Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins (るろうに剣心)

140 years ago, Japan entered the bakumatsu, a period marked by chaos.

During this time, an assassin known as "hitokiri battousai" emerged in kyoto.

This man, who paved the way for the new meiji era with his bloody battles,

was feared by everyone for his strength and composure.

It was during the critical time of the boshin war.

The shingemumi are here!

Hitokiri battousai!

Where? Where are you?

Third division captain, saito hajime! Prepare yourself!

Show yourself battousai!

We won! It's our brocaded banner!

You guys from the imperialist forces!

The satchō army won!

It has begun...

A new era will come.

Finally...

Himura battousai!

Do you think it ends here?

Although the world is about to change...

We live by the sword...

And we also die by the sword! This will never change for us.

Why?

Why am I the only one that survived...

*( Shock )*

what's with this katakana?

*( Grudge and hatred of those who died by the sword comes through )*

this was hitokiri battousai's...

Year 1878 11th period of meiji Tokyo.

A few words from admiral yamagata aritomo!

Salute!

To your original position!

It has been 10 years since the restoration!

This country is now a model to the Western European countries!

Continue the new step to progress!

We shall make this new government last and thrive!

Our country has achieved happiness and stability.

The era dominated by fear and violence is now over!

Salute!

Humans are weak.

They speak of their ideals…

…but they all turn into foul creatures for three things.

For themselves...

For the money...

And for pleasure...

*( Knocking on door )*

excuse me.

A success. You have done a good, megumi.

Thank you very much.

This new kind of opium…

…can turn humans into foul creatures.

You may go now.

*( Screaming is heard outside the door )*

I know how to use humans. We only need one person for now.

Dochira ni (Which one)

- Shi yo - u - ka - na kamisama no. - I - u -to u...

… Ri.

Thank you very much!

Damn it!

Let's go!

Just leave him be!

That man...

Battousai will take care of him.

Translator note: "Wasshoi" is chanted at festivals when carrying portable shrines - wasshoi! Wasshoi!

Come, come! How about some delicious grilled dumplings?

I'll have one.

You heard me?!

Step back!

Step back! Quick!

He was an undercover police officer.

A serial killer?

Hitokiri battousai again... Why now, all of a sudden?

A fake.

What?

There is something wrong with the way this man was killed.

What do you...?

That was no battousai.

- Children festival. - *( Cry of the cicadas )*

huh?

"Wanted."

"Hitokiri battousai"?

- Translator note: The sword that protects life. - "Kamiya kasshin-ryū"?

You there!

Oh!

Ignoring the law that bans the carrying of swords.

You! Aren't you the rumored hitokiri battousai?

Huh?

They found a murder victim today. Come quietly!

Wait! Wait a second! Wait a second please!

Shut up!

This is a misunderstanding!

I'm a wanderer...

I'm merely a wandering swordsman that means no harm.

Do you understand now?

Right... then how do you explain that?

This is a reverse-edge sword.

Reverse-edge sword?

A sword…

…with its blade and flat edge like this.

Normally they should be the other way around, right?

I guess you can't kill anyone with that.

You see now?

Thank you.

In any case, that description...

It started six months ago...

Every time he kills... he leaves a letter claiming responsibility.

Even though times have changed...

Huh?

Kanryu-sama!

We have a guest.

I thought a police office would pay me a visit soon.

Would you like to have some?

What is this about?

An undercover police has been killed last night.

The murderer calls himself "battousai".

You mean, the spirit of that samurai…

…after these 10 years, just came back and now killing people?

What are you storing in the warehouse at shinbashi?

Warehouse?

Ah, no need to worry about that one.

We just keep all our imported goods in that warehouse.

Nothing illegal.

If you insist on carrying out an investigation,

please go through official procedures.

In other words, you can't do it without permission.

Because it is the new era.

Quit joking around.

Seems like that samurai ghost,

hasn't realized the times have changed.

*( Bell ringing )*

there's food!

Look at this hapless bunch.

Those are the ones from a samurai family who can't earn anything to feed themselves during this meiji era.

Well, I was unable to let it pass unnoticed...

So I hired them as my bodyguards, and fed them like pets…

if they are let loose, it will be a big problem.

And yet, when the dogs are hungry, they get to eat.

Do you still think that you're a samurai?

I still am.

The government mule does not fit.

Better be on your guard.

The police may need proof and evidence, but not me.

Kanryu-sama, megumi ran away.

Yeah...

Wait, what? Megumi ran away?!

We bribed some police officer and got that information.

He said she came to the police by herself.

That bitch megumi!

Don't you worry!

If she spills the beans about opium, she would get the punishment herself.

You're a fool, brother!

When women become desperate, you won't know what they will do!

You think you got women figured out?

What did you say punk?

You looking for a fight?!

Shut up!

Return that woman to me immediately.

Don't touch me.

What did you say?

I'll do it.

Huh?

Don't kill her, Jin'e.

That woman holds the secret to the spider's web purification method.

After that, do as you like... Battousai.

It was you who asked us for protection, right?

You have to explain your situation.

Well, I guess there's nothing we can do.

*( Screaming )*

*( Officer calls and whistles )*

oi!

Over there! Over there!

What's going on here?

Move aside! Move aside!

Are you "battousai"?!

What the-?!

Don't move!

Stop!

Be quiet!

This is not sorcery.

Nikaido heiho - shin no ippou

Human fear is fragile.

Taking advantage of that fear and using the spirit of the sword to confine the target.

Is it painful?

Those with a fearful heart are the most vulnerable.

Translator note: "Neko" is the Japanese word for "cat".

Neko-chan!

Neko~ nyaa~

*( Sound of an object being dragged )*

wait...

Hold it right there!

Are you "battousai"?

Why do you…

use the name of Kamiya kasshin-ryū to commit atrocious crimes?

Because of people like you, my father…

the Kamiya kasshin-ryū was left to me by my father!

What about your father?

He taught me that the sword protects life.

It's not to cut, not to kill people.

The sword… the sword protects life!

A woman with a wooden sword expects to stand up to me?

Shut up!