Rurouni Kenshin (1996)
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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Episode 1 - Prelude to the Impending Fight: The Shadow of the Wolf Draws Near
Release Date: 1996-10-30A persistent nightmare comes true when Kenshin's old enemy, the former leader of a shadowy anti-Royalist organization, is hired to assassinate him.
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Episode 2 - Strongest Opponent From the Past: Merciless Fangs Strike!
Release Date: 1996-11-06Saito sets a trap for Kenshin by enlisting another assassin in his plan. And once Kenshin repels the accomplice, he's left to take on his old rival.
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Episode 3 - A Devil of Vengeance: Makoto Shishio's Plot
Release Date: 1996-11-13After stopping a fatal battle with Hajime Saito, a top government official asks Kenshin's help in killing a shadowy assassin who's threatening the future of the regime.
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Episode 4 - A Wish Unrequited: Kenshin Departs
Release Date: 1996-11-27While preparing to give his decision on helping to kill Shishio, Kenshin learns of the Home Minister's murder.
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Episode 5 - Change Tears to Courage: Kaoru Kamiya's Choice
Release Date: 1996-12-04Following Kenshin's departure from the dojo, everyone, and especially Kaoru, are sad at being left behind. And while Saito tries to dissuade Sanosuke from following him, Megumi sends Kaoru to deliver some medicine that will aid in Kenshin's fight .
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Episode 6 - For the Title of Strongest: Aoshi's New Conflict
Release Date: 1996-12-11In the wake of Kenshin's departure, everyone at the dojo is anxious to join the battle against Shishio. With Sanosuke, Kaoru and Yahiko in pursuit, Kenshin encounters Misao, a young girl who also happens to be a clever thief.
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Episode 7 - The Girl Bandit: Misao Makimachi's Hidden Side
Release Date: 1997-01-08After befriending Misao, Kenshin insists that she return the money she's stolen before letting her accompany him on his quest to stop Shishio.
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Episode 8 - Conquered Village: The Grasp of Shishio's Hands
Release Date: 1997-01-15When he and Misao come across a village terrorized by forces loyal to Shishio, Kenshin enlists Saito to help liberate it from the evil gang.
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Episode 9 - Across the Boundary Between Edo and Meiji: Kenshin and Shishio Face to Face!
Release Date: 1997-01-22Leaving Misao behind, Kenshin and Saito make their way inside Shishio's fortress. Following a confrontation with one of his most powerful henchmen, Kenshin is ready to take on Shishio himself.
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Episode 10 - Shock! The Reverse-Blade is Broken: Sojiro's Tenken verses Kenshin
Release Date: 1997-01-29Following Kenshin's defeat of the giant Senkaku, Shishio pits him against the young, emotionless assassin responsible for the Home Minister's murder.
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Episode 11 - Sanosuke's Secret Training: The Challenge of Anji the Destroyer
Release Date: 1997-02-05As Kaoru and Yahiko continue tracking Kenshin, Sanosuke encounters a fallen Buddhist monk who offers to teach him some powerful fighting techniques.
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Episode 12 - The Creator of the Reverse-Blade Sword: Shakku Arai's Final Swing
Release Date: 1997-02-12As the showdown with Shishio approaches, Misao finds someone who could produce the sword Kenshin needs, only to be is disappointed when Shakkuu Arai refuses.
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Episode 13 - A Killer Without Mercy: Fight to the Death Against the Cho of the Juppongatana
Release Date: 1997-02-19After watching an unarmed Kenshin bravely defend himself, Shakkuu Arai's only chance at saving his own son is to deliver his father's final reverse edge sword.
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Episode 14 - The Ultimate Technique of the Hiten-Mitsurugi Style: Reunion with a Mentor, Seijuro Hiko
Release Date: 1997-02-26To prepare for Shishio, Kenshin asks a former teacher to help him master the last of his fighting techniques. However, Kenshin is distracted when Kaoru and Yahiko finally catch up with him after their long journey.
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Episode 15 - The Formation of an Alliance: The Day When Aoshi Joins with Shishio
Release Date: 1997-03-05Although Misao is excited by the return of her mentor and hero, she's stunned to discover that Aoshi has betrayed one of their closest friends.
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Episode 16 - Between Life and Death: Master the Ultimate Technique, Amakakeru Ryu no Hikameki!
Release Date: 1997-03-12As Kenshin struggles to learn, Sijuro teaches him the most secret of his fighting techniques. And though Kenshin doesn't want to kill, it's inevitable if he is to beat Shishio. Meanwhile, Sanosuke is arrested during his search for Kenshin.
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Episode 17 - A Decisive Battle Like Violent Waters: The Strongest Troop Juppongatana
Release Date: 1997-03-19While waiting in jail, Sanosuke learns of Shishio's plan to overthrow the government by recruiting a deadly band of Samurai, including the blind warrior Usui, to defeat Kenshin and Saito.
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Episode 18 - As if to Fly: Stop the Launch of the Battleship Purgatory!
