Background
“You can die anytime, it's living that takes real courage.”
Growing up during the turbulent times of the Bakumatsu Period in 19th century Japan. Young Shinta was born into and raised by a peasant family, but after his parents had died from chlorera at the age of nine, he was since sold into slavery against his will. With his life turning for the worse, he was taken under the custody of three young women who were fellow slaves; Akane, Kasumi and Sakura grouped together to take care of him as his foster sisters in the face of being a child slave. Later on, the slave-traders' caravan was attacked by bandits who killed all of the peasants except for Shinta as he witnessed the deaths of his three sisters before being saved by a skilled swordsmaster named Hiko Seijūrō who became his teacher in the Hiten Mitsurugi Sword Style and giving him his new name - Himura Kenshin.
However, driven with a strong sense of justice to rid of war, violence, class inequality and famine due in part to witnessing the deaths of his beloved three sisters. Kenshin had abandoned his training with his master and left his side to take sides with the Ishin Shishi rebels led by Katsura Kogoro in overthrowing the Tokugawa Shogunate to establish a Japan that is free from oppression and class divide much to the protest of his master - Seijuro. Kenshin would lend his sword in serving as Katsura’s personal bodyguard and assassin, often tasked to perform brutal political assassinations on many Tokugawa samurai and officials who had opposed them and in the name of carving way for a new era of peace. But with each body count of men he savagely cut down, it brought him one step closer to becoming an emotionless cold-blooded and violent killing machine until he met a young beautiful woman by the name of Yukishiro Tomoe who would become his wife and helped him maintain his humanity and compassion, soon because of this they became closer and their romance blossomed. However their happiness would soon be short-lived as Tomoe tragically sacrificed herself to protect Kenshin so that he can live on and honor his promise to her — a promise to protect life without killing again.
Now adopting a non-violent pacifist philosophy, wandering the country to protect innocent life where he can while seeking redemption and peace to atone for the atrocities he once committed as the assassin - Hitokiri Battousai. Kenshin would meet many friends and allies along the way, and finally completing his training with his master - Seijuro to be able to finally overcome his inner demons while battling the deadliest foes such as Udo Jin-e, Makoto Shishio and later his brother in law - Yukishiro Enishi. With his demons conquered and enemies defeated, Kenshin was able to finally live his life in peace and atoned for his actions as a former assassin.
Equipment
Sakabatō
Kenshin’s signature Katana. Also known as the “Reverse Blade”; this sword symbolically represents Kenshin’s journey in his vow to protect innocent life without killing. Unlike most traditional Japanese swords where the blade is at the edge of the Katana, the cutting edge is instead centered in the back of the blade making it inept as a killing tool. But can still be used as a deadly blunt instrument, allowing for Kenshin to incapacitate or cripple his foes rather than killing them.
Red Kimono
One of the signature colors and Kenshin’s most iconic kimono color.
Abilties
Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū
From a young age. Kenshin was rigorously trained to be an exceptional swordsman by his master - Hiko Seijuro which led him to become known as one of the greatest warriors of his era. Instructed in the Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū kenjutsu (剣術, "Sword Techniques") arts which heavily emphasizes on immense speed and agility allowing a singularly skilled samurai such as Kenshin to take out a singular or multiple opponents in a flash before they could react. Each technique of the Hiten Mitsurugi Style is versatile as it is deadly allowing Kenshin to quickly adapt and tailor each one for nearly every situation which include, but not limited to:
Ryūtsuisen (龍りゅう槌つい閃せん, Dragon Hammer Flash): Usually initiated by a powerful jump, this technique places its user above the opponent, thus opening up more vulnerabilities in the latter. This technique's practitioner uses the momentum of his fall to strengthen a two-handed sword swing that brings his blade down on his enemy's head or shoulder. Ryūtsuisen is arguably Kenshin's favorite attack, as once noted by Kamiya Kaoru.
Ryūtsuisen ● Zan (龍りゅう槌つい閃せん・惨さん, Dragon Hammer Flash: Disaster): Beginning in the same way as Ryūtsuisen, the user positions the sword as to initiate a lethal downward stab to the head instead of a downward swing (though in the Trust & Betrayal OVA, he performs an upward stab instead since he does not jump in the air).
Ryūkansen (龍りゅう巻かん閃せん, Dragon Coil Flash): Most effective when surrounded by enemies as this technique has the user spin to attack in all directions. It can also be used as a counterattack against a thrust or charge, one sidesteps a forward-moving opponent and moves past them. In doing so, one spins in a full circle, adding momentum and centrifugal force to the strength of the sword swing, which is then aimed at either the opponent's back or the back of the neck.
Ryūkansen ● Tsumuji (龍りゅう巻かん閃せん・旋つむじ, Dragon Coil Flash: Hair Whirl): One of the variations of Ryūkansen, Ryūkansen Tsumuji, like its other variations, is most effective as a counter attack.
Ryūkansen ● Kogarashi (龍りゅう巻かん閃せん・凩こがらし, Dragon Coil Flash: Wintry Wind): An alternate version used in Kenshin's Five Hit Combo. Involves a single small side-step coupled with a 90-degree pivot turn inward and a back handed slash that quickly blasts the foe away; unlike the original version which is a full 180-degree full spin and slash. The Kogarashi is the quickest of the four variations, however, the weakest as well. It is the ideal counterattack when dealing with a faster or unreadable attack.
Ryūkansen ● Arashi (龍りゅう巻かん閃せん・嵐あらし, Dragon Coil Flash: Storm/Tempest): A variation of the normal Ryūkansen, this technique places the swordsman in a full rolling somersault slash while attacking, making it an effective counterattack against downward slash attacks and/or from above.
Ryūshōsen (龍りゅう翔しょう閃せん, Dragon Soaring Flash): The opposite of Ryūtsuisen, Ryūshōsen is a rising attack meant to strike the jaw from below. For additional power, one uses one's free arm to apply force to the back of the blade and utilizes a powerful upward jump during the attack akin to an anti-air attack. Originally this move was designed to slice into the opponent's chin and kill them, but Kenshin has since modified the technique to strike with the sword's side.
Ryūtsui ● Shōsen (龍りゅう槌つい・翔しょう閃せん, Dragon Hammer-Soaring Flash): A combination of Ryūtsuisen and Ryūshōsen, Ryūtsui-Shōsen begins with the powerful jump and supported upswing of Ryūshōsen, giving the leap enough power to pass one's opponent in mid-air, and on the returning drop, Ryūtsuisen is performed.
Ryūsōsen (龍りゅう巣そう閃せん, Dragon Nest Flash): A massive flurry of strikes delivered to the opponent. The sheer speed of the slashes makes this technique difficult to counter or defend, and is considered the best to use to wear down more sturdy and enduring opponents.
Ryūsōsen ● Garami (龍りゅう巣そう閃せん・咬がらみ, Dragon Nest Flash: Gnawing): An alternate version of the technique which targets the foe's head.
Doryūsen (土ど龍りゅう閃せん, Earth/Land Dragon Flash): A ranged attack, Doryūsen strikes an opponent outside of the user's range by striking the ground and sending earthen debris at said opponent with knockout force.
Kuzuryūsen (九頭くず龍りゅう閃せん, Nine-Head Dragon Flash): A dashing attack that uses Shinsoku (Godspeed) to simultaneously strike all nine vital spots on the foe's body from a normal kenjutsu stance, as each of these nine points are the main targets for different swordstyles (only different styles target different ones). It is said to be unavoidable and nearly unblockable, and is taught as a prerequisite for the succession technique.
Karatake (唐竹からたけ/幹竹たけ, Tang Bamboo/Tree Trunk Bamboo): Aimed at the above head with the downward strike: 壱いち (Ichi, one)
Sakagesagiri (逆さ袈かげ裟さ切きり, Inverted Kasaya Cutter): Aimed at right shoulder diagonally: 弐に (ni, two)
Miginagi (右薙みぎなぎ, Right Mower): Aimed at right arm's center from the side: 参さん (san, three)
Migikiriage (右みぎ切上きりあげ, Right Cutting Lift): Aimed at right arm's bottom/right wrist diagonally: 肆し (shi, four)
Sakakaze (逆さか風かぜ, Inverted Wind): Aimed at groin area from below via upward stroke, or straight from front: 伍ご (go, five)
Hidarikiriage (左ひだり切上きりあげ, Left Cutting Lift): Aimed at left arm's bottom/left wrist diagonally: 陸ろく (roku, six)
Hidarinagi (左ひだり薙なぎ, Left Mower): Aimed at left arm's center from the side: 漆しち (shichi, seven)
Kesagiri (袈裟けさ切きり, Kasaya Cutter) Aimed at left shoulder diagonally: 捌はち (hachi, eight)
Tsuki/Shitotsu (刺つき突しとつ, Thrusting/Thorn Thrust): Aimed at center of the chest, at breastbone: 玖きゅう (kyū, nine)
Battōjutsu
Another fighting style that Kenshin has shown himself to be Battōjutsu (抜刀術 battōjutsu: "drawing blade technique") is a field in most kenjutsu styles including the Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu style. Which deals specifically with the rapid drawing and sheathing of a sword. It is the predecessor of the art of Iaijutsu (居合道, "way of re-sheathing/quick-drawing") a Japanese martial art that emphasizes being aware and capable of quickly drawing the sword and responding to a sudden attack. In addition, Kenshin is also able to use his sheathe as an improvised weapon allowing him to attack opponents from an unexpected angle adding another layer of unpredictability to his offense and swordplay. Because of Kenshin’s complete mastery with this fighting art, complemented by his godspeed reactions in drawing his sword fast enough to kill/incapacitate his opponents before they have a second to react which has earned him the name - Battōsai ("Unsheather"). Like the Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu style, Kenshin’s Battōjutsu has a number of techniques that are made to combat against almost any opponent in various situations which include, but not limited to:
Sōryūsen (双そう龍りゅう閃せん, Twin Dragon Flash): Seemingly a simple Battōjutsu strike, Sōryūsen is the first of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū's two-step Battōjutsu moves. After the first strike with the quickened sword, the user wields the empty sheath along the same path as a blunt weapon. After the sword strike lands, the sheath strike delivers a pulverizing blow capable of crushing bone and shattering wood, but if the sword strike misses, the sheath strike acts as powerful insurance, preventing an opponent's attack and delivering a crushing blow when it's least expected.
Hiryūsen (飛ひ龍りゅう閃せん, Flying Dragon Flash): After assuming a Battōjutsu stance, one rotates their own body rapidly and then stops, aiming the sheath at one's target. The force shoots the sword's grip out of the sheath like an arrow, allowing one to strike a target pommel-first outside of one's zone and reach. As a battōjutsu move and as one that requires one's sword to be shot at the enemy, it can be assumed that accurate aim is required for this move (or else the weapon can easily be lost), and that the sheath can then be used as a melee weapon in a second strike.
Ryūmeisen (龍りゅう鳴めい閃せん, Dragon Cry Flash): An unusual technique in which one uses the Godspeed of Battōjutsu to sheathe the sword rather than to draw it in a practice known as Shinsoku Nōtōjutsu (神速納刀術, Godspeed Sheathed Blade Technique). The speed and force create a miniature sonic boom that can be used to temporarily stun opponents with particularly sensitive or acute hearing by affecting their auditory nerves.
Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki (天あまか翔ける龍りゅうの閃ひらめき, Flash of the Heavenly Flying Dragon): The secret ultimate technique, a.k.a. the ōgi (奥おう義ぎ, secret skill) of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, it is one of Kenshin’s most powerful and iconic Battōjutsu technique. Despite its form being that of any other Battōjutsu strike, the Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki differs in that - while a normal strike is performed by drawing the katana from its sheath on one side while stepping forward with the following opposite foot, using a single step, this strike adds yet another step (a second step) mid-draw with the foot adjacent to the sheath (creating a Stutter-Step) which momentarily creates an instantaneous acceleration to the forward-charge as well as the sword draw allowing Kenshin to attack faster then the opponent can react. Furthermore the range of the attack is increased and the timing of the attack changes slightly, which can throw off the opponent. Making it extremely hard for them to predict, react to and counter.
