Makoto Sokuza
Director
Rurouni Kenshin (1996)
Tales of the Meiji
The Meiji Era was one of great renewal for Japan, where swords and killing were outlawed. However, many survivors from the time of Revolution still live, lurking in the shadows and waiting for a chance to use their killing blades again. Only Kenshin Himura, formerly one of the most brutal of killers, hopes to keep his swordsman's honor and still live in the new era.
Released Jan. 10, 1996
Episode 25 min
14+
Genres: Action, Adventure, Animation, Anime, Anime: Historical, Anime: Samurai, Anime: Shounen, Comedy
Keywords: tmdb.samurai, tmdb.romance, tmdb.anime, mdblist.has-trailer, imdb.one-on-one, imdb.based-on-comic-book, imdb.katana + 72 more, imdb.ancient-japan, imdb.meiji-era, imdb.cult-tv, imdb.character-name-in-series-title, imdb.calling-your-attacks, imdb.meiji, imdb.multiple-english-dubs, imdb.year-1867, imdb.samurai-warrior, imdb.idealism, imdb.poetic-justice, imdb.mercy, imdb.swordsman, imdb.martial-arts, imdb.action-hero, imdb.cult-favorite, imdb.battle, imdb.fight, imdb.attack, imdb.kindness, imdb.justice, imdb.good-versus-evil, imdb.superhero, imdb.1860s, imdb.japan, imdb.revolution, imdb.school, imdb.shounen, imdb.based-on-manga, imdb.sword-fight, imdb.killer, imdb.murder, imdb.revenge, imdb.love, imdb.friendship, imdb.compassion, imdb.sword, imdb.villain, imdb.1960s, imdb.anime-animation, tmdb.meiji-period, tmdb.shinsengumi, tmdb.bakumatsu, imdb.shonen-anime-animation, imdb.shogunate, imdb.samurai-action, imdb.sword-and-sandal-history, imdb.swordplay, imdb.meiji-period, imdb.forgiveness, imdb.police-brutality, imdb.warrior, imdb.moral-ambiguity, imdb.redemption, imdb.samurai, imdb.christ-allegory, imdb.innocence, imdb.hero, imdb.honor, imdb.character-name-in-title, tmdb.assassin, tmdb.exile, tmdb.historical, tmdb.shounen, tmdb.wandering, tmdb.bushi, tmdb.ishin-shishi, tmdb.kasei-culture, imdb.hand-drawn-animation, imdb.bakumatsu, mdblist.anime-dub, imdb.for-grown-ups-animation
Production Companies: Studio Deen, Fuji Television Network, SPE Visual Works, SME Visual Works, Studio Gallop
Network: Fuji TV
S3E1 - The Legend of the Fireflies
Back at home, Kaoru works to restore the dilapidated dojo, while Kenshin encounters a wise old fisherman who teaches him an important lesson about love.
Oct. 14, 1997, midnight
9.0
S3E2 - The Birth of Prince Yahiko
After stepping in to stop what appears to be a robbery, Kenshin and Kaoru meet a young prince who looks exactly like Yahiko.
Oct. 28, 1997, midnight
S3E3 - Find the Lost Treasure!
Sanosuke adopts a stray dog, unaware that it holds the key to a criminal gang's plot to blackmail some local officials and gain political control. And when the gang finally tracks him down, Kenshin and Yahiko join Sanosuke to foil their plan.
Nov. 4, 1997, midnight
9.0
S3E4 - Kaoru, Ecstatic
After Kenshin finds a ring inside a catfish, he's persuaded to give it to Kaoru. Thinking it's an engagement ring, Kaoru is sure that he's asking her to get married.
Nov. 11, 1997, midnight
9.0
S3E5 - The Gleaming Blade of Legends
Alerted by Misao, Kenshin and the rest of the Peace Force arrive to help Aoshi find a mysterious killer. Kenshin's investigation uncovers evidence linking the killing to a Christian Samurai and of vengeance that's been foretold.
Nov. 18, 1997, midnight
S3E6 - The Medallion of Destiny
In an effort to prevent more revenge killings, Kenshin must take on Shogo Amakusa, the Christian warrior known as God's Child.
Nov. 25, 1997, midnight
S3E7 - To the Battlefield of Shimabara
As Kenshin prepares to honor his promise to stop Shogo Amakusa, he and Sanosuke uncover a secret church that was built when Christian worshipers were forced underground.
Dec. 2, 1997, midnight
S3E8 - Shock of the Rai Ryu Sen
When neither Kaoru nor Kenshin can persuade Shogo Amakusa to abandon his plan to advance the Christian cause through violence, the stage for battle is set.
Dec. 9, 1997, midnight
S3E9 - Kaoru's Conspiracy
Though blinded by his duel with Shogo Amakusa, Kenshin seeks another battle in hopes it will restore his sight.
