Scan barcode
berry_9029's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rhukii's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
beorn_101's review against another edition
4.0
Rather then write a review of just this final volume, I am going to put my review for the entire Rurouni Kenshin series here.
Rurouni Kenshin is a really interesting manga series. It breaks a lot of norms for Shonen Jump. First, its main character is a full adult, rather then a teen.
Second, rather then having his goal being constantly getting stronger, Kenshin is already incredibly strong. The conflict in the series is largely focused on the internal turmoil of whether Kenshin can keep his vow not to kill, while still protecting those around him. It's never questioned if Kenshin is strong, or even one of the strongest swordsmen, rather its constantly tested if he can be strong enough while avoiding killing. This makes for a really compelling narrative.
Finally, unlike most Shonen series where the main character enjoys a fight, Kenshin really doesn't, and frequently is trying to avoid fights.
The series does a really good job placing itself within a historical time frame in Japan, with inbetween chapter information on some of the actual historical facts of the time period. This gives it a historical fiction feel, while still having the fun and fast paced nature of a Shonen series, and it works extremely well.
The characters as a whole are enjoyable. I really liked Sanuske and Saito, but found Kaoru and Yahiko a bit disappointing and annoying. Megumi I think was under utilized, but was the most interesting female character in the series.
The biggest weakness of the series is the final arc is not great. It isn't bad, but most of the series is vamping up, leading into the Shishio arc. Shishio is built up into an incredible villain, and his supporting cast of swordmen all also have some great moments and hype. After this arc however, the series keeps going, but dives into the final arc which is just comparatively uninspiring. Sure there are some good moments, but compared to Shishio and his crew it just feels like a prologue at best.
Overall, I really enjoyed Rurouni Kenshin and recommend fans of manga try it. Just maybe stop after the Shishio arc LOL
Rurouni Kenshin is a really interesting manga series. It breaks a lot of norms for Shonen Jump. First, its main character is a full adult, rather then a teen.
Second, rather then having his goal being constantly getting stronger, Kenshin is already incredibly strong. The conflict in the series is largely focused on the internal turmoil of whether Kenshin can keep his vow not to kill, while still protecting those around him. It's never questioned if Kenshin is strong, or even one of the strongest swordsmen, rather its constantly tested if he can be strong enough while avoiding killing. This makes for a really compelling narrative.
Finally, unlike most Shonen series where the main character enjoys a fight, Kenshin really doesn't, and frequently is trying to avoid fights.
The series does a really good job placing itself within a historical time frame in Japan, with inbetween chapter information on some of the actual historical facts of the time period. This gives it a historical fiction feel, while still having the fun and fast paced nature of a Shonen series, and it works extremely well.
The characters as a whole are enjoyable. I really liked Sanuske and Saito, but found Kaoru and Yahiko a bit disappointing and annoying. Megumi I think was under utilized, but was the most interesting female character in the series.
The biggest weakness of the series is the final arc is not great. It isn't bad, but most of the series is vamping up, leading into the Shishio arc. Shishio is built up into an incredible villain, and his supporting cast of swordmen all also have some great moments and hype. After this arc however, the series keeps going, but dives into the final arc which is just comparatively uninspiring. Sure there are some good moments, but compared to Shishio and his crew it just feels like a prologue at best.
Overall, I really enjoyed Rurouni Kenshin and recommend fans of manga try it. Just maybe stop after the Shishio arc LOL
gio_shelves's review
4.0
Overall a great manga, but the last arc isn't as good as the others. I would say the quality went down after volume 22 or so tbh. Still worth it though, just...a bit of an anticlimatic conclusion for me.
beorn_101's review
4.0
Rather then write a review of just this final volume, I am going to put my review for the entire Rurouni Kenshin series here.
Rurouni Kenshin is a really interesting manga series. It breaks a lot of norms for Shonen Jump. First, its main character is a full adult, rather then a teen.
Second, rather then having his goal being constantly getting stronger, Kenshin is already incredibly strong. The conflict in the series is largely focused on the internal turmoil of whether Kenshin can keep his vow not to kill, while still protecting those around him. It's never questioned if Kenshin is strong, or even one of the strongest swordsmen, rather its constantly tested if he can be strong enough while avoiding killing. This makes for a really compelling narrative.
Finally, unlike most Shonen series where the main character enjoys a fight, Kenshin really doesn't, and frequently is trying to avoid fights.
The series does a really good job placing itself within a historical time frame in Japan, with inbetween chapter information on some of the actual historical facts of the time period. This gives it a historical fiction feel, while still having the fun and fast paced nature of a Shonen series, and it works extremely well.
The characters as a whole are enjoyable. I really liked Sanuske and Saito, but found Kaoru and Yahiko a bit disappointing and annoying. Megumi I think was under utilized, but was the most interesting female character in the series.
The biggest weakness of the series is the final arc is not great. It isn't bad, but most of the series is vamping up, leading into the Shishio arc. Shishio is built up into an incredible villain, and his supporting cast of swordmen all also have some great moments and hype. After this arc however, the series keeps going, but dives into the final arc which is just comparatively uninspiring. Sure there are some good moments, but compared to Shishio and his crew it just feels like a prologue at best.
Overall, I really enjoyed Rurouni Kenshin and recommend fans of manga try it. Just maybe stop after the Shishio arc LOL
Rurouni Kenshin is a really interesting manga series. It breaks a lot of norms for Shonen Jump. First, its main character is a full adult, rather then a teen.
Second, rather then having his goal being constantly getting stronger, Kenshin is already incredibly strong. The conflict in the series is largely focused on the internal turmoil of whether Kenshin can keep his vow not to kill, while still protecting those around him. It's never questioned if Kenshin is strong, or even one of the strongest swordsmen, rather its constantly tested if he can be strong enough while avoiding killing. This makes for a really compelling narrative.
Finally, unlike most Shonen series where the main character enjoys a fight, Kenshin really doesn't, and frequently is trying to avoid fights.
The series does a really good job placing itself within a historical time frame in Japan, with inbetween chapter information on some of the actual historical facts of the time period. This gives it a historical fiction feel, while still having the fun and fast paced nature of a Shonen series, and it works extremely well.
The characters as a whole are enjoyable. I really liked Sanuske and Saito, but found Kaoru and Yahiko a bit disappointing and annoying. Megumi I think was under utilized, but was the most interesting female character in the series.
The biggest weakness of the series is the final arc is not great. It isn't bad, but most of the series is vamping up, leading into the Shishio arc. Shishio is built up into an incredible villain, and his supporting cast of swordmen all also have some great moments and hype. After this arc however, the series keeps going, but dives into the final arc which is just comparatively uninspiring. Sure there are some good moments, but compared to Shishio and his crew it just feels like a prologue at best.
Overall, I really enjoyed Rurouni Kenshin and recommend fans of manga try it. Just maybe stop after the Shishio arc LOL
More...