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Summary: Actually...
Review: "Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story" IS the translated subtitle for "Meiji Kenkaku Romantan." ^_^;
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Summary: Kenshin-y goodness x2!!
Review: After such an amazing first volume, I had no idea what to expect of number two. But just as I hoped, it was even better than the incredibly awesome first installment. Kenshin is a wonderfully worked, and developed manga masterpiece. With the amazingly intellegent mix of suspense, action and romantic comedy that always leaves you craving more. With a cast of charactors with their own deep and interesting backgrounds, kenshin truly is a work of art.
After all the revelations of the first novel, we find Kenshin in the middle of a fight with the future friend, Sanosuke. They obviously work things out and the end result is another main character to love!! We learn many things about Kenshin's rather shady past as a killer pops up for Kenshin to capture. during the fight he almost turns killer himself until Kaoru's voice stops him from reverting back to his old ways. With all that happens, your left loving the series, and Kenshin himself even more!
There is also obviously more of that hillarious Kenshin comedy that is just to die for!! This book is soo funny!!! No matter how dramatic this series will get, it will only take one "oro?" to lighten the mood. And of course there are more of his adorable facial exspressions that will leave you giggling like you just got out of a mental institution.
With all there is to love about Rurouni Kenshin, it's almost a crime not to read this series!! So just stop hurting yourself, GO READ RUROUNI KENSHIN TODAY!!!
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Summary: It's to cheer me, Hitokiri!
Review: And cheering me is what this manga has done. "Rurouni Kenshin: The Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story" has a long subtext, but certainly has an engaging potential. I, for long, have waited for an English version of this manga, as many anime-literates say that the anime version of Rurouni Kenshin isn't completely true to the creator's original work. Now it's here in all it's beauty, thanks to VIZ.Speaking of beauty, the artwork is full of it. The characters, while a little cartoon-ish at times, are very expressional and it proves that each well-made character has a sense of personality. It's a little unpolished since this is the 1st volume, but the artwork will get better with future releases, and its charm will definitely sets in. The first volume consists of 6 irresistible chapters that were from the first four episodes of the anime series, and as a special bonus, it contains the creator's first work which is a precursor to the RuroKen saga, simply titled "Rurouni". It's good to know how the series was made, and having this so-called 'side-story' as an extra was the right move for VIZ to kept intact for the US release. It wasn't a right move, however, for VIZ to translate the sound effects, but since I was so engage with the story, I hardly care about that. On the subject of translations, some people were peeved with the translation of the manga not being literal. What's their beef? So what if it's not as accurate as its import counterpart, I checked the actual translation notes and I think the manga's English translation is just fine and it's good for VIZ to jive it up a bit so the story doesn't sound boring. Be satisfy that Kenshin's famous catchphrase "Oro?" was kept in the English version; he never says it dubbed. Manga readers of any kind should not miss out a classic like "Rurouni Kenshin". it has heart, action, laughter, perversion, stupidity, etc. Be warned, though: the manga series ran for 28 volumes in Japan, so this is a big investment to own the whole set, but believe me, it's worth it.
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Summary: No more of the to be continued stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: FINALLY, the Kenshin manga is available in English! If you're coming in blind, this is a story set during the Meiji (late 1800s), Japan's restoration period after the Bakumatsu revolution. If you're already confused, that's one of the few drawbacks about this title: being a partially historical period piece, it relies on some familiarity with Japanese history. However, all pertinent events are explained in the story, and Viz has included a short glossary of terms and events in the back. The only other setback might be a concern over how appropriate this is for younger children. I would say that Kenshin is best for ages 11+, due to the occasional violence and political tone. The focus of this story is more about finding peace than fighting, so the violence is coupled with lessons about the meaning of true strength, etc. If you're okay letting your child watch samurai dramas or kung-fu movies, then Kenshin is fine.
I felt it best to start with concerns since I've heard them from parents. But if you're coming into this series after viewing the anime, or are like me a long-time manga reader, you know that Kenshin is worth reading for the endearing characters and gripping story. It manages to be equally dramatic and humorous with telling ease, and doesn't skimp on the romance OR the action. Even when you know it's dipping a bit too far into martial arts cliche, even when you know what's going to happen, Kenshin's story is always worth following, and has garnered a huge worldwide following since the manga first started in 1996. It's almost 10 years later, and fans still get choked up, excited, and laugh out loud when they see either the book or the show.
