Kenshin, why?

[Steve Racer]

So, I wanna know...

I have watched the first couple of story arcs of Kenshin, ending with his big fight with Shishio (sp?) Anyway, the characters in the story are very cool, I definitely like them. However, the second arc seemed to drag on and on where they spend an entire episode talking about how they are going to fight instead of just getting it over with. I found it a bit tedious. So, though the characters are cool, how do you deal with Kenshin being so tedious? Why do so many people seem to like it so much?

[agasfas]

how do people deal with it... I think I can relate it to DBZ in a sense. Almost every major battle the two fighters would talk for 3 plus episodes about what things are going to happen. One episode, 5mins before namik explodes; episode 2, 3 mins until namik explodes; episode 3 there is one minute before the planet explodes; episode 5 there is 30 seconds left.

Kenshin is much the same way. THe story itself is somwhat engaging and when there is a fight scene it's pretty darn cool. THe fighting is fast paced and full of action. The 45min of talking just comes with the territory. Also, the metaphors and life lessons/ideologies the creators seem to throw in seems to be a big hit with the fans. Though, I think the main reason many put up with all the tedious talking is the potential fight itself. That in itself is worth all the jabbering-- taking the time to build up suspense.

Although I fairly enjoy the show, there is one thing that really annoys me more then the talking; that is his lack of seriousness in the beginning of battles. That is, Kenshin would be fighting a really hard opponent and he'll be getting the stuffing knocked out of him. THen Kenshin would state something along these lines, "looks like you're serious, seems that I will need to really fight with all my strength," or "I was just testing you to see what kind of fighter you are." Purposely getting beat up. Grr...

But it's worth putting up with I guess... I guess.

[Arnobius]

So, I wanna know...

I have watched the first couple of story arcs of Kenshin, ending with his big fight with Shishio (sp?) Anyway, the characters in the story are very cool, I definitely like them. However, the second arc seemed to drag on and on where they spend an entire episode talking about how they are going to fight instead of just getting it over with. I found it a bit tedious. So, though the characters are cool, how do you deal with Kenshin being so tedious? Why do so many people seem to like it so much?

Well, it's becasse of this story arc that I *quit* watching RK. The show started well, but once it became bizzare villains and super techniques, I realized that it had turned into a DBZ clone.

[Heart of Sword]

It's similar to DBZ...in the ANIME sense. The manga is much more fast-paced and they spend a lot less time "talking". I certainly wouldn't call it a DBZ clone though!

Males don't seem to usually like it as much. Most of us females love it that it goes on and on:

1) Because the main character is SOOOOOO handsomely bishiecute (and so are a bunch of others)

2) It's hilarious and the comedy keeps it from getting boring

3) It covers a LONG PERIOD of about 15 years so it's alright that it's long

4) A lot of different storylines come up


It's a comedy/drama. Like American comedy shows, it has a lot of episodes but doesn't extend its welcome like Inuyasha (on and on and on!!!!!! ). And it's not all about saving the world again and again and the world blowing up again and again...

Only complaint from me is when Kenshin was saving Kaoru from Jin-E, she should have suffocated by the time she snapped out of the spell. (Oh well.)

[Arnobius]

It's similar to DBZ...in the ANIME sense. The manga is much more fast-paced and they spend a lot less time "talking". I certainly wouldn't call it a DBZ clone though!

Males don't seem to usually like it as much. Most of us females love it that it goes on and on:

So it seems. I liked season 1 of the anime (before we got to Shishio). The manga I didn't care for mainly because it didn't stand out (I'd already quit the anime by that time). I understand that females are the major part of the RK manga sales though.

2) It's hilarious and the comedy keeps it from getting boring

True. That was probably what kept me with the anime for so long. It's also why I didn't like the OVA-- when they eliminated all the comedy.

3) It covers a LONG PERIOD of about 15 years so it's alright that it's long

4) A lot of different storylines come up

These are not negatives, though the longer any series goes, the more likely it is to get stale. I found the anime got stale quickly. I can't speak for the anime. As for story arcs, when they're good, they are enjoyable but when bad they can be excruciating.

It's a comedy/drama. Like American comedy shows, it has a lot of episodes but doesn't extend its welcome like Inuyasha (on and on and on!!!!!! ). And it's not all about saving the world again and again and the world blowing up again and again...

Only complaint from me is when Kenshin was saving Kaoru from Jin-E, she should have suffocated by the time she snapped out of the spell. (Oh well.)

True, only 95 eps as opposed to 162. Not all about saving the world, but a lot about saving Japan IN THE MEIJI ERA! (Ever notice how they emphasize that fact over and over again. If you had a RK drinking game, you'd wind up with alcohol poisoning in short order ).

That bit with Jinei was kind of lame (I *did* love the bit about Kaoru's scarf though, and the bit when Kenshin raised his sword with his thumb and ended up slicing himself was a top 10 bit of comedy ). Of course many of the techniques were just too implausible.

I didn't care for it overall, but I can understand why people do, since I liked it for a while...

[oro!]

You're so right, HOS! I prefer the manga myself, but those are some reasons that i like the anime. With the DBZ thing, i stopped watching on that one where namik explodes. I kept on thinking that it would get better eventually, but that never happened. i haven't gotten that far in the anime in RK, but I'm sure one episode isn't that bad.

[Cedahlia]

I watched all the anime, and it is one of my favorites. The first few episodes are kinda corny, but the Kyoto Arc was what made it all worth it. It was absolutely amazing!
The thing I don't like about Kenshin is that he goes on and on sometimes before a battle...