Master Martial Artist
Even without his sword in hand. Kenshin still proves himself to still be a force to be reckoned with even with just his bare hands alone. Having been trained in the Samurai arts of Jujutsu which is a grappling-focused close combat art (unarmed or with a minor weapon) that he can use in a defensive or offensive manner to kill or subdue a single or multiple opponents regardless if he was armed or unarmed. This form of martial arts mainly emphasizes grappling, throws, holds, takedowns, paralyzing attacks and using an opponent’s own moment against them to put them at a disadvantage. Kenshin further supplements this with his skills in improvised weapons and using the environment to his advantage, making him an even more formidable fighter than he already was.
Ki Manipulation
One of lesser known abilities is his ability to manipulate Ki which allows him to perform all sorts of astonishing feats such as sensing hidden enemies, read his opponent’s attacks to predict their next moves, break out of Jin’e’s Shin No Ippo technique or even stun weak-willed people with his ki.
Feats
Overall
Trained by Hiko Seijuro one of the most skilled swordsman of all time
With Seijuro’s training, became one of the most renowned warriors of his era
One of the most feared assassins of the Bakumatsu Period (1853 - 1867)
Fought in the Boshin War (January of 1868 - June of 1869)
His mastery of swordsmanship and assassination earned him the moniker name - “Hitokiri (人斬ひときり, ‘man-slayer’ or ‘man-cutter’ as the kanji 人) Battousai”
Fought Okita Soji and Haijime Saito; two of the most skilled swordsman of the Shinsengumi special forces to a stalemate
Carved a way for the new peaceful era in Japan to blossom in the Meiji Period
Has the defeated the deadliest of opponents and villains such as Sagara Sanosuke, Hannya, Shinomori Aoshi, Udo Jin-e, Isurugi Raijuta, Sawagejo Cho, Seta Sojiro, Makoto Shishio and Yukishiro Enishi
Finally overcame the inner demons of his manslayer side and lived his life in peace
Inspired by the real life Hitokiri assassin - Kawakami Gensai
Is a ladies man
Richard Cansino, Mayo Suzukaze, Soma Saito and Takeru Satoh
Has one of the best live action anime film series ever made – seriously go watch it
Is able to cut through a wooden post wrapped in rope and easily then smash it to pieces
His clash with Enishi had enough force to launch both of them back
Breaks stone tiles just by stepping on them when doing Battojutsu
Strikes hard enough to send rumble flying and embed into a man
Sent Saito flying into a wall
Destroys Gein’s mechanical puppet suit that was built like a tank
Sends Shishio flying tear through the floor, wood and stone wall
Speed
Known as the “Battousai” because of his incredible speed and reflexes
Blitzed through multiple Tokugawa samurai in a blink of an eye
Dances around Cho’s attacks and strikes at him before he could react
How Sojiro’s speed works explained here
Durability
Takes a flurry of punches from Aoshi and is apparently fine afterwards
Tanks six slams from an incredible height and is unaffected by them
Endured through many hits and blows from Tatsumi and his group of ninjas
Should be comparable to Haijime Saito
Weakness
Kenshin may be an exceptionally skilled warrior and fighter, he is however still just a mortal man and can still be beaten/killed by normal conventional means. He also has a tendency to hold back his skills greatly in fear of taking a life which could possibly put him at a disadvantage against dangerous and intelligent foes.
“The dead don’t desire revenge, but the happiness of the living. To dirty your small hands would bring joy to no one.”
That’s all. Hope you all enjoyed all of the hard work that I have done for everyone’s favorite wandering samurai in all of Shonen! : )
