Rurouni Kenshin - Season 1

First aired: 1/10/1996 27 episodes

Episodes

1. The Handsome Swordsman of Legend: A Man who Fights for Love

Aired: 1/10/1996

A mysterious wanderer known as Kenshin is taken at the Kamiya Kasshin Dojo, a martial arts school run by a young woman named Kaoru.

2. Kid Samurai: A Big Ordeal and a New Student

Aired: 1/17/1996

Following an encounter with a young pickpocket named Yahiko, Kaoru risks her own freedom to gain his from some local gangsters.

3. Swordsman of Sorrow: The Man Who Slays His Past

Aired: 1/24/1996

After reining in some renegade police officers, Kenshin is recognized as the Samurai whose bravery helped establish the Meiji Era and is asked to rejoin the army.

4. Bad! Introducing Sanosuke, Fighter-for-hire

Aired: 1/31/1996

Gohei enlists a vicious street-fighter known as Sanosuke to seek revenge against Kenshin. And even though Kenshin exposes Gohei's plan, Sanosuke makes it clear that the two of them will fight each other one day.

5. The Reverse-blade Sword vs. the Zanbatou: Beyond the Battle

Aired: 2/7/1996

After accepting Sanosuke's challenge, Kenshin encourages him to release his anger towards the corrupt Royalist forces.

6. The Appearance of Kurogasa: Visitor from the Shadows

Aired: 2/14/1996

With a ruthless ex-Samurai killing high ranking politicians, the Chief of Police asks Kenshin to catch him. But as Kenshin confronts the deadly Jin-nai Udo, Kaoru's efforts to stop the battle end with her kidnapping.

7. Deathmatch under the Moon! Protect the One You Love

Aired: 2/21/1996

After kidnapping Kaoru, the ruthless Jin-nai Udo draws Kenshin into the fight he's been seeking for years. Though Kenshin tries to resist, Jin-nai's powerful spell over Kaoru leaves him no other choice.

8. A New Battle! The Mysterious Beauty From Nowhere

Aired: 2/28/1996

When local gangsters threaten the life of a beautiful woman, Kenshin and Sanosuke step in to save her.

9. The Strongest Group of Ninjas: The Horrible Oniwaban Group

Aired: 3/6/1996

Though her medical knowledge has saved Yahiko's life, Sansosuke suspects Megumi of producing the opium responsible for a close friend's death.

10. Aoshi: Someone so Beautiful it's Frightening

Aired: 3/13/1996

Having pledged to save Megumi, the Peace Force must first take on a band of ruthless drug dealing mobsters. But when a rift inside the gang leads to a change in leadership, Kenshin must confront a fighter whose powers he's underestimated.

11. Farewell, the Strongest Men: The Clash of Light and Shadow

Aired: 4/24/1996

Kenshin defeats a local mob's most powerful fighter, only to then face a gang leader who's determined to spread powerful new guns across Japan.

12. Birth of a Boy Swordsman: The Battle of First Apprentice Yahiko

Aired: 5/1/1996

When a criminal gang threatens a young girl he loves, Yahiko seeks Kenshin's advice on how to defend her in a lopsided fight.

13. Strive for the Grand Championship: Toramaru's Sumo Battle Log!

Aired: 5/8/1996

After jealous harassment forces an aspiring young man out of a sumo wrestling school, Kaoru steps in to take over his training.

14. To Save a Small Life Lady Doctor Megumi to the Rescue

Aired: 5/15/1996

After a shady faith healer discredits her medical skills, Megumi's patients abandon her. And once a worried family panics and pays the phony shaman to heal their sick daughter, Megumi must intervene in order to save the young girl's life.

15. Two Legendary Manslayers Two Legendary Slashers

Aired: 5/22/1996

A group radicals intent on assassinating political leaders attempt to recruit a local teacher into their cause. After finding that Heihachiro is a former foe who's now dedicated his life to helping children, Kenshin steps in to repel the assassins.

16. A Promise From the Heart The Secret Sword Technique of Shiden

Aired: 6/5/1996

After saving Heihachiro's life, Kenshin sets out to stop the teacher's misguided former student from being used as a pawn in a game of political corruption.

17. Fly to Your Dreams Marimo, The Human Cannon

Aired: 6/12/1996

Kenshin protects a circus ringmaster and his talented human cannonball daughter from the threats of a jealous competitor.

18. Run, Yahiko! Get the Reverse-Edged Sword Back

Aired: 6/19/1996

After stopping a restaurant robbery, Yahiko's boastfulness lands him in trouble with Kenshin's old foe, Gohei Hiruma. And once Yahiko agrees to a fight, Gohei uses the opportunity to steal Kenshin's Reverse Edged Sword.

19. Raijuta's Ambition The Fantasy of the Forbidden Kingdom

Aired: 6/26/1996

While on vacation at the home of Dr. Gensai's niece, Kenshin and company attracts the attention of a wealthy but arrogant boy who wants to learn the art of swordfighting.

20. Revival of the Shinko Style Revival of the Killer Sword – Shinko Style

Aired: 7/10/1996

Though Kenshin tries to warn him of the bad influence, Yutaro continues to believe in Raijuta, unaware that the renegade is using him plot his revolution. So, when he's told that the government is out to stop him, Yutaro sneaks away to warn Raijuta.

21. Dissolution of a Nightmare Destruction of a Nightmare

Aired: 7/21/1996

After learning the truth behind Raijuta's duplicitous plan, an injury sidelines Yutaro, leaving Kenshin to fight the renegade Samurai alone.

22. Danger on a Runaway Locomotive Surprise Incident on a Runaway Locomotive

Aired: 7/31/1996

During a train trip to Yokohama, Kenshin and his friends must save a wealthy English passenger from being robbed by thieves.

23. Sanosuke's Betrayal The Fateful Reunion

Aired: 8/14/1996

An artist's work leads Sanosuke to a reunion with an old army comrade, Tsukioka. But when his old friend wants him to join in avenging the death of their former leader, Sanosuke must stop him.

24. Midnight Battle: Kenshin versus Sanosuke Revisited

Aired: 8/21/1996

Following a lavish party at the dojo, Sanosuke can no longer resist joining his old army troop's plot to punish the government. However, in an effort to stop them, Kenshin is forced to take on Sanosuke.

25. The Crimson Pirate The Red Pirate – Kenshin and Kaoru Separated

Aired: 8/28/1996

In order to earn money for their dojo, the Peace Force signs on to help protect a merchant ship from pirates. However, to keep Kaoru from falling into the hands of the pirate's female leader, Shura, Kenshin offers himself in exchange.

26. Lightning Incarnate Shura, The Mysterious Female Pirate

Aired: 9/4/1996

After Kenshin's kidnapping, a bond begins to develop between him and Shura. However, while Shura is confident in the loyalty of her crew, the profits to be made from dealing opium draws them into a mutinous plan.

27. Burn, Island of Terror! The Red Pirate - Conclusion

Aired: 10/16/1996

After her trusted colleagues betray Shura, it's left up to Kenshin to save her life and stop the pirate's opium smuggling scheme.