Kenshin and his friends

Himura Kenshin

A 28 year-old vagabond who traveled through Japan for the last ten years. Kenshin is also a former assassin during the Tokugawa reign. He was an Ishin-shishi, a patriot who supported the restoration of the Emperor and helped establish the peaceful Meiji Era.

He is also known as the "Hitokiri Battousai", literally meaning "the assassin sword-drawing master", because he had taken countless number of lives. Because of this, Kenshin became a non-killing vagabond in order to atone for his sins. He swore to use his "sakabatou", reverse blade, to help people who are in need.

Kenshin is often recognized by his red hair, small stature, and the cross scar on his left cheek. He usually has a very gentle and easy-going personality, but when he's upset, he gets very serious and will not forgive those who hurt his friends.

Seiyuu: Suzukaze Mayo (originally a "Takarazuka" (female male-impersonator in on-stage drama), no other anime roles are known)

Kamiya Kaoru

Kaoru is a 17 year-old adjutant kejutsu(swordsmanship) master of the Kamiya Dojo. Her school is "Kamiya Kasshin Ryu", a school that teaches how to use kenjutsu to protect people.

At the first part of the story, Kaoru is saved by Kenshin from the Hirumas, the two brothers who attempt to take over the Kamiya Dojo.

Although Kaoru is cute in normal circumstances, she has a very bad temper and can easily get upset even over minute things. This is apparent from her bossy attitude towards Kenshin and daily fights with one of her students, Yahiko.

Seiyuu: Fujitani Miki

Myoujin Yahiko

A 10 year-old descendant of the prestigious Tokyo Shizoku (Samurai family). Unfortunately, Yahiko's parents died during the Boshin War and became an orphan, he was taken in and raised by a gang since.

Yahiko first appears as a thief who steals Kenshin's wallet because he is forced to pick pockets for the gang. In the manga, Kenshin broke into the gang's headquarters and single-headedly defeats all the thugs to save Yahiko. Kenshin suggests that Yahiko should become Kaoru's student to learn kenjutsu. Ever since, Yahiko lives in the Kamiya Dojo and calls himself part of the "Kenshin-gumi (group)" since he worships Kenshin greatly as a swordsman. Yahiko has great pride and is relatively mature in his age. He gets extremely upset whenever he is called "Yahiko-chan".

Seiyuu: Tominaga Miina (Noa of Patlabor, Kozue from Maison, etc.) (also happen to be two of my favorite anime chars.)

Sagara Sanosuke

A 18 year-old kenkaya (street fighter) who possesses superhuman strength. Also known as the "Zanza" as he carries a "Zanbatou" (horse-slaying sword) as his weapon, meaning "Sanosuke of the Zanbatou".

Sanosuke is one of the only two survivors of the Sekihoutai (Red report group), a subordinate group to the Ishin. The whole group was framed as the false army (for spreading false pledge of decreasing the tax for the farmers who support the Meiji), and was totally executed (Sano's Captain Sagara Souzou was decapitated too). Hence, Sano detests the cowardice of the Ishin-shishi, or even the current Meiji government.

Sano meets Kenshin and is paid by the Hiruma brothers to fight him. Although Sano accepts the offer, he does not do it for the money or the like, he only wants to defeat the strongest of the Ishin, "Himura Battousai", whom he hates so much.

During their fight, Sano's Zanbatou is cut in half by Kenshin. But Sano's enormous strength, incredible endurance, and persistance makes him withstand Kenshin to a certain extent. Nevertheless, Kenshin wins the match, but it is Sano who stands up until the very end. He admits his defeat not because he is afraid of pain, but due to his understanding of Kenshin's ideal -- to protect the weak. The same principle that is taught by Sano's captain, Sagara Souzou. Ever since their encounter, Sano grows to admire Kenshin very much. Occasionally (or should I say most of the time) he comes over to the Kamiya Dojo and mooches food from Kaoru and gang, not to mention Akabeko of course :).

Seiyuu: Ueda Yuuji (Tenkawa Akito of Nadesico, Suboshi/Amiboshi of Fushigi Yuugi)

Takani Megumi

A beautiful 23 year-old female doctor. Megumi was from the Takani family in "Aizu" who was famous for taking care of patients regardless of their social levels. She was even sent abroad to study Western medicine. In the "Kanryu-arc", Megumi is forced to make opinium for the corrupt merchant, Takeda Kanryu. Although she successfully ran away and seeked help from Kenshin, she is later kidnapped again. Kenshin eventually saves her by defeating Kanryu and the Oniwabanshu.

Seiyuu: Doi Mika (Hayase Misa/Lisa of Macross)

Saitou Hajime

Saitou first appears in Vol.7 of the manga and episode 28 in the TV series. During the Bakumatsu, Saitou was the captain of Shinsengumi's third troop. Having Shinsengumi (aka Mibu no ougami/Mibu wolf) being the nemesis of the Ishin, Saitou had crossed swords with Kenshin (Himura Battousai) many times. However, there was no results because they were about equally powerful.

In the present storyline, Saitou works for the Meiji government as a secret policman. He is sent to Kamiya Dojo to test the strength of Kenshin, in order to recruit him to assassinate Shishio Makoto. Saitou and Kenshin both fight each other to the fullest. As their fight gets more intense, both the Mibu wolf and Hitokiri Battousai of Saitou and Kenshin respectively have awakened. Saitou completely sets aside his assignment and determines to settle scores with the Battousai; they decide to fight to the death, just like the time they did in Kyoto ten years ago. Luckily, Oukubo Toshimichi, one of the three great Ishin loyalists, arrived in time. He halted their fight and reminded Saitou of his job's importance. After their duel, Kenshin reluctantly agrees to go to Kyoto and take on the job of defeating Shishio Makoto since he realizes the jeopardy that the country is in. Saitou goes to Kyoto as well to cooperate with Kenshin to fulfill this task.

Saitou's motto is "Aku Soku Zan/Sin Swift Slay", meaning to kill whoever's evil instantly. He stands by his own principle and justice tightly. As he himself says to Kenshin, "this is the only bond that can be shared with between the Shinsengumi and the Ishin".

Seiyuu: Suzuoki Hirotaka (Shiryu of Saint Seiya, Kuno of Ranma 1/2, Tenshinhan of Dragonball, Bright of Gundam)