Rurouni Kenshin Quotes

A former assassin wanders Meiji Japan with a sword that cannot kill, and everyone from his old war arrives to ask how long the vow can last.

Anime: Completed · 1996–1998
Manga: Completed · 1994–1999
Every English volume, box set and release date
Also known as: Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan · Samurai X

Every Rurouni Kenshin quote

“A sword is a weapon. The art of swordsmanship is learning how to kill. That is the truth.”
Kenshin Himura Rurouni Kenshin The contrarian read
“Thank you for everything...and goodbye.”
Kenshin Himura Rurouni Kenshin What the line costs later
“The essence of combat is to strike at the vulnerabilities of one's opponent. There is no "fair" or "unfair".”
Hajime Saito Rurouni Kenshin What the story had to build
“One may train a dog with food, or a man with money. But taming a Wolf of Mibu...that, none may do.”
Hajime Saito Rurouni Kenshin Read against the character's own history
“There is no point in naming myself to those who are about to die.”
Seijuro Hiko Rurouni Kenshin Read against the character's own history
“I thought I taught you...Swords are weapons. The way of swords is the way to kill. However you try to dress it up in phony righteousness, killing is your truth.”
Seijuro Hiko Rurouni Kenshin What the story had to build
“For Kenkaku or "sword arts," that's far too gentle. From now on, your name is to be "Kenshin." I shall also give you my most precious knowledge.”
Seijuro Hiko Rurouni Kenshin What the Japanese does
A line from the ending — shown on the character page, behind a spoiler shield.
Makoto Shishio Rurouni Kenshin What the line costs later
“I can't lose...not to the men who made Captain Sagara and the Sekiho army bear the evil mark of "aku."”
Sanosuke Sagara Rurouni Kenshin Read against the character's own history
“No... it isn't sorcery... it's speed! Speed of sword. Speed of body. Speed at reading his opponents' moves. Taking down man after man with the least possible movement!”
Kaoru Kamiya Rurouni Kenshin What the story had to build
“A manslayer is a manslayer until the day he dies... he can never be anything else.”
Jin-e Udo Rurouni Kenshin What the line costs later
“Blood...Not enough...There is not enough blood! Those who bathe in blood should be praised!”
Jin-e Udo Rurouni Kenshin Set against another series
“Alright, I'll take you on. I'll ask who you are with these fists!”
Sanosuke Sagara Rurouni Kenshin The case against this line
A line from the ending — shown on the character page, behind a spoiler shield.
Makoto Shishio Rurouni Kenshin The case against this line
“And you! You say you're 28?! That's a lie and you know it!”
Kaoru Kamiya Rurouni Kenshin Read against the character's own history
“Shinsengumi is Shinsengumi. A wolf is a wolf. And a hitokiri is a hitokiri. Right... Battousai?”
Hajime Saito Rurouni Kenshin The contrarian read

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