Anime has given us many interesting characters over the years. These characters come from different backgrounds with interesting stories. One such character is Himura Kenshin from Rurouni Kenshin. Rurouni Kenshin is an anime that ran from 1996 to 1998. The story of the anime is based on a manga written by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The English version of the anime aired on Cartoon Network under the name of Samurai X. The story of the anime has been loved by many fans and is considered to be one of the most-watched anime in Japan. There also have been video games of the same name.
Himura comes with an interesting backstory that took place in the Meiji Revolution in Japan. Himura is a character that comes with a dark past and to atone for his sins has been traveling for the past ten years. Although promised never to kill again, after he settles in Tokyo, he is faced with many situations that require him to use his sword. He also has many interesting facts about him, some of them we will be looking into in this article.
Birthday and Zodiac Sign
Himura Kenshin was born on 20th June in the year 1849. Thus, Himura’s zodiac sign is Gemini. Geminis are known to be charismatic, perceptive, and analytical. They also seem to have a humorous side to themselves and are often likable. There are always fun to be around as they are not only open in communication but also intellectual. They can also be very humble to all and loyal to those they are close to.
These aspects match certain traits of Himura Kenshin. Kenshin is seen as a soft-spoken person. He offers a helping hand whenever anybody needs help. In the past, Kenshin was more ambitious and would often be brave in many situations, another aspect that Geminis fit in with.
Himura Kenshin’s MBTI
The Myers Briggs Type Indicator is known to be one of the most accurate personality typing tests. Himura Kenshin’s MBTI is INFJ. INFJs are considered to be the rarest combination out of all the 16 personality types. The people who type as an INFJ are also known as “The Advocate” or “The Counselors”. These people are highly introspective. They are also very sensitive when it comes to emotions. However, they do not consider their sensitive emotions a weakness as they use the energy gained by them to empathize and help others. These characters feel the need to offer service to other people and are often seen putting others before them. All these traits seem to fit Himura Kenshin very well.
Himura Kenshin’s Real Name
Being the protagonist of Rurouni Kenshin, he is perhaps best known by the name Himura Kenshin. However, that isn’t the name he was given at birth. Himura’s real name is Shinta. The reason he goes by the name Kenshin is tragic. After his entire family was killed by mountain robbers, he was rescued by Hiko Seijuro. Since he was a swordsman, Seijuro decided to help and train him in swordsmanship. He also gave Shinta the name Kenshin, which means “Heart of Sword”. This was an indicator for Shinta to live a new life.
He used to be a Hitoriki
Himura is also known to be a legendary Hitoriki. A Hitoriki is someone who is hired by powerful people to assassinate others. Thus, Hitoriki means “manslayer”. Hotorikis were very common in the past in Japan. They were sort by men of high status to do the dirty work of murdering others. Himura was, thus, a swordsman who moved in the shadows and carried out multiple assassinations. It is said that Himura traveled around for 10 years in order to atone for his sins.
Designed as a Villain
The creator of the story, Nobuhiro Watsuki’s first one-shot story named “The Crescent of the Civil War” gives us the story of Hiko Seijuro, the protagonist, and his works. Kenshin was designed to be the opponent of the main character in the one-shot. In fact, Kenshin’s character design was made to look exactly the opposite of Hiko Seijuro, making him look more feminine.
Himura Kenshin’s character is partly based on a true story
What makes Himura Kenshin’s character more intriguing is that he is based on a historical figure. As mentioned above, Hotorikis were very common during previous eras. However, the author Watsuki took an interest in the story of the real-life Hitoriki Kawakami Gensai. Gensai was born on December 25, 1834. He was a skilled Hitoriki during the Edo period in Japan. Not only this but he also was one of the four most skilled assassins of the Bakumatsu period. What Watsuki loved the most about Gensai is that Gensai was still upholding the duties of his deceased comrades.
Eventually, he ended up surrendering himself to the Kumamoto forces and was arrested. After some time when the Meiji Restoration ended, he changed his name to Kouda Genbei and worked as a swordsman tutor. Due to the affiliations he had from his previous life, he was arrested again and executed on 13 January 1872.
Himura Kenshin has a legendary scar
Kenshin’s scar is known to be legendary. His scar sits on the left side of his face. This scar is in the shape of a cross, with one of them being longer and the other one shorter. His scar is said to bleed non-stop in order to atone for his sins and until he is forgiven for killing humans as a Hitoriki.
Many fans love his personality
Although fans did not like Kenshin’s character in the OVAs, he was well-liked in the anime. Kenshin was one of the most loved characters when the anime first came out. Although there are many new characters that have come out since then, he is still the best swordsman out there who is still liked by many people. Not only this but his character and personality is the perfect blend of fact and fiction. Himura Kenshin’s character has a lot of character development.
Himura is very friendly
What makes Himura well-liked is not only his humble personality but also his social skills. Himura Kenshin is a character that can be tough on his opponents. However, he is also the character that acknowledges his opponent’s skills. When Himura stayed at the dojo he met many people and got along with them very well. He is also capable of becoming friends with his former opponents. Overall, Himura respects the people he meets and treats them all equally.
Kenshin’s Swordsmanship’s Inspiration
Matsubayashi Henyasai was a swordsman and samurai from the Tokugawa era in Japan. The author of the series got the inspiration for Kenshin’s sword skills from Henyasai’s swordsmanship skills. It is also seen that Kenshin’s fighting style includes a lot of jumping and moving around the place to get a good stance and edge over each battle. Kenshin is, thus, known to be one of the best swordsmen in anime. Not only this but the reason behind his power is not any supernatural abilities but skills he has honed throughout his lifetime.
Himura Kenshin’s Legacy
The best part about Rurouni Kenshin is that it also gives our main protagonist a chance to indulge in romance. In the story, Himura is dependent on Kaoru for motivation as he has self-esteem issues. Being throughout by his side she eventually becomes his lover. Five years after fighting his biggest enemies, he marries Kaoru. They both have a son named Kenji Himura. Kenji is a boy who is very fond of his mother and looks more like his father. Kenji has a habit of pulling Kenshin’s hair.
Not only this but he also passes on the legacy of his sword to one of Kaoru’s students named Myojin Yahiko. Kenshin is someone Yahiko looks up to as the former rescued Yahiko when he was a kid and freed him off his debt, giving him a place to stay.
Kenshin Himura and his son do not really get along
During his adolescence, Kenji still remains fond of his mother. However, the relationship he has towards his father is backed by resentment and feelings of abandonment. In the OVA, Samurai X: Reflection, Kenji believes that his father has abandoned them. However, he still acknowledges the strength his father used to have. Thus, Kenji wishes to grow as skilled in swordsmanship as his father.
However, he thinks that it was Kenshin’s sword that made him powerful. This delusion only lasts until he loses the fight against Myojin Yahiko, the sword’s successor. In the end, Kenji realized that his father has come a long way from being what he used to be.
Also Read: How To Watch Rurouni Kenshin The Beginning, OtakuKart Streaming Guide
