Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 13

Customer Reviews:

The beginning of the end of Kyoto........2005-06-02

I'm going to try and make this review be more than just the usual "OMH TEH KENSHIN IZ TEH K00L0RZ. I LOVE DIS BOOK" fare that I'm seeing all over this page. In fact, not one review has really mentioned what happens in this book if you read the 10 most recent ones. While I don't particularily like Kenshin that much compared to other series out there (Berserk, What's Michael, No Need For Tenchi!, Street Fighter, etc.), here's where everything picks up. No more drawn out fights like those found in Dragon Ball Z, no more time wasted with characters doing stupid things like turning chibi in the middle of dramatic scenes. Though this book does have some of that going on, the last 3/4 of it are nothing short of great.

Here's where things really get interesting. Kenshin, Sano and Saito are going up against the strongest fighters of the Jupongatana. At the same time, the Oniwaban and Yahiko are taking care of the city, protecting it from the remaining members of the Jupongatana. Though their side of the story isn't focused on much in this book, since, well...they're not really under attack yet. Kenshin's group heads toward Shishio's lair, where they meet Yumi waiting for them. She lets them know that the three of them will have to take on the Jupongatana members one-on-one. No helping in any manner at all. Kenshin makes sure to mention that he will step in if the loser of any fight is about to be killed. Even when not fighting directly, he stands true to his word. They make their way to the first fighter- Anji. Sano, of course, steps up to fight first. The two exchange words as to why Anji's working with the enemy, and everything's revealed. I won't give anything away, but he's fighting for a lot more than control. Something much more personal and touching. The fight between the two is the majority of the book, but not drawn out. Using the Futae no Kiwami attack against the man who taught it to him, Sano seems to not stand a chance. Anji just taught him how to use it with his right fist. But Anji is able to use it with his entire body- legs, feet, elbows, and probably even his head. Obviously having the strength advantage, it looks like Anji's about to win. Saito sits back, lax, smoking. Kenshin, of course, worried about his friend's life. But Sano gets in a direct hit, knocking Anji over. But he gets back up, fueled by rage from the fight and something more. The fight continues, neither man falling over from their attacks. Will the loser die, or get a second chance?

The artwork seems a little better in this volume than it did in previous ones. The detail on Anji is great, and his attacks have a unique style in the ink lines. Some of it almost looks 3D. If there's one complaint about this book I have, it's that the first 1/4 of it is so anti-climatic in its drama that I just didn't care. When Misao learns about Lord Aoshi being alive, but also learning that he's almost driven by pure evil, she knows what has to be done. Then, for an entire page, EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER looks at her and goes "Misao?". I hated this in the animated series, and hate it in the comic. It's one of those many anime "rules" where there has to be something pointless in just about any series. Other things include characters saying someone elses' name whenever they walk away either angry or sad. Argh. Oh, and the translation in this volume is better than I expected. Though some move names are still in Japanese and not translated, they go ahead and name Anji's Futae no Kiwami the "Two Layers". I expected something better than that. My Japanese skills aren't what they used to be, but there are a few better ways to translate that move.

Kenshin fans will get this regardless of what any review says. But if you've only watched the animated version and want to skip past some of the more boring moments, go for the books where Kenhshin fights Saito, Cho, or this one right here. The price on these suckers makes the deal even better.

Average customer rating:

Have a Big Time Winner Here!
The legendary Battosai
A nice start to a great series
Rurouni K. vol. 1
Amazing amazing amazing! (don't blow me because I'm a kid!)

Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: VIZ Media LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1591162203

Book Description

With his killer blade, legend-warrior Hitokiri Battôsai once helped close the turbulent Bakumatsu era and slashed open the progressive age known as Meiji. It's now 1878, ten years after the bloody Meiji Revolution that marked the end of the rule of the Shogun and the Samurai in Japan. In Tokyo, where swords have been banned, Kaoru bumps into the wandering Kenshin while looking for the Battosai, who is ruining the name of her fencing school by killing people in the streets using her signature style. Thus begins an extraordinary relationship between Kaoru, a master swordswoman with a heart of gold; Kenshin, a past master who has vowed never to fight again; and the seemingly invincible would-be Battôsai.

Customer Reviews:

Have a Big Time Winner Here!.......2007-10-04

A mysterious warrior named Hitokiri Battôsai arose in Kyoto 140 years ago. A fiercesome warrior, he slew countless men, his efforts helping bring to a close the Bakumatsu era and bringing in the age of the Meiji.

Then he disappeared.

