るろうに剣心 明治剣客浪漫譚
Rurouni Kenshin - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
A sword is a weapon. The art of swordsmanship is learning how to kill. That is the truth. What Miss Kaoru says is sweet and innocent talk... But, to tell you the truth, I much prefer Miss Kaoru's sweet and innocent talk over the truth, indeed I do.
— Himura Kenshin
Context:
This is said in Episode 1, "The Legendary Swordsman... A Man Who Fights for Love", after Kenshin defeats the fake Battōsai and explains his worldview to a stunned Kaoru, who believed swords were only for protecting people.
Meaning:
This quote encapsulates the core conflict of the series. Kenshin acknowledges the brutal reality of his past and the nature of his skills, but he consciously chooses to embrace a more hopeful and idealistic philosophy. It's his first major step in aligning himself with Kaoru's world and rejecting his own dark history.
The dead don't desire revenge, but the happiness of the living.
— Himura Kenshin
Context:
Kenshin says this to a young boy, Eiji, in the Tokyo arc, who is seeking revenge for the murder of his parents. Kenshin tries to steer him away from the path of hatred and violence.
Meaning:
This quote is central to Kenshin's philosophy of atonement. He rejects the cycle of vengeance that defines many of his enemies. He believes that continuing to live and creating a peaceful world is the only way to truly honor the memory of those who have died, including those he killed.
The will to live is stronger than anything else.
— Himura Kenshin / Seijuro Hiko
Context:
This philosophy is taught to Kenshin during his training to master the final techniques of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū in the Kyoto arc, specifically as he learns the Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki.
Meaning:
This is the ultimate lesson Kenshin learns from his master, Hiko Seijuro. It represents a major shift in Kenshin's character, from someone willing to sacrifice his life for atonement to someone who understands that he must live on to protect the future. It reframes his struggle as one of survival and endurance, not self-destruction.
You can always die. It's living that takes real courage.
— Himura Kenshin
Context:
This line is often spoken by Kenshin to characters who have lost hope and see death as their only option, urging them to find the strength to continue living and fighting for what they believe in.
Meaning:
A concise and powerful expression of the series' core message. Kenshin understands that taking the easy way out through death is a form of escape. The true challenge and the more meaningful path is to face the hardships of life, endure the pain of the past, and continue to strive for a better future.