Further, the name Battosai is driving students away from the Dojo school.

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Since the recent chaos proved bad for her dojo establishment therefore she is hellbent on catching the miscreant and proving that what her father established is valuable and pure. Rurouni genuinely acknowledges the perspective but suggests she understands her limitations as a swordsman. He puts light on the significance of life over protecting a swordsman style.

Kamiya Kasshin Ryu is a swordsman style that was created by Kaouro’s late father in the Meiji era. He believes in a sword that offers life which Kaour also believes. When she came across the miscreant who was using her father’s swordsman style to perform crossroad killings, she was disappointed while being infuriated. She makes a solid point actually.

But Rouruni’s last sentence to her for the night was

‘Besides, your late father wouldn’t wish, his sword style should be protected at the cost of his daughter’s life ‘

It was enough to stop her from running behind the criminal for the moment.

The story then takes us to their next meeting in the marketplace where we see Kaoro’s intellectual insight over recent commotion. She might be incapable of fighting the huge figured rumored Hitokiri Battosai for the time being, but her brain is what she should be nurturing. Her kind and carefree individuality might be misleading, since, her investigative mind was genuinely on point, isn’t it?

Now we are all set to see the climax of the episode when Rurouni intrudes on the supposed hideout of the criminal and his lackeys. Kaorus’s suspicion proves correct and Ruruoni effortlessly takes care of the miscreants singlehandedly. In the meantime, we are taken inside Kaoru’s Dojo studio, where we learn that Kieh, her current house servant who appeared suddenly after her father’s demise is the villain behind. Well, it was coming.

The invasion of Kaour’s home was however not called for. If Rurouni did not have arrived on time, the whole montage would have been deadly. He takes care of the criminals just like a Shonen hero and saves the night and wins our heroin’s heart.

The narrative was wholesome. There were light and serious moments that were equally placed within the episode to amuse the audience indifferently. I liked how Kenshin’s cheerful energy helps him make a new friend Kaoru in Tokyo. I liked how she felt when Rurouni was about to leave for good. But her plea makes him stay for now. Her teary eyes simply clear the cloud of her genuine affection towards the young man.

The Characters

Both the leads i.e., Rurouni Kenshin along with Kamiya Kaoru are superb. They are strong personalities who perceive the human realm in their own unique way. According to the lady, she believes that a sword has the capacity to offer life, however, Rurouni believes in the other way.

They bring the brilliance of their individuality on screen and exuberate one of the finest chemistry to be the lead of the show. I loved both of them equally, it seemed, that one balances the other. Hence I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next episodes.

The Directions

The direction by Hideyo Yamamoto was excellent according to me. The way Rurouni’s past is revealed in the episode was expressive. We see a brief during the initial minutes of the debut episode. However, his reality is given off when Kenshin saves Kaouru from the group of bandits. I loved every bit of the show and you can again confirm that I am looking forward to the next episodes of Rurouni Kenshin to drop one by one.

The Ending

I found the ending of Rurouni Kenshin Kenshin: Himura Battosai nice. Actually after watching so much anime, it was definitely predictable. But still, the genuine smile on Kenshin’s face, him revealing his true identity to Kaoru which she completely ignores and puts her faith in him, and everything including Kaoru’s teary eye was so honest and innocent.

I simply enjoyed the calm ending to the first episode. It was a perfect finish to the whole mayhem which was basically the storyline of the debut episode. So glad that I finally sat with the series and now I am eagerly looking forward to watching the next episodes.

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The Music

I loved both the opening and ending of this 2023 version. “Hiten” by  Ayase×R-Shitei and the ending  “Kissaki” by Reol were fabulous to me. I simply vibed with the compositions. But on a genuine note, I loved  “Kissaki” a little bit more than the opening. What about you? Please tell me in the comment section below.

Things That I Might Have Not Liked About Rurouni Kenshin: Kenshin Himura Battosai

There is nothing to talk against, about anime as of now. I enjoyed the concept, the theme, the narrative the characters, the directions, and everything from the debut episode of Rurouni Kenshin. Therefore I would highly suggest you give this anime a definite try right now. Or you can wait for the season to finish and sit for watching the entire show at once.

TOTT’s Take On Rurouni Kenshin: Kenshin Himura Battosai

I enjoyed the first episode of the anime wholeheartedly, it was a superb package for me that I can rewatch. Everything about the show was nice. I liked the theme, the characterization, the direction, actually everything. I will definitely recommend the show to people who haven’t watched it yet.

So, this was my take on Rurouni Kenshin: Kenshin Himura Battosai. Now it’s time to know yours. What’s your call on the debut episode? Please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below.

But this is all for today. Hope to meet you all very soon in our next publication.

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BYE BYE, my TOTTers.