Rurouni Kenshin watch order
Updated October 2026 · 4 seasons, 1 movie and 7 OVAs and specials · in release order
Short answer
Watch Rurouni Kenshin in release order: Rurouni Kenshin → Rurouni Kenshin OVA: Reflection (Seiso-hen) → Rurouni Kenshin -Kyoto Disturbance-.
3
in the main story: 2 seasons and 1 OVA or special
119
episodes
~49 h
to watch the main story
Or watch Rurouni Kenshin (2023) (2023) instead: it retells the story in another version, so pick one.
Optional: 1 season, 1 movie and 6 OVAs and specials (recaps, side stories and specials), marked below. Next: Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan 3rd Season.
Release order
- 1
Rurouni KenshinMain storyTV · Winter 1996 · 94 ep · ~39 hours · score 4.0/5
- 2
Rurouni Kenshin: Review SpecialSide story · optional, after Rurouni KenshinSpecial · Winter 1997 · 1 ep · ~25 minutes · score 2.9/5
- 3
Rurouni Kenshin: Special TechniquesSide story · optional, after Rurouni KenshinSpecial · Fall 1997 · 1 ep · ~25 minutes · score 3.2/5
- 4
Rurouni Kenshin The MovieSide story · optional, after Rurouni KenshinMovie · Fall 1997 · ~1.5 hours · score 3.6/5
- 5
Samurai X SpecialSide story · optional, after Rurouni KenshinSpecial · Fall 1998 · 1 ep · ~25 minutes · score 3.4/5
- 6
Rurouni Kenshin OVA: Trust & Betrayal (Tsuioku-hen)Extra · optionalOVA · Winter 1999 · 4 ep · ~2 hours · score 4.3/5
Watch onBilibili
- 7
OVA · Fall 2001 · 2 ep · ~85 minutes · score 3.8/5
- 8
Samurai X DVD-BOX Special EndingAlternate version of Rurouni KenshinSpecial · Spring 2007 · 1 ep · ~2 minutes · score 3.5/5
- 9
Rurouni Kenshin: New Kyoto ArcSide story · optional, after Rurouni KenshinOVA · Fall 2011 · 2 ep · ~1.5 hours · score 3.3/5
- 10
Rurouni Kenshin (2023)Alternate version of Rurouni KenshinTV · Summer 2023 · 24 ep · ~9 hours · score 3.7/5
Watch onCrunchyroll Hulu Netflix
- 11
Rurouni Kenshin -Kyoto Disturbance-Main storyTV · Fall 2024 · 23 ep · ~9 hours · score 3.9/5
Watch onCrunchyroll
- 12
TV · 12 ep
How long is Rurouni Kenshin?
| Part | Seasons and movies | Episodes | Watch time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main story | 2 seasons and 1 OVA or special | 119 | about 49 hours |
| Everything released | 3 seasons, 1 movie and 7 OVAs and specials | 154 | about 65 hours |
Watch time uses each season's and movie's episode length, or a typical length where we don't have one.
Where to watch Rurouni Kenshin
Rurouni Kenshin is officially on Bilibili, Crunchyroll and Netflix (2 of 12) and Hulu and WeTV (1 of 12), counting its 12 seasons, movies and specials.
Services and regions change; the release order above links each season to its official pages. Where to watch Rurouni Kenshin has the full list, free options included.
Will there be more Rurouni Kenshin?
Yes. Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan 3rd Season is announced.
Do I need to watch the Rurouni Kenshin movies and OVAs?
Optional: Rurouni Kenshin: Review Special, Rurouni Kenshin: Special Techniques, Rurouni Kenshin The Movie, Samurai X Special, Rurouni Kenshin OVA: Trust & Betrayal (Tsuioku-hen), Rurouni Kenshin: New Kyoto Arc. Samurai X DVD-BOX Special Ending, Rurouni Kenshin (2023) retell the story in another version; pick one.
How many episodes does Rurouni Kenshin have?
The main story is 119 episodes over 2 seasons and 1 OVA or special, about 49 hours of viewing. With every optional extra it is 154 episodes (about 65 hours).
Where can I watch Rurouni Kenshin?
Officially on Bilibili, Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu, WeTV. Availability depends on your region; each season and movie below lists its own services.
Related manga
- Rurouni Kenshin: Voyage to the Moon World Light Novel · 1996
Order and labels come from the relations in the AnimeHunt catalog (sequel, side story, summary, alternative version). Spot a mistake? Tell us.