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 live, lurking in the shadows and waiting for a chance to use their killing blades again. Only Kenshin Himura, formerly one of the most brutal of killers, hopes to keep his swordsman's honor and still live in the new era.
Season 1 Ratings Summary
The best episode of "Rurouni Kenshin" season 1 is "The Handsome Swordsman of Legend: A Man who Fights for Love", rated 7.7/10 from 293 user votes. It was directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi and written by Michiru Shimada. "The Handsome Swordsman of Legend: A Man who Fights for Love" aired on 1/10/1996 and is rated 0.5 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Kid Samurai: A Big Ordeal and a New Student".
7.7/10 293 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
7.2/10 244 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
7.4/10 231 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
7.5/10 219 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
7.7/10 208 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
7.5/10 200 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
8.0/10 195 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
7.6/10 186 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
7.7/10 181 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
7.8/10 177 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
8.2/10 183 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
7.3/10 172 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
6.4/10 158 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
7.2/10 156 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
7.2/10 149 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
7.5/10 147 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
6.5/10 146 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
7.2/10 148 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
7.3/10 153 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
7.3/10 152 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
7.6/10 146 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
7.1/10 142 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
7.4/10 148 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
8.2/10 157 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
7.4/10 140 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