You're probably here because you saw a clip of a guy with a cross-shaped scar absolutely wrecking a room full of swordsmen and thought, "I need to see how that started." I get it. The problem is that the Rurouni Kenshin franchise is a bit of a mess for newcomers. You’ve got the 90s anime, the new 2023 remake, a bunch of OVAs, and a live-action film series that actually—shocker—is good. If you want to watch Rurouni Kenshin Origins, specifically the story of how Kenshin Himura went from a cold-blooded assassin to a wanderer with a reverse-blade sword, you have a few specific paths to take. It's not just about hitting play on episode one of the TV show.
The "Origins" part of this story is heavy. It’s not the lighthearted "Oro?"-saying Kenshin we see hanging out at the Kaoru's dojo. It’s the Bakumatsu era. Blood. Politics. Regret. Honestly, it’s some of the best historical fiction in anime or cinema history, but only if you watch the right version.
The Live-Action Masterpiece: The Beginning
Most people searching to watch Rurouni Kenshin Origins these days are looking for the 2021 film Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning. This is the fifth and final installment of the live-action movie series starring Takeru Satoh. Ironically, even though it was released last, it is a prequel. It covers the Trust and Betrayal arc from the manga.
Director Keishi Otomo did something rare here. He made a live-action anime adaptation that doesn't feel like cringey cosplay. The film is available globally on Netflix. It’s dark. Like, really dark. The cinematography uses these cold, blue tones that make 1860s Kyoto look beautiful and terrifying at the same time. You see Kenshin as the Hitokiri Battosai, working for the Ishin Shishi to overthrow the Shogunate.
The heart of this "origin" isn't the sword fighting, though the choreography is insane. It's his relationship with Yukishiro Tomoe. If you want to understand why Kenshin refuses to kill, you have to watch this movie. It explains the first half of his scar. Then it explains the second half. It’s a tragic romance disguised as a samurai flick. Don't go into this expecting the humor of the TV series. It’s a somber, R-rated experience that grounds the entire franchise.
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The 1999 OVA: Trust and Betrayal
If you’re a purist, or just someone who appreciates top-tier 90s hand-drawn animation, you have to track down Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal (Tsuioku-hen). Many critics, and I'm talking about the old-school guys at Anime News Network and various film scholars, consider this one of the greatest pieces of animation ever made. Period.
It covers the same ground as the live-action film but with a different aesthetic. It’s brutal. The blood isn't just "anime blood"—it feels heavy. The score by Taku Iwasaki is haunting. Finding a legal stream for this one is actually a pain in the butt right now because of licensing shifts, but it’s often available for digital purchase on platforms like Amazon or Apple TV, depending on your region.
Why bother with this if the live-action exists? Because the pacing is different. The OVA feels like a fever dream. It captures the psychological toll of being a teenage executioner better than any other medium. You see Kenshin’s transition from a child named Shinta to the weapon known as Battosai.
The Remake Route: The 2023 Anime
Maybe you don't want a standalone movie. Maybe you want the full journey. In that case, you should watch Rurouni Kenshin Origins through the lens of the 2023 anime series produced by LIDENFILMS. This isn't just a remaster; it’s a total re-adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki's original manga.
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You can find this on Crunchyroll. While the series starts with the "wandering" years, it weaves in the backstory elements much more faithfully to the manga than the 1996 version did. The 90s anime was famous for its "filler" episodes that went off the rails. The 2023 version stays on target. It’s cleaner. The colors are brighter. Some fans argue it lacks the "grit" of the original, but for a modern viewer, it’s the most accessible way to digest the lore.
Where the Timeline Gets Weird
Here is where most people get tripped up. The "Origins" story is technically a flashback in the original narrative. In the manga, we don't get the full backstory of the scar until the Jinchu Arc, which happens after the famous Shishio/Kyoto arc.
- Chronological Order: Start with The Beginning or Trust and Betrayal.
- Release Order: Start with the TV series, then watch the prequels later to have that "Aha!" moment.
Honestly? I recommend starting with the origin story first if you're a fan of serious drama. If you start with the main series, you might find the "Origins" material a bit jarring because the tone shifts so radically from shonen action to historical tragedy.
Why the Origins Story Actually Matters
We aren't just talking about a cool backstory. The reason people are still obsessed with the Battosai in 2026 is because of the philosophy of the Sakabato (the reverse-blade sword).
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In the origin stories, Kenshin is using a real Katana. He is killing people for what he believes is a "New Era" of peace. He's a true believer. But he realizes that "killing to stop killing" is a paradox that just leaves you with bloody hands and a broken soul. The transition from the killer in The Beginning to the protector in the main series is one of the most complete character arcs in fiction.
When you watch Rurouni Kenshin Origins, pay attention to the character of Katsura Kogoro. He’s based on a real historical figure, Kido Takayoshi. The show does a great job of blending real Meiji Restoration history with the fictional tale of a super-swordsman. It gives the story stakes that feel real. You aren't just watching a guy fight monsters; you're watching a guy try to survive a revolution.
The Best Way to Watch Right Now
If you want the most streamlined experience without hunting for out-of-print DVDs, follow this path:
- Netflix: Search for Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning. This gives you the origin story with high production values.
- Crunchyroll: Start the 2023 series to see what happens after the war ends and Kenshin tries to find peace.
- Bonus: If you can find the Trust and Betrayal OVA, watch it on a rainy night with the lights off. It’s an experience.
Avoid the "New Kyoto Arc" OVAs from about a decade ago. They tried to condense the best part of the story into a weird, stylized mess and most fans agree they're skip-worthy. Stick to the live-action or the 1999 OVA for the "Origin" fix.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Viewing Experience
To get the most out of your watch, you should understand the context of the era. The Bakumatsu was the final years of the Tokugawa shogunate. It was a time of "Heaven's Revenge" (Tenchu), where political assassinations were a daily occurrence in the streets of Kyoto.
- Check the Netflix subtitle settings. For The Beginning, the original Japanese audio with English subtitles is vastly superior to the dub. The nuances in Takeru Satoh's whispers matter.
- Look up the Shinsengumi. They are the "villains" in the origin story (the Shogunate's police force). Knowing who Hajime Saito and Okita Soji were in real life makes their encounters with Kenshin much more impactful.
- Don't binge. The origin story is emotionally draining. Give it room to breathe.
- Track the Scar. It’s not just a design choice. In The Beginning, you see how the first cut was made by a man who refused to die, and the second was made by the woman who loved him. It’s a literal mark of his sins.
If you follow this guide, you won't just be watching an anime. You'll be witnessing a deconstruction of the samurai myth. Kenshin isn't a hero in his origins; he's a victim of his own talent and his own idealism. That’s what makes his eventual redemption so powerful. Start with the live-action film on Netflix tonight and see for yourself why this story has survived for over thirty years.