The Meiji Era was one of great renewal for Japan, where swords and killing were outlawed. However, many survivors from the time of Revolution still live, lurking in the shadows and waiting for a chance to use their killing blades again. Only Kenshin Himura, formerly one of the most brutal of killers, hopes to keep his swordsman's honor and still live in the new era.
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The peak run. Top 40% of seasons by average rating — consecutive, with an average of 9.23.
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Mayo Suzukaze
Kenshin Himura (voice)
Miki Fujitani
Kaoru Kamiya (voice)
Mina Tominaga
Yahiko Myoujin (voice)
Yuji Ueda
Sanosuke Sagara (voice)
Mika Doi
Megumi Takani (voice)
Hirotaka Suzuoki
Hajime Saitô (voice)
Tomo Sakurai
Makimachi Misao (voice)
Yoshito Yasuhara
Aoshi Shinomori (voice)
Yoku Shioya
Gensai (voice)
All 64 episodes plotted by IMDb rating
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27 episodes • 1996Avg: 9.2Golden Era
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Handsome Swordsman of Legend: A Man who Fights for Love | Jan 10, 1996 | 8.7 |
| 2 | Kid Samurai: A Big Ordeal and a New Student | Jan 17, 1996 | 8.7 |
| 3 | Swordsman of Sorrow: The Man Who Slays His Past | Jan 24, 1996 | 8.7 |
| 4 | Bad! Introducing Sanosuke, Fighter-for-hire | Jan 31, 1996 | 8.7 |
| 5 | The Reverse-blade Sword vs. the Zanbatou: Beyond the Battle | Feb 7, 1996 | 8.7 |
| 6 | The Appearance of Kurogasa: Visitor from the Shadows | Feb 14, 1996 | 8.5 |
| 7 | Deathmatch under the Moon! Protect the One You Love | Feb 21, 1996 | 8.7 |
| 8 | A New Battle! The Mysterious Beauty From Nowhere | Feb 28, 1996 | 8.5 |
| 9 | The Strongest Group of Ninjas: The Horrible Oniwaban Group | Mar 6, 1996 | 8.5 |
| 10 | Aoshi: Someone so Beautiful it's Frightening | Mar 13, 1996 | 8.7 |
| 11 | Farewell, the Strongest Men: The Clash of Light and Shadow | Apr 24, 1996 | 8.5 |
| 12 | Birth of a Boy Swordsman: The Battle of First Apprentice Yahiko | May 1, 1996 | 8.7 |
| 13 | Strive for the Grand Championship: Toramaru's Sumo Battle Log! | May 8, 1996 | 9.5 |
| 14 | Save a Small Life: The Challenge of the Beautiful Doctor, Megumi | May 15, 1996 | 10.0 |
| 15 | Assassination Group of Fire: Jinpuu Squad on the Run | May 22, 1996 | 9.5 |
| 16 | A Promise from the Heart: The Secret Technique of the Shiden Renga Blade | Jun 5, 1996 | 9.5 |
| 17 | Fly to Your Dreams: The Adventures of Marimo, the Human Bullet | Jun 12, 1996 | 9.5 |
| 18 | Run, Yahiko: Get the Reverse-blade Sword Back! | Jun 19, 1996 | 9.5 |
| 19 | Raijuta's Ambition: Dream of a Forbidden Kingdom | Jun 26, 1996 | 9.5 |
| 20 | Revival of the Shinko Style: The Technique Which Heralds a Storm | Jul 10, 1996 | 10.0 |
| 21 | The Dissolution of a Nightmare: Raijuta's Ambition Concludes | Jul 21, 1996 | 9.5 |
| 22 | First Train Ride: Danger on a Runaway Locomotive! | Jul 31, 1996 | 9.5 |
| 23 | Sanosuke's Betrayal: The Fateful Reunion | Aug 14, 1996 | 10.0 |
| 24 | Midnight Battle: Sanosuke Verses Kenshin Revisited | Aug 21, 1996 | 9.5 |
| 25 | The Crimson Pirate: Kenshin and Kaoru Separated! | Aug 28, 1996 | 10.0 |
