Rurouni Kenshin, Volume 09

るろうに剣心 [Rurōni Kenshin] #9

by Nobuhiro Watsuki

A glimpse of the new Japan if the mad ambitions of Shishio Makoto should succeed is revealed when Kenshin arrives in Kyoto and meets him at last...although the epic battle between them will have to wait. Pitted against Shishio's soldiers, Kenshin's reversed-edge sakabatô is broken--can it be reforged? Should it be reforged? For time has once again begun to flow, and violence once more washes over the land. Although Kenshin has abandoned the ways of the hitokiri and has sworn to take life no longer, a new assassin has now arisen--one whose taste for blood and thirst for power knows no bounds…

Genres: Manga, Historical Fiction, Comics, Graphic Novels, Historical, Fiction, Romance

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 2, 1996

About the author

Watsuki 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.

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapters 67-75
روی دیگه کنشین رو بیشتر دیدیم.
و بالاخره رسید کیوتو.
سانوسکه هم داره تمرین می‌کنه.
تو این ولوم، اولین چپتر ها خیلی هیجانی بودند کم کم آروم شد تا اخراش.

[Dimitris Papastergiou · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is it for me. Wanted to reach at least Volume 10 but I'm done with this.

It became a chore reading this a couple of volumes ago, so I might continue sometime in the future.

Bad boring over the too dialogue, same shit happening every single arc, and the only thing that's good is the artwork.

[Nicolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the road to Kyoto, Kenshin encountered a village that was taken over by Shishio and it gave him a glimpse of a bleak future where the villain is victorious.

Shishio is the problem that the Meiji government needed Kenshin's help to resolve. Shishio was a hitokiri, an assassin as Kenshin was. Shishio is the dark to Kenshin's light. The irony was not lost to Kenshin. He could have been the one in Shishio's shoes had he not immediately immediately disappear after the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Seeing this ruined village strengthened Kenshin's resolve to stop Shishio.

[João |]

Mais um excelente volume! O suspense para a batalha de Kenshin contra Shishio aumenta a cada capítulo!

[EvaN · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 🌟
This battle is going to be epic. I can't wait for it!!!

[Elyse · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I love Misao !


I didn't remember this manga had so much political stuff in it. It a little bit on the heavy side for me.
Wasn't fan of Sanosuke chapter either.

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot thickens

[Sarah Ryder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Misao, girl, I love you, but you SERIOUSLY have such bad timing in saying stuff you probably shouldn’t at that time. 😂 And Bandage Guy with his smiley young apprentice of death both need to get their butts kicked to the ozone layer and never return. I can already tell they’re going to be the types of villains who JUST. WON’T. DIE! and I’ll be so sick of them by the end I’ll want to crawl in the pages just to finish them off myself. Just…!!!! *incoherent screeching* Poor Kenshin.

Speaking of Kenshin, all the people in charge want to do is change him back into a raging killing machine and stupid Saito I just want to shake for how he is towards Kenshin and then punch his stupid weasel face because I seriously don’t like it or him. He oozes shifty and it’s annoying. So glad Kenshin’s pushing back by being his protective, adorable oro self. I mean, just the simple way he helped Eiji says volumes of who he truly is and I dearly hope he doesn’t lose that in the fight to come.

And is it bad of me to say I find it hilarious that Sano keeps getting lost? Dude seriously has no sense of direction whatsoever! 🤣🤣 I can’t wait for the gang to get back together again though I hope Kenshin doesn’t try to avoid them when it’s revealed they’re there. *mentally urges Kenshin to be a good boy about it*

I’m so happy the library accepted my request to buy the next volume as now I can continue! I’m nervous but am also looking forward to see where this is all going!


‼️Content‼️

Language: wench; hell; damn; what the heck; piss; what the

Violence: fighting with weapons and hand to hand (PG-13 to R); injuries and blood (PG-13 to R); a girl kicks and hits a boy and a man; bloody bodies hang in warning at the entrance of a village (R); a man breaks his leg

Sexual: a woman barely wears a top that shows a lot of cleavage; a shirtless guy

Other: grief over dead family; a character sees a vision/spirit of a man

[Iman Danial Hakim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saya sedang dalam marathon menghabiskan siri manga Samurai ini. Dulu pernah disiarkan di tv3 (ke NTV7) sewaktu saya kecil.

Mujurlah bang Perewa membenarkan komik sebagai salah satu bacaan untuk Cabaran Bacaan 32 Buku. Banyak juga, ada dekat 28 naskhah yang menghimpunkan kesemua siri Rurouni Kenshin.

[Ευθυμία Δεσποτάκη · Rating 3 out of 5]

Με κούρασε ο Κόουνχεντ και το μπλα-μπλα, παρά που είναι σαφέστατα πιο γρηγόρο από το Νο 8.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite manga series of all time.

[Omar Villafane · Rating 5 out of 5]

It doesn’t count if my life is not on the line mentality - sanosuke 😂🔥

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shishio in the onsen is definitely bald. Shishio in bandages has random tufts of hair poking out. Why would he do that? It seems pretty pointless to be that vain. Does he also have a merkin?

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 9 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next nine chapters (67–75) of the on-going manga series.

Saitō Hajime catches up with Himura Kenshin and after learning Shishio Makoto is in the village, they go to confront him. After meeting Shishio, Kenshin is attacked by Shishio's soldier, Senkaku. Kenshin easily defeats Senkaku, but Shishio departs for Kyoto leaving Ōkubo Toshimichi's murderer, Seta Sōjirō, to fight Kenshin. The fight ends in a tie with both of their swords broken and the village is freed.

Kenshin and Makimachi Misao arrive at Kyoto and meet Misao's guardian, Oniwabanshū Okina. Okina helps Kenshin find Seikū Arai, son of the creator of Kenshin's sakabatō sword, Shakkū Arai. Kenshin wants him to make another reverse-blade sword, but he refuses because he hates violence.

Meanwhile, while traveling to Kyoto, Sagara Sanosuke meets a fallen monk, Yūkyūzan Anji, who teaches him the Futae no Kiwami, a powerful technique that can pulverize rock. Sanosuke never learns that Anji is a soldier from Shishio, but after he leaves Seta Sōjirō turns up to get Anji.

This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The Kyoto arc continues as Himura Kenshin chases the elusive Shishio Makoto who murdered Ōkubo Toshimichi and managed to break his reverse sword in a battle with Seta Sōjirō. Also en route is Sagara Sanosuke, who meets up with Yūkyūzan along the way and learns a new technique.

All in all, Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 9 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more.

[Scott Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot rave sufficiently about this series. The work done here is incredible. I love the art, all of the detail one could wish for, enough to stand out even among manga, and yet it never feels over crowded. Also, while we encounter various bizarre and extremely skilled enemies, this is a more street level manga, one that succeeds through 9 volumes without resorting to a power-up for its protagonist, who instead just is that good already as the book begins. In addition, unlike many battle manga where the only point seems to be the next fight, this story actually includes some character and storytelling as well. Big plus that. It's got that throughline story, that while not as tightly plotted as Fullmetal Alchemist, is sitll the reason I love that book so much. That ability to deliver both episodes and continually developing narrative is apparently really tough to pull off, becuase you almost always have to settle for one or the other. Watsuki has nailed both.

[Kati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly enamored with the humor. The story itself is very interesting and the slapstick humor based on Misao - and other female characters - slapping men at the slightest inconvenience does not fit it, in my opinion. Also, not really a fan of having little kids involved in big fights. All the little boys seem very similar, both drawing and character wise, and they don't really fit this otherwise very mature story. They feel like a nod to child readers, like the author, in the middle of writing about massacres, suddenly remembered he was writing for kids too and tried to establish a connection with them via a child character. I prefer those Kenshin stories, where there are no kids running around, swinging swords, intend on murdering people. But that's just me.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a total shocking moment (at least for me) Kenshin, Sato and Shishio Makoto all meet in this very volume! The ambitions of Shishio are revealed (at least some of them) and it sets the stage for what is sure to be one the biggest battles imaginable! Kenshin does not simply go toward Kyoto, but he is determined to help heal the land and injustices on his travels. To me, this is like an amazingly well-built open world video game. I think the story of Kenshin would fit well into it. Makoto is determined to face Battosai will do all he can to bring out that old self in Kenshin. Solid volume...I cannot say Nobuhiro Watsuki took any X-men characters in this one...but maybe I am just missing it.

[M.D. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alright, so given that Manga is more of an ongoing story split into arcs that are in no way split up between volumes. I'm going to be reviewing story arc by story arc. This will then be copy and pasted throughout all of the 28 Volumes of the Manga. Also, let's get this out of the way. This is 1. A Reread and 2. Spoiler Warning I won't be directly recapping, but I will use points to describe my thoughts and feelings.

Tokyo Arc - Acts/Chapters 1-47 - Rating: 8/10
-A great start for a historical fiction. A bit on the nose, but I generally find with historical fictions you have to pretend that no one knows what time period you're talking about so it's nearly unavoidable.
-Great character work. Each Character introduced in Kenshin's gang are examples of how the war has hurt these people. This reflects on Kenshin as he was a key figure in the war that caused all these people that he growing to love, pain. Whether it's Yahiko who lost his parents to draft of war. Or Sanosuke who joined the rebellion and through political means lost his captain and the person he admired most. Or even Kaoru, who attempts to run a dojo in a time when Swords are forbidden by the government. All of these are monumental in Kenshin's redemption from the wrongs he has committed.
-My issue is moreso in how these conflicts come up. They seem very much villain of the week story. And most Shonens are when they initially start and I understand that. Some do it great. (Yu Yu hakusho) some do it terribly (Reborn) I think RuroKen does it OKAY. There are a lot of conveniences and Kenshin is the type of character who can nearly fix everything at any point because he's Kenshin and he outclasses the people they face.
-This arc is really split into 4 mini arcs. Beginning 6/10. Sanosuke Arc 9/10. Jin-E Arc 7/10. Oniwanbanshu arc 10/10

The Kyoto Arc - Acts/Chapters 48-151 - Rating: 9/10
-Phenomenal Arc. Kenshin must tackle with the concept of whether he can keep his oath against a man who is arguably his better. The man who replaced him as Hitokiri. Shishio Makota.
-The jupponganta, the villain group of this ark are all well designed and each one makes perfect sense why they would follow Shisho. Whether they love, respect or just want to kill him. Each one feels like a tough nit group. As for Shishio himself. He's one of those cool villains. I understand why he is and why he's so charismatic. But as far as being an actual villain. He doesn't do much. I think that's to his benefit. His whole concept is realistic in terms of, he has a time limit to how long he can fight. Which is why he created the jupponganta. But that doesn't make him still do so little in the story besides sit and wait for Kenshin to show up. My only real gripe.
-Kenshin conquers all of his fears and redeems himself completely towards the government by stopping the man that replaced him. Mastering Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu and finally allowing his friends to help him. It's a profound and beautiful arc that makes Kenshins character shine.

Jinchu Arc - Acts/Chapters 152-255 - Rating: 7/10
-Where in the last arc we saw Kenshin redeem himself in the eyes of the government. This is the arc where we see Kenshin redeem himself in the eyes of himself. When his Brother in law returns from China and threatens his friends and everyone he's grown to care for over the last 151 chapters Kenshin struggles with the reality of what murdering his late wife has become of Enishi.
-To me, there are three chunks, but they all work towards the same goal. The beginning.(7/10) The Flashback. (9/10) The End (5/10)
-The flashback is the strongest part of this. It was the missing piece in Kenshin's character and it really helps us figure out how and why he became who he became. He smiles constantly because his late wife wanted him to smile more. It's so sweet and tragic.
-However, the actual arc collects a bunch of random riff raffs to challenge Kenshin and his group of friends that also kinda have "beef" with him. But this and the end were pretty much the weak parts of this arc to me. The one dudes whole problem was that he got his hand cut off....and Kenshin DIDN'T kill him so...he decided to lose his whale-like mind and join a terrorist group. Two of the others had people they loved died. Who weren't good dudes btw, they were villains. But still...revenge. The other guy had some kind of clan responsibility but when he was defeated Kenshin just told him to go back to his family so it really wasn't an issue. And the final guy...well he didn't even have a beef. He just wanted to test out his mega unrealistic puppets. I'm talking Naruto unrealistic for a historical fiction.
-But all of those dudes at least had reasons. The villains in the final part were all just throw away villains that even Watsuki reveals himself were just throwaways. They aren't too compelling and giving the characters we have grown to love a final fight may have been appreciated by me the initial go. (because I was 14) I just found myself not caring whatsoever about these fights that lasted a whole volume by themselves upon rereading.

Overall, Rurouni Kenshin is a fantastic historical fiction centered around fantastic real life historical individuals. It's ability to write honest, true characters of the time period makes me remember them and I truly found so much more good in this series with the reread. The biggest issues this series has is staying consistent and opting to expose it's lack of authenticity for grenade launchers. Overall 8/10

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally we get to meet Shishio, as well as the first of the Ten Swords. Sick! The pieces are falling into place now that (almost) everyone is in Kyoto. Sanosuke getting a short but sweet training arc is nice too, but also felt like kind of an ass-pull in my opinion. I guess we'll just have to wait and see if this little upgrade of his will allow him to keep up with this growing cast of killers, as well as whether or not Kaoru and Yahiko will even have a justifiable role in this story.
Onto volume 10!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a guilty pleasure re-read of the series alongside my regular GR challenge. I’ve loved Rurouni Kenshin since I was a kid, and it makes me happy to dive back into this series.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rurouni Kenshin is one of my favorite animes and manga. Quite enjoyable.

[gio · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok.

[Mourning_elf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Akhirnya sampai di Kyoto juga, makin menarik ini.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many unanswered questions and so great character arcs! This story just keeps making me cry again and agan.
Eiji's character. Sano's encounter with Captain Sagara. Kenshin's sakabato, OMG, what's gonna happen here next time. And gratis, even the Okashira is in Kyoto.
I want to continue it ASAP.

[✮Octjillery✮ · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the stars for mah boi Soujiro. <3 (It's not even to their big fight yet, but whatever.)

I like this volume because we learn Shishio's motives.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't get over the fact that none of the cast can get over the fact that Kenshin is 28.

Here I am thinking that's young.

Here the cast is calling him a geezer.

[Mr. Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great job balancing out all the characters. Everyone gets a chance to shine.

[James De Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent volume with the Senkaku fight, the Sojiro tie, and the Anji and Okina intros.

[Harumichi Mizuki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emang Kenshin tinggal di Aoiya berapa hari? Cepat sekali anaknya Shakku Arai ketemu.