A production team for the currently airing Rurouni Kenshin anime series have released a new key visual and PV trailer highlighting four members of the Oniwabanshu group. The four members will debut in the anime’s eight episode, which premieres on August 24, 2023. The first episode aired on July 7, 2023, with Crunchyroll streaming the series on its platform.
The additional cast members include Ryoutarou Okiayu as Hannya, Hiroyuki Yoshino as Beshimi, Fukushi Ochiai as Hyottoko, and Tetsu Inada as Shikijou.
They join a voice cast that includes Souma Saitou as Kenshin Himura, Rie Takahashi as Kaoru Kamiya, Makoto Koichi as Myojin Yahiko, Taku Yashiro as Sagara Sanosuke, Yuuma Uchida as Shinomori Aoshi, and Saori Oonishi as Takani Megumi.
Hideyo Yamamoto (My Master Has No Tail) is directing the new anime series, with Hideyuki Kurata (Made in Abyss) as series screenwriter, Terumi Nishii (Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable) as character designer, and Yuu Takami (Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin) as music composer. LIDENFILMS is handling the animation production.
The original Rurouni Kenshin manga by Nobuhiro Watsuki originally ran in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from April 12, 1994 to September 21, 1999. The manga also inspired a 1996 series, a 1997 anime film, live-action films, and three OVA specials.
Viz Media releases the manga in English and describes the synopsis as:
One hundred and forty years ago in Kyoto, with the coming of the American “Black Ships,” there arose a warrior who, felling men with his bloodstained blade, gained the name Hitokiri, manslayer! His killer blade helped close the turbulent Bakumatsu era and slashed open the progressive age known as Meiji. Then he vanished, and with the flow of years, became legend.
In November 2017, Watsuki was sent to prosecutors for simple possession of child pornography and was fined 200,000 yen (US$1,473.35) in 2018. Shueisha initially suspended Rurouni Kenshin: Hokkaido Hen, but resumed serialization in June 2018. Eight tankoubon volumes as of January 2023.
Source: Rurouni Kenshin Official Twitter
