The Kenshin Manga Gallery
All 28 Japanese covers, 1994 to 1999: the whole run in one room.
Nobuhiro Watsuki drew Rurouni Kenshin for Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1994 to 1999, and Shueisha collected it in 28 Jump Comics volumes. Every cover below is the Japanese first-edition design, verified against the printed book, and dated by its release day. The covers are the series’ second text: watch Kenshin’s world widen from a single swordsman to a full company, then darken as the past catches up with him.
TOKYO
Volumes 1 to 7 · 1994–1995
Volume 1 · September 2, 1994
Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story. Kenshin mid-swing in vermilion: the wanderer as readers first met him, sword already reversed.
Volume 2 · December 2, 1994
The Two Hitokiri. The dojo family assembled: Kenshin, Kaoru, Yahiko and Sanosuke, with a second hitokiri about to arrive.
Volume 3 · February 2, 1995
A Reason to Act. Kenshin from behind in indigo, the group small at his feet: the Oniwabanshū arc begins.
Volume 4 · April 4, 1995
Dual Conclusions. Kenshin in close-up as the fight for Megumi's fate closes out, two endings at once.
Volume 5 · June 2, 1995
The State of Meiji Swordsmanship. Kenshin grinning with Sanosuke behind him, the lightest cover of the early run.
Volume 6 · August 4, 1995
No Worries. Kenshin swinging through the Raijūta affair, with Watsuki's one-shot Crescent Moon in the Warring States tucked inside.
Volume 7 · October 4, 1995
In the 11th Year of Meiji, May 14th. Kenshin in blue with Saitō in uniform behind him: the wolf of the Shinsengumi walks back into the story.
THE ROAD AND KYOTO
Volumes 8 to 18 · 1995–1997
Volume 8 · December 1, 1995
On the East Sea Road. The travelling party on the Tōkaidō: Kenshin, Kaoru, Yahiko, and Misao met on the road.
Volume 9 · February 2, 1996
Arrival in Kyoto. Kenshin walking away in white hakama, sword at his side: the loneliest of the Kyoto covers.
Volume 10 · April 4, 1996
Mitsurugi, Master and Student. The cast in formal array as Hiko Seijūrō, the master, joins the cover line-up.
Volume 11 · June 4, 1996
Overture to Destruction. Kenshin's downward strike with Shishio's shadow underneath: the Kyoto arc at full pressure.
Volume 12 · September 4, 1996
The Great Kyoto Fire. The Kyoto company shoulder to shoulder, Misao in front, the night the city was to burn.
Volume 13 · December 2, 1996
A Beautiful Night. Kenshin under a full moon, blade raised in the dark: one of the most reproduced covers of the run.
Volume 14 · March 4, 1997
The Time is Now. Shishio Makoto's bandaged face in extreme close-up, the promised duel come due.
Volume 15 · May 1, 1997
The Great Man vs. the Giant. Sōjirō smiling in blue beneath Kenshin: the Ten Swords' strongest boy takes the cover.
Volume 16 · June 4, 1997
Providence. Kenshin in red opposite Sōjirō: the volume where the smile breaks.
Volume 17 · October 3, 1997
The Age Decides the Man. Kenshin airborne over the stronghold battle: the Kyoto arc's decision, drawn mid-leap.
Volume 18 · December 4, 1997
Do You Still Bear the Scar?. Kaoru and Kenshin in shadow on a dark cover: the question that opens the final arc.
REMEMBRANCE AND JINCHŪ
Volumes 19 to 28 · 1998–1999
Volume 19 · February 4, 1998
Shades of Reality. Enishi, white-haired, beside Kenshin among flowers: the past arrives in person.
Volume 20 · May 4, 1998
Remembrance. Tomoe in Kenshin's arms against the red of the Remembrance chapters: the flashback takes the cover.
Volume 21 · July 3, 1998
And So, Time Passed. Tomoe alone in dark tones as the Remembrance closes and time moves on.
Volume 22 · September 3, 1998
Battle on Three Fronts. Kenshin gripping the sakabatō two-handed: the dojo itself is now the battlefield.
Volume 23 · November 4, 1998
Sin, Judgement, Acceptance. A battle composition for the volume of the destined duel with Enishi.
Volume 24 · February 4, 1999
The End of Dreams. Kenshin and Sanosuke back to back, for the volume where everything appears lost.
Volume 25 · April 2, 1999
The Truth. Kenshin with Yahiko: the student comes of age as the truth about Kaoru surfaces.
Volume 26 · July 2, 1999
A Man's Back. Kenshin and Sanosuke in a village street: Sanosuke's homecoming, and a father's back.
Volume 27 · September 3, 1999
The Answer. Kenshin's face in red shadow: the final duel, and the answer he found for his sins.
Volume 28 · November 4, 1999
Toward a New Era. Kenshin and Kaoru smiling together: the last cover of the 28, and the era it points to.
THE SAME STORY, REDRAWN
Kanzenban and Hokkaido
Kanzenban Volume 14 · 2006–2007
For the 22-volume complete edition Watsuki drew every cover again: ink-heavy portraits with a single colour accent, a deliberate second design for the whole run.
The Hokkaido Arc, Volume 1 · September 4, 2018
The sequel’s first cover: an older Kenshin shoulder to shoulder with Ashitaro, the new boy carrying Shishio’s sword.