Shinta, living alone since his parents' death, growing up in the cruel era of the Bakumatsu's life of violence and hardship, was met by fate as he, a little boy, was saved by the Hiten-Mitsurugi Ryu master, Hiko Seijuurou. Hiko became the master of a newly named Kenshin and taught him everything of budo and Hiten-Mitsurugi Ryu. Kenshin sworn himself to protect the people with his sword but he leaves his training pre-maturely to join with the government group. Kenshin's skills made him the best choice for an assassin. Through many battles and deaths, Kenshin suffers a great lost and vowed not to kill a human life. Arai Shatku, master blacksmith, gives Kenshin his Sakaba (reversed edge) sword and Kenshin travels, as a rurouni (wanderer), from Kyoto to Tokyo where he meets Kaoru Kamiya. In Tokyo, he faces opponents wishing to take his title of Hitokiri Batousai. Kenshin is faced with responsibility of protecting his friends and his vow to not kill.The story of Rurouni Kenshin is well made and deserves a 10. Tying Kenshin's past (Unknown to Kenshin fans until the Kenshin OVA) with his life in Tokyo truly deserves a merit. Kenshin's past played a big role in the story and pieces of his history were shown to viewers through out the show, giving them a kind of suspense. The Kenshin series are seperated by the "Arc" names of which are the Tokyo Arc, Kyoto Arc, and the Revenge Arc. The first season showed us what Kenshin was capable of and explained in detail about the Meiji era and how it effected people in Japan. The second season (Kyoto Arc) really bloomed the story as Kenshin faces off with an extremely strong opponent of the past, Shishio Makato. The third season is not the revenge arc, but an attempted try to extend the Rurouni Kenshin series. A bunch of mini stories put together which wasn't appealling to the audience. The Revenge Arc is about Kenshin's first love's brother getting his revenge for his sister. Kenshin killed Tomoe, his first love, because she sacrificed herself to stop Kenshin from killing anymore. The OVA series is a must watch, anyone who wants to watch a good storyline must give the OAV a try.

In my opinion, Rurouni Kenshin wins the award for best character development. You give Kenshin an hour to develop the bad guy's history, they show you more than you'd expect. All of the main characters had all their stories played out. Here are some of the characters for Rurouni Kenshin.

(More to be added)

Himura Kenshin - Crossing the line of life and death, Kenshin lived to be a killer assassin in the Bakumatsu Erabut started a new life as a rurouni (wanderer). He meets many enemies that pushes him to kill but Kenshin hangs on to his morales and continues on with his non-killing techniques. Kenshin is a funny character and could be serious when trouble arises. This hero is the greatest swordsman of the Bakumatsu and Meiji Era and his title of Hitokiri Batousai (Master Assasin) was known around Japan.

Kamiya Kaoru - Master of her Dojo, Kaoru teaches her own budo style. Her aggressive, boyish character brings a laugh to Rurouni Kenshin but being protected by Kenshin gives her a new personality. She becomes more like Kenshin's first love as she shows her need to bring Kenshin away from all the killing. She is usually the lamb that lures Kenshin out but she is also quite skilled with her wooden sword.

Sangara Sanosuke - One of Kenshin's earlier foes and closest friend and battle partner, Sano is a street punk that tried to take Kenshin's title. He's more skilled with his fists than with his long graphite sword. He learnsthe Futae no Kiwami technique from Anji which allows Sano to break material with a touch of his right fist. Sanosuke was part of the Sekihoutai, a freedom idealistic group, that was working with, but destroyed by, the IshinShishi.

Myoujin Yahiko - A little brat who tries to be strong by learning from Kenshin and Kaoru. He has a short temper but a heart of a warrior and he even learns some of Kenshin's moves.

Sagara Sozo - A name that appeared in the series as Sanosuke's and Tsuman'smentor and leader of the Sekihoutai, a freedom idealistic group. He was killed by the Ishin Shishi.

Tsuikioka Tsuman - Master of bombmaking and friend of Sanosuke, this character vowed revenge against the Ishin Shishi but soon reforms with Kenshin's help.

Udo Jine - One of the first major enemies Kenshin faces. Jine was also an assasin of the Ishin Shishi that Kenshin was part of too. They had never met but Jine's Warrior Spirit attacks is very formidable. Jine would be the first to show Kenshin that Kenshin can't protect everyone.

Saitou Hajime - The opener to the 2nd season, the Kyoto Arc, and longtime rival of Kenshin, Saitou Hajime (3rd Troop Captain of the Shin Sen Gumi) was back out to kill Kenshin for all he did to the Shin Sen Gumi. Using his Japanese sword (Mume no Ken) and his Gatotsu technique, he proves himself to be more powerful than Kenshin had ever faced before. His motto, Aku Soku Zan (Sin Swift Slay), is the Shin Sen Gumi motto and he follows it dearly.

Takani Megumi - A skilled doctor and surgeon was captured by Kanryu. Her presence at the Kamiya dojo brings a humourous scene while Kaoru and Megumi fight forKenshin.

Ayame & Suzume - Two little girls that brings life to Kenshin. They are under the care of Gensai.

Gensai - An old man and a sort of a lechar. He tends to the two little girls of Ayame & Suzume.

I'm going to add other characters descriptions laterMakimachi MisaoShinamori AoshiKashiwazaki Nenji (Okina)Hiko SeijuurouShishio MakotoSeta SoujirouKomagata YumiAnjiUsuiSawagejou ChouYukishiro TomoeYukishiro EnishiOkita SoushiOkubo ToshimichiKatsura Kogoro

Rurouni Kenshin OST are wonderful and should deserve a 10 if not for some weak Openings and Endings. The best ending song should be "Heart of Sword" by TM Revolution and various instrumental pieces were beautifully composed. The music reflects the characters and story very well. Taku Iwasaki's OAV OST is amazing and is the best I heard for an anime series.

For an anime that is 7 years old (1995), Rurouni Kenshin is quite well done. There were times when I thought something could look better but I was totally blown away by the new animation of the OAV. The animators sure know how to draw a more serious theme anime.

I thought that it was pretty good, the OVAs are much better than the TV series. Not enough good action. The Kyoto arc was very good but still not brilliant. Worth a watch but i couldnt understand the hype surrounding it.

Rurouni Kenshin has an excellent in every category you can name. It has everything you can ask for, although some of the opening and ending songs could have been suitable. Overall, a classic and must watch anime. Come on, what are you waiting for!

I don't understand why people would say that Rurouni-Kenshin is boring. Just because you couldn't sit past the character introductions, doesn't mean the entire anime is boring. Rurouni-Kenshin has to be one of the most beautiful animes I've ever seen. And I'm not only talking about the art. It's also one of the most original animes I've seen as well. Kaoru isn't one of those stereotyped girls who are the kindest thing on the planet, and Kenshin isn't one of those hardened bully-like killers. The anime fits together very well, and the plot was beautifully built. The OST was beautiful, although the 1st beginning song was weak. All in all, Rurouni-Kenshin deserves all the praises that it gets and no one should be allowed to insult it before you actually watch everything.

Best anime ever made, and people stop weeping after seeing a couple of episodes, if u wanna judge it see it till the end and u'll love it. man i wish i can lean some heiten swordsmanship too lolz ;)

rurouni kenshin is da best eva anime i watched the whole series 7 times i even bought da set and the movie sumari x trust betrayal and sword heart d motion pic 2 gonna get sen syo hen it g8 u should watch it