Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 2, 2

Rurouni Kenshin is great a series that really grows over time and becomes incredible in a few more volumes. I've read all 28 of the fan translated volumes and can't wait to buy the rest of the volumes as they're released by Viz. I have to wait for so long!! Vol 1-6 = Tokyo Arc, this is where the introductions of main characters are made. It sets the stage for a much bigger picture. Vol 7-17 = Kyoto Arc, the arc that made the anime series so popular. It's a great arc with an amazing story and great fights, and you just can't put it down. It also has much character development, and you love Kenshin and his group all the better. The saga is so well planned out that it's perfect. Vol 18-28 (end) = Jinchu(Revenge arc, human judgement) arc, just when you think Kenshin will settle down, the story gets better! We finally learn about Kenshin's famous scar and his past. People from Kenshin's past are back to haunt him and carry out their long-awaited revenge. This saga is the best of the series and was unfortunately never animated except in an OVA, which only showed how Kenshin got his scar. In the manga this is the end of vol. 19, all of 20, and the first few chapters of 21. Kenshin's past is a true tragedy, but he finally finds his answers in this arc. I can't believe that they left this incredible story unanimated. The TV series had nothing to do with the manga story after episode 62, and the OVA is dramatically different from the manga also. Anyway, Kenshin really grows in art and storytelling throughout the series and never gets weak nor drags like the TV series after the legend of Kyoto. It's the best series ever! You have to read it to experience all the humor, drama, fighting, and romance. It just grows on you!

In the second volume, we learn a bit more about the nature of the hitokiri. What it means to be hitokiri is to give into killing, to become a murderer. In a sense, it's like the dark side. All the dark side is, is giving into anger and one's desire for power... Kenshin was a hitokiri, but his ideals kept him from turning into something like Jinne, the other hitokiri mentioned in the title.So with Jinne comes Kenshin's first "real" opponent. Kenshin's oath not to kill makes this fight more difficult because holding back against such a skilled opponent could mean his death. But Kenshin finds strength within his new friends and their shared friendship, but is it enough to defeat Jinne and still keep his vow? Well, you'll find out by reading it...=)In this volume, we also see a new technique from Kenshin's sword style, and it's freakin' awesome. Hehe.

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!!!

Okay, I am an avid Kenshin fan so this is highly biased. now that that is out of the way, here it goes. Kenshin starts off with the battle between Zanza and continues on all the way through the fight against Kurgosa (the Blak Hat) until we meet Megumi-dono and Sano (formerly known as Zanza) and Kenshin kick the butts of those persuing her when she enters into the gambling hall where they are situated.So MUCH content.So that's 9 CHAPTERS or Acts, as they are known in the manga.GREAT fighting scenes and emotional pull.A BIG PLUS is that they keep the Japanese honorifics. -san, -chan, -dono, -sama.As well as certain parts as the Hiten Mitsurugi style (with translations below it) Battousai, Hitokiri..... It even provides a glossary for historical events that took place in japan; since this IS a Historical Fiction series.AND.....The drawings are very well done, normally in manga you can see some over exaggerate figures. Faces that are slightly warped, and such but in here they are very nicely done.While Kenshin's appearance it diff than in the anime that is because his character is continually being devloped and you'll recognize him as he is in the anime in the next book or one after. WOW, it even get's better in the art section as it goes along, and that is an awesome bonus.I think the translations are okay as metioned and I love the fact that they kept everything intact, from the comments of the Watsuki to the Character background that is intertwined in the manga.The best, EVER!

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).