Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki. It was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine from April 1994 to September 1999, spanning 28 collected volumes. The story is set during the early Meiji era in Japan and follows Himura Kenshin, a former legendary assassin known as Hitokiri Battosai, who has vowed never to kill again and now wanders the countryside as a protector of the innocent.
Watsuki crafted the series as a departure from typical shōnen manga of the time, blending historical drama with intense sword-fighting action and a protagonist burdened by a dark past. The narrative explores themes of atonement, peace, and the struggle to uphold ideals in a rapidly modernizing Japan. Kenshin's reverse-blade sword, a physical manifestation of his oath, became one of the most iconic weapons in manga history.
The manga achieved massive commercial and critical success, selling over 70 million copies worldwide and becoming a cornerstone of 1990s shōnen manga alongside contemporaries like Dragon Ball and Slam Dunk. Its richly developed characters, including the fiery dojo instructor Kamiya Kaoru, the street-fighter Sagara Sanosuke, and the enigmatic villain Shishio Makoto, have left a lasting impact on the medium. The series' blend of historical fiction, romance, and philosophical depth has inspired multiple anime adaptations, live-action films, stage productions, and a direct sequel manga series set in Hokkaido.