Written by Nobuhiro Watsuki, the popular Japanese series Rurouni Kenshin tells the story of Himura Kenshin's journey towards redemption. A former assassin, Kenshin becomes a wandering swordsman and vows to use his abilities to protect innocent civilians instead of hurting them. As the series begins in the Meiji Era, Kenshin meets many characters with exceptional combative skills and swordsmanship.
While many of the characters have their eyes set on defeating Kenshin, a legendary swordsman, others give full support to the main protagonist. Excluding Kenshin, many characters in the series have special abilities and prove to be a force to be reckoned with.
10 Sagara Sanosuke
Sagara Sanosuke is one of the main characters and a close friend of Himura Kenshin. A former member of the Sekiho Army, Sanosuke used to work as a fighter-for-hire, but after meeting Kenshin, he changes his ways and starts using his strength to protect innocent people.
Sanosuke is known for his superhuman strength. Sanosuke's body is made for combat and is capable of using his Zanbato, which is a massive sword that can be lifted only by him. Later, Sanosuke learns the Futae No Kiwami technique which allows him to supplement his strength with the ability to completely crush anything.
9 Okita Souji
Leader of the first squad of the Shinsengumi during the final years of the Edo period, Okita Souji is a dedicated soldier who has a very youthful appearance. Having special respect for Saito Hajime, Okita is considered a very skilled warrior, and both Saito and Okita are leaders of their respective squads. Despite battling tuberculosis, Okita faced Himura Kenshin and was able to hold himself equal to the power of the legendary swordsman.
Okita is a skilled warrior and is considered to be on the equal level of swordsmanship as Saito Hajime. However, Okita is presumed to have died because of tuberculosis and could not show more of his strengths in Rurouni Kenshin.
8 Yukishiro Enishi
Yukishiro Enishi is introduced as the main antagonist of the Jinchu Arc. Driven by the need to avenge his older sister, Tomoe, Enishi fights Kenshin, since he believes that the main reason for Tomoe's death is Kenshin. After being defeated by Kenshin, Enishi's spirit is broken, and he goes on a journey to find a new purpose in life.
Enishi is an extremely strategic and sadistic warrior. Obsessed with seeking revenge, Enishi has taught himself Watojutsu, which is a dangerous and offensive sword style. Along with his swordsmanship, Enishi has also developed the ability to keep active his brain state, even during sleep.
7 Saito Hajime
One of the longest rivals of Himura Kenshin, Hajime Saito is a special agent for the Meiji Government's Department of Internal Affairs. While Saito looks lean and frail, he is a strong and charismatic fighter. He has always opposed Kenshin, but Saito does respect him a lot and also takes his side during a fight if the need arises.
As a high ranking officer/special agent, Saito is extremely powerful and a skilled swordsman. Since Saito is ambidextrous, he can confuse his opponents with his ability to quickly switch his dominant hand during a fight.
6 Seta Sojiro
Seta Sojiro is the right-hand man of the main antagonist, Shishio Makoto, and a well-trained swordsman. Sojiro is an expert in hiding his emotions and always wears a smile on his face, which makes him difficult to read during a combat. Since he was abused as a child and was saved by Shishio, Sojiro is very loyal to him and considers Shishio a father figure in his life.
Sojiro is known for his Shukuchi. During battle, Sojiro can move so quickly that his movements cannot be perceived by the human eye. Sojiro also combines his speed with his sword technique that proves to be especially deadly.
5 Usui Uonuma
Similar to Kenshin and Shishio, Usui Uonuma was once a swordsman of the Government. However, after he is blinded by Shishio, he is discarded and deemed worthless. Usui soon discovers that he has developed a high sense of hearing. To take his revenge on Shishio, Usui joins Juppongatana and is considered as the second strongest of the group.
Usui uses a spear and a shield during battles and can attack the opponent quickly and multiple times. Due to his high sense of hearing, Usui can sense the movements and emotions of his opponents quickly, and he calls it is Mind's Eye.
4 Shinomori Aoshi
Obsessed with defeating the main protagonist, Shinomori Aoshi is one of the strongest characters in the series. Having obtained the leader position of Oniwabanshu at the age of 15, Aoshi is clever during planning and combat. Aoshi has built his strength & trained well to defeat Kenshin and satisfy his greed to be the strongest.
Along with his combative skills, Aoshi is blessed with acute senses through which he can analyze his opponent's every move. Aoshi has several sword techniques up his sleeve, and his powers seem to increase after he completes his meditation.
3 Shishio Makoto
Shishio Makoto is introduced as the main antagonist of the Kyoto Arc. A former Ishin Shishi hitokiri, Shishio was betrayed by the Meiji Government and burnt alive because of which he wears bandages all over his body. Deformed and betrayed, Shishio wants to overthrow the Government and kill Kenshin.
Before he was burned, Shishio was hailed as the successor of Kenshin. Shishio is quick at reading his opponent's nature while fighting and exhibits sadism when engaged in battle. Along with his blade skills, Shishio is also excellent in hand-to-hand combat.
2 Himura Kenshin
As the main protagonist, Himura Kenshin is a legendary hitokiri who lives a low life travelling around Japan. Kenshin is on a journey to redemption as he wants to forget his past as Battosai, his former self when he slaughtered many people. However, whenever he has to fight his battles, Kenshin is quick to drop his laid-back attitude and show his combative skills.
Known for his extraordinary swordsmanship, Kenshin is among the most powerful characters in the series. Kenshin can wield his sword so fast that his target is cut neatly and can be reattached as if it was never attacked. With the ability to move fast and deduce his opponent's movements, Kenshin is an opponent one should never want to meet.
1 Hiko Seijuro XIII
Commonly known as Kenshin's sensei, Hiko Seijuro XIII is the strongest character in the series. Despite being Hiko's student, Kenshin's skills are not equivalent and are only able to match up by unleashing the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki. Hiko has a deep sense of responsibility towards Kenshin, and is often ready to participate in battles to help him.
Hiko is an accomplished warrior, and his skills as a master swordsman are above the other characters. He has perfectly mastered the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu and can wield and perform all of its techniques, skills, and methods to the maximum limit. Hiko also wears a 90-kilogram cloak that he uses to suppress his strength while training Kenshin.
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