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Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story - VIZBIG Edition #4
Rurouni Kenshin, Volume 4: 10-12
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.
Unknown Binding
First published December 23, 2008
About the author
Nobuhiro Watsuki
259 books425 followersWatsuki Nobuhiro (和月伸宏) is a Japanese manga artist, best known for his samurai-themed series Rurouni Kenshin. He once worked as an assistant for his favorite author Takeshi Obata.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 3, 2018
☆5/5☆
▪Plot 5/5
▪Details 5/5
▪Characters 5/5
▪Romance 5/5
▪Logic 5/5
▪Artwork 5/5
▪Enjoyment 5/5
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▪Plot 5/5
▪Details 5/5
▪Characters 5/5
▪Romance 5/5
▪Logic 5/5
▪Artwork 5/5
▪Enjoyment 5/5
▪•▪•▪•▪•▪•▪•▪•▪•▪•▪
November 9, 2018
New sakabato! I also like this. There's a lot I like in Shishio's arc, mostly everything, except the Aoshi part. I don't really like his character and how far he goes into an evil path. I really love how human is Kenshin, because we all know that if he draws a sword that is not a sakabato, that's it, that's the end of Kenshin as a nice person. I love seeing his doubts and his internal fights. I love this story. This manga has everything. History, romance, comedy, drama, oh God.
And then we see Hiko Seijuro. Probably one of my favourite parts of it all, because it shows a different side of Kenshin, different interactions and you learn more of him as a child, not much, but a little. You can see him actually being afraid of someone else. You can see that Hiko is way better than him, and that he could actually harm him is he wanted to. It's good, knowing there are people stronger than Kenshin, that he is not always the most powerful one, that he is not indestructible.
I need more mangas, I haven't bought more, so... I'll need to get them. What I really want to read is the last arc, the one that wasn't turned into anime. With all his past, with the battosai stuff, with Tomoe. Can't wait.
And then we see Hiko Seijuro. Probably one of my favourite parts of it all, because it shows a different side of Kenshin, different interactions and you learn more of him as a child, not much, but a little. You can see him actually being afraid of someone else. You can see that Hiko is way better than him, and that he could actually harm him is he wanted to. It's good, knowing there are people stronger than Kenshin, that he is not always the most powerful one, that he is not indestructible.
I need more mangas, I haven't bought more, so... I'll need to get them. What I really want to read is the last arc, the one that wasn't turned into anime. With all his past, with the battosai stuff, with Tomoe. Can't wait.
May 26, 2024
Misao jumping and kicking Kenshin in the face with two tabi-covered feet... H-haha, who would want that to happen to them...? 🥵
Kaoru's kimono cleavage and tabi feet on the title page for Volume 12 are also good.
I guess I haven't mentioned Yumi before, but honestly she kind of bores me. Similar to Megumi, in a way; these women are clearly designed to be some sort of idealized sexiness, like a cross between an oiran and the "Yamato nadeshiko" stereotype. For whatever reason, the tomboys stand out to me more. Maybe because they feel like they have a stronger identity? Despite playing into different tropes, but tropes nonetheless.
"Looks more like... the 'Hair of the Insane Broom.'" Genuinely surprised Chō wasn't intentionally based on Benimaru!
I hadn't mentioned this before, but I really like how big-ass blocky kanji appear when Kenshin and others name their attacks. Hokuto no Ken vibes.
The Juppongatana are of vastly varying degrees of cool. Chō was pretty charismatic, but he was defeated before everyone was assembled. Usui and Anji are definitely the coolest. Hōji reminds me for some reason of Richard E. Grant, which is a cool thing, but it's hard to tell if he'll be a significant swordsman or anything. Yumi, the gay kid, and the slightly-less-gay kid work as generally notable characters as well. The others just seem like they're meant to job, based on their kinda-ugly designs: Iwanbō, Henya, Saizuchi, and Fuji - all of them remind me of how you know the ugly dudes in Saint Seiya will be weaker than the pretty-boys.
Mixed feelings on how fast the Great Kyoto Fire is resolved, including a non-conclusive encounter with Shishio and his closest goons. But apparently the Kyoto Arc isn't nearly over yet, so I guess it's fine. The way the Juppongatana were split up, I was afraid Sanosuke wouldn't get to fight Anji, which would feel wasteful to me.
Kaoru's kimono cleavage and tabi feet on the title page for Volume 12 are also good.
