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The Best Episodes of Rurouni Kenshin

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Every episode of Rurouni Kenshin ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Rurouni Kenshin!

The Best Episodes of Rurouni Kenshin

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...

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  1. Background image for Farewell, the Strongest Men: The Clash of Light and Shadow
    8.2/10(199 votes)

    #1 - Farewell, the Strongest Men: The Clash of Light and Shadow

    S1:E11

    Kenshin defeats a local mob's most powerful fighter, only to then face a gang leader who's determined to spread powerful new guns across Japan.

    Writer:Unknown
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  2. Background image for Midnight Battle: Kenshin versus Sanosuke Revisited
    8.2/10(170 votes)

    #2 - Midnight Battle: Kenshin versus Sanosuke Revisited

    S1:E24

    Following a lavish party at the dojo, Sanosuke can no longer resist joining his old army troop's plot to punish the government. However, in an effort to stop them, Kenshin is forced to take on Sanosuke.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  3. Background image for Deathmatch under the Moon! Protect the One You Love
    8.0/10(212 votes)

    #3 - Deathmatch under the Moon! Protect the One You Love

    S1:E7

    After kidnapping Kaoru, the ruthless Jin-nai Udo draws Kenshin into the fight he's been seeking for years. Though Kenshin tries to resist, Jin-nai's powerful spell over Kaoru leaves him no other choice.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  4. Background image for Sanosuke's Tears
    8.0/10(120 votes)

    #4 - Sanosuke's Tears

    S3:E12

    As Kenshin tries to stop the slaughter of the Christians as they march towards martyrdom, Sanosuke is unable to avert the death of Shogo's terminally ill sister.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  5. Background image for Aoshi: Someone so Beautiful it's Frightening
    7.8/10(191 votes)

    #5 - Aoshi: Someone so Beautiful it's Frightening

    S1:E10

    Having pledged to save Megumi, the Peace Force must first take on a band of ruthless drug dealing mobsters. But when a rift inside the gang leads to a change in leadership, Kenshin must confront a fighter whose powers he's underestimated.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  6. Background image for The Reverse-blade Sword vs. the Zanbatou: Beyond the Battle
    7.7/10(226 votes)

    #6 - The Reverse-blade Sword vs. the Zanbatou: Beyond the Battle

    S1:E5

    After accepting Sanosuke's challenge, Kenshin encourages him to release his anger towards the corrupt Royalist forces.

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Rurouni Kenshin

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  8. Background image for The Handsome Swordsman of Legend: A Man who Fights for Love
    7.6/10(312 votes)

    #7 - The Handsome Swordsman of Legend: A Man who Fights for Love

    S1:E1

    A mysterious wanderer known as Kenshin is taken at the Kamiya Kasshin Dojo, a martial arts school run by a young woman named Kaoru.

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  9. Background image for A New Battle! The Mysterious Beauty From Nowhere
    7.6/10(199 votes)

    #8 - A New Battle! The Mysterious Beauty From Nowhere

    S1:E8

    When local gangsters threaten the life of a beautiful woman, Kenshin and Sanosuke step in to save her.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  10. Background image for The Strongest Group of Ninjas: The Horrible Oniwaban Group
    7.6/10(194 votes)

    #9 - The Strongest Group of Ninjas: The Horrible Oniwaban Group

    S1:E9

    Though her medical knowledge has saved Yahiko's life, Sansosuke suspects Megumi of producing the opium responsible for a close friend's death.

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  11. Background image for Dissolution of a Nightmare Destruction of a Nightmare
    7.6/10(157 votes)

    #10 - Dissolution of a Nightmare Destruction of a Nightmare

    S1:E21

    After learning the truth behind Raijuta's duplicitous plan, an injury sidelines Yutaro, leaving Kenshin to fight the renegade Samurai alone.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  12. Background image for Burn, Island of Terror! The Red Pirate - Conclusion
    7.6/10(153 votes)

    #11 - Burn, Island of Terror! The Red Pirate - Conclusion

    S1:E27

    After her trusted colleagues betray Shura, it's left up to Kenshin to save her life and stop the pirate's opium smuggling scheme.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  13. Background image for The Legend of the Fireflies
    7.6/10(131 votes)

    #12 - The Legend of the Fireflies

    S3:E1

    Back at home, Kaoru works to restore the dilapidated dojo, while Kenshin encounters a wise old fisherman who teaches him an important lesson about love.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  14. Background image for Bad! Introducing Sanosuke, Fighter-for-hire
    7.5/10(236 votes)

    #13 - Bad! Introducing Sanosuke, Fighter-for-hire

    S1:E4

    Gohei enlists a vicious street-fighter known as Sanosuke to seek revenge against Kenshin. And even though Kenshin exposes Gohei's plan, Sanosuke makes it clear that the two of them will fight each other one day.

