Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 6 #16-18

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story - VIZBIG Edition #6

by Nobuhiro Watsuki

R to L (Japanese Style). The Age Decides the ManSecond only to Shishio Makoto when it comes to skill with a blade, the emotionless warrior Seta SMjirM‘s speed and agility are pushing Kenshin to the breaking point. But how did a seemingly humble man such as SMjirM decide to ally himself with the ruthless hitokiri Shishio? Mid-battle, SMjirM pauses to reflect back on his fateful encounter with the man to whom he would one day pledge his loyalty. Has SMjirM truly reconciled himself to his master's downright homicidal worldview?And finally, Kenshin's long-awaited duel with Shishio commences. With nothing less than the future of Japan hanging in the balance, Kenshin's resolution to never again take a life is about to be put to the ultimate test. Assistance also comes from Sanosuke, SaitM Hajime and Shinomori Aoshi, but to the power-hungry Shishio, men even of their caliber can be swatted down like so many flies. Will someone find Shishio's weakness before he annihilates the greatest swordsmen the Meiji Era has to offer? Furthermore, can Kenshin's dream for a new Japan be possible as long as Shishio still draws breath?

Genres: Manga, Historical Fiction, Graphic Novels, Comics, Comics Manga, Asia, Anime

584 pages, Paperback

First published June 16, 2009

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

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reveals the end of the Kyoto arc with Kenshin and Shishio's epic last battle, and introduces readers to new villains out to remind Kenshin of his dark past.

(Hopefully, I won't have another dream tonight with Shishio running after me!)

[Rob Marney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the high point of the series. A duel that respects not just the power levels of the characters, but their personality and politics. The non-combatants all get their moment to shine, there's a nice long epilogue to detox from the interminable fight scenes in the previous volumes (even the villain gets an epilogue in hell), and there are real consequences for the characters. The intro to the next big story arc also has a lot of promise, with villains who have real motivations beyond "I'll sword harder than anyone's ever sworded before!"

The only downside is that Watsuki's copying from 90s X-Men has become ever more blatant. It's not just "a guy with the same role on the team as Forge", it's "a guy who looks exactly like Apocalypse". But that's a problem for future volumes.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've got to say these volumes take some time for me to read through. I could read them relatively fast, but I've also got to appreciate the art and they end up taking a lot longer than I actually expect (except volume 5. I devoured volume 5, ha). Here we actually get to see the climax of events that were unfolding ever since volume 3? It's the battle against Shishio, literally.

And it turns out I am really tired and have work in the morning. Time to hit the sack, will finish this review some other time!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

These continue to get better. I am also glad that the last two were so funny as well since we are reading directly about battles and nothing else. It's not a bad thing that it's only battles. It's definitely necessary to have them, but it's broke up to bring the audience back into the story. This one had a big cliff hanger. I'm really just tempted to finish the last three off now, but I have to be patient and read on schedule.

[Chelle (crazytrinket) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of the Kyoto Arc was done fantastically! I really, really enjoyed reading it.

[andré crombie · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Rita Verdial · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volume 16 "Providence"

Terminou a batalha contra Sōjirō e Kenshin conquistou mais umas quantas mazelas para além de ir aos poucos esgotando a sua energia.
Já não me lembrava de como Sōjirō ensandecia durante este duelo e dei por mim surpresa por apreciar o companheirismo entre ele e Shishio no decorrer das recordações da sua dura infância. Estranho como um vilão deste calibre pode realizar também boas acções e possuir alguma compaixão/misericórdia. Isto apesar dos motivos talvez não serem tão bons quanto isso e de no final acabar por criar um pequeno monstro fanático, oh well...
Neste volume inicia-se igualmente o tão esperado confronto. Kenshin, já completamente desgraçado (a verdade é esta) inicia mais uma penosa batalha e é gravemente ferido (aquela dentada sempre me fez espécie ugh!), ao ponto de parecer efectivamente morto.
Posto isto surge Saitō, pronto a tomar o seu lugar.
Este foi sem dúvida alguma um volume cheio de acção e repleto de variadas emoções, tal como eu gosto.

Volume 17 "The Age Decides the Man"

Este volume é todo ele batalha contra Shishio. Não só Kenshin, mas Saitō, Sanozuke e Aoshi confrontam o antagonista deste arco da história.
São vivenciados momentos de grande tensão e emoção ao longo de todo o duelo. Aquele momento final de Shishio e Yumi tem sempre a sua beleza "mórbida", e claro, adoro ver como pensar em Kaoru dá a Kenshin uma súbita vontade de viver, capaz de derrotar tudo e todos, mesmo encontrando-se nos limites do inimaginável.

Volume 18 "Do You Still Bear the Scar?"

Com este volume termina o arco de Kyoto e inicia-se a "série Jinchu", para mim a mais poderosa destas duas grandes partes em que esta obra se divide.
Experimentam-se breves momentos de paz, até que um grupo de ex-samurais ressabiados procuram exercer a sua vingança no ex-Hitokiri Kenshin.
Coitado do homem que não o deixam viver em paz e expiar os seus pecados à sua maneira pacífica.
Enfim... Aproximam-se momentos de grande tensão e drama e mal posso esperar por lhes pôr os olhos em cima uma vez mais! ^_^x

[ShingetsuMoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This omnibus volume marks the end of the Shishio story arc and the beginning of the last arc of the series. I've seen quite a few people say that the series should have ended after the battle with Shishio. I've never read the last arc of the manga though so I'll hold my judgement.

This was a great story and it was exciting to see the "final battle" play out. I've always thought of Shishio as Kenshin's greatest adversary. One that could quite possibly have beaten him under different circumstances.

This was a great action packed omnibus and highly recommended.

[Jesus Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Batle with Soujiro, and his backstory. Felt the battle ended so suddenly. Then the final battle with Sishio, quite an amazing battle, if not for his condition Sishio would have won. I really liked the story.

Now comes the interesting part after the Sishio story seems like the next story arc is different from anime, hoping to read a new different adventure for Kenshin.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenshin fight people and other people and some he protect other he does protect. his friend goods to him. some time kenshin feel sad about fight ever day or some time scar to kill people. there was this boy he away fight and get try in the fight and some he kill and come back to life. my friend then will like this book

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

New story arc! I like the flashback on Kenshin's life. I am wary about how this next arc will go, however, seeing has the last arc was SO LONG. Another bad guy line up with expected battle line up. But some good history thrown in as well. Fun way to learn about Japanese history.

[Keiran Thegreat · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story continues in this volume, one adventure is concluded and a new one begins. Some elements have become rather fantastical but on the whole the level if drama and action combined with characterisation has steadily improved throughout the series.
Another excellent manga.

[Hailee · Rating 5 out of 5]

*reread May 2014*

[Allison Turbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice wrap up of the Kyoto/Shishio arc. Looking forward to the next story since the show didn't cover it from this point onward