Rurouni Kenshin 2023: Release Date, Trailer, Story, and News

Please mark your calendars, as the highly anticipated 2023 Rurouni Kenshin anime series is poised to make its grand debut on global screens come July 2023, courtesy of the Kenshin production team.

The fandom’s excitement has been electrified with the release of a stunning teaser visual that showcases the lead cast in all their glory, igniting a wildfire of anticipation and hunger amongst the fans.

As the age of reboots continues to sweep across the entertainment industry, Rurouni Kenshin is set to join the fray and hit the screen worldwide.

Can the upcoming remake of Rurouni Kenshin capture the triumphant heights of FullMetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Hunter x Hunter, or will it merely flounder as a lackluster reboot?

Let’s delve into the details of the 2023 release and unearth the answer!

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan 2023 Release Date

The story of this iconic series follows the journey of a wandering samurai named Kenshin Himura, who seeks to atone for his past sins as a ruthless killer by vowing never to take another life.

As a testament to his determination, he wields the unique Sakabato blade with a reverse blade.

As with other popular anime series from the 90s, the upcoming Rurouni Kenshin anime will receive a complete remake of the original version.

With the successful live-action movie adaptation setting high expectations, the stakes are even higher for Liden Films to deliver a worthy and improved adaptation for fans.

Though exact date has not been confirmed yet, it is expected to release in July 2023 by various inside sources.

Anticipation and excitement fill the air as the highly anticipated new Rurouni Kenshin anime series prepares to make its grand debut on screens worldwide.

Set to captivate audiences, this epic saga will grace the prestigious Noitamina programming bloc of Fuji TV, promising an unforgettable viewing experience.

In addition to this exciting news, a captivating new key visual featuring the beloved main characters Kenshin Kimura and Kaoru Kamiya has also been unveiled, further fueling the anticipation and enthusiasm of fans.

The upcoming anime series boasts an impressive lineup of production staff led by the talented director Hideyo Yamamoto (known for My Master Has No Tail).

Contributing to the series’ writing prowess is none other than acclaimed screenwriter Hideyuki Kurata (of Made in Abyss fame).

In charge of crafting the series’ captivating score is Yuu Takami, who previously lent his musical genius to Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin.

LIDEN FILMS, renowned for their exceptional animation productions, will be responsible for bringing the world of Rorouni Kenshin to life with their mastery of the art form.

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan 2023 Trailer

The AnimeJapan 2023 blew the lid off the third PV, granting us a glimpse into the riveting world of Megumi Takani and Aoshi Shinomori, two of the show’s main characters.

What sets this trailer apart is the jaw-dropping, buttery-smooth animation.

And the icing on the cake? No 3DCG gimmicks were used. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that Liden Films maintains this high level of quality throughout the entire series.

Another reassurance comes from the experienced staff on board. Hideyo Yamamoto (of Strike the Blood fame) is directing the ship.

At the same time, the series composition is being masterfully crafted by Hideyuki Kurata (known for his work on Drifters and Goblin Slayer).

Erumi Nishii (who’s responsible for the character design on Knight of the Zodiac: Saint Seiya) brings her artistic flair to the table. And last but not least, Yuu Takami is weaving his musical magic into the score.

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Voice Actors

So far, the production has divulged six key cast members, with Souma Saito at the helm as Himura Kenshin. Rie Takahashi lends her voice to the fiery Kamiya Kaoru, while Taku Yashiro injects personality into the rough-and-tumble Sagara Sanosuke.

Koichi Makoto delivers his expertise as Myoujin Yahiko. The newest additions to the cast, Saori Oonishi and Yuuma Uchida, bring their unique talents to the roles of Megumi Takani and Aoshi Shinomori, respectively.

In an enthusiastic comment, Saito expressed his dream come true to voice Kenshin in Rurouni Kenshin and promised to give his utmost best in portraying the character.

Meanwhile, Takahashi shared her surprise upon passing the audition for the role of Kaoru Kamiya and emphasized her dedication to delivering a memorable performance.

Other production members include:

• Hideyuki Kurata: Responsible for series composition
• Terumi Nishii: Tasked with character designs
• Yuu Takami: In charge of the music

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Story

A decade has elapsed since the Bakumatsu era, a time of ferocious conflict sparked by a popular uprising against the Tokugawa shogunate. Peace remains elusive despite the rebels emerging victorious, ushering in a new Meiji era.

The government has imposed a blanket ban on all weapons, yet murder still stalks the streets. War orphans and veterans roam the land while the ruling elite line their pockets with ill-gotten gains.

Enter Kenshin Himura, a wandering samurai who seeks to ensure his previous battles were not in vain.

Once known as the Hitokiri Battousai, or the Sword-drawing Manslayer, for his brutal exploits in the war, Kenshin has renounced his violent ways and pledged never to kill again.

In the 11th year of the Meiji era, amidst a rapidly changing Japan, fate intertwines the paths of Kenshin Himura and Kaoru Kamiya.

Kaoru, the resilient and determined owner of a small dojo, finds herself on the brink of closure, facing an uncertain future. The reason? A murder attributed to the infamous Battousai, which happens to have taken place near Kaoru’s establishment.

Thus begins Kenshin’s new journey as he joins forces with Kaoru to clear their names. But little does he know that his past will soon catch up, and he will be forced to confront it head-on.

Will he have what it takes to survive the reckoning that awaits him?

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan News

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story, or Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Roman Tan in Japanese, was authored by Nobuhiro Watsuki and serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump between April 1994 and September 1999.

With over 72 million copies sold worldwide, including the digital release, the 28 volumes of manga that collected all the chapters immediately achieved best-seller status.

