Rurouni Kenshin Vol. 4

Writer	Nobuhiro Watsuki
Illustrator	Nobuhiro Watsuki
Published in English	2004
Publisher	Viz Media
Demographic	Shōnen
Age rating	Teen plus

An Impactful Battle

Containing Acts 23–30, Rurouni Kenshin Vol. 4: Dual Conclusions was first published in 1995 and the English translation followed in 2004. Nobuhiro Watsuki wrote and illustrated the manga. The comic book is in historical fiction and martial arts genres.

The plot is continued where the previous volume ended. Entering the Kanryū Manor, Kenshin, Sanosuke, and Yahiko first have to face Han’nya who was able to stop Kenshin’s strike before. Shikijō – a new tough opponent from the Oniwabanshū also stands in the way of the trio. Still, the most skilled fighter awaiting in this residence is Aoshi. They all provide a severe challenge in the quest to find Megumi while Kanryū has his own evil plans.

Loyalty and companionship are highlighted through the Oniwabanshū. Han’nya tells Kenshin his desperate backstory which explains his devotion to serve Aoshi. The latter has earned the respect of his men because they are a higher priority for him than his personal gain. Even so, the motives of the Oniwabanshū members are contrasted to the much more meaningful ideals of Kenshin. While the protagonist and his friends are fighting solely to save Megumi, the woman has suicidial thoughts, risking the whole effort to be in vain. The deepest theme in this volume is redemption, reflected in the stories of two characters – Kenshin and Megumi.

The manga is fast-paced, showing the heroes moving through the manor and constantly getting into fights while they attempt to reach Megumi. In addition, they do not know where exactly in this large building is she hidden. The confrontations cause hardships even to Kenshin and he also gets wounded. Han’nya has impressive training in martial arts and he tricks the protagonist with his arm-stretching spell. Even more, Aoshi has superior skills so facing him is an especially difficult challenge. Meanwhile, having lost trust in Aoshi and the Oniwabanshū, Kanryū has some tricks up his sleeve and does not mind using dirty ways in the name of power and money.

The artist has drawn bold depictions of the events in this comic book. Some ridiculous pictures do not really fit the serious content. On the other hand, the illustrations effectively capture movement, mostly during the fight scenes. Also, the architecture in the background looks interesting.

Rurouni Kenshin Vol. 4: Dual Conclusions is a fast-paced comic book filled with fight scenes. It explores redemption and adds some depth to the opponents of the heroes. Megumi’s storyline gets satisfyingly completed.

Characters

Themes

Plot

Artwork

Content advisory

Erotic content: NONE

Shikijō is bare-chested the whole time (and very muscular).

Violence: CONSIDERABLE

Constant sword- and handfights, often mixed. Characters get beaten up and knocked out.

Sanosuke’s head is smashed into wall.

A character is hit so hard that his head is deformed. This looks cartoon-like and not very serious.

Both Kenshin and Sanosuke grasp a blade in different moments, wounding their hands.

A suicide attempt.

A character hits another character’s throat.

Kenshin gets wounded by a swordstrike.

Some characters are shot to death, we see bullet holes in their bodies.

Dead bodies are shown missing their heads which have been removed after they died (graphic).

A character holds the decapitated heads of some men in his hands.

Profanity: NONE

Scary content: MODERATE

Han’nya’s face is intimidating.

Characters are often in threat.

The manga gets increasingly dark as it approaches the end as the violence also gets stronger.

Megumi is very depressive, has lost hope, and accepts death. It creates a gloomy feeling.

Alcohol, drugs, and smoking: SLIGHT

Kanryū is smoking in one scene.

Characters discuss the facts that Megumi made opium and Kanryū is the opium dealer.