Line #11 ShoutOut/RurouniKenshin


1	Here are the shout-outs found in ''Rurouni Kenshin''.
2
3	!!Historical and Real-Life References
4
5	* The character of [[MasterSwordsman Kenshin]] [[TheAtoner Himura]] is based on a [[HistoricalDomainCharacter real person]] named [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawakami_Gensai Gensai Kawakami]], who's a royalist that worked for the Ishin Shishi in 1863.[[note]]The ''hitokiri'' (manslayer) was an assassin who fought for the restoration of the emperor to power. However, in 1871, the government that he fought to establish had him put to death for supposedly planning a rebellion against them.[[/note]]
6	** The [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shishi_(Japan) Ishin Shishi]] were a group of Japanese political activists of the late Edo period who wished to take down the (in their eyes) "weak" Shogunate and bring the Emperor of Japan back to power.
7	** Kenshin's namesake [[UsefulNotes/UesugiKenshin Kenshin Uesugi]], like Gensai, is presented as a {{Bishonen}} in some historical fiction works because of his [[DudeLooksLikeALady effemininate]] good looks and speculation that Uesugi was [[WholesomeCrossdresser secretly a woman]].[[note]]Kenshin is not Himura's birth name. He was orphaned and given that name by his master, who might have been inspired by Kenshin Uesugi, a famous swordsman from the Sengoku Era.[[/note]]
8	** The unnamed doctor in the manga is named Oguni Gensai in the 1996 anime and had an [[AscendedExtra extended role]] there. His family name might be based on the first name of Gensai Kawakami, Kenshin's inspiration, as well.
9	* Kenshin's moniker [[RedBaron "Battousai"]] is a portmanteau of [[IaijutsuPractitioner "battoujutsu"]] (old-school sword-drawing technique) and the moniker that [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ito_Ittosai Yagoro Ito]], the founder of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itto-ryu Ittō-Ryū]], became famous for: "(Ito) Ittousai".
10	* ChildSoldier turned [[GoodOldFisticuffs Street Fighter]] [[BoisterousBruiser Sanosuke Sagara]] adopted the last name of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagara_Sozo Sōzō/Sozo/Souzou Sagara]] but his character is actually based on 10[[superscript:th]] Unit Shinsengumi Captain [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harada_Sanosuke Sanosuke Harada]].
11	** Born Shirou Koshima, [[AFatherToHisMen Souzou Sagara]] was the leader of the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sekihotai Sekihoutai/Sekihōtai]] ("Red Herald Regiment"), an army of peasants and farmers who supported the Ishin Shishi.[[note]]Once the Sekihoutai were of no more use to the Ishin Shishi, they announced the troupe to be a "false army" in October 1868 and attacked them. The Sekihoutai were finally defeated in Shitasuwa, and Sagara was decapitated at the age of thirty.[[/note]]
12	* Creator/NobuhiroWatsuki [[WordOfGod revealed]] on his [[AuthorTract manga notes]] that he based [[RedBaron Kurogasa]] or [[InconsistentSpelling Jin-E/Jin'eh/Jin-e/Jinei/Jine]] [[AxCrazy Udo]] on the historical assassin [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okada_Izo Izō Okada]].
13	* [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Oniwabanshu]] [[TheLeader Leader]] [[TheStoic Aoshi]] [[SamuraiShinobi Shinomori]] is modeled after [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hijikata_Toshizo Toshizō Hijikata]], the Vice-Commander of the Shinsengumi.[[note]]Watsuki describes the version of Hijikata he based Aoshi on... the one from ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moeyo_Ken Moeyo Ken (Burn, O Sword)]]''... as "a bundle of raw combat-instinct who keeps fighting until the very death."[[/note]] Hijikata would eventually be referenced [[https://kenshin.fandom.com/wiki/Hijikata_Toshizo directly]] in the ''[[PostScriptSeason Hokkaido Arc]]'' of ''[=RuroKen=]''.
14	** Aoshi's actor in the live-action films, [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yusuke_Iseya Yusuke Iseya]], has a [[IdenticalStranger remarkable resemblance]] to the historical Toshizo Hijikata.
15	** The [[GratuitousNinja Oniwabanshu]] or [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oniwaban Oniwaban]] is a [[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer real group]] of [[SinisterSpyAgency government-employed]] [[TheInfiltration undercover]] [[SpyFiction secret agent]] [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot ninjas]] from the [[JidaiGeki Tokugawa Era]].
16	* Han'nya/Hannya was supposed to be [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Merrick Joseph Merrick]] from ''Film/TheElephantMan'' until plans changed.
