Wonderfully illustrated and teeming with historical significance, Rurouni Kenshin tells the tale of Himura Kenshin (rurouni means "wanderer"), a Meiji swordsmen of legendary status who was once an assassin, or "hitokiri" protecting the empire. Kenshin joins up early in the story with Kaoru, and helps her secure her late father's dojo (martial arts training hall) that is under attack from a gang of men wishing to forcefully take it from her. Mid-story, the pair rescues Yahiko and make the scrappy orphan the first, if not reluctant, student of Kaoru's dojo.
The author intersperses a few narratives throughout the book to explain the evolution of certain characters and a glossary and reading diagram also help ease novice readers into the manga format. With 28 total volumes in the series, fans of this title are provided with ample further reading.
While I would still not consider myself a fan of manga, I have a new respect for the genre. These are not easy "comic books", but instead are often beautiful works of art that are somewhat difficult, at least for a novice, to get the hang of reading.
Readers who enjoyed this book may also like these fiction titles: Snow Fox by Susan Fromberg Schaeffer, W.W. Norton, 2004 is set in medieval Japan and centers on a love story between a poet and a samurai. This title also includes rich cultural details and some realistic violence. The entire Fruits Basket series, by Natsuka Tayaki, Tokyopop, 2004- is my second recommendation and is largely based on the insane popularity this manga series enjoys. The storyline here is that the Sohma family members are possessed by the spirits of the Chinese Zodiac, which they turn into when they are hugged. The link here may be a little weak, but I do believe that if you like manga, you will enjoy both of these series.
Readers who enjoyed this book may also like these non-fiction titles: Emperor of Japan: Meiji and his World, 1852-1912 by Donald Keene, Columbia, 2005. Although this is rather scholarly, and long, this work is glowingly praised for presenting a completely comprehensive history of the emergence of modern Japan. Japanese Sword Fighting: Secrets of the Samurai by Masaki Hatsumi, Kodansha International, 2006 is both informative and aesthetic, with it's strong historical facts and coverage of legendary figures as well as its elaborate illustrations, including calligraphy drawings from the masters of the craft.
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