I guess I haven't mentioned Yumi before, but honestly she kind of bores me. Similar to Megumi, in a way; these women are clearly designed to be some sort of idealized sexiness, like a cross between an oiran and the "Yamato nadeshiko" stereotype. For whatever reason, the tomboys stand out to me more. Maybe because they feel like they have a stronger identity? Despite playing into different tropes, but tropes nonetheless.
"Looks more like... the 'Hair of the Insane Broom.'" Genuinely surprised Chō wasn't intentionally based on Benimaru!
I hadn't mentioned this before, but I really like how big-ass blocky kanji appear when Kenshin and others name their attacks. Hokuto no Ken vibes.
The Juppongatana are of vastly varying degrees of cool. Chō was pretty charismatic, but he was defeated before everyone was assembled. Usui and Anji are definitely the coolest. Hōji reminds me for some reason of Richard E. Grant, which is a cool thing, but it's hard to tell if he'll be a significant swordsman or anything. Yumi, the gay kid, and the slightly-less-gay kid work as generally notable characters as well. The others just seem like they're meant to job, based on their kinda-ugly designs: Iwanbō, Henya, Saizuchi, and Fuji - all of them remind me of how you know the ugly dudes in Saint Seiya will be weaker than the pretty-boys.
Mixed feelings on how fast the Great Kyoto Fire is resolved, including a non-conclusive encounter with Shishio and his closest goons. But apparently the Kyoto Arc isn't nearly over yet, so I guess it's fine. The way the Juppongatana were split up, I was afraid Sanosuke wouldn't get to fight Anji, which would feel wasteful to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2017
This omnibus is the second installment of the Kyoto arc, continuing the journey of Kenshin’s imminent confrontation with Shishio Makoto and his goal of stopping Shishio from destroying Kyoto and overthrowing the Meiji government. I find this a very entertaining read, with a section featuring Kenshin’s past (including his boyhood name!) and his training for the final technique of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū* under an obstinate master. I think the film adaptation is a bit glossy and different, and I don’t remember the anime version of it, so I’m glad to have read this book.
* an ancient sword (kenjutsu) style that allows a samurai to defeat numerous foes singlehandedly
* an ancient sword (kenjutsu) style that allows a samurai to defeat numerous foes singlehandedly
February 28, 2019
The beginning of an epic Kyoto Arc storyline! More characters introduced, Kenshin learning his secret art from his master, Aoshi returns with a vengeance and more! Its still a fun read, learning about Kenshin past and every conceivable characters appear in this volume. This volume defines the true path of Rurouni Kenshin!
October 24, 2019
After reading this I am really getting into the story line of this series. It's really getting good. I am feeling the pull of wanting to get through them fast now. One after the other. I am excited to see where this plot line is going to go. I was left on a cliff hanger with this one, but I can't wait to see what comes next.
Also I was a little shocked to see Kenshin partly disrobed here. I said to my friend who let me borrow the book that I didn't think that's in his nature. Kenshin is kind of reserved in a way and I like that about his character. However at the same time, it was bound to happen with people swinging sharp objects at each other. Someone is bound to end up slashed, torn and bloody.
Also I was a little shocked to see Kenshin partly disrobed here. I said to my friend who let me borrow the book that I didn't think that's in his nature. Kenshin is kind of reserved in a way and I like that about his character. However at the same time, it was bound to happen with people swinging sharp objects at each other. Someone is bound to end up slashed, torn and bloody.
October 25, 2020
Una lectura ligera y para pasar el tiempo que trae a la memoria buenos recuerdos, enseña (si bien no en un estricto sentido académico) el periodo un tanto turbulento que se vivió en Japón durante transición que tuvo hacia la modernidad a finales del siglo XIX y finalmente resulta bastante divertida, en especial en el empleo de las características reacciones del manga.
Una lectura que sin lugar a dudas me deja cuestionándome el hecho de por qué no leo más material de este género.
Una lectura que sin lugar a dudas me deja cuestionándome el hecho de por qué no leo más material de este género.
June 9, 2017
Absolutely enjoy this series, in all formats! And Shishio Makoto remains one of my all time favorite villains!
July 27, 2020
Good story, worth reading
March 12, 2022
This story is just AMAZING!
There isn't a single moment of it which i dislike!
I'm hardly finding any time to read or listen to anything else really!
There isn't a single moment of it which i dislike!
I'm hardly finding any time to read or listen to anything else really!
March 5, 2024
The build-up, the suspense, FIGHT ALREADY!