Kenshin: One who kills is not...*goes on for half the episode*
Me: ...o_o Start fighting already!

I was kind of disappointed at the whole Feng Shue (sp?) thing. I must admit, despite it being my favorite anime at the time I fell asleep watching it. ^^; But Rurouni Kenshin is definitely worth watching! ^_^

[Steve Racer]

Wow, thanks for the good replies. I was expecting to be maimed by crazed fangirls.

Someone mentioned the comedy... that was great! But during that Shishio arc they cut out a lot of it. I was longing for the old days in the dojo with the kids and the grandfather.

[Heart of Sword]

True, only 95 eps as opposed to 162.

Wow! Inuyasha ACTUALLY ENDED??? [/totally surprised]

(I *did* love the bit about Kaoru's scarf though, and the bit when Kenshin raised his sword with his thumb and ended up slicing himself was a top 10 bit of comedy )

Oooooohhhh AnimeHeretic! Iiiiiiii've found you.

Kenshin: One who kills is not...*goes on for half the episode*
Me: ...o_o Start fighting already!

*giggles* But he's so handsome and bishonen when he does that...

I was longing for the old days in the dojo with the kids and the grandfather.

Those kids are scary. I worked at Vacation Bible School in a Kenshin costume during the Rickshaw Rally amidst a few fellow Kenshin fans that thought it was hilarious. There were these realllllly little kids that would leap on me and we'd play and chase each other around and I'd tickle them and stuff. They were just like Ayame and Susume (sp??). Except not two, about fifteen. o_O ^_^

[Hitokiri]

Personally, although I like the comedy, I equally like the fighting scenes and adored the Shishio Arc. Mainly cause of the fighting scene ::mezmorized by the Shishio fight::

That's why my favorite anime ever is the Trust and Betrayal OVA.

[John316]

Everything after the Kyoto arc is not in the manga and therefore sucks.

And the talking bits are necessary, because Kenshin actually wins his fights through clever psychoanalysis.

[Hitokiri]

Indeed, it did suck but not because it didnt follow the manga but it sucked because it didn't follow the orginal Kenshin theme.

The Shimbara Arc was duable and I enjoye some parts of it. The German Knights was ..... well .... i kinda forget half of it. The entire magic arc was pure crap and totally ruined the series.

[Arnobius]

Wow. I'm really glad I dropped out of the anime before then...

[Cedahlia]

From what I can remember, I loved all the German cure-all plant thingie episodes. They were awesome! Misanangi was totally cool! And...was it Schneider?...dude with the weird ear thingie was cool too.

What was the Shimbara Arc? I probably remember the episodes, but not the name of them. All I know is 'Kyoto/Shishio Arc' and 'Remembrance Arc'. ^^;

[Steve Racer]

I just remember my friend told me the first two arcs were the best.

Do they ever get back to the dojo and just having some fun and silly episodes again?

[Cedahlia]

Yep, they do. I remember this one where Kenshin accidentally proposes to Kaoru...that one was funny, and I think it was after the Shishio arc.

[Heart of Sword]

Yep, they do. I remember this one where Kenshin accidentally proposes to Kaoru...that one was funny, and I think it was after the Shishio arc.

Hehe...what happened? (please use spoilers)

What magic arc? Oro? (I hate stuff added in outside the manga...though some of it is funny.)

Complaint! In the Jin-E episodes, they left out the part after the fight with Sano where Kenshin's eyes got stuck in deathglare mode. That part in the manga was hilarious!!

[Cedahlia]

Okie, here it is ^_^

[spoiler] It was this special day where all the men could propose to the girl they fancied and give them a ring. (Forgot the name, I'll check out my DVDs later) Well, Kaoru secretly was hoping that Kenshin would propose. Then Tae from the Akabeko had hopes of getting them together, and suggested getting Kaoru a ring (without telling him the meaning of the holiday, of course!) He didn't quite understand everything, and found a really pretty, very expensive ring in a fish while fishing. He gave it to Kaoru, and she thought he had proposed! Then she was so happy, cleaning, cooking for Kenshin, and bubbly. Kenshin didn't understand until Sano told him. Then he was in trouble! Especially since he found out the ring belonged to somebody, and they needed it. So he had to get it back from Kaoru, explain everything, and you just have to see Kaoru's reaction at the end! [/spoiler]

[Heart of Sword]

Then how do they end up getting married?

Oh my, that must be hilarious, considering Kenshin's don't-let-her-know-what-I-feel-no-matter-what outlook on things.

I can only imagine...

[SPOILER]
Sano: Yeah, you just proposed to Kaoru. Now you're stuck with Miss Temper forever. *heh* *gnaws on piece of grass while leaning casually against the side of the dojo*

Kenshin: ORO?!?!?!
[/SPOILER]

[oro!]

That does sound like something Sano would say!

[Ryoko]

lol... I stopped watching Kenshin when it was on the cartoon network when they moved the time. I loved the kyoto arc, but that's just me. I guess I really like Ruroni kenshin is because some of the people really existed. Saito Hajime and Tokio really existed and really were married. Kawakami Gensai was the character model for Kenshin. The story itself is fictional, but someof the underlying circumstances were real. The shinsengumi were real as were the oniwabanshu. The groups existed, even if the actual characters in the groups did not. Misao, Aoshi, Nenji(okina),kaoru,yahiko,sano and most of the others were fictional people. I like the history associated with the series and well that's that!