Rurouni Kenshin (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 5

Rurouni Kenshin (3-in-1 Edition) #5

by Nobuhiro Watsuki

The beloved landmark tale of a Meiji-era swordsman’s quest for redemption.

Action, romance and historical intrigue help make Nobuhiro Watsuki’s Rurouni Kenshin, the tale of a wandering swordsman set against the backdrop of the Meiji Restoration, one of the most popular manga titles of all time!

With terrifying force, Shishio unleashes his army and his plot to conquer Japan. While Misao leads the ninja defense of Kyoto, Kenshin, Sanosuke and Sato take the battle to Shishio’s lair. Facing their most powerful foes yet at the center of an all-out war, will Team Kenshin have the willpower to fight on?

Genres: Manga, Japan

559 pages, Paperback

Published January 2, 2018

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

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection is mostly all the fights previous to the big one against Shishio, and Kenshin's goodbye to his friends before battle. The action scenes are great for sure, but there might have been too many fights for my tastes. Usually all other parts were more balanced between fights and normal scenes. I guess, since this is the final epic battle, there has to be more chaos and destruction. So, just one more fight before Kenshin goes to Shishio.

[Christopher Funk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick steppin and child prodigies, woowee!

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki spread is absolute kino. The whole fight against Sōjirō is kino, also.

Watsuki says Fuji was initially inspired by the God-Warrior of Nausicaa rather than EVA-01, but it's Anno either way, technically. Also, shouts out to Takei. Also also, shouts out to Obata. It's always weird to think he mentored Watsuki when he didn't have a real long-running series until after RuroKen, with Hikaru no Go.

Watsuki says Hoji is named after a similarly-named X-Men character. I had to look it up. It's Forge. So obvious in hindsight lol

****

Volume 13: Kenshin and Sanosuke return to Aoi-Ya to meet Yahiko, Kaoru, and Misao. Misao mentions how Anji stopped Usui from killing her. Misao vows to defeat Aoshi. Okina wakes up and asks Kenshin to kill Aoshi, but Kenshin says Aoshi is not yet fully evil so he'll submit him and bring him home to Aoi-Ya. Hoji makes a suggestion to send only three of the Juppongatana to meet Kenshin and the boys, so the rest can raid Aoi-Ya. Sanosuke versus Anji. Sanosuke seemingly wins by copying Anji's ability to neutralize Mastery of Two Layers by hitting himself when Anji hits him. Anji flashback: he raised five orphans before the Meiji government caused the destruction of Buddhist temples, in which the kids were killed. Enraged, he attacks Sano again, revealing he does keep a sword for Two Layers shockwaves by stabbing the ground, but Sano improvises the Mastery of Three Layers, winning. Volume end.

Volume 14: Anji warns the lads of the impending attack on Aoi-Ya. The lesser Juppongatana arrive at Aoi-Ya. Saito claims Usui as his opponent, while Kenshin and Sanosuke move forward. Saito calls Usui out for losing his will to power after being blinded by Shishio in the past. Usui gloats about his shield/spear combo, but Saito uses Gatotsu Zeroshiki to stab Usui so hard it rips his body in half at the waist and pins Usui's top half to the wall. The Oniwabanshu attack Iwanbo, but their shuriken are repelled by his fat. Kenshin approaches Aoshi. Kenshin tries to fight Aoshi unarmed, using the office environment as a weapon, but Aoshi forces him to draw. Aoshi wants to fight Kenshin as the Battōsai, but Kenshin aims to go full-power as plain Himura Kenshin. Kenshin does a Talk no Jutsu to have Aoshi regain his humanity, and they fight for real this time. Kenshin uses the Hiten Mitsurugi - Ryū Final Technique to defeat Aoshi. Volume end.

Volume 15: The little old guy and the huge guy Juppongatana are delaying the police by setting fires. The scythe user flashes his cock and balls to Misao to prove he's a boy. Yahiko versus Henya. Henya uses the updraft from dynamite explosions to hover in the air, but Yahiko flies higher and uses Ryūtsuisen. Kaoru and Misao versus. Kamatari. The scythe and weight defend Kamatari, but Misao throws kunai at the scythe shaft for Kaoru to use as a wedge to split the scythe and break it. Kamatari still tries to fight, but Kaoru breaks his knee. Iwanbo runs away. Saizuchi and Fuji arrive to attack the Oniwabanshu HQ, but Kenshin's master comes in to assist. Hiko does a Talk no Jutsu on Fuji to have him drop his armor and fight like a true samurai. Hiko stabs through Fuji's sword and hits him nine times to win. Saizuchi passes out from fear. Kenshin versus Sōjirō. Sōjirō works his speed up to Shukuchi, dodging Kenshin's Kuzu Ryūsen and striking Kenshin in the back. Volume end.

****

Usui's death is surprisingly, but hilariously, brutal.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume was a superb accumulation of the ongoing plot, leading Kenshin and co to their final showdown against Shishio’s thugs. Everyone, and I mean everyone in the cast is at their absolute best in this volume, and it was an exciting pleasure to read. While Kenshin does not face Shishio yet, there is so much going on that I was rather pleased for the draw out.

Most notable moment: Kaoru and Misao’s fight with Kamatari. It’s always a pleasant surprise to see Kaoru at her best, and goddamn, did I ever enjoy this fight!

Highlight of the volume: when Hiko Seijuro shows up with all that sass! Freaking love that guy.

All in all this volume showcases Rurouni Kenshin at its best: Heavy action, but with conviction and heart.

[ダンカン · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kyoto Arc story line is almost towards the end. This is probably one of the most important story arc in Ruruni Kenshin series. What I can't say more is that the only thing I can say is this is one of the affordable 3 in 1 omnibus edition worth reading.

[Rob Marney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first warning sign that the desire to create video game villains has run away with the author. These 500 pages of fight scenes are fun, but ultimately inconsequential, and start repeating elements from earlier in the series.

[Dylan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly, the entirety of this volume is just a battle sequence. It's a lot of pages dedicated to fighting without any real development of character or plot. Disappointing, considering the heart found in many of the earlier volumes.

[Alissa ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost cried.