Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 19 [Paperback]

Nobuhiro Watsuki (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Rurouni Kenshin (Graphic Novels) | Publication Date: October 10, 2005

Packed with action, romance and historical intrigue, Rurouni Kenshin is one of the most beloved and popular manga series worldwide. Set against the backdrop of the Meiji Restoration, it tells the saga of Himura Kenshin, once an assassin of ferocious power, now a humble rurouni, a wandering swordsman fighting to protect the honor of those in need. 

A hundred and fifty years ago in Kyoto, amid the flames of revolution, there arose a warrior, an assassin of such ferocious power he was given the title Hitokiri: Manslayer. With his bloodstained blade, Hitokiri Battosai helped close the turbulent Bakumatsu period and end the reign of the shoguns, slashing open the way toward the progressive Meiji Era.  Then he vanished, and with the flow of years became legend.

In the 11th year of Meiji, in the middle of Tokyo, the tale begins. Himura Kenshin, a humble rurouni, or wandering swordsman, comes to the aid of Kamiya Kaoru, a young woman struggling to defend her father's school of swordsmanship against attacks by the infamous Hitokiri Battosai. But neither Kenshin nor Battosai are quite what they seem...

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

He won an honourable mention prize in the Shonen Jump. "New Manga Hop Step Award" with the work Podomakku. Later, while he worked as an assistant, he presented works such as Sengoku No Mikazuki (Crescent Moon in the Warring States) and Rurouni-Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (Meiji Swordsman Romance Story). The serialization of Rurouni Kenshin started in 1994 and concluded in 1999. His hobbies are to draw, read, play video games, read American comic books, and make model figures.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; 1 edition (October 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591169275
• ISBN-13: 978-1591169277
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #659,342 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Manga > By Series > Rurouni Kenshin

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Story of the Pain That Carved This Crossed Shaped Scar...", December 3, 2005

By 

C. Gordon "Rabbitskeeper" (Baltimore,MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 19 (Paperback)

THE volume that highlights Kenshin when he was the infamous Hitokiri Battousai and reveals how he obtained his crossed shaped scar.

The fights from the previous volume conclude as Sano dukes it out with Banjin and Kenshin is weaken by Hyoko.Afterwards,Kenshin comes face to face with the Man behind the attacks,Enishi Yukishiro,brother to Kenshin's "Wife" and is told he and his fellow comrades will begin "Jin-Chu"(A form of personal judgement/revenge if you will) in 10 Days.Wanting to protect Kaoru and all the others at the Kamiya Dojo,Kenshin tells how he began his life as a Hitokiri(Assassin) and how he met Tomoe Yukishiro,the woman who would change his life forever.

For anyone who has seen the first Rurouni Kenshin OAV(Video Series),this is almost a complete translation of the same story,minus the moments with Kenshin's Master,Hiko Seijiro and fewer references to Saito,Okita or the Shinsengumi.However,there are still some ackward moments thanks to Nobuhiro Watsuki's writing which pervents this version from becoming too dark and moody.

This is the first part in a story arc which spans three volume and it only gets better and more personal.So, pick it up,because the real beginning of the end is coming soon.Highly Recommanded.