Written by Nobuhiro Watsuki, the popular Japanese series Rurouni Kenshin tells the story of Himura Kenshin's journey towards redemption. A former assassin, Kenshin becomes a wandering swordsman and vows to use his abilities to protect innocent civilians instead of hurting them. As the series begins in the Meiji Era, Kenshin meets many characters with exceptional combative skills and swordsmanship.

While many of the characters have their eyes set on defeating Kenshin, a legendary swordsman, others give full support to the main protagonist. Excluding Kenshin, many characters in the series have special abilities and prove to be a force to be reckoned with.

Updated by Sage Ashford on October 31st 2023: Kenshin has no shortage of great fighters. This list has been updated to add more of those warriors.

15 Yahiko Myojin Is A Rising Star

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At the beginning of the series, Yahiko merely wants to be a great swordsman. Training with Kaoru, and hanging out with Kenshin and Sanosuke though, make him into an impressive warrior. Though he pretends not to respect Kaoru, he trains diligently in the Kamiya Kasshin style to become a samurai capable of protecting what he cares about.

Yahiko's fighting ability isn't measured by just his time in the Kamiya Kasshin style though. From watching Kenshin fight, he starts imitating the Hiten Mitsurugi Style, and can even perform his own version of those moves. With this talent, he defeats Henya of the Juppongatana. In the excellent Kenshin manga, he develops this ability even further, one day becoming good enough to earn his own sakabato.

14 Honjo Kamatari Is Deceptively Powerful

Another member of the Juppongatana, Kamatari was pulled in after falling in love with Shishio. Though Shishio wasn't returning interest, Kamatari joined anyway to be close to him. Honjo Kamatari feels like the least serious character in the Juppongana for a time. His flirty, often laid back behavior can get some people to let their guards down.

However, in battle Kamatari is nothing to mess around with. His massive scythe can take down an enemy with a single swing. In the end, it took both Kaoru and Misao working together to finally take Kamatari down.

13 Kaoru Kamiya Is Master Of The Kamiya Kashin Ryu

It might not seem like it, but Kaoru is actually quite skilled in swordsmanship. In the early parts of the series, she doesn't fight because Kenshin and Sanosuke are around. During the Kyoto arc though, she begins to step up, helping the group where she can. Her true weakness is inexperience in actual combat, but her skill and time training compensate for it. Even when she's captured by Jin-E's Shin no Ippo, she breaks the spell through her own power rather than being directly rescued by Kenshin.

She's frequently shown to be one of the strongest swordsmen of the "new" era, which is why she's respected as a master within Tokyo. Later, in the Kyoto arc, she's even able to help defeat Kamatari with the aid of distraction from Misao. Though Kamatari isn't as strong as some of the other Juppongatana, he is vastly more powerful than the average swordsman.

12 Fuji Is A Literal Giant With Swordsmanship Skills

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Thanks to his large size, Fuji was always viewed differently from his peers. This made it that much easier for him to be taken in by Saizuchi, who treated Fuji like he was nothing more than a mere animal. However, Fuji has actually spent time learning the basics of martial arts, all to make himself a decent swordsman.

Fuji's strength is enough to take out an entire group of Kyoto police, and destroy buildings with a swing of his sword. His real problem is he can into Hiko Seijuro, the actual strongest person in the series.

11 Yukyuzan Anji Is Shishio's Strongest Hand To Hand Fighter

Yukyuzan Anji was another of Shishio's Juppongatana. Originally a simple monk, when his life and temple were destroyed by the Imperialists he decided he wanted revenge. After he got that revenge, he decided the entire Meiji government should be destroyed as well, and joined up with Shishio.

Anji's size and normal fighting style already makes him strong enough. However, he's also the master of the Futae no Kiwami, a technique that obliterates anything it touches. Unlike his student Sanosuke, Anji is also able to use that technique with any part of his body, making him the most dangerous hand-to-hand villain.

10 Okita Souji Was Meant To Be The Next Great Swordsman

Leader of the first squad of the Shinsengumi during the final years of the Edo period, Okita Souji is a dedicated soldier who has a very youthful appearance. Having special respect for Saito Hajime, Okita is considered a very skilled warrior, and both Saito and Okita are leaders of their respective squads. Despite battling tuberculosis, Okita faced Himura Kenshin and was able to hold himself equal to the power of the legendary swordsman.

Okita is a skilled warrior and is considered to be on the equal level of swordsmanship as Saito Hajime. However, Okita is presumed to have died because of tuberculosis and could not show more of his strengths in Rurouni Kenshin.

9 Sagara Sanosuke Is The Greatest Hand To Hand Fighter

Sagara Sanosuke is one of the main characters and a close friend of Himura Kenshin. A former member of the Sekiho Army, Sanosuke used to work as a fighter-for-hire, but after meeting Kenshin, he changes his ways and starts using his strength to protect innocent people.

Sanosuke is known for his superhuman strength. Sanosuke's body is made for combat and is capable of using his Zanbato, which is a massive sword that can be lifted only by him. Later, Sanosuke learns the Futae No Kiwami technique which allows him to supplement his strength with the ability to completely crush anything.