This astounding feat includes both physical and digital editions, solidifying Rurouni Kenshin as one of Shueisha’s top ten best-selling manga series.

The series has evolved into a franchise, with numerous adaptations such as anime, live-action, stage shows, art books, light novels, and games.

The upcoming remake of the television anime adaptation is expected to be a faithful adaptation, directly following the manga’s canon without introducing additional plotlines, characters, or events.

It aims to deliver a fillerless experience that stays true to the beloved story created by Watsuki.

The reboot is set to begin with the first arc, though it remains uncertain as to how long it will run. Will it follow in the footsteps of Hunter x Hunter with lengthy episodes,

Fruit Basket with its division into several cours, or New Cooking Master Boy with an abrupt ending after only 12 episodes? Only time will tell.

MAL explains the anime’s plot as follows:

Ten years have passed since the end of Bakumatsu, an era of war that saw citizens uprising against the Tokugawa shogunate. The revolutionaries wanted to create a time of peace and a thriving country free from oppression. The new age of Meiji has come, but peace has not yet been achieved. Swords are banned, but people are still murdered in the streets. Orphans of war veterans are left with nowhere to go, while the government seems content to just line their pockets with money.

One wandering samurai, Kenshin Himura, still works to ensure the values he fought for are worth the lives spent to bring about the new era. Once known as Hitokiri Battousai, he was feared as the revolutionaries’ most ruthless killer. Now haunted by guilt, Kenshin has sworn never to kill again in atonement for the lives he took, and he may never know peace until the killing is a thing of the past.

In the 11th year of Meiji, Kenshin stumbles upon Kaoru Kamiya, owner and head instructor of a small dojo, being threatened to close its doors. The police force is powerless to stop the string of murders done in the name of her dojo by a man claiming to be the famous Battousai. Kenshin’s wanderings pause for now as he joins Kaoru to clear both their names. But how long can he stay before his past catches up to him?

MyAnimeLIst

Now let’s get to the moral part.

Should we be rooting for Rurouni Kenshin in 2023?

Before moving further, we would like to let our readers know that the following part mentions disturbing content. Reader discretion is advised.

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story, birthed from the boundless imagination of the venerable manga maestro Nobuhiro Watsuki (Known as Nobuhiro Nishiwaki in the realm of authenticity), stands as an epochal opus that initially blessed the hallowed annals of Shо̄nen Jump, spanning the time-honored era from April 1994 to September 1999.

Rurouni Kenshin: Hokkaido Arc will be serialized by Shueisha, but it’s crucial to recognize and applaud VIZ for its position. After the brief break, VIZ decided not to include the chapter in the English-language digital edition of Weekly Shonen Jump.

While the Hokkaido Arc has been purposefully left out of VIZ’s digital platform, readers may still access the original Rurouni Kenshin and its sequel, Rurouni Kenshin: Restoration.

This indicates VIZ’s attention to handling the delicate nature of the Nobuhiro Watsuki case and their commitment to making wise decisions about the content they offer.

Consequently, the serialized chronicles of Rurouni Kenshin: The Hokkaido Arc within the esteemed pages of Shueisha’s Jump SQ magazine came to an abrupt standstill, like an intricate dance frozen in time, as the investigations unfolded, rendering a resolute pause in the saga’s unfolding narrative.

It is a complex and contentious issue, as opinions and perspectives on separating the art from the artist vary.

Some argue that the creator’s actions should not diminish the value and enjoyment of the work, while others find it difficult to support the artist, given the severity of the charges.

In the end, the power to endorse or distance oneself from Nobuhiro Watsuki and Rurouni Kenshin rests solely in the hands of individual readers, viewers, and consumers. When deliberating upon such a resolution, it behooves each person to contemplate their own values, beliefs, and comfort thresholds.

Fostering a realm of candid conversations and maintaining keen awareness is pivotal in fashioning an enlightened viewpoint.

About Watsuki Nobuhiro’s Crime

Nobuhiro Watsuki was reported to prosecutors on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, after authorities traced purchases of child pornography to his Tokyo office. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police, wielding the sword of justice, formally pressed charges against Watsuki, accusing him of harboring illicit child pornography videos that date back to the distant shores of July 2015.

In the wake of a rigorous search and seizure operation executed upon his office and dwelling, a disconcerting treasure trove of nearly one hundred DVDs, featuring young girls in their tender years, was discovered, amplifying the gravity of the allegations..

Throughout his deposition, Watsuki acknowledged the allegations, expressing a preference for girls in higher elementary school grades to the second grade of junior high.

Japanese laws strictly prohibit the possession and provision of child pornography, as established by the Act on Regulation and Punishment of Acts Relating to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography and the Protection of Children in 1999.

Since 2015, the possession of child pornography in Japan has been entirely illegal, coinciding with the same year Watsuki is believed to have obtained the DVDs in question.

Shueisha persists in the serialization of the enthralling saga of Rurouni Kenshin: Hokkaido Arc, yet VIZ has made the unconventional decision to omit the chapter from the English digital rendition of Weekly Shonen Jump.

The original Rurouni Kenshin and its sequel, Rurouni Kenshin: Restoration, are available on VIZ’s digital platform, but the Hokkaido Arc is absent from their catalogue.

The connection between the artist and their work cannot be disregarded. While some argue that an author is responsible for creating their magnum opus, it is equally true that Nobuhiro Watsuki failed in the much more crucial duty of not being a criminal of such heinous nature.

Supporting Watsuki remains a personal decision for each anime and manga fan, but it comes with the weight of accepting support for a confirmed pedophile. Individuals have the responsibility to be aware of this when making their choices.