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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 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...

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  1. Background image for The Handsome Swordsman of Legend: A Man who Fights for Love
    7.7/10(305 votes)

    #1 - 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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  2. Background image for Kid Samurai: A Big Ordeal and a New Student
    7.2/10(254 votes)

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

    S1:E2

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

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  3. Background image for Swordsman of Sorrow: The Man Who Slays His Past
    7.4/10(240 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. Background image for Bad! Introducing Sanosuke, Fighter-for-hire
    7.5/10(230 votes)

    #4 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
  5. Background image for The Reverse-blade Sword vs. the Zanbatou: Beyond the Battle
    7.7/10(220 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. Background image for The Appearance of Kurogasa: Visitor from the Shadows
    7.5/10(212 votes)

    #6 - 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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  8. Background image for Deathmatch under the Moon! Protect the One You Love
    8.0/10(208 votes)

    #7 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for A New Battle! The Mysterious Beauty From Nowhere
    7.6/10(195 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for The Strongest Group of Ninjas: The Horrible Oniwaban Group
    7.6/10(189 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 Aoshi: Someone so Beautiful it's Frightening
    7.8/10(186 votes)

    #10 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for Farewell, the Strongest Men: The Clash of Light and Shadow
    8.2/10(194 votes)

    #11 - 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.

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    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for Birth of a Boy Swordsman: The Battle of First Apprentice Yahiko
    7.3/10(181 votes)

    #12 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  14. Background image for Strive for the Grand Championship: Toramaru's Sumo Battle Log!
    6.4/10(165 votes)

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

    S1:E13

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

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  15. Background image for To Save a Small Life Lady Doctor Megumi to the Rescue
    7.2/10(164 votes)

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

    S1:E14

    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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  16. Background image for Two Legendary Manslayers Two Legendary Slashers
    7.2/10(158 votes)

    #15 - Two Legendary Manslayers Two Legendary Slashers

    S1:E15

    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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  17. Background image for A Promise From the Heart The Secret Sword Technique of Shiden
    7.5/10(155 votes)

    #16 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  18. Background image for Fly to Your Dreams Marimo, The Human Cannon
    6.5/10(154 votes)

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

    S1:E17

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

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  19. Background image for Run, Yahiko! Get the Reverse-Edged Sword Back
    7.2/10(156 votes)

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

    S1:E18

    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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  20. Background image for Raijuta's Ambition The Fantasy of the Forbidden Kingdom
    7.3/10(161 votes)

    #19 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  21. Background image for Revival of the Shinko Style Revival of the Killer Sword – Shinko Style
    7.2/10(159 votes)

    #20 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  22. Background image for Dissolution of a Nightmare Destruction of a Nightmare
    7.6/10(153 votes)

    #21 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for Danger on a Runaway Locomotive Surprise Incident on a Runaway Locomotive
    7.0/10(148 votes)

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

    S1:E22

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

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for Sanosuke's Betrayal The Fateful Reunion
    7.4/10(157 votes)

    #23 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  25. Background image for Midnight Battle: Kenshin versus Sanosuke Revisited
    8.2/10(167 votes)

    #24 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  26. Background image for The Crimson Pirate The Red Pirate – Kenshin and Kaoru Separated
    7.4/10(146 votes)

    #25 - 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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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 305 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".