17	* Watsuki modeled [[NamedAfterSomeoneFamous Kanryū Takeda]] after [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeda_Kanryusai Kanryūsai Takeda]], the Shinsengumi's Fifth Unit captain.
18	* [[DaChief Toshiyoshi]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawaji_Toshiyoshi Kawaji]] in ''[=RuroKen=]'' is practically an InkSuitActor version of the real deal, even more so than the others.
19	* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saito_Hajime Hajime Saitō/Saitou/Saito]] was a real-life Japanese samurai of the late Edo period who most famously served as the captain of the third unit of the Shinsengumi.
20	** UsefulNotes/TheShinsengumi ("Newly Selected Corps") themselves served as the Shogunate's [[KnightTemplar ronin]] [[SecretPolice police]] hired to suppress the samurai rebellion during the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakumatsu Bakumatsu]] (the final years of the Shogunate).
21	* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kido_Takayoshi Kogoro Katsura]] was one of the leaders of the Ishin Shishi. He escaped from the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikedaya_incident battle at Ikedaya Inn]] and later, with the help of Shinsaku Takasugi, united the factions among the revolutionists.
22	* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takasugi_Shinsaku Shinsaku Takasugi]] was the second-in-command of the Chōshū Ishin Shishi and founder of the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiheitai Kiheitai]], which initially recruited Kenshin.
23	* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okubo_Toshimichi Toshimichi Ōkubo]] was a politician who strove to make Japan a powerful, centralized country by suppressing the feudal system. [[spoiler: He was assassinated in 1878 by unhappy samurai, but in ''[=RuroKen's=]'' [[RealEventFictionalCause version of events]], it was Soujirou/Soujiro/Sojiro Seta who killed him and the samurai [[StealingTheCredit took credit]] for it.]]
24	** Watsuki makes a comparison to the 16[[superscript:th]] President of the United States, UsefulNotes/AbrahamLincoln, with Ōkubo in his author notes. [[AccidentallyCorrectWriting Hilariously and coincidentally]], the [[{{Macekre}} Sony/Animax English dub]] has Yahiko/Yoshi compare Okubo to Lincoln as well.
25	* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okita_Soji Souji/Sōji Okita]] was the first-division captain of the Shinsengumi. Okita was known for his incredible skill with the sword even though he was barely an adult. Soujiro Seta is modeled after him too.[[note]]Okita perished from tuberculosis some time after the skirmish at Ikeda-ya.[[/note]]
26	* Watsuki had Makoto Shishio motivated by revenge and a desire to conquer, therefore making him destructive in a manner similar to that of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serizawa_Kamo Kamo Serizawa]] of the Shinsengumi.
27	** Oume, a woman who was sleeping with Serizawa at the time, was [[CollateralDamage killed along with him]] during his assassination. She might be considered the inspiration behind Yumi Komagata's creation.
28	* Anime-only FillerVillain Shogo Amakusa is a [[CompositeCharacter double shout-out]] to seditious 15[[superscript:th]] Century Christian samurai [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amakusa_Shiro Shirō]] [[UsefulNotes/AmakusaShiro Amakusa]][[note]]that led the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimabara_Rebellion Shimabara Rebellion]][[/note]] and evil [[UsefulNotes/{{Cult}} doomsday cult]] leader [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoko_Asahara Shoko Asahara]][[note]]and his [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aum_Shinrikyo Aum Shinrikyo]] that's responsible for [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsumoto_sarin_attack domestic]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_subway_sarin_attack terrorism]] in Japan[[/note]].
29	* The [[KnightTemplar Black Knights]] are [[TheThreeFacesOfAdam a villainous trio]] of ''The Hunter'' (Lentz), ''The Lord'' (Schneider), and ''The Prophet'' (Melders/Meldars) referencing UsefulNotes/TheKnightsTemplar of historical lore and conspiracy theories.
30	* Enishi Yukishiro's [[TheDragon right-hand man]] [[MarionetteMaster Gein]] is partly based on the [[AxCrazy infamous murderer]] UsefulNotes/EdGein.
31	* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagakura_Shinpachi Shinpachi Nagakura]] makes a full Saito-style [[HistoricalDomainCharacter appearance]] in the ''Hokkaido Arc'' of the manga series, and in true ''[=RuroKen=]'' fashion, he appears as a more historically accurate [[https://kenshin.fandom.com/wiki/Nagakura_Shinpachi middle-aged old man]] instead of his usual [[Anime/{{Hakuouki}} anime]]/[[Manga/{{Gintama}} manga]] [[HistoricalHeroUpgrade appearance]] of a {{Bishonen}}.[[note]]A testimony from an ex-member of the Shinsengumi, [[https://www.japanese-wiki-corpus.org/person/Juro%20ABE.html Juro Abe]], ranked Nagakura as the best swordsman, Okita second, and Saito third.[[/note]]
32
33	!!Anime and Manga References
34
35	* Watsuki has stated that Kenshin's visual model is [[AsianFoxSpirit Kurama]]/[[BecomingTheMask Shuichi Minamino]] from the manga/anime series ''Manga/YuYuHakusho''.