    Director:Unknown
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  15. Background image for The Appearance of Kurogasa: Visitor from the Shadows
    7.5/10(216 votes)

    #14 - The Appearance of Kurogasa: Visitor from the Shadows

    S1:E6

    With a ruthless ex-Samurai killing high ranking politicians, the Chief of Police asks Kenshin to catch him. But as Kenshin confronts the deadly Jin-nai Udo, Kaoru's efforts to stop the battle end with her kidnapping.

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  16. Background image for A Promise From the Heart The Secret Sword Technique of Shiden
    7.5/10(157 votes)

    #15 - A Promise From the Heart The Secret Sword Technique of Shiden

    S1:E16

    After saving Heihachiro's life, Kenshin sets out to stop the teacher's misguided former student from being used as a pawn in a game of political corruption.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  17. Background image for The Last Crusade
    7.5/10(112 votes)

    #16 - The Last Crusade

    S3:E13

    As Misao and the Dutch consul ask the Army delay to their attack, the sightless Kenshin pressures Shogo to prevent the martyrdom of his followers.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  18. Background image for Swordsman of Sorrow: The Man Who Slays His Past
    7.4/10(247 votes)

    #17 - Swordsman of Sorrow: The Man Who Slays His Past

    S1:E3

    After reining in some renegade police officers, Kenshin is recognized as the Samurai whose bravery helped establish the Meiji Era and is asked to rejoin the army.

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  19. Background image for Sanosuke's Betrayal The Fateful Reunion
    7.4/10(161 votes)

    #18 - Sanosuke's Betrayal The Fateful Reunion

    S1:E23

    An artist's work leads Sanosuke to a reunion with an old army comrade, Tsukioka. But when his old friend wants him to join in avenging the death of their former leader, Sanosuke must stop him.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  20. Background image for The Crimson Pirate The Red Pirate – Kenshin and Kaoru Separated
    7.4/10(149 votes)

    #19 - The Crimson Pirate The Red Pirate – Kenshin and Kaoru Separated

    S1:E25

    In order to earn money for their dojo, the Peace Force signs on to help protect a merchant ship from pirates. However, to keep Kaoru from falling into the hands of the pirate's female leader, Shura, Kenshin offers himself in exchange.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  21. Background image for Lightning Incarnate Shura, The Mysterious Female Pirate
    7.4/10(149 votes)

    #20 - Lightning Incarnate Shura, The Mysterious Female Pirate

    S1:E26

    After Kenshin's kidnapping, a bond begins to develop between him and Shura. However, while Shura is confident in the loyalty of her crew, the profits to be made from dealing opium draws them into a mutinous plan.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  22. Background image for Shock of the Rai Ryu Sen
    7.4/10(114 votes)

    #21 - Shock of the Rai Ryu Sen

    S3:E8

    When neither Kaoru nor Kenshin can persuade Shogo Amakusa to abandon his plan to advance the Christian cause through violence, the stage for battle is set.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  23. Background image for Birth of a Boy Swordsman: The Battle of First Apprentice Yahiko
    7.3/10(185 votes)

    #22 - Birth of a Boy Swordsman: The Battle of First Apprentice Yahiko

    S1:E12

    When a criminal gang threatens a young girl he loves, Yahiko seeks Kenshin's advice on how to defend her in a lopsided fight.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  24. Background image for Raijuta's Ambition The Fantasy of the Forbidden Kingdom
    7.3/10(164 votes)

    #23 - Raijuta's Ambition The Fantasy of the Forbidden Kingdom

    S1:E19

    While on vacation at the home of Dr. Gensai's niece, Kenshin and company attracts the attention of a wealthy but arrogant boy who wants to learn the art of swordfighting.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  25. Background image for Revival of the Shinko Style Revival of the Killer Sword – Shinko Style
    7.3/10(162 votes)

    #24 - Revival of the Shinko Style Revival of the Killer Sword – Shinko Style

    S1:E20

    Though Kenshin tries to warn him of the bad influence, Yutaro continues to believe in Raijuta, unaware that the renegade is using him plot his revolution. So, when he's told that the government is out to stop him, Yutaro sneaks away to warn Raijuta.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  26. Background image for The Gleaming Blade of Legends
    7.3/10(116 votes)

    #25 - The Gleaming Blade of Legends

    S3:E5

    Alerted by Misao, Kenshin and the rest of the Peace Force arrive to help Aoshi find a mysterious killer. Kenshin's investigation uncovers evidence linking the killing to a Christian Samurai and of vengeance that's been foretold.

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Best Episodes Summary

"Farewell, the Strongest Men: The Clash of Light and Shadow" is the best rated episode of "Rurouni Kenshin". It scored 8.2/10 based on 199 votes. Directed by Takashi Kobayashi and written by Unknown, it aired on 4/24/1996. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Midnight Battle: Kenshin versus Sanosuke Revisited".