At the end of the Bakumatsu, the legendary Hitokiri Himura Battousai vanished from the face of history, having vowed, for reasons unknown, to never kill again. Nobody is quite sure as to why made this vow, nor do they know why he refused to accept a post in the government he fought so hard to create. Some believed he was disillusioned with the Meiji government. Others link the reason to other mysteries of his past, like the cross-shaped scar he bears on his left cheek. Whatever the reason, now (the eleventh year of the Meiji era, 1878) he is a wandering vagabond by the name of Kenshin (Heart of the Sword), who doesn't care to fight but won't hesitate to do so if loved ones (or anyone, in fact) are in danger. However, while he has forbidden himself from killing, his opponents have no such qualms...

Kenshin as people know him is an extremely caring individual, a mild-mannered (with a dash of formal) man who doesn't care to do anything but help other, less fortunate people enjoy life. However, there is another persona hidden within him, known as the Hitokiri Battousai (basically, Kenshin of the days of old). While Kenshin's swordsmanship is excellent, the Battousai's skill is demonlike, since he doesn't uphold Kenshin's vow of preserving life. However, Kenshin can typically keep the Battousai's personality in check, unless someone is able to upset Kenshin (usually by harming someone he cares for).