| 26 | Lightning Incarnate: The Noble and Mysterious Female Pirate, Shura | Sep 4, 1996 | 10.0 |
| 27 | Burn, Island of Terror: The Crimson Pirate Chapter Concludes | Oct 16, 1996 | 10.0 |
35 episodes • 1996Avg: 8.0Valley of Despair
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prelude to the Impending Fight: The Shadow of the Wolf Draws Near | Oct 30, 1996 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Strongest Opponent From the Past: Merciless Fangs Strike! | Nov 6, 1996 | 0.0 |
| 3 | A Devil of Vengeance: Makoto Shishio's Plot | Nov 13, 1996 | 9.0 |
| 4 | A Wish Unrequited: Kenshin Departs | Nov 27, 1996 | 9.0 |
| 5 | Change Tears to Courage: Kaoru Kamiya's Choice | Dec 4, 1996 | 9.0 |
| 6 | For the Title of Strongest: Aoshi's New Conflict | Dec 11, 1996 | 9.0 |
| 7 | The Girl Bandit: Misao Makimachi's Hidden Side | Jan 8, 1997 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Conquered Village: The Grasp of Shishio's Hands | Jan 15, 1997 | 9.0 |
| 9 | Across the Boundary Between Edo and Meiji: Kenshin and Shishio Face to Face! | Jan 22, 1997 | 0.0 |
| 10 | Shock! Reverse Blade Sword Broken: Sojiro's Tenken verses Kenshin | Jan 29, 1997 | 9.0 |
| 11 | Sanosuke's Secret Training: The Challenge of Anji, the Destroyer | Feb 5, 1997 | 0.0 |
| 12 | The Creator of the Reverse Blade: Shakku Arai's Final Swing | Feb 12, 1997 | 9.0 |
| 13 | A Killer Without Mercy: Fight to the Death Against the Cho of the Juppongatana | Feb 19, 1997 | 0.0 |
| 14 | The Ultimate Technique of the Hiten-Mitsurugi Style: Reunion with a Mentor, Seijuro Hiko | Feb 26, 1997 | 0.0 |
| 15 | The Formation of an Alliance: The Day When Aoshi Joins with Shishio | Mar 5, 1997 | 0.0 |
| 16 | Between Life and Death: Master the Ultimate Technique, Amakakeru Ryu no Hikameki! | Mar 12, 1997 | 0.0 |
| 17 | A Decisive Battle Like Violent Waters: The Strongest Troop, Juppongatana | Mar 19, 1997 | 9.0 |
| 18 | As if to Fly: Stop the Launch of the Battleship Purgatory! | Apr 16, 1997 | 9.0 |
| 19 | Purgatory Bursts into Flames: The Destiny of Makoto Shishio | Apr 23, 1997 | 0.0 |
| 20 | Crash! The Lethal Punch, Futae no Kiwami: The Fist of Sonosuke Screams! | Apr 30, 1997 | 0.0 |
| 21 | Reborn to Salvation: The Beginning of Anji’s New Life | May 14, 1997 | 9.0 |
| 22 | The Wolf Destroys the Eye of the Heart: The Fierce Attack of the Zero Stance Gatotsu | May 28, 1997 | 7.5 |
| 23 | The Promised Time Has Come: Aoshi and Kenshin Fight Again | Jun 4, 1997 | 7.5 |
| 24 | Wake Up Now! Ignore Your Wounds and Fight to the Finish | Jun 11, 1997 | 7.0 |
| 25 | To Make a Miracle: The Battle at the Aoiya | Jun 18, 1997 | 7.0 |
| 26 | The Giant Versus Superman: Like an Arrow Shot at a Time of Despair | Jun 25, 1997 | 7.0 |
| 27 | Hiten Versus Shukuchi: Sojiro's Inborn Talent | Jul 2, 1997 | 7.0 |
| 28 | The Tragedy of a Stormy Night: Sojiro's Past | Jul 9, 1997 | 7.0 |
| 29 | A Duel With an Extreme Moment: Shuntensatsu Versus Amakakeru Ryu no Hikameki | Jul 16, 1997 | 7.5 |
| 30 | Two Men at the End of an Era: Shishio Versus Kenshin, Final Battle | Aug 6, 1997 | 7.5 |
| 31 | The Age Chooses Shishio? Kenshin's Greatest Crisis | Aug 13, 1997 | 7.5 |