Dec. 16, 1997, midnight
S3E10 - The Days of Remorse
Along with the story of his parent's martyrdom, Misao uncovers the truth behind the alleged miracles that deified Shogo Amarusa.
Jan. 6, 1998, midnight
S3E11 - The Sneering Demon
Sir Kaioh unveils his plan to use Shogo Amarusa's loyal followers to overthrow the government and control Japan himself.
Jan. 13, 1998, midnight
9.0
S3E12 - Sanosuke's Tears
As Kenshin tries to stop the slaughter of the Christians as they march towards martyrdom, Sanosuke is unable to avert the death of Shogo's terminally ill sister.
Jan. 20, 1998, midnight
S3E13 - The Last Crusade
As Misao and the Dutch consul ask the Army delay to their attack, the sightless Kenshin pressures Shogo to prevent the martyrdom of his followers.
Jan. 27, 1998, midnight
S3E14 - Bon Voyage
Following Shogo's surrender, Kenshin asks the government not to execute him. As a result, he and his followers are sent into exile in Holland.
Feb. 3, 1998, midnight
9.0
S3E15 - Himura Dojo in Shimonoseki?
When the Peace Force comes across a man posing as Kenshin, everyone else wants the impostor exposed. But Kenshin notes that he's been using his profits to care for a group of orphans.
Feb. 10, 1998, midnight
S3E16 - Crush!
When Kenshin accidentally loses all their money, the Peace Force must go to work at an inn in order to pay their bill.
Feb. 17, 1998, midnight
S3E17 - Kaishu-Katsu and Kenshin
Kaoru offers to take on a scholarly young student who's been expelled by his teacher until he learns how to fight.
Feb. 24, 1998, midnight
9.0
S3E18 - The Unending Revolution
As Kaoru continues her training of Daigoro, Kenshin is warned to steer clear of the young man's teacher, Kaishu Katsu.
March 3, 1998, midnight
S3E19 - Conspiracy of the Beniaoi
Despite Kaishu's determination to free his daughter on his own, Kenshin joins the Peace Force and Daigoro for a rescue.
March 10, 1998, midnight
S3E20 - Kaishu-Katsu's Determination
Though Daigoro is wounded in the battle, Kenshin and company free Itsuko.
April 14, 1998, midnight
9.0
S3E21 - Yutaro Returns
With his arm nearly healed, Yutaro and his doctor arrive for a visit at the dojo.
April 21, 1998, midnight
9.0
S3E22 - The Sanada Ninja Squad
When a letter from Dr. Hans reveals the story of the miraculous medicine, Yutaro joins the Peace Force in an effort to find it.
May 5, 1998, midnight
S3E23 - A Straying Journey
Using the clues left behind by Dr. Hans, Kenshin and company are led to the hidden shrine that holds the key to the miracle cure.
May 19, 1998, midnight
S3E24 - A Heatwave from Beneath the Earth
After surviving a fall into a volcano, the Peace Force comes across an injured Sanada Ninja who offers to help battle his former allies.
May 26, 1998, midnight
S3E25 - Schneider's Bet
After their search leads them to the hidden cure, the leader of the Black Knights makes it clear that he has no intention of honoring his promise to cede control of Japan to the Sanada Ninjas.
June 2, 1998, midnight
9.0
S3E26 - The Two Guides
As he faces off against the Black Knight's leader, Kenshin must rely on his brains and not his sword to win the battle.
June 9, 1998, midnight
S3E27 - To My Angel Misao
As Aoshi arrives to bring her home, Misao joins Kaoru and some friends for a final shopping spree. However, Sanosuke and Yahiko's efforts to keep an eye on the women lead to them to be mistaken for a pair of thieves.
June 16, 1998, midnight
10.0
S3E28 - Feng Shui Surprise Attack!
Following a series of accidents in town, a master of feng shui blames an imbalance in the Ki, a force which keeps all of nature's other forces in balance.
June 23, 1998, midnight
9.0
S3E29 - The Magic of Feng Shui
As Kenshin learns of a battle between the Wind and Water families for control of the Ki, efforts to build a railroad are exposed as a Water clan plot to control Japan.
July 21, 1998, midnight
S3E30 - Tokyo Under Martial Law
The Water family's efforts to gain control of the Ki have left Kaoru seriously wounded.
Aug. 4, 1998, midnight
9.0
S3E31 - The Enemy Awaits in Senjogahara
With help from the Wind family's leader, Kenshin saves Kaoru's life. But the Water family's quest to redirect the Ki and gain control of Japan moves ahead as planned.
Aug. 18, 1998, midnight
S3E32 - The Elegy of Wind and Water
With Kenshin's help, the Wind family derails their rival's plan to redirect the flow of the Ki and ends their effort to dominate Japan.
Sept. 8, 1998, midnight
Network: Fuji TV
Episode Runtime: 25 min.
Season Runtime: 2350 min.
Released: Jan. 10, 1996
Last Air Date: Sept. 8, 1998, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: TV-14 / 14+
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