September 6, 2016
Volume 10 "Mitsurugi, Master and Student"
Mais uma acesa luta de Kenshin, desta vez contra Chō (fanático por espadas e por matar), um dos 10 espadas do Juppongatana de Shishio.
Confesso que sempre achei este final de batalha muito fixe. É lindo como Kenshin, para salvar um bebé, símbolo do futuro de um novo Japão, sacrifica os seus votos de não voltar a matar e usa a última espada fabricada por um dos grandes mestres criadores de Katanas. Isto sem saber que esta última grande obra se tratava de uma Sakabatō... Aquele momento de reconhecimento vale por mil palavras.
E é assim que Himura consegue substituir a sua antiga espada, por uma nova e de qualidade superior.
Ainda neste volume, Kenshin volta a encontrar-se com o seu mentor de modo a que possa aprender o segredo final da escola Hiten Mitsurugi. E é também aqui que se dá o tão esperado reencontro de Kenshin e Kaoru <3
(tão esperado pelo menos por mim hehe)
Volume 11 "Overture to Destruction"
Volume 12 "The Great Kyoto Fire"
Mais uma acesa luta de Kenshin, desta vez contra Chō (fanático por espadas e por matar), um dos 10 espadas do Juppongatana de Shishio.
Confesso que sempre achei este final de batalha muito fixe. É lindo como Kenshin, para salvar um bebé, símbolo do futuro de um novo Japão, sacrifica os seus votos de não voltar a matar e usa a última espada fabricada por um dos grandes mestres criadores de Katanas. Isto sem saber que esta última grande obra se tratava de uma Sakabatō... Aquele momento de reconhecimento vale por mil palavras.
E é assim que Himura consegue substituir a sua antiga espada, por uma nova e de qualidade superior.
Ainda neste volume, Kenshin volta a encontrar-se com o seu mentor de modo a que possa aprender o segredo final da escola Hiten Mitsurugi. E é também aqui que se dá o tão esperado reencontro de Kenshin e Kaoru <3
(tão esperado pelo menos por mim hehe)
Volume 11 "Overture to Destruction"
Volume 12 "The Great Kyoto Fire"
February 5, 2020
Volume 10 restored by faith in this series, up until that point it was a lot of rinse and repeat. In this you have Kenshin dealing with the loss of his sword, seeking out his master to learn some new techniques and Bandages master place.
It was a nice change of place making, his comrades actually do something for a change. Granted only one of them does something spectacular but none of them are playing damsel in distress this time. Saying that there isn't anybody that I actually care about apart from Kenshin, he master was really cool though and has a lot of potential.
It was a nice change of place making, his comrades actually do something for a change. Granted only one of them does something spectacular but none of them are playing damsel in distress this time. Saying that there isn't anybody that I actually care about apart from Kenshin, he master was really cool though and has a lot of potential.
July 11, 2011
Now past anything I know about the storyline, we get to see Kenshin's past quite a bit. The whole book is more a build up to a storm that kind of has an ending, I'll be curious to find out how much longer this particular storyline is carried on. Relationships are developing too... in any case, looking forward to the next one.
March 12, 2015
The arrival of Kenshin to Kyoto, meeting Kaoru, going back to train to his master, the flashbacks to how they met and teachings were nice, but the final teachings seemed to contrived. And then the initial part of the confrontation to Shishio, good book, can’t wait for the next vol to arrive.
July 1, 2021
These arcs are basically the thesis statement of the entire series. Are they too long? Definitely. Do they involve actual character growth from a guy who was doing pratfalls just a couple years ago? Yes. So major points for getting there.
May 1, 2014
*reread May 2014*
April 9, 2014
read this in one sitting..even though I told myself "only a little break in my studying time"...sigh...I love you Kenshin!! I'm so freaking excited for the movies thus year!!!
March 17, 2014
Lotsa build up, but a whole lotta story to go with!
September 9, 2014
This series keeps getting better, the characters are well developed and likeable and the plot is becoming more complex and intriguing. A very fine manga indeed.
July 18, 2016
Great character arc with Misao. She's less annoying than she was in the show so maybe that helped. Looking forward to Kenshin's big battle with Shishio.
July 6, 2024
It’s great to have Master Hiko in the story since there are some small flashback moments. And there really isn’t anyone who is simultaneously wiser than Kenshin and stronger than him.
May 2, 2017
No words for this series anymore. So so good!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews