Himura Kenshin is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the manga Rurouni Kenshin created by Nobuhiro Watsuki, later adapted into anime, films and video games. Also known as Samurai X in the English version and the cross wound on his cheek, Himura Kenshin is very popular in the realm of pop culture.

Who is this red-haired samurai named Himura Kenshin? Find out about him here!

1. Initially a Villain in Watsuki’s One-Shot Manga

When creating Himura Kenshin, Watsuki originally designed him to be the opponent of Hiko Seijuro, a character who appeared in Watsuki's first one-shot manga, "The Crescent of the Civil War". The story tells of Hiko Seijuro's actions in the Sengoku Jidai civil war that took place in the 16th century in Japan.

The one-shot manga is also included in Rurouni Kenshin's tankoubon manga. In the end Hiko Seijuro also appears in Rurouni Kenshin as the teacher of Himura Kenshin.

2. Kenshin’s Story is Set in Meiji Restoration

Himura Kenshin's story is set in a fictionalized version of Japan during the Meiji Restoration period. Kenshin is a former legendary assassin known as "Hitokiri Battousai'', or more accurately Himura Battousai.

At the end of the Bakumatsu war, he became a wandering samurai armed with a sakabato (literally "reverse-edged sword"). Sakabato is a katana that has its sharp edge on the inside, so it cannot be used to kill.

3. Become a Wanderer to Atone for His Sins

Himura Kenshin travels through the countryside and cities of Japan to offer protection and assistance to people in need. His odyssey was carried out as atonement for the various murders he had committed as a slayer. In Tokyo, he meets a young woman named Kamiya Kaoru, who invites him to stay at her dojo despite knowing about Kenshin's past.

Throughout the series, Kenshin begins to develop good relationships with many people, including his former enemies, while dealing with his new foes. Through these encounters and relationships, Kenshin begins to find true redemption for his past that allows him to completely conquer his "Battousai" nature.

4. A Lot of People are Disappointed with OVA Kenshin

Himura Kenshin's character was well received by fans, holding the top spot in all reader popularity polls for the series. Critics also praised his personality, although many people complained about his character development in the OVA version.

In the OVA version, Kenshin, who is old, accepts the invitation of top military officials Aritomo Yamagata to join the war to invade China. Kenshin's character who actually fought in the Sino-Japanese War was different from the Kenshin in the manga series who was a peace-loving person and not someone who supported colonialism.

5. Inspired by Kawakami Gensai, a Real Hitokiri

Watsuki was inspired by the story of Kawakami Gensai, a hitokiri (literally "human killer") who was executed by the Meiji Government. According to Watsuki, when he learned that Kawakami was retaining the duties of his deceased comrades, Watsuki decided to make the character Kenshin.

Since Watsuki's first manga was about a tall, black-haired man with "flashy" armor, Watsuki wanted to create a character that was "completely opposite" to his debut work. Then the new character finally becomes a Kenshin who is sweet like a girl.

6. Kenshin’s Swordsmanship was Inspired by Matsubayashi Henyasai

Watsuki got most of the idea of ​​Himura Kenshin's swordsmanship from a samurai from the Tokugawa era named Matsubayashi Henyasai, who was skilled in acrobatic techniques. Kenshin's sword moves are also made with a touch of acrobatic techniques, even in the live-action version of the movie Kenshin fights while doing parkour.

7. The Author Once Redesigned Kenshin’s Sword

During his fight against Shishio Makoto's troops, Kenshin was given a new sword with a wooden sheath because his old sword had been broken by Soujiro Seta. Kenshin’s old scabbard was also destroyed by Cho Sawagejo when fighting in Kyoto.

Watsuki decided to redesign his new sword to look like the first one Kenshin had in the series, though it was more difficult to draw.

Also Read:

• Seven Rurouni Kenshin Movie Male Characters That Make Rurouni Kenshin: The Final A Fantastic Treat
• Why Did Rurouni Kenshin The Final Come Out First Before The Beginning?
• There are Differences Between Rurouni Kenshin Movie The Final & Manga Story. Where’s Kenshin’s Father-In-Law?

8. Kenshin’s Real Name is Shinta

Shinta is the real name of Himura Kenshin who was born on June 20, 1849. When his entire family was massacred by mountain robbers, a swordsman named Hiko Seijuro helped the only child who survived the massacre, Shinta.

In order to forget his dark past, Hiko Seijuro, who nurtured and educated Shinta in swordsmanship, gave him a new name, Kenshin. The meaning of the name is "Heart of Sword" so that Hiko's protégé can grow up to become a strong swordsman.

9. Adopts Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu Fighting Style

A former legendary assassin, Himura Kenshin is an extremely shrewd swordsman with almost unrivaled skill. Kenshin practices Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu, a fictional ancient sword art that can be based on Battojutsu. This swordsmanship school allows him to practice superhuman speed and reflexes, study and predict the strength of his opponent's moves in battle, and perform many powerful sword techniques.

Most of his techniques were originally meant to effectively kill his opponent. However, Kenshin has modified the use of the technique in accordance with his vow to never kill again. For this noble goal, he fights using his reverse-edged sword or sakabato.

10. Met Kaoru Kamiya after A Copycat Battousai Case

After retiring from his job as a "Hitokiri Battousai" from the revolutionary organization Ishin Shishi, Himura Kenshin lives as a nomad. Ten years after the revolution, he arrives in Tokyo, where he meets Kamiya Kaoru who is looking for a Battousai who has been causing troubles in her town. It turns out to be a copycat Battousai who used Kenshin's legendary name to intimidate the police.

Gobe ​​Hiruma, the copycat Battousai, turns out to be in cahoots with Kihe Hiruma, who has been working at Kaoru's house for a long time as a household assistant. The Hiruma brothers wanted to take over the property of the Kamiya family and get rid of Kaoru but luckily Kenshin prevented the fake Battousai's plot. After that Kaoru invited Kenshin to stay at his dojo even after Kaoru found out that Kenshin was the real Battousai.

11. Become Friends with His Former Opponents

During his stay at the dojo, Himura Kenshin made good relations with many people, including his former enemies as well. Like the former captain of Shinsengumi who is a real historical figure named Saito Hajime. During the Bakumatsu revolution Kenshin and Saito were enemies as the two parties were at war with each other, initially they both wanted to fight when they were reunited at the Kamiya Dojo.

Kenshin and Saito's fight was stopped by the Japanese interior minister Toshimichi Okubo, who asked Kenshin to assist the government in quelling Shishio Makoto's impending rebellion. As a police and secret agent of the Meiji government, Saito finally cooperates with Kenshin in his country.

12. Has a Group Named Kenshin-gumi

Himura Kenshin wants to protect everyone from harm without endangering his close friends. Formerly known as the "strongest hitokiri," Kenshin is the main target of many old enemies and those seeking his title.

Thus, he avoided others getting too close to him personally for their own protection. However, he eventually begins to rely on his friends, which allows them to fight alongside Kenshin. The group was later named the Kenshin-gumi by Myojin Yahiko, one of Kamiya's dojo students.

13. Left the Dojo to Stop Shishio

Shishio Makoto, a former replacement for Kenshin's position as hitokiri Choshu, masterminded the Juppongatana that attempted to overthrow the Meiji Government. The killing of Toshimichi Okubo because of Shishio's men made Kenshin leave Tokyo to stop Shishio.

In order to defeat such a formidable foe, Kenshin is forced to continue his training and repair his relationship with his teacher named Seijuro Hiko. That childhood training was stopped when Kenshin decided to protect the Japanese people by becoming Battousai during the revolution.

14. Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki is His Finishing Move

Himura Kenshin studied the Kuzu-ryusen, which took the form of nine simultaneous attacks on its target using a sword thrust. Kuzu-ryusen, is a side move that is used for studying Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki, Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu's ultimate move that surpasses Kuzu-ryusen's speed.

If the attack is dodged or blocked, the power of the extremely fast slashing motion displaces the air around it, generating a vacuum behind it and sucking in the opponent. As this happened, his body spun around for a second, more powerful attack. During his training, Kenshin also developed a will to survive in his fights. After completing his training, all of Kenshin's friends reunite with him and help him defeat Shishio and his army.

15. Has a Son Named Kenji Himura

Having finished dealing with his big enemies such as Shishio and Enishi, Himura Kenshin realized that because Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu was only suitable for the muscular and bulky build of Hiko Seijuro. His body is starting to deteriorate and he won't be able to use Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu anymore.

Five years later, Kenshin married Kaoru and had a son named Kenji Himura. After that Kenshin gave his sword to Kaoru's student Myojin Yahiko. Kenshin gives his sakabato as a gift for his maturity.

Those are 15 facts about Himura Kenshin, a slayer who became a wanderer. Rurouni Kenshin allows you to learn Japanese history while enjoying the legendary work of Nobuhiro Watsuki.

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