The anime i fell in love with is Rurouni Kenshin aka Samurai X.
This is about a swordsman, Himura Kenshin, who becomes a wanderer to protect people with his sakabatou [Reverse-edged sword] as an atonement to his past hitokiris.
When he was passing through Tokyo, he was attacked by a very strong young girl, who wanted to stop the insane killings in her area claimed to be done by Hitokiri Battousai with Kamiya Kasshin Style, which was founded by her father. In order to clear his name, she tries to bring down that Hitokiri Battousai. When she this samurai with a sword she attacks him. But soon understands he cant be the one killing. Then they face that killer and Kenshin save her. Inorder to thank him, she offers him lodging till he is in town which Kenshin accepts as she was the first person to accept the present him not minding his past. The story goes on revealing the interesting encounters with other persons connected with his past, along the way he finds many valuable friends forming Kenshingumi.
If anyone asks me in which era i would like to be re-born or can go with the help of a time machine, the answer would be the 'era of Kenshingumi', throwing kunais, that would be cool
The Main characters :
Himura Kenshin / Himura Battousai
He is the main character of the story. He becomes a wanderer to atone for the killings he did as a swordsman in the Meiji revolution. He is the master of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. His red hair and the scar in his left cheek are his identity. He knows every aspect of Battoujutsu and so he was called Battousai during the Revolution.
When not fighting, he does laundry and cooks for Kamiya Kaoru. Ororo
Kamiya Kaoru
A strong willed girl, Shihandai of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. Accepts Kenshin in to her life without bothering about his past. Loves Kenshin so very much. A very terrible cook but a good at throwing things, 'cause her aim never misses Kenshin / Sano or Yahiko' head. Nicknamed Racoon-girl by Saito
Sagara Sanosuke
He is introduced as the 'Zanza - Fighter for hire'. He deeply despises Imperialists and wanted to fight Kenshin just because he was one. Has the word 'Aku' imprinted in the back of his shirt which is his trademark. Has very strong stamina. and is the only person, Kenshin allows to fight along with him. Strongly wants to beat Saito Hajime in a fist fight.
Myojin Yahiko
A ten-year old brat, whose life Kaoru saves from the yakuzas. He becomes the first student of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu and practices under Kaoru. They both are like siblings always fighting and calling names. He calls Kaoru 'busu'[ugly] /i wonder why though
, according to me she is the most beautiful lady when she is not throwing things at others
/
Takani Megumi
She enters Kenshingumi by escaping from Kanryu, a greedy businessman who wants to know the secrets of the new opium she was forced to make. After defeating him, Sano and Kenshin change her mind of taking her own life for killing many innocents with her opium and she becomes a doctor, an assitant to Gensai-sensei.
Nicknamed Fox-girl by Saito
Saito Hajime
Just like Kenshin, he was involved in the Meiji Revolution but in the opposite side [Shogunate]. He lives for his motto 'Aku Soku Zan' meaning kill evil instantly. And he never flinches when he cuts the evil' throat. One of the very few persons who can fight evenly with Himura Battousai. Likes to taunt Sano.
Makimachi Misao
A very hyper active ninja girl. Member of Oniwanbanshu. Sides with Kenshin in the battle with Shishio. Loves Aoshi blindly. Nicknamed Weasel-girl by Saito
Shinamori Aoshi
A very cold Oniwabanshu leader. Wanted the title 'the strongest' and so fights Kenshin. But in the end helps Kenshin in the fight with Shishio but only after losing to him.
Shishio Makoto
A very strong character in the whole series. Actually, Kenshin' Kyouhai. But after the revolution, he was sought after by the same government whom he helped and was shot and burned. But be survived becoming even more stronger and more evil. Almost killed Kenshin in his battle. But because of his burns, he couldnt control his own heat and burns to death.
But even after his death here he went to hell and plans for the takeover there.
Other characters : Tae and Tsubame [runs Akabeko, a beef hot-pot restaurant, which the Kenshingumi frequents, Tsubame being Yahiko' girl, Gensai-sensei - the doctor who takes care of Kaoru after her father passes away, Susume and Ayame - grand daughters of Gensai sensei.
The other side character, my most fav, is Shura, the pirate.
The manga has another arc, in which Kenshin' cross-scar was brutally kindled and his past was opened again. But all ends well.
