close
close

Rurouni Kenshin viewing order – all seasons, movies, OVAs

Posted on by Bobb
Rurouni Kenshin viewing order – all seasons, movies, OVAs

Wondering how you will experience the exciting world Rurouni Kenshin? Let’s look at the best Rurouni Kenshin watch order to fully appreciate this iconic anime series.

Rurouni Kenshin, also known as Samurai

Senku Ishigami of Dr Stone on ONE Esports, featured image for article "7 green-haired anime characters who redefine what it means to be cool"
Contributors: ONE Esports, TMS Media

In this ONE Esports guide, we’ll explore the best ways to watch Rurouni Kenshin, whether you prefer to follow the release order that captures the original experience or the chronological order that suits Kenshin’s journey.

What is Rurouni Kenshin about?

Rurouni Kenshin is a Japanese historical action anime and manga series created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The story follows Kenshin Himura, a former assassin known as Battosai who vows to never kill again after the chaos of Japan’s Bakumatsu period.

Kenshin Himura from Rurouni Kenshin
Credit: @rurounikenshin in x

Now a wandering swordsman during the Meiji period, Kenshin uses his reverse blade sword to protect the weak and maintain peace. Throughout the series, Kenshin encounters old enemies and new allies as he attempts to atone for his violent past as he battles formidable foes that threaten Japan’s fragile peace.

Rurouni Kenshin was first published in 1996, adapting Nobuhiro Watsuki’s popular manga and covering three main plots. This iconic manga series has been brought to life through multiple adaptations and has since expanded with OVAs and live-action films, offering new takes on the classic story.

Complete Rurouni Kenshin watch order

Kenshin, Yahiko and Sanosiko from Rurouni Kenshin - Rurouni Kenshin viewing order
Credit: @rurounikenshin in x

You can watch Rurouni Kenshin in two main ways; either by following the order of its release, which reflects the original viewer’s experience, or by following it in chronological order, following Kenshin’s journey as events in the story unfold.

For those who want to experience the chronological order with the modern animation of Rurouni Kenshin, you can replace some episodes of the classic anime with new ones that will be released from 2023.

Animes like Delicious in Dungeon Laios, Marcille, Chilchuck and Senshi eating together
Credits: Kadokawa, Studio Trigger, Netflix

Here’s a detailed list of how to watch the Rurouni Kenshin anime and live-action series respectively:

Rurouni Kenshin Anime viewing order by release year:

  1. Rurouni Kenshin (1996)
  2. Rurouni Kenshin: The Movie (1997)
  3. Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal (1999)
  4. Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection (2002)
  5. Rurouni Kenshin: New Kyoto Arc (2011)
  6. Rurouni Kenshin (2023)
  7. Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Disturbance (released in 2024)

Watching order of Rurouni Kenshin Anime in chronological order:

  1. Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal (1999)
  2. Rurouni Kenshin Season 1: Tokyo Arc (1996) / Rurouni Kenshin (2023)
  3. Rurouni Kenshin: The Movie (1997)
  4. Rurouni Kenshin: Season 2: Kyoto Arc (1996) / Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Disturbance (released in 2024)
  5. Rurouni Kenshin: Season 3: Jinchu Arc (1996)

Optional:

  1. Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection (2002) (skippable)
  2. Rurouni Kenshin: New Kyoto Arc 2 OVAs (2011)
Goku, Satoru Gojo and All Might feature in the 13 best fighting anime to get your blood pumping before your next ranked game ONE Esports article
Credits: ONE Esports, Toei Animation, Toho Animation

Rurouni Kenshin live action viewing order by release year:

  1. Rurouni Kenshin: Origins (2012)
  2. Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Hell (2014)
  3. Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (2014)
  4. Rurouni Kenshin: Finale (2021)
  5. Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning (2021)

Rurouni Kenshin live action viewing order in chronological order:

  1. Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning (2021)
  2. Rurouni Kenshin: Origins (2012)
  3. Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Hell (2014)
  4. Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (2014)
  5. Rurouni Kenshin: Finale (2021)

READ MORE: 3 reasons why you should watch the My Dress-Up Darling anime