Release Date: 1997-04-16Reunited with Sanosuke, Kenshin lays plans to stop Shishio from burning Tokyo to create the confusion he needs to overthrow the government. But Shishio harbors a surprise with his newest weapon, an ironclad battleship hidden inside another.
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Episode 19 - Purgatory Bursts into Flames: The Destiny of Makoto Shishio
Release Date: 1997-04-23After Kenshin, Saito and Sanosuke destroy his battleship, Shishio issues his challenge for a final confrontation. And following Misao's defeat of the blind Samurai, Usui, Kenshin vows to spare the life of her mentor, Aoshi.
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Episode 20 - Crash! The Lethal Punch, Futae no Kiwami: The Fist of Sonosuke Screams!
Release Date: 1997-04-30As Shishio prepares for battle, a henchmen suggests a plan to weaken Kenshin and his forces, ridding them of any opposition once and for all. As the moment of truth draws near, Sanosuke is pitted against Anji.
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Episode 21 - Reborn to Salvation: The Beginning of Anji’s New Life
Release Date: 1997-05-14During his battle with Sanosuke, the fallen monk recalls how his hatred was born during an anti-Buddhist movement.
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Episode 22 - The Wolf Destroys the Eye of the Heart: The Fierce Attack of the Zero Stance Gatotsu
Release Date: 1997-05-28In his defeat of Usui, Saito exposes the blind warrior's plot to kill Shishio. And while Kaoru, Yahiko and Misao are preparing to defend themselves from an ambush, Kenshin readies for his fight against Aoshi.
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Episode 23 - The Promised Time Has Come: Aoshi and Kenshin Fight Again
Release Date: 1997-06-04Kenshin sets out to honor his promises to both fight Aoshi and bring him back alive to Misao.
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Episode 24 - Wake Up Now! Ignore Your Wounds and Fight to the Finish
Release Date: 1997-06-11Following his defeat by Kenshin, Aoshi vows to renounce Shishio. And while Shishio looks for clues to help in his impending fight with Kenshin, Kaoru, Yahiko and Misao fight to stay alive.
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Episode 25 - To Make a Miracle: The Battle at the Aoiya
Release Date: 1997-06-18After Yahiko's fighting skills are stretched to the limit during his defeat of Shishio's warrior, it's now up to Kaoru to enter a battle of her own.
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Episode 26 - The Giant Versus Superman: Like an Arrow Shot at a Time of Despair
Release Date: 1997-06-25Despite the overwhelming odds, Kaoru, Yahiko and Misao continue to face warriors sent to eliminate them. But it's the arrival of Kenshin's teacher that turns the tide in their favor.
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Episode 27 - Hiten versus Shukuchi
Release Date: 1997-07-02As Sanosuke looks on, Kenshin goes to battle with Souijuro, the emotionless assassin responsible for breaking his sword. Though Shishio is confident of the young warrior's ability, Kenshin may be able to win without having to resort to killing.
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Episode 28 - The Tragedy of a Stormy Night
Release Date: 1997-07-09In an effort to explain Souijuro's emotionless posture, Kenshin recalls how the young assassin was rescued from a life of slavery and then taught to fight by Shishio.
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Episode 29 - A Duel With an Extreme Moment
Release Date: 1997-07-16In the face of Kenshin's probing questions, Souijuro's concentration is broken. In defeat, the young assassin returns his prized sword to Shishio, warning him of the danger that lays ahead.
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Episode 30 - Two Men at the End of an Era
Release Date: 1997-08-06As Kaoru and Yahiko anxiously await his return, a wounded but determined Kenshin arrives for his final showdown with Shishio, who is unwilling to have anyone stand in his way of controlling Japan's future.
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Episode 31 - The Age Chooses Shishio?
Release Date: 1997-08-13In their long awaited battle, Kenshin and Shishio compare ideologies as well as fighting techniques. But once Shishio uses gunpowder to gain the upper hand, it looks like Kenshin is doomed.
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Episode 32 - Not Out of Luck!
Release Date: 1997-08-20As Aoshi tries to stop a takeover of the country, Kenshin poses Shishio with his greatest challenge. In his defeat of Usui, Saito exposes the blind warrior's plot to kill Shishio.
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Episode 33 - The Man Who is Chosen for Victory
Release Date: 1997-09-03Kenshin's final effort to win the ultimate battle ends with Shishio destroying himself. But in the wake of Kenshin's victory, Shishio's closest aide vows revenge.
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Episode 34 - The Juppongatana Who Remain (aka The Choice for Life)
Release Date: 1997-09-10Following Shishio's defeat, his remaining allies put their fate in the hands of the government. While Kenshin is reunited with his Peace Force, the vanquished Shishio vows to take over Hell.
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Episode 35 - Kyoto, the Engraved Memory
Release Date: 1997-09-17As Kenshin is nursing the wounds sustained in his fight with Shishio, Kaoru prepares the Peace Force for their return home.