In the 11th year of the Meiji, a rurouni--a vagabond--named Himura Kenshin surfaces in Tokyo and befriends the spunky Kaoru, the owner of a student-less dojo.

With the aid of young new friend Yahiko, a boy wanting to be a samurai himself, Kenshin and Kaoru must ward off those looking to kill them.

And so the story begins...

Despite its label being a "romantic comedy," this is by far the most serious out of the manga I read. Nobuhiro Watsuki has crafted an incredible tale, an important story, one that had captured my full attention the second Kenshin showed up in Tokyo (which is pretty much the first page of the book).

His art is stellar. The detail is astounding (even after the first 22 pages when the art goes from ultra detailed to "just" super detailed). His rendering of Japan from 140 years ago is believable, each panel transporting you directly to the past.

The big deal about this book is the fight sequences, each chapter in this volume containing at least one battle. I've never seen action like this before--so huge, so intense, so detailed, so explosive, with speed-lines everywhere--AMAZING!

This volumes also includes a special bonus story that was originally published about a year before the now-complete-twenty-eight-volume series began.

This is a great opening story to what is sure to be a fantastic saga this reviewer looks forward to finishing. (I'm also now eager to check out the anime for this.)

Language warning: Cursing

The legendary Battosai.......2006-06-20

My grandma bought me this manga, I have seen the anime series on Cartoon Network before but I didn't get too interested into it. One of my friends, who is also into manga told me that this series is better than i though and that the manga is better. My grandma bought and sent me the book. So I read it, at the first few chapters I liked everything, then I found that the story was going downhill. Like others have commented, it is only the first volume, the characters do have personality, although i found one of them really annoying. It is only the first volume after all and some people did say that things do get better later so I do recommend it if you like action, romance(kind of..) and well great characters!

A nice start to a great series.......2006-06-20

In this volume, you start off the kenshin series with the introduction of 4 major characters:

Kenshin- the legendary swordsman Himura Battousai in the Bakumatsu. He sliced open the pathway to the Meiji era, but killed many. now he is Rurouni Kenshin, wandering samurai, who has swore never to kill again. he practices Hiten mitsurugi Ryu sword style.
Kaoru- the female swordsman. She is tough, rambunctious, young and a bad cook. She is the master of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu style. Her dojo is unpopular due to events in the first book, so she lost all of her students. Possible love interest w/ kenshin.
Yahiko- Punk, former thief, kid of samurai. He is a strong-willed, slightly obnoxious, tough boy. He is the only student of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, and wants to be as strong as Kenshin.
Sanosuke/Zanza- The strongest guy Kenshin fights in a while. Can he come out unscathed?

I'm only giving this book 4/5 stars because it gets so much better by volume 7. Not only does the plot get better but the villains get more diabolical, and aren't just 'beat up in one hit' kind of guys. This manga has romance, comedy, fighting and with the fighting comes the blood. I would recommend this manga highly to anyone who is mature enough to handle mild language (the occasional curse) and plenty of blood. This is amazing manga!

Rurouni K. vol. 1.......2006-02-07

Rurouni Kenshin is a great manga. I highly reccomend it to anyone who enjoys action, humor, romance, or even history. The story is set in Japan right after the Meji revolution. Swords are outlawed, but Kenshin chooses to disobey the law and carry a sakabato (a reverse-edged sword). Summarizing it, the series is about the life of ex-samurai Kenshin after he helped end the bloody revolution.

Amazing amazing amazing! (don't blow me because I'm a kid!).......2005-09-26

Okay yes I'm a kid (or for those whom don't know how to spell a cid, a kiddie, or whatever else you think I am) but I'm a smart kid. And yes my parents a good although they let me read graphic novels fit for teenagers. Now that that is out of the way:

THIS IS MORE THAN BLOOD AND GORE!!!! Yes blood and death comes into play but it isn't like Dragonball Z or those other bloody gorey stupid novels. Anyway the book is drawn very well (although the length of someone in the books arms are a bit off) and the story line is good. It makes for a good reading expierence. I think anyone who is MATURE (yes kids included like myself) will enjoy this book. I think it's a waste to buy it though, try your public library instead. It's a good book but it isn't worth buying. Checking it out of the library is a MUCH better way to go.

^__^ If you like it alot like me after reading it and returning it THEN you should buy it! ^__^

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Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 9

Manufacturer: VIZ Media LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1591166691

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Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 10

Manufacturer: VIZ Media LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1591167035

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Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 12

Manufacturer: VIZ Media LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1591167124

Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 3 (Rurouni Kenshin)

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More kenshin for us to love!!
Its Gold!
And so we come to Aoshi...

Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 3 (Rurouni Kenshin)

Manufacturer: VIZ Media LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1591162505

Book Description

After a night of gambling, Kenshin and Sanosuke return with an unexpected prize - a woman. Beautiful and mysterious, Takani Megumi, the daughter of a famous family of physicians, has unwittingly been participating in the production of a super-powerful, super-profitable form of opium. Hot on her trail is shady industrialist Kanryu, and Sanosuke may not be her best protector after the death of one of his friends from an opium overdose. But Kenshin has looked into her eyes and seen her sadness. He knows he must act - but will he be able to save her from the wrath of Kanryu, or for that matter, from Sanosuke?

Customer Reviews:

More kenshin for us to love!!.......2004-04-21

These novels have kept my attention sinse I first picked up #1 at the store. Kenshin is a true feel-good comedy that is NOWHERE near corney. I just fell in love with the wandering samurai from the very beginning, and I have yet to be disappointed with him!
This novel moves right along with the plot that the second volume left off on. It's all about the mysterious and somewhat annoying Miss. Megumi. She may get press all the wrong buttons with everyone else, but Kenshin still refuses to abandon someone who needs his help, AND THAT'S WHY WE LOVE HIM!!
At first Ruroni Kenshin may seem the same as other dime-a-dozen manga series. Only by reading it can you fully realize just how different and refreshing this series really is. It provides you with characters that you like, and storylines that dont insult your intellegence. In my opinion, Kenshin is the best new manga around. Ken-chan definatly has raised the bar of manga standards, and I'm sure glad he did!! If the story keeps going like it has, theres no telling what new levels of greatness it will reach, so don't be left behind!! READ IT!!!

Its Gold!.......2004-04-20

I just finish reading it and every one gotta read it its alot of action and its so cool iam telling you you gotta read it.I never taught that Rurouni Kenshin was so cool.

And so we come to Aoshi..........2004-02-13

With the Jinne incident over, Kenshin and his friends have become a bit closer. Defeating a mass murderer usually does that... Soon enough though, Kenshin meets Megumi, who's running from her own problems. Kenshin, being a kindred soul and sensing goodness in her, decides to protect her.

When Megumi's "employer" sends his posse to retrieve her, they encounter some difficulties. In their attack on the dojo, we see a little more into the relationships between the characters. Kenshin inspires great loyalty with his kindness and willingness to stand in harms way for the sake of others. He may act clumsy and aloof, but he actually sees much and understands and appreciates much. Because of this, Karou, despite knowing him for just a short time, has great faith in him and as with the others, will stand by him. Megumi came to Kenshin just because she saw he was wearing a sword, but through this incident, she begins to see him in a new light.

Book Description

Held captive and running out of hope, Megumi must face a life of suffering or a peaceful death. Meanwhile, Kenshin and the others continue their battle with the elite former guards who spit fire and throw poison darts.

Customer Reviews:

Definitely the Best RK book Out of the First 6 Volumes.......2006-01-03

This is the best Volume of the fist story arc (vols 1-6). It is incredibly done and the characters are great. You will learn to love a villian....and learn to despise another...

Agreat read and with much much more books a head, it may not be th absolute best.

Very Good!.......2005-01-22

I have seen the original (Japanese) series and I think that the book is a great added feature to anime fans all over. I have seen the English TV series, but especially prefer the Japanese version. The manga (volumes) are a bit more closer to the Japanese version, but are more vivid and definitely more graphic than the TV versions all together. I really enjoy Kenshin and I really appreciated the work put into this anime!

AOSHI!!.......2004-06-10

Right off, I absoulutly LOVE the character Shinomori Aoshi! He's cool, he can fight and he looks very handsome ^_-. Ao it goes without saying that I also love Rurouni Kenshin Vol. 4, where we get to find out what this Okashira, that's been talked so much about, is really like. I'm so very glad that Watsuki-sensai fixed Aoshi's bangs. The hair in book 3 was not gonna work.

The story line in book 4 is very good as well. Kenshin, Sano and Yahiko come face to face with the dreaded Oniwaban group. This is the battle that leads to Aoshi becoming a psycho, for a reason that I believe we all know (but, just in case you don't I won't ruin the surprise). The fight scenes are well drawn and of course, Watsuki's sense of humor is evident as well.

Kenshin vol 4.......2004-04-10

I just got the manga today, and it was great to read. Well we all know Kenshin and company went to Kanryu's mansion to save Megumi, then they have to fight Aoshi's men, then the fight with Aoshi and Kenshin come along and,theres a whole bunch of blood and it was sad how Aoshi's men died for him. Get this manga.