To new fans, it might be fun to watch the anime AND read the manga to note the differences in how the stories are presented, but neither is dependent on the other. The manga is probably a fuller Kenshin experience due to the added depth. The anime follows the book through the Kyoto story arc (season 2 in the show), but then departs from the original material, so around volume 10 in the manga starts all new storylines that make this piece of work even richer.
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Summary: Tons of value packed into the manga.
Review: First off, the first 6 acts are great, with lots of action, good character designs and allows you great insight into the characters themselves. The anime pretty much follows this manga, with only a few changes. There is a cool glossary in the back and character information is spread through-out. A bonus story in the end is in fact the FIRST story - Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story. This short story came out a year before the Rurouni Kenshin series - the star is left unnamed, but we all know who he is. Volume One is truly a great gift for fans of the anime, of Japanese history or of cool sword fights!
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Summary: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story
Review: I am a very large fan of the Rurouni Kenshin series, and I've found this to be a very good translation. It certainly could have been a lot worse. For instance, they've kept the right-to-left format and didn't flip the images, meaning Kenshin's scar is still on the proper cheek. Also, they've kept the names in the surname, given name format as well. That might not be as important, but it makes me appreciate the translation more. Also, they didn't translate every single word. For example, Battousai is referred to as "hitokiri" Battousai rather than "manslayer" Battousai. The honorifics were also kept, which would have seriously hurt the translation if they were taken out. There's a big difference between "Miss Kaoru" and "Kaoru-dono in the level of formality. "Miss Kaoru" could just as easily be "Kaoru-san." But "Kaoru-san" is certainly _not_ the same thing as "Kaoru-dono," and shows a good deal about the personality of the rurouni through his humility. They also kept Kenshin's "oro"s, which made me very happy. If you're looking for this manga to be exactly like the anime, its not. Its better. It has the elements of the anime- the seriousness and dark themes punctuated by silly humor and lighthearted romance- but a continuing storyline. This is Rurouni Kenshin in its truest form, other than the original manga published in Japan. The manga will also go into the Revenge Arc, which was never animated. If you've never seen it before, it is a wonderful series dealing with a turbulent period in Japanese history. Themes of decisions and consequences ring through its pages with storylines that occasionally become very dark. But the darkness never lasts too long as Watsuki manages to incorporate plenty of lighthearted humor and romance. So try it out, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
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Summary: The Wandering Samurai
Review: I have seen the original (Japanese) series and I think that the book is a great added feature to anime fans all over. I have seen the English TV series, but especially prefer the Japanese version. The manga (volumes) are a bit more closer to the Japanese version, but are more vivid and definitely more graphic than the TV versions all together. I really enjoy Kenshin and I really appreciated the work put into this anime!
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Summary: An excellent story, coupled with a great translation.
Review: I just feel I had to review this book. I know people are worried about the translation job, but as in the first book, this one has also been wonderfully translated (I think this is the most accurately translated series I've seen so far). Kurogasa is stilled called Kurogasa, not the black hat (Which I think is what it means). And of course the proper suffixes are still kept (Kaoru is called Kaoru-dono by Kenshin). And there's also a nice glossary in the back in case you are unsure of what something means.
This book is also great in the fact that Viz has had, what seems to be everything, translated. From Nobuhiro Watsuki's beginning comments on the manga (how he calls himself a liar is hilarious), and to his little comments throughout the story (like where he comments on drawing the one picture left-handed). I don't see anyway that they could have possibly done a better job :)
(Sorry for making my review all about the translation, but if you want to know what happens then buy the book :D It's definently a worthwhile read, I have read through it twice already).
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Summary: Its Gold!
Review: I just finish reading it and every one gotta read it its alot of action and its so cool iam telling you you gotta read it.I never taught that Rurouni Kenshin was so cool.
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Summary: Kenshin vol 4
Review: I just got the manga today, and it was great to read. Well we all know Kenshin and company went to Kanryu's mansion to save Megumi, then they have to fight Aoshi's men, then the fight with Aoshi and Kenshin come along and,theres a whole bunch of blood and it was sad how Aoshi's men died for him. Get this manga.
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