Rurouni Kenshin is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The story begins in 1878, the 11th year of the Meiji era in Japan, and follows a former assassin. He becomes Himura Kenshin, a wandering swordsman who protects the people of Japan with a vow never to take another life. The series has received praise from various publications for its designs and historical setting.