36	** Appropriately enough, Kurama's voice actress Creator/MegumiOgata also voiced Kenshin in the drama [=CDs=], such that Kenshin's TV voice actress and Creator/TakarazukaRevue performer [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayo_Suzukaze Mayo Suzukaze]] probably based her own performance on Ogata's too.
37	** The names of several anime-only characters like "Shura" and "Shigure" seemingly came from the ''Three Kings Arc'' of ''[=YuYu=]'' ''Hakusho''.
38	* Kaoru has rained [[PlayedForLaughs (harmless, of course)]] blows on Kenshin to the sound effects of [[Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar ATATATATATA]] and [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure ORAORAORAORA]].
39	* Sanosuke is also modeled after [[https://order.mandarake.co.jp/order/detailPage/item?itemCode=1127724441&lang=en Lamp]], the main character of Susumu Sendo and Takeshi Obata's ''[[https://myanimelist.net/manga/15303/Arabian_Majin_Boukentan_Lamp_Lamp Mashin Bōken Tan Lamp-Lamp]]''.
40	* According to Nobuhiro Watsuki, Megumi's visual design is based on the young version of the grandmother character from the ''[[Manga/CyborgGrandpaG 'Cyborg Ji-chan G]]'' manga by Takeshi Obata, Watsuki's former mentor.
41	** In turn, Okina's design model is the titular Tokijirō Kaizō from Obata's ''Cyborg Ji-chan G'' as well.
42	* According to Watsuki, Tsubame Sanjo's design model originated from a popular [[Anime/SailorMoon "planet-themed" anime series]], particularly its character symbolized by the "ringed-planet"[[note]][[Characters/SailorMoonMainCast Hotaru Tomoe]]/[[DarkMagicalGirl Sailor Saturn]][[/note]].
43	* Raijūta Isurugi's ''Izuna'', ''Matoi Izuna'', and ''Tobi Izuna'' [[RazorWind techniques]] from the ancient Shinko Ryu swordsmanship school are highly reminiscent of Takeshi Onimaru's [[BlowYouAway cursed sword]] [[TornadoMove powers]] while possessed by ''Fuujin'' (Wind God) from the anime/manga series ''Manga/{{Yaiba}}''[[note]]created by the author of ''[[Manga/CaseClosed Detective Conan]]''[[/note]].
44	** In the 1996 anime, Yutaro Tsukayama's [[DeathByAdaptation late father]] was known as Izu's ''Raijin'', while Raijuta Isurugi featured techniques reminiscent of the wind god ''Fuujin''. They're both shout-outs to Myth/JapaneseMythology lore and (again) ''Keny'u Densetsu Yaiba''.
45	* The way Aoshi performs his ''Onmyou Kousa'' (Yin-Yang Crossing) technique is highly reminiscent of the ''[[AttackPatternAlpha Jet Stream Attack]]'' from ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam''.[[note]]It involves throwing his kodachi in a straight line, so if one is deflected, the other one hidden behind it might land. When Kenshin deflects one and avoids the other, he then gets struck by [[TakeAThirdOption Aoshi's kenpo]].It's akin to the [[CombinationAttack three-pronged]] [[UnblockableAttack attack]] of the [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Black Tri-Stars]]. If you're able to evade or take out one or two of them, the other/s will finish you off.[[/note]]
46	* Kamatari Honjo's visual design is based on Yui Ikari (Shinji Ikari's mother) from ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion''. The [[CreepyCrossdresser concept]] for [[SinisterScythe Kamatari]] originated from a [[VisualPun play on words]] by Watsuki's assistant Eiichiro Oda.[[note]] in Japanese, okama (お釜) is a slang word for homosexual, while the word for a scythe is kama (鎌).[[/note]]
47	* Fuji is the [[FantasticNuke God Warrior]] from ''Manga/NausicaaOfTheValleyOfTheWind''. His design was also influenced by EVA Unit 01 and Unit 02 from ''Evangelion''[[note]](the [=EVAs=] themselves were also based on the God Warriors)[[/note]].