| 32 | Not Out of Luck! The Revival of a Fighting Spirit | Aug 20, 1997 | 7.5 |
| 33 | The Man Who is Chosen for Victory: Shishio Versus Kenshin, Finale | Sep 3, 1997 | 7.5 |
| 34 | The Juppongatana Who Remain: A Choice for Life | Sep 10, 1997 | 7.5 |
| 35 | Kyoto, the Engraved Memory: Begin with a Wish | Sep 17, 1997 | 0.0 |
32 episodes • 1997Avg: 8.7
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Legend of the Fireflies: A Girl Who Waits for Her Love | Oct 14, 1997 | 5.5 |
| 2 | The Birth of Prince Yahiko? An Elegant Debut into Society | Oct 28, 1997 | 9.0 |
| 3 | Find the Lost Treasure! The Great Detective Dog Notaro | Nov 4, 1997 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Kaoru Ecstatic! Kenshin's Proposal? | Nov 11, 1997 | 9.0 |
| 5 | Gleaming Blade of Legends! The Mystic Swordsman Shougo Amakusa | Nov 18, 1997 | 9.0 |
| 6 | The Medallion of Destiny: The First Meeting of Sanosuke and Sayo | Nov 25, 1997 | 0.0 |
| 7 | To the Battlefield of Shimabara: The Moment of Decisive Battle | Dec 2, 1997 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Shock of the Rai Ryu Sen! Kenshin Sent into Darkness | Dec 9, 1997 | 0.0 |
| 9 | The Conspiracy of Kaiou: Shougo Caught in a Trap | Dec 16, 1997 | 0.0 |
| 10 | Days of Remorse: The Sad Past of Shougo and Sayo | Jan 6, 1998 | 0.0 |
| 11 | The Sneering Demon: Shouzo and Karyu Scattered in the Explosive Flames | Jan 13, 1998 | 0.0 |
| 12 | Sanosuke's Tears: An Eternal Farewell Befalls the Two | Jan 20, 1998 | 9.0 |
| 13 | The Last Crusade: Two Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki Crash! | Jan 27, 1998 | 0.0 |
| 14 | Bon Voyage | Feb 3, 1998 | 0.0 |
| 15 | Himura Dojo in Shimonoseki? | Feb 10, 1998 | 9.0 |
| 16 | Crush! | Feb 17, 1998 | 0.0 |
| 17 | Kaishu Katsu and Kenshin: The Destiny of Two Men Who Survived the Revolution | Feb 24, 1998 | 7.5 |
| 18 | The Unending Revolution: A Destiny Forced Upon Kaishu | Mar 3, 1998 | 9.0 |
| 19 | Conspiracy of the Beni-aoi: The Living Ghost of the Revolution Targets Kaishu! | Mar 10, 1998 | 0.0 |
| 20 | Kaishu Katsu's Determination: The Truth that Lived Through the Times | Apr 14, 1998 | 0.0 |
| 21 | Yutaro Returns: The Conspiracy of the Shadow Swordsmen | Apr 21, 1998 | 9.0 |
| 22 | The Sanada Ninja Squad and the Elixir: Misanagi's Driving Quest | May 5, 1998 | 9.0 |
| 23 | A Straying Journey: The Trap of the Divine Crossing! | May 19, 1998 | 0.0 |
| 24 | A Heat Wave from Beneath the Earth: The Three Sanada Demons! | May 26, 1998 | 0.0 |
| 25 | Schneider's Bet: The Collapse of the Black Knights! | Jun 2, 1998 | 0.0 |
| 26 | The Two Guides: Yahiko and Yutaro's Eternal Vow | Jun 9, 1998 | 9.0 |
| 27 | To My Angel Misao: A Fetching from Kyoto | Jun 16, 1998 | 0.0 |
| 28 | Feng Shui, Surprise Attack! The Mystery of the Pentagram Spread! | Jun 23, 1998 | 10.0 |
| 29 | The Magic of Feng Shui: Kamiya Dojo is Targeted! | Jul 21, 1998 | 9.0 |
| 30 | Tokyo Under Martial Law! The Deadly Ryu Myaku | Aug 4, 1998 | 0.0 |
| 31 | The Enemy Awaits in Senjo Gahara: In Search of the Jade Crest | Aug 18, 1998 | 9.0 |
| 32 | The Elegy of Wind and Water: A Last Desperate Effort! | Sep 8, 1998 | 0.0 |
