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The Best Episodes of Rurouni Kenshin Season 1

Every episode of Rurouni Kenshin Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Rurouni Kenshin Season 1!

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...
Genres:Action & AdventureAnimationComedy
Network:Fuji TV

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"The Handsome Swordsman of Legend: A Man who Fights for Love" is the best rated episode of "Rurouni Kenshin" season 1. It scored 7.7/10 based on 296 votes. Directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi and written by Michiru Shimada, it aired on 1/10/1996. This episode is rated 0.5 points higher than the second-best, "Kid Samurai: A Big Ordeal and a New Student".

  • The Handsome Swordsman of Legend: A Man who Fights for Love
    7.7/10296 votes

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

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 1/10/1996

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

    Director: Kazuhiro Furuhashi

    Writer: Michiru Shimada

  • Kid Samurai: A Big Ordeal and a New Student
    7.2/10246 votes

    #2 - Kid Samurai: A Big Ordeal and a New Student

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 1/17/1996

    Following an encounter with a young pickpocket named Yahiko, Kaoru risks her own freedom to gain his from some local gangsters.

    Director: Shinichi Matsumi

    Writer: Michiru Shimada

  • Swordsman of Sorrow: The Man Who Slays His Past
    7.4/10233 votes

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

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 1/24/1996

    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.

    Director: Akira Shimizu

    Writer: Michiru Shimada

  • Bad! Introducing Sanosuke, Fighter-for-hire
    7.5/10222 votes

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

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 1/31/1996

    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: N/A

    Writer: Yoshiyuki Suga

  • The Reverse-blade Sword vs. the Zanbatou: Beyond the Battle
    7.7/10211 votes

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

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 2/7/1996

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

    Director: Nobuhiro Takamoto

    Writer: Yoshiyuki Suga

  • The Appearance of Kurogasa: Visitor from the Shadows
    7.5/10203 votes

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

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 2/14/1996

    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.

    Director: Naoto Hashimoto

    Writer: Michiru Shimada

  • Deathmatch under the Moon! Protect the One You Love
    8.0/10199 votes

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

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 2/21/1996

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • A New Battle! The Mysterious Beauty From Nowhere
    7.6/10188 votes

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

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 2/28/1996

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Strongest Group of Ninjas: The Horrible Oniwaban Group
    7.7/10183 votes

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

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 3/6/1996

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

    Director: Nobuhiro Takamoto

    Writer: Yoshiyuki Suga

  • Aoshi: Someone so Beautiful it's Frightening
    7.8/10179 votes

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

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 3/13/1996

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Farewell, the Strongest Men: The Clash of Light and Shadow
    8.2/10186 votes

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

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 4/24/1996

    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.

    Director: Takashi Kobayashi

    Writer: N/A

  • Birth of a Boy Swordsman: The Battle of First Apprentice Yahiko
    7.3/10174 votes

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

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 5/1/1996

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Strive for the Grand Championship: Toramaru's Sumo Battle Log!
    6.4/10159 votes

    #13 - Strive for the Grand Championship: Toramaru's Sumo Battle Log!

    Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 5/8/1996

    After jealous harassment forces an aspiring young man out of a sumo wrestling school, Kaoru steps in to take over his training.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • To Save a Small Life Lady Doctor Megumi to the Rescue
    7.2/10158 votes

    #14 - To Save a Small Life Lady Doctor Megumi to the Rescue

    Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 5/15/1996

    After a shady faith healer discredits her medical skills, Megumi's patients abandon her. And once a worried family panics and pays the phony shaman to heal their sick daughter, Megumi must intervene in order to save the young girl's life.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Two Legendary Manslayers Two Legendary Slashers
    7.2/10151 votes

    #15 - Two Legendary Manslayers Two Legendary Slashers

    Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 5/22/1996

    A group radicals intent on assassinating political leaders attempt to recruit a local teacher into their cause. After finding that Heihachiro is a former foe who's now dedicated his life to helping children, Kenshin steps in to repel the assassins.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • A Promise From the Heart The Secret Sword Technique of Shiden
    7.5/10148 votes

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

    Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 6/5/1996

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Fly to Your Dreams Marimo, The Human Cannon
    6.5/10147 votes

    #17 - Fly to Your Dreams Marimo, The Human Cannon

    Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 6/12/1996

    Kenshin protects a circus ringmaster and his talented human cannonball daughter from the threats of a jealous competitor.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Run, Yahiko! Get the Reverse-Edged Sword Back
    7.2/10149 votes

    #18 - Run, Yahiko! Get the Reverse-Edged Sword Back

    Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 6/19/1996

    After stopping a restaurant robbery, Yahiko's boastfulness lands him in trouble with Kenshin's old foe, Gohei Hiruma. And once Yahiko agrees to a fight, Gohei uses the opportunity to steal Kenshin's Reverse Edged Sword.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Raijuta's Ambition The Fantasy of the Forbidden Kingdom
    7.3/10154 votes

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

    Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 6/26/1996

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Revival of the Shinko Style Revival of the Killer Sword – Shinko Style
    7.3/10153 votes

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

    Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 7/10/1996

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Dissolution of a Nightmare Destruction of a Nightmare
    7.6/10147 votes

    #21 - Dissolution of a Nightmare Destruction of a Nightmare

    Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 7/21/1996

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

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Danger on a Runaway Locomotive Surprise Incident on a Runaway Locomotive
    7.1/10143 votes

    #22 - Danger on a Runaway Locomotive Surprise Incident on a Runaway Locomotive

    Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 7/31/1996

    During a train trip to Yokohama, Kenshin and his friends must save a wealthy English passenger from being robbed by thieves.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Sanosuke's Betrayal The Fateful Reunion
    7.4/10149 votes

    #23 - Sanosuke's Betrayal The Fateful Reunion

    Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 8/14/1996

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Midnight Battle: Kenshin versus Sanosuke Revisited
    8.2/10160 votes

    #24 - Midnight Battle: Kenshin versus Sanosuke Revisited

    Season 1 Episode 24 - Aired 8/21/1996

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Crimson Pirate The Red Pirate – Kenshin and Kaoru Separated
    7.4/10141 votes

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

    Season 1 Episode 25 - Aired 8/28/1996

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A