The late 90s and early 2000s were a great time to be an anime fan in the West, with several high-profile series making their way to television blocks, giving budding enthusiasts a chance to sample more of what Japanese animation had to offer. From Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z airing early in the morning before school to Ronin Warriors and Gundam Wing bringing up the rear, making getting home on time a necessity. Lineups changed over the years, and in 2003, a particularly beloved shonen samurai series made its way to audiences abroad after originally airing in Japan starting in January 1996. While it's still beloved by many today, damaging controversy has since hurt its once spotless reputation.

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By Kristy Ambrose

Airing alongside other popular series like .hack//Sign and YuYu Hakusho, Rurouni Kenshin quickly made its mark on Cartoon Network's beloved after-school programming block, with the show's blend of traditional Japanese sword-fighting action, relatable characters, and playful humor immediately making it a fan favorite. Beyond its television series, Nobuhiro Watsuki's 1994 manga series has inspired everything from live-action films and stage shows to audio dramas and video games.

For countless viewers, Rurouni Kenshin became a staple of their early days in the anime community and a staple of their more carefree years. Unfortunately, as the original anime adaptation celebrates its 30th anniversary, particular actions made by the series' creator continue to sully its legacy.

When Rurouni Kenshin Appeared in the West, It Became an Unstoppable Phenomenon

A historical adventure series with bits of romance and drama thrown in for good measure, Rurouni Kenshin takes place in 1878 in Japan and follows the titular character Himura Kenshin, also known as Hitokiri Battousai. Once the most feared assassin in all the land, Kenshin decides to leave his position to become a wandering swordman, vowing to protect those in need and to never kill again. To achieve this, he utilizes a reversed-blade sword, which is handy for simply knocking bad guys out. On his travels, he meets a young woman named Kamiya Kaoru, who invites Kenshin to live in her dojo. While he quickly makes friends with those he encounters, his past won't die so easily, and plenty of foes are still out for revenge on Battousai the Manslayer.

From the get-go, Rurouni Kenshin had everything it needed to become popular both in Japan and overseas. Protagonist Kenshin, in particular, struck a chord with audiences, striking a balance between being a once-bloodthirsty killer and a now-kindhearted hero. He pulled viewers in with his ferocity and incredible skills in battle, and further inspired them with his dedication to do good and his never-ending desire to improve himself and make amends for his past crimes. The series' setting in classical Japan also made it somewhat of a curiosity to foreign audiences, likely fueling more widespread interest in the country and its culture as a whole.

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By Oluwatokiloba Folami

Though Rurouni Kenshin didn't make its way to Toonami until March 2003, the series debuted in Japan on January 10, 1996, running for a whopping 95 episodes. Curiously, after the 48th episode aired in the States, the series made its way to Cartoon Network's Saturday Video Entertainment System block until Episode 62, or the end of the second season. It was then canceled, meaning that the final season was never aired in North America. These episodes were included in the DVD release of the series, but fans have often lamented the lack of closure for those unwilling or unable to pay for the physical version.

Its fast-paced fights, memorable soundtrack, and endearing character designs have also cemented Rurouni Kenshin in the annals of anime history. Unfortunately, so have the actions of its creator.

The Original Manga Is One of the Best-Selling of All Time, but the Author Has Ruined the Series’ Reputation

As of 2019, the Rurouni Kenshin manga series had 72 million copies in circulation, making it one of the best-selling manga series of all time. Its live-action films were nominated for several awards, its stage shows received rave reviews, and the comics themselves went on to inspire countless big-name creators. Gintama creator Hideaki Sorachi cited Rurouni Kenshin as a major inspiration, as did Naruto author Masashi Kishimoto and Demon Slayer creator Koyoharu Goutouge. Goodwill towards the series took a nosedive in 2017, however, when disturbing details about its creator came to light.

In November 2017, it was reported that DVDs containing footage of naked girls in their early teens had been found in Watsuki's office in Tokyo, prompting police to raid his home in search of child pornography. Nearly 100 DVDs were found, and in February 2018, the disgraced Rurouni Kenshin creator was fined just under $2,000 for the crime and given a suspended sentence of 18 months in prison, a sentence that fans find laughable given the seriousness of the offense.

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Even more surprising to many was a statement that followed from publisher Shueisha, in which it was claimed that while Watsuki was living a "life of reflection and atonement," he would be permitted to continue serializing his manga series for the sake of the fans. Of course, those eager to read more Kenshin were pleased, but for many, it felt wrong to simply support the series, business as usual, after everything that had come to light.

The Future of Rurouni Kenshin Remains Unclear

30 years of Rurouni Kenshin should be marked by proper anniversary announcements, new merchandise, or fresh content. However, precious little has been mentioned to mark the date, and Rurouni Kenshin: The Hokkaido Arc continues, with the next chapter expected to appear in Jump Square in March 2026. Masami Niwa, a producer at Aniplex, has even expressed interest in a future anime adaptation, with Watsuki's crimes seemingly forgotten in favor of promising new content. Morality has made support for the series hard for countless members of the fandom, but others have chosen to support the art, and not the artist. Easier said than done, maybe.

In 2023, the second anime adaptation premiered, adapting the manga series for modern audiences with up-to-date animation and a fresh perspective. A third season of the Rurouni Kenshin reboot is on the way, though its release date remains unclear. It's unlikely that the series creator will ever be able to leave his crimes in the past, and fans remain on the fence about whether supporting his works is in any way ethical or proper. Still, Kenshin's impact on the popularity of anime in the West deserves at least one round of applause, and a 30-year anniversary seems like the right time for a celebration.

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