8 Usui Uonuma's Spear And Shield Combination Makes Him A Great Fighter

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Similar to Kenshin and Shishio, Usui Uonuma was once a swordsman of the Government. However, after he is blinded by Shishio, he is discarded and deemed worthless. Usui soon discovers that he has developed a high sense of hearing. To take his revenge on Shishio, Usui joins Juppongatana and is considered as the second strongest of the group.

Usui uses a spear and a shield during battles and can attack the opponent quickly and multiple times. Due to his high sense of hearing, Usui can sense the movements and emotions of his opponents quickly, and he calls it is Mind's Eye.

7 Shinomori Aoshi Is The Strongest Of The Oniwabanshu

Obsessed with defeating the main protagonist, Shinomori Aoshi is one of the strongest characters in the series. Having obtained the leader position of Oniwabanshu at the age of 15, Aoshi is clever during planning and combat. Aoshi has built his strength & trained well to defeat Kenshin and satisfy his greed to be the strongest.

Along with his combative skills, Aoshi is blessed with acute senses through which he can analyze his opponent's every move. Aoshi has several sword techniques up his sleeve, and his powers seem to increase after he completes his meditation.

6 Saito Hajime Proved To Be A Match For Kenshin During The War

One of the longest rivals of Himura Kenshin, Hajime Saito is a special agent for the Meiji Government's Department of Internal Affairs. While Saito looks lean and frail, he is a strong and charismatic fighter. He has always opposed Kenshin, but Saito does respect him a lot and also takes his side during a fight if the need arises.

As a high ranking officer/special agent, Saito is extremely powerful and a skilled swordsman. Since Saito is ambidextrous, he can confuse his opponents with his ability to quickly switch his dominant hand during a fight.

5 Seta Sojiro Has Speed Faster Than The Human Eye

Seta Sojiro is the right-hand man of the main antagonist, Shishio Makoto, and a well-trained swordsman. Sojiro is an expert in hiding his emotions and always wears a smile on his face, which makes him difficult to read during a combat. Since he was abused as a child and was saved by Shishio, Sojiro is very loyal to him and considers Shishio a father figure in his life.

Sojiro is known for his Shukuchi. During battle, Sojiro can move so quickly that his movements cannot be perceived by the human eye. Sojiro also combines his speed with his sword technique that proves to be especially deadly.

4 Shishio Makoto's Power Brings Revenge To The Meiji Government

Shishio Makoto is introduced as the main antagonist of the Kyoto Arc. A former Ishin Shishi hitokiri, Shishio was betrayed by the Meiji Government and burnt alive because of which he wears bandages all over his body. Deformed and betrayed, Shishio wants to overthrow the Government and kill Kenshin.

Before he was burned, Shishio was hailed as the successor of Kenshin. Shishio is quick at reading his opponent's nature while fighting and exhibits sadism when engaged in battle. Along with his blade skills, Shishio is also excellent in hand-to-hand combat.

3 Yukishiro Enishi Relies On The Perfect Counter Style To Kenshin

Yukishiro Enishi is introduced as the main antagonist of the Jinchu Arc. Driven by the need to avenge his older sister, Tomoe, Enishi fights Kenshin, since he believes that the main reason for Tomoe's death is Kenshin. After being defeated by Kenshin, Enishi's spirit is broken, and he goes on a journey to find a new purpose in life.

Enishi is an extremely strategic and sadistic warrior. Obsessed with seeking revenge, Enishi has taught himself Watojutsu, which is a dangerous and offensive sword style. Along with his swordsmanship, Enishi has also developed the ability to keep active his brain state, even during sleep.

2 Himura Kenshin Is Impossible To Stop Even While Limiting Himself

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As the main protagonist, Himura Kenshin is a legendary hitokiri who lives a low life travelling around Japan. Kenshin is on a journey to redemption as he wants to forget his past as Battosai, his former self when he slaughtered many people. However, whenever he has to fight his battles, Kenshin is quick to drop his laid-back attitude and show his combative skills.

Known for his extraordinary swordsmanship, Kenshin is among the most powerful characters in the series. Kenshin can wield his sword so fast that his target is cut neatly and can be reattached as if it was never attacked. With the ability to move fast and deduce his opponent's movements, Kenshin is an opponent one should never want to meet.

1 Hiko Seijuro XIII Is The Strongest Swordsman In The Series

Commonly known as Kenshin's sensei, Hiko Seijuro XIII is the strongest character in the series. Despite being Hiko's student, Kenshin's skills are not equivalent and are only able to match up by unleashing the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki. Hiko has a deep sense of responsibility towards Kenshin, and is often ready to participate in battles to help him.

Hiko is an accomplished warrior, and his skills as a master swordsman are above the other characters. He has perfectly mastered the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu and can wield and perform all of its techniques, skills, and methods to the maximum limit. Hiko also wears a 90-kilogram cloak that he uses to suppress his strength while training Kenshin.