Completed Anime
Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal

“Kenshin's tragic childhood as Shinta, rescued and reborn into the assassin Hitokiri Battousai during Japan's turmoil.”

Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal

8.7
69 rank · 293,320 viewers · 6,453 favorites
Action Drama Romance Adult Cast Historical Samurai Shounen
4 episodes · 29 min per ep min · Studio Deen · R - 17+ (violence & profanity)
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Episodes · 4 4/4 aired
EP 01 EP 04

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Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...

However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...

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Synopsis

Kenshin's tragic childhood as Shinta, rescued and reborn into the assassin Hitokiri Battousai during Japan's turmoil.

When mankind's savagery surpasses his fear of death, there is little hope for those who wish to live honest lives. Beneath a full moon, a young boy witnesses the murder of the bandits who had enslaved him, and is then christened with a new name by the man who rescued him. This boy is Shinta, now known as Kenshin Himura, and he is destined to become a swordsman. The softness of his heart does not befit the occupation, but his desire to protect the innocent is absolute. Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Tsuioku-hen details the origins of the man who would bear the name of Hitokiri Battousai long before he swore his oath not to kill and before he earned his reputation as an assassin. The young man's heart is divided between justice and corruption, while the fate of a nation rests on his actions.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

What people say

Community consensus

Derived from 80 sampled reviews

9.3 /10

What 80 viewers settled on.

99% recommend
Score distribution
median 10 mode 10 σ 1.19
1510
Agreement

Mostly aligned

σ 1.19 · some divergence

mixed
The polarity gap

5.4 pts

Recommenders 9.4 · others 4.0

Yes
No
Score over time

↓ 0.75

Running avg · Jul 2007 → Mar 2026

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Production slate

A Ova Production

Studio Deen.
in association with

Aniplex

  • Format 4 × 29′ eps × min
  • Total runtime 1h 56m all episodes
  • Aired Feb 1999 – Sep 1999
  • Source Ova media type
  • Rated R 17+ (violence & profanity)
  • Ref. BS-0026 catalog

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