Rurouni Kenshin: Restoration Vol. 1

The original Rurouni Kenshin was a very popular manga, anime, and live-action film property, and this “rebooted” version serves as a tie-in to the latest live-action film. Set during the early years of the Meiji Restoration (1868–1912), the story follows the adventures of scarred wandering samurai Himura Kenshin, who was once known as Hittokiri Battosai, one of the deadliest swordsmen of the pre-Restoration era. Now determined to draw his sword only to protect those in need, the samurai’s path leads to Kaoru, a charming swordswoman who faces the takeover of her late father’s swordsmanship school by an unscrupulous (and more than a little insane) Westernized arms maker. Aiding Kaoru and her young orphan friend, Yahiko, puts Himura square in the industrialist’s sights, as the villain attacks using hired fighters to take down the legendary samurai. Packed from top to bottom with crisp, appealing art and wall-to-wall action, this series also distinguishes itself with its light tone, an element seldom found in the wandering samurai genre. Though operating on familiar ground, this series will appeal to the many fans of Watsuki’s original. (June)