If you loved
Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning
Keishi Otomo · Film · 2021
If you loved Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning, you crave stories where lethal assassins find their humanity through the weight of profound, life-altering connections.
Start with the source
The source
Rurouni Kenshin
Series · 1996
Adaptation
Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins
Keishi Otomo · Film · 2012
Adaptation
Rurouni Kenshin Part II: Kyoto Inferno
Keishi Otomo · Film · 2014
Books on the same thread
Shibumi
Trevanian · Book · 1983
Like the protagonist of Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning, Nicholai Hel is a deadly assassin whose isolated existence is suddenly disrupted by a mysterious woman, forcing him into a dangerous conflict.
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas · Book · 2020
If Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning hit, A Court of Thorns and Roses shares the thread.
A Court of Mist and Fury
Sarah J. Maas · Book · 2020
Much like the emotional journey found in Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning, this story centers on the heavy burden of past trauma and the difficult path toward redemption through love.
If Only I Had Told Her
Laura Nowlin · Book · 2024
If Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning hit, If Only I Had Told Her shares the thread.
Series on the same thread
Rent-a-Girlfriend
Series · 2020
If Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning hit, Rent-a-Girlfriend shares the thread.
Tokyo Revengers
Series · 2021
You will recognize the driving force of Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning here, as the protagonist struggles to rewrite a tragic history and protect the person he loves most.
SAKAMOTO DAYS
Series · 2025
This series mirrors the central tension of Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning by exploring how a legendary assassin attempts to leave a violent past behind for the sake of love.
Alchemy of Souls
Hong Jeong-eun · Series · 2022
Fans of Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning will appreciate this tale of a powerful individual seeking to change their destiny through a deep, forbidden connection with a mysterious companion.
Podcasts on the same thread
My Mate's A Footballer
Podcast
If Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning hit, My Mate's A Footballer shares the thread.
Ladies, We Need To Talk
Podcast
If Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning hit, Ladies, We Need To Talk shares the thread.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning in?
While Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning functions as a prequel depicting Kenshin's origin as an assassin, viewers often start with the 2012 film Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins. You can watch this film first to understand his background, or follow the release order of the live-action franchise.
Is Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning related to the 1996 TV series?
Yes, both Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning and the 1996 TV series are based on the same source material. The film focuses specifically on the backstory of Kenshin as the assassin Battosai and his relationship with Tomoe Yukishiro, which is also explored within the broader narrative of the franchise.
How does Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning compare to Rurouni Kenshin Part II: Kyoto Inferno?
Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning serves as a prequel that explains Kenshin's past as a fearsome assassin. In contrast, Rurouni Kenshin Part II: Kyoto Inferno follows Kenshin as a protector during a later period. The two films capture different stages of his development from a killer to a hero.
Should I watch Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins after finishing Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning?
You can watch Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins after Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning to see the continuation of Kenshin's story. While the prequel explains his origins as an assassin, the 2012 film depicts his later life as a protector, providing a complete view of his character arc.