Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 20

In Volume 20, we at last get a deeper look at Kenshin's past. It is a very good read, but some flaws make it less enjoyable. The plot continues what started at the end of Volume 19: Tomoe and Kenshin meet for the first time just after he has avoided being assassinated. She ends up fainting and he takes her to where the Ishin Shishi are currently located. From there, we are supposed to see their relationship develop. Here is where I feel Watsuki fell short. Perhaps it is just me, but I am unable to understand just what it was that sparked the romance between Kenshin and Tomoe. Though they are two very interesting characters, their affection seemed only to emerge from spending time with one another. Tomoe is a very important character and a significant individual in Kenshin's life, yes, but where did the sudden romance come from? However, after perusing the volume, I liked it better. Though some will disagree with this, I think the art also seems less detailed. Though I still like it, and it is still very good, it feels much more basic and very simple. This is a bit upsetting since the artwork was a very good in previous volumes. Once again, after perusing volume 20 (and the more recent volumes), I noticed that the change was VERY gradual. If you read volume five and then look ahead at volume 20, you will see an obvious difference. It was because of my frequent re-readings that I found the change a surprise. If you're only continuing what you read in volume 19, you'll have no problem with the art. Since I am so fond of the Samurai X OVAs (Trust and Betrayal) I cannot help but compare them to the original manga (skip this paragraph if you haven't seen them). I was disappointed to find no Ikedaya Inn scene (only the Shinsengumi's truimph is shown). In the manga, however, the plot is much deeper as the characers assiting Enishi are given more meaning (we see, at last, why some of them hold a grudge against Kenshin). This is a good continuation (by all means buy it if you've enjoyed the others), but it feels very pale in comparison to Watsuki's previous volumes. It leads up to a major climax (and has some good action scenes) but the plot feels like it hasn't been fully thought out. It does improve with the next volumes, however. One other comment: A majority of the mangas I buy are released from Viz. I have begun to notice that the translations, though good, have censored some of the profanity. Though I am not a person who enjoys bad language, I like the manga I read to undergo as few alterations as possible. So, please be aware that there are some places where the language has been changed. Overall, this is worth your purchase. The Jinchuu arc is the highlight of the Kenshin series. Read this, and learn more of two men's tragic pasts as we near the turning point of the series and move closer to the explanation of how Kenshin recieved the second cut of his cross-shaped scar.