48	* Gein once left a bomb decorated with the [[EarlyBirdCameo Straw Hat Logo]].[[note]]''Manga/OnePiece'' creator Creator/EiichiroOda served as Watsuki's assistant before breaking out on his own.[[/note]]
49	* Watsuki claims that [[YamatoNadeshiko Tomoe Yukishiro]] ended up becoming a [[Characters/NeonGenesisEvangelionTheChildren Rei]] [[EmotionlessGirl Ayanami]] [[ReiAyanamiExpy look-alike]][[note]](because he had no other model for her other than a "super beautiful woman whose intent was unclear" or put simply [[YamatoNadeshiko "cool beauty"]])[[/note]], with the only unique feature being her black pupils.
50	** She also has the same [[MeaningfulName name]] as [[ApocalypseMaiden Sailor Saturn]], who is Tsubame's visual model. Incidentally, Tomoe is often associated with fireflies, which is the given name of her name-alike, "Hotaru" (Firefly).
51	* In episode 5 of the remake, having a [[Creator/TomokazuSugita young Joseph Joestar]] voice Jin-e Udo seems like the perfect ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'' reference, seeing that his version of the ''[[DeadlyGaze Shin no Ippo]]'' technique makes the same sound effect as Dio's TimeStop.
52	** In episode 6, Jin-e even says Dio's signature catchphrase, "''Muda da!'' (Useless!)" when he pounces on Jusanro Tani to assassinate him.
53
54	!!Comics and Cartoon References
55
56	* Kaoru's forearm during the engagement ring filler episode's MegatonPunch scene became rather [[EnhancedPunch muscular]] and gained an anchor-shaped tattoo like a certain [[Franchise/{{Popeye}} spinach-eating sailor]].
57	* Jin-e Udo is an even closer Expy to [[Characters/MarvelComicsGambit Gambit]] than the trenchcoat-wearing Aoshi with his hairdo, faceless head cover "ski mask", [[AnachronismStew era-inappropriate]] skin-tight black "cat suit", and [[BlackEyesOfCrazy inverted eyes]].
58	* Hyottoko is an Expy of [[Characters/XMenBrotherhoodOfMutants The]] [[FatBastard Blob]].
59	* Han'nya has WolverineClaws like the titular ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} from the ''ComicBook/XMen''.
60	* Until the ''Jinchuu Arc'', Aoshi Shinonomori wore [[NinetiesAntiHero Gambit's]] [[BadassLongCoat trenchcoat]].
61	* According to Watsuki, [[SmugSnake Raijuta's]] appearance was originally based on an [[ComicBook/CaptainAmerica American]] {{Superhero}} [[ComicBook/{{Superman}} comic book character]][[note]] who's potentially ComicBook/{{Cable}} or his clone [[CainAndAbel Stryfe]] from the ''X-Men'', which is why he kind of [[HilariousInHindsight looks like]] a villainous [[Manga/MyHeroAcademia All Might]] with [[ShouldersOfDoom feathered shoulder pads]][[/note]].
62	* Arundo Akamatsu is practically [[Characters/WolverineRoguesGallery Omega]] [[MotherRussiaMakesYouStrong Red]] because he has roughly the same facial markings and [[TentacleRope method of attack]] as his mutant counterpart. His name is the [[ThisIsMyNameOnForeign Japanese translation]] of "Omega Red" as well.
63	* Sanosuke wanted a rematch with Saitou to show how much he has grown (in strength, obviously) since their first fight.[[note]] Saitou refuses, both because there's more important things to do (he has Chou/Cho under custody and he's the police's best lead on Shishio at that point) and to piss Sano off.[[/note]]The pissed-off Sano loudly insisted on fighting while entering WesternAnimation/DonaldDuck's [[https://64.media.tumblr.com/a1eab6cd1de27c2ed37e58c0d8f9552e/4224e810db5286f3-68/s500x750/35d38293540360f5483588b0cafbbd6e04e4bcc2.gif old fighting stance]].
64	* Jumping over to Creator/ImageComics, Seijuro Hiko XIII got [[ComicBook/{{Spawn}} Spawn's]] high-collared cape.
65	* The name [[MrFixit "Houji"]] is the Japanese version of the name [[Characters/XMen80sMembers "Forge"]] from the ''X-Men'', as Watsuki wanted [[ChessmasterSidekick Houji Sadojima]] to become a similar support character for the [[StandardEvilOrganizationSquad Ten Swords]].
66	* Hyogo Kujiranami's mouth, muscular design, and use of an ArmCannon are all reminiscent of [[Characters/MarvelComicsApocalypse Apocalypse]] of ''X-Men'' fame.
67	* [[DragQueen Hyoko Otowa's]] design model was a previously rejected "drag queen-ish" villain who wore a lot of lipstick. The six-pronged accessory was borrowed from [[Characters/XMenMarauders Mr.]] [[AgentPeacock Sinister]], who also had black lips and metal spines dangling over him like a festive cape.
68	* Mumyōi Yatsume or the "Nameless" Yatsume is modeled after ComicBook/{{Venom}}.[[note]]According to Watsuki, he's reminiscent of ComicBook/SpiderMan for his gangly limbs and agility, a mix of Characters/{{Carnage}} from ''Spider-Man'' and Wolverine from ''X-Men'' for his clawed "bandanna mask" version, and Venom (also from ''Spider-Man'') for his [[OverlyLongTongue weird tongue thing]] and overall design.[[/note]]
69	* Watsuki gave Enishi glasses since Enishi appeared in the mafia, "shady Chinese clothing" since Enishi lived in China, and a "half-cape" originating from the [[https://static1.cbrimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Gambit-and-the-X-Ternals.jpg version of Gambit]] found in ''[[ComicBook/AgeOfApocalypse X-Men: Age of Apocalypse]]''.
70	* Banjin Inui makes use of [[PowerFist steel gauntlets]] reminiscent of either [[ComicBook/WonderWoman Wonder Woman's]] bracelets (he also uses his gauntlets to deflect bullets) or Sara Pezzini's ComicBook/{{Witchblade}} (similar design). They're also reminiscent of Gully's magical gloves from ''ComicBook/BattleChasers''.
71	** The AU version of Banjin in ''[[AlternateUniverse Rurouni Kenshin: Restoration]]'' dips his fists[[note]](and later, his whole body)[[/note]] in [[MadeOfShiny liquid mercury]][[note]](or a FantasyMetals equivalent of such)[[/note]], which turns them into [[ArtisticLicensePhysics brass]] [[ChromeChampion knuckles]]. Valid fears of [[FridgeLogic mercury poisoning]] aside, Banjin's chrome skin technique is a shout-out to [[Characters/XMen70sMembers Colossus's]] own organic osmium steel skin.
72
73	!!Television and Movie References
74
75	* Watsuki considered turning Han'nya into Aoshi's BodyDouble or twin, like in the film ''Film/{{Kagemusha}}'' by Creator/AkiraKurosawa. However, [[https://kenshin.fandom.com/wiki/Han%27nya#Appearance his face]] behind the mask ended up like the Creator/LonChaney [[https://youtu.be/sa3bHKWZoJg?t=44 version]] of ''[[Film/ThePhantomOfTheOpera1925 The Phantom of the Opera]]'' instead.
76	* The [[BroadStrokes version]] of [[GuileHero Saito]] in ''Rurouni Kenshin'' is more like Creator/ClintEastwood in presentation than his historical counterpart, specifically the Eastwood who played the role of [[CowboyCop Harry Callahan]] from the movie ''Film/DirtyHarry''.
77	* Saizuchi's design model is [[https://japanimedia-ex.com/purin-purin-monogatari-ruchi-shogun-figure-puppet-show-nhk-tv-japan-anime/ Director-General Luchi]] of the Akuda Republic from ''[[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7077202/ Purin Purin Monogatari]]'', an NHK puppet show.
78	* [[MsFanservice Yumi Komagata]] is essentially a version of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYNacMYzGGw Ogin]], a character played by actress [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaoru_Yumi Kaoru Yumi]] in ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mito_Komon Mitokōmon]]'' and its spin-off series ''[[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2338018/ Mitokōmon Gaiden: Kagerō Ninpō-Chō]]''.
79	* The visual model for Shishio's bandaged form is [[WhiteMaskOfDoom Shizuma Aonuma]] from the 1976 film ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Inugami_Family The Inugami Family]]''. Watsuki saw this movie as a child and took influence from it.
80	* When Sano, Saitou, and Kenshin race to the docks to prevent Shishio's plot to destroy the government, Sano shouts the title of an old JidaiGeki television series.
81	* Episode 45 of the anime was entitled "As If in Flight" (翔ぶが如く, Tobu ga Gotoku), which was also the title of the 1990 NHK Taiga Drama detailing the life of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saigo_Takamori Takamori Saigō]][[note]](an Ishin Shishi leader from Satsuma who was among the proponents of the Meiji Restoration, later to be dismissed for rebelling in the fatal 1877 Satsuma Rebellion).[[/note]]
82	** The long-running series theme of the agents of the Restoration being dismissed/eliminated by the Meiji government (and how Shishio is going to [[IronicEcho rub in the government's face]] all their crimes and actions against the Shogunate) was [[InvokedTrope discussed in detail]].
83
84	!!Videogame References
85
86	* Watsuki is a big ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'' fan, frