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Rurouni Kenshin watch order

Ten years after the Meiji Restoration, the legendary assassin Battosai wanders Japan as Kenshin Himura, a gentle swordsman with a reverse-blade sword who has sworn never to kill again. Two separate anime adaptations, from 1996 and 2023, plus a run of OVAs.

First time? Pick one version. The 2023 remake followed by Kyoto Disturbance is the most faithful and has no filler; the classic route is the 1996 series, episodes 1–62. Either way, save Trust & Betrayal for after.

First-timer order

The modern route: the remake's two seasons, then Trust & Betrayal. Prefer the classic? Watch 1996 episodes 1–62 (skipping filler if you like), then Trust & Betrayal.

  1. Rurouni Kenshin (2023) TV, 2023, 24 episodes

    A new adaptation from the start of the manga by Liden Films. Covers the Tokyo arc, closer to the manga and with no filler, ending as the Kyoto arc is set up.

  2. Kyoto Disturbance TV, 2024–25, 23 episodes

    Season 2 of the remake. The first part of the Kyoto arc against Shishio, stopping before its final battles. Season 3 has been announced.

  3. Trust & Betrayal OVA, 1999, 4 episodes

    Kenshin's past as the Battosai during the Bakumatsu, and how he got his scar. Adapts the manga's Remembrance flashback, which the TV series never reached. Much darker and more violent than the TV series.

Story order

Two separate versions. The 1996 series comes first with its films and OVAs, from Kenshin's past to Reflection's epilogue; the 2023 remake starts the story over. Trust & Betrayal is the prequel to both, but most fans recommend watching it after the series. The recaps and the New Kyoto Arc retelling are left out.

  1. Trust & Betrayal OVA, 1999, 4 episodes

    Kenshin's past as the Battosai during the Bakumatsu, and how he got his scar. Adapts the manga's Remembrance flashback, which the TV series never reached. Much darker and more violent than the TV series.

  2. 1996 series, episodes 1–27 (Tokyo arc) TV, 1996, 27 episodes

    Kenshin settles at Kaoru's dojo and gathers his friends Yahiko and Sanosuke. Filler: episodes 13–18, 22 and 25–27.

  3. 1996 series, episodes 28–62 (Kyoto arc) TV, 1996–97, 35 episodes

    Kenshin goes to Kyoto to stop Makoto Shishio, the assassin who replaced him. The fan-favorite arc and the last one adapted from the manga in this version.

  4. Requiem for the Ishin Shishi (optional) Movie, 1997

    An anime-original side story set after the Kyoto arc. Released in the US as Samurai X: The Motion Picture. Optional.

  5. 1996 series, episodes 63–94 (optional) TV, 1997–98, 32 episodes

    All filler: the Shimabara arc (67–76), the Black Knights (83–88), the Feng Shui arc (90–94) and standalone episodes. Skippable, though some fans enjoy it.

  6. End of Wanderings (episode 95) (optional) OVA, 1998, 1 episode

    An unaired home-video episode where Kenshin and Kaoru visit a cemetery and shelter from a storm. A quiet coda to the TV series. Optional.

  7. Reflection (optional) OVA, 2001–02, 2 episodes

    An anime-original epilogue about Kenshin's later years that contradicts the manga's ending. Beautifully made but divisive, and most fans treat it as non-canon. Optional.

  8. Rurouni Kenshin (2023) TV, 2023, 24 episodes

    A new adaptation from the start of the manga by Liden Films. Covers the Tokyo arc, closer to the manga and with no filler, ending as the Kyoto arc is set up.

  9. Kyoto Disturbance TV, 2024–25, 23 episodes

    Season 2 of the remake. The first part of the Kyoto arc against Shishio, stopping before its final battles. Season 3 has been announced.

Release order

Everything in the order it came out. The movie premiered while the 1996 series was in its anime-original third season.

  1. Rurouni Kenshin (1996) TV, 1996–98, 94 episodes

    The original series. Episodes 1–27 are the Tokyo arc, 28–62 the Kyoto arc, and 63–94 are anime-original stories. Toonami in the US only aired 1–62.

  2. Review Special (optional) Special, 1997

    A recap of the early fights with a preview of the Kyoto arc. Skip it.

  3. Special Techniques (optional) Special, 1997

    A clip show explaining the Hiten Mitsurugi techniques. No new story. Skip it.

  4. Requiem for the Ishin Shishi (optional) Movie, 1997

    An anime-original side story set after the Kyoto arc. Released in the US as Samurai X: The Motion Picture. Optional.

  5. End of Wanderings (episode 95) (optional) OVA, 1998, 1 episode

    An unaired home-video episode where Kenshin and Kaoru visit a cemetery and shelter from a storm. A quiet coda to the TV series. Optional.

  6. Trust & Betrayal OVA, 1999, 4 episodes

    Kenshin's past as the Battosai during the Bakumatsu, and how he got his scar. Adapts the manga's Remembrance flashback, which the TV series never reached. Much darker and more violent than the TV series.

  7. Reflection (optional) OVA, 2001–02, 2 episodes

    An anime-original epilogue about Kenshin's later years that contradicts the manga's ending. Beautifully made but divisive, and most fans treat it as non-canon. Optional.

  8. New Kyoto Arc (optional) OVA, 2011–12, 2 episodes

    A condensed retelling of the Kyoto arc from Misao's point of view, with big parts cut or changed. Not a sequel. Optional.

  9. Rurouni Kenshin (2023) TV, 2023, 24 episodes

    A new adaptation from the start of the manga by Liden Films. Covers the Tokyo arc, closer to the manga and with no filler, ending as the Kyoto arc is set up.

  10. Kyoto Disturbance TV, 2024–25, 23 episodes

    Season 2 of the remake. The first part of the Kyoto arc against Shishio, stopping before its final battles. Season 3 has been announced.

Explained

1996 series or 2023 remake?

They're separate adaptations of the same manga, so pick one. The 1996 series has the classic look, music and dub, but after episode 62 it runs out of manga and switches to filler. The 2023 remake is more faithful and has no filler, but it's still in progress: after two seasons it's partway through the Kyoto arc.

When should I watch Trust & Betrayal?

It's the story of Kenshin's past, but it comes from a flashback deep in the manga's final arc, which neither TV version has reached. Guides are split: some list it first because it's a prequel, while many fans and critics say to watch it after the series, since it reveals the secret of Kenshin's scar and is far darker than the TV show. After is the safer choice.

Which episodes are filler?

In the 1996 series, episodes 13–18, 22 and 25–27 are filler, and everything from 63 on is anime-original (the Shimabara, Black Knights and Feng Shui arcs). The 1997 movie is also an original side story. The Review Special and Special Techniques are recaps. The 2023 remake has no filler.

What are Reflection and the New Kyoto Arc?

Reflection is an anime-only epilogue about Kenshin's last years with a much bleaker ending than the manga; most fans treat it as non-canon. The New Kyoto Arc is a two-part condensed retelling of the Kyoto arc from Misao's side. Both are optional, and neither continues the story.

Why is it called Samurai X? What's next?

Samurai X was the English title used for some dubs, including ADV's releases of the OVAs and the movie; it's the same show. For the remake, a third season was announced in March 2025, picking up after Kyoto Disturbance. No air date had been announced as of autumn 2026.