Himura Kenshin

The wanderer who swore not to kill

From a legendary assassin of the Bakumatsu era, after the Meiji era he swore not to kill and wanders as a swordsman. He possesses a gentle side and a ferocious personality during combat.

Quotes

  • I stake my sword and heart on completing this life of battle.
  • Oro.
  • Protect without killing.
  • My sword is not for cutting people.
  • I will never bend my no-kill oath.

Trivia

  • The cross scar on the left cheek was made in the battle with his fiancée Yukishiro Tomoe.
  • Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū is a nito-ryū style, but the sakabatō is a modification to avoid killing.
  • The no-kill oath was triggered by slashing Tomoe.
  • Author's assumed age is 28–30 in full years.
  • Kenshin's catchphrase 'oro' is repeated in various scenes.
  • There is a setting where declining stamina and technique recoil gradually make secret techniques unusable.

Alternate names

Battousai the Manslayer Shinta Battousai

Tags

Meiji Restoration Swordsman Wanderer No Kill Battousai the Manslayer Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū Sakabatō Red hair Cross scar Protagonist

Find Himura Kenshin goods

Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Male
Birthday
June 20
Birth year
1849

Appearance

Overall appearance
A petite man of 158 cm height. Red hair with a distinctive cross scar on the left cheek. Slender build, with a gentle yet sharp gaze.
Height
About 158cm
Weight
48kg
Eye color
Brown
Hair color
Red
Distinguishing features
  • Cross scar on the left cheek
  • Red hair
  • Petite and slender build
Iconic items
  • Sakabatō
  • Red kimono
  • Bamboo sword
  • Rat-tail hairstyle
  • Black hakama

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Gentle
Detailed personality
Outwardly cheerful with a soft-spoken and gentle demeanor, but during sudden emotions or combat, the cold and ferocious personality of "Battousai the Manslayer" emerges, possessing duality. He strictly upholds the "no-kill oath," trying to avoid killing even villains. He also has a somewhat airheaded side lacking in tact.
Keywords
  • Brave
  • No Kill
  • Lonely
  • Devoted
  • Strong mental fortitude
  • Kind
  • Airheaded
  • Steadfast will
Motto
I stake my sword and heart on completing this life of battle
Talents
  • Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū sword techniques
  • Silver tongue
  • Kuroda-bushi acrobatics
  • High combat sense
  • Godspeed swordsmanship mastery
Skills
  • Swordsmanship with sakabatō
  • Combat strategy
  • Taijutsu
  • Secret sword technique 'Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki'
  • Endurance
Motivation
Atonement for past sins and protecting many people. Continuing to wield the sword.
Habits
Catchphrase is 'oro.' Addresses women with honorifics. Changes personal pronoun when emotions rise.
Favorite foods
Kamiya Kaoru's cooking
Hobbies
Training, Mastering swordsmanship, Acrobatics
Disliked foods
Kaoru's cooking (not good at it)
Disliked situations
Situations where one must kill

History

Backstory
Childhood name is Shinta. Lost both parents at a young age, captured by human traffickers but saved by his master Hiko Seijuro. Learned Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, and during the Meiji Restoration period, gained fame as the shadow assassin "Battousai the Manslayer" for the Choshu Domain. Triggered by the death of his fiancée Yukishiro Tomoe, he ceased killing, swore the no-kill oath, and became a wanderer. From Meiji 11 onward, he lives at the Kamiya Kasshin-ryū dojo while continuing his journey to protect the weak.
Debut date
April 12, 1994
Work title
Rurouni Kenshin -Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story-
Media type
Manga
Episode or chapter
Chapter 1 "Kenshin - Himura Battousai"

Death of fiancée Yukishiro Tomoe

Significant event
Death of fiancée Yukishiro Tomoe
Description
Accidentally slashed and killed Tomoe, leading him to question his past killings and swear the no-kill oath.

Reunion with Hiko Seijuro

Significant event
Reunion with Hiko Seijuro
Description
To defeat the Shishio faction, he receives the secret technique Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki from his master.

Deathmatch with Shishio Makoto

Significant event
Deathmatch with Shishio Makoto
Description
After a fierce battle, he annihilates the Shishio faction but sustains near-fatal injuries.

Battle with Yukishiro Enishi

Significant event
Battle with Yukishiro Enishi
Description
Fought his fateful enemy Enishi, finding atonement for past sins and an answer for the future.

Marriage with Kamiya Kaoru

Significant event
Marriage with Kamiya Kaoru
Description
After the battles, marries Kaoru and fathers a child, Kenji.

Relationships

Kamiya Kaoru

Spouse

Wife. Met at the dojo, supporting each other along the way.

Himura Kenji

Child

Son. The firstborn child of Kenshin and Kaoru.

Hiko Seijuro

Guardian

Master. Benefactor who taught the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū secret techniques and raised him.

Sagara Sanosuke

Best friend

Best friend and comrade who overcame many battles together.

Saito Hajime

Rival

Arch-rival from the Bakumatsu era, sometimes fighting as comrades.

Kamiya Kaoru

Best friend

Emotional support from their meeting to the present.

Myojin Yahiko

Mentee

Disciple. Shares a bond over swordsmanship.

Kiheitai

Kiheitai: unknown

Guerrilla Swordsmen

Guerrilla Swordsmen: unknown

Media appearances

Rurouni Kenshin -Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story-

Manga / Protagonist

Serialization started in 1994

Rurouni Kenshin -Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story-

Anime / Protagonist

TV anime aired in 1996

Rurouni Kenshin series (live-action films)

Movie / Protagonist

Released 2012–2014

Jump-related game titles

Game / Protagonist

Rurouni Kenshin Musical

Stage play / Protagonist

Voice cast and creators

Megumi Ogata

Voice actor
Megumi Ogata
Language
Japanese
Version or series
CD Book edition

Mayo Suzukaze

Voice actor
Mayo Suzukaze
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV anime 1st series

Soma Saito

Voice actor
Soma Saito
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV anime 2nd series

Takeru Satoh

Voice actor
Takeru Satoh
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Live-action film version
Notes
Actor

Nobuhiro Watsuki

Creator name
Nobuhiro Watsuki
Role
Original author

Nobuhiro Watsuki

Creator name
Nobuhiro Watsuki
Role
Character designer

Related goods

Himura Kenshin figure

Item name
Himura Kenshin figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Sakabatō replica

Item name
Sakabatō replica
Category
Accessory
Availability
Limited

Acrylic stand

Item name
Acrylic stand
Category
Stationery
Availability
Regular

Find Himura Kenshin goods