![]()
94 episodes is a long running series and, Rurouni Kenshin seems to be a gem in the list of other 'popular series' that are often times dropped by fans somewhere in the middle due to the fillers, the recycling of action fights and the same annoying characters needing to always get stronger. Yes, 'Kenshin' has these qualities, but it really doesn't waist a whole lot of time with the cliched training-to-get-stronger sequences. The cliches are also somewhat cancelled out by the production value that Studio Deen went all out with. Feeling both arthouse/experimental with it's intergration of politics and moral complexity, Kenshin does something here that deviates from the average mainstream series. When the plot meanders, it meanders for good reasons. When the show enters it's filler phase, the fillers are somewhat interesting and worthwhile. This is not the case for Shonen Jump's Naruto, Bleach or One Piece where fillers are gobsmackingly weak and distracts viewer something a little bit more worthwhile. In Kenshin, fillers are somewhat necessary in between the progressive moments of the plot and supported by the historical elements that usually helps convey the sense of feeling to this period.
It's been said Nobuhiro Watsuki was inspired by the samurai game "Samurai Showdown" and I can definitely see some similarities with the character construction. 'iconic' is a word to describe the series; between Kenshin's red hair and Shishio's bandages, there is something cool and exaggerated in the designs that make it more memorable and distinguished from a long list of samurai portrayals.
