Rurouni Kenshin, Vol. 4

The fight against Aoshi and his onmitsu takes on a more personal tone in the fourth volume of "Rurouni Kenshin," and the series takes on an even bleaker tone as Kenshin and his friends fight to defeat the malignant Kanryu. Nobuhiro Watsuki shrouds the entire climax in a sense of bittersweetness as enemies turn to allies, and not everyone will get out alive. Kenshin begins fighting with Han'nya, a masked martial artist of incredible skill -- and some interesting tricks up his sleeve (literally). But Han'nya shocks them further when Kenshin destroys his demon mask, revealing his ghastly face and even ghastlier history. Then Sano fights against the hypermuscled Shikijo, whom Aoshi has turned into an unstoppable fighter, while Kenshin and Yahiko run on ahead to rescue Megumi. But the greatest fighter is Aoshi himself, and the echoes of the past war have left him striving to find honor for himself and his four remaining onmitsu ("There's nothing left in you but the ice cold blood of war"). But as Kenshin demonstrates his versatility and skill in sword fighting, he learns the reason Aoshi has remained in the shadows -- and the treacherous merchant Takeda unveils a devastating new weapon that even Kenshin can't fend off. There's not a scrap of humor in "Rurouni Kenshin Volume 4," except a few funny faces from Kenshin here and there -- it's all very bleak, and Watsuki packs the history of the oniwabanshu with tragedy such as Han'nya's horrendous life story (made all the more tragic because he doesn't say anything explicitly). And while the lead characters are able to deal with the whole Takeda situation, their victory is a bitter one. The proud Aoshi's life has crumbled further, and Kenshin has a new enemy. Along the way, Watsuki also ups the action ante -- elaborate sword fights with surprising twists (including Kenshin's way to "shorten" his sword), plenty of blood, and Sano's battle of strength versus strength against Shikijo. It's a little distracting that people keep stopping in mid-fight to explain their techniques, but the fights themselves are brilliant -- and Watsuki lightens the dark, tragic finale by reminding us what Kenshin is all about: redemption and helping others. The mysterious Aoshi hasn't been explored much in the past, but he's revealed to be a tragic figure on his own -- he's a brilliant tactician and powerful martial-artist and swordsman, but he's devoted himself to carving out a place for the men who adore him. And the oniwabanshu -- previously regarded mainly as sinister figures -- are revealed to be just as tragic, with their inability to fit into Meiji society because of their loyalties. The disfigured Han'nya is perhaps the most heartbreaking, when he describes how Aoshi rescued him, and then cries out, "What need have I for a face?" "Rurouni Kenshin Volume 4" is a powerful and painful experience, and leaves the door open for future conflicts between Kenshin and his new opponent. Not a light read, but a brilliantly

This is the best Volume of the fist story arc (vols 1-6). It is incredibly done and the characters are great. You will learn to love a villian....and learn to despise another... Agreat read and with much much more books a head, it may not be th absolute best.

I have seen the original (Japanese) series and I think that the book is a great added feature to anime fans all over. I have seen the English TV series, but especially prefer the Japanese version. The manga (volumes) are a bit more closer to the Japanese version, but are more vivid and definitely more graphic than the TV versions all together. I really enjoy Kenshin and I really appreciated the work put into this anime!

Right off, I absoulutly LOVE the character Shinomori Aoshi! He's cool, he can fight and he looks very handsome ^_-. Ao it goes without saying that I also love Rurouni Kenshin Vol. 4, where we get to find out what this Okashira, that's been talked so much about, is really like. I'm so very glad that Watsuki-sensai fixed Aoshi's bangs. The hair in book 3 was not gonna work. The story line in book 4 is very good as well. Kenshin, Sano and Yahiko come face to face with the dreaded Oniwaban group. This is the battle that leads to Aoshi becoming a psycho, for a reason that I believe we all know (but, just in case you don't I won't ruin the surprise). The fight scenes are well drawn and of course, Watsuki's sense of humor is evident as well.

I just got the manga today, and it was great to read. Well we all know Kenshin and company went to Kanryu's mansion to save Megumi, then they have to fight Aoshi's men, then the fight with Aoshi and Kenshin come along and,theres a whole bunch of blood and it was sad how Aoshi's men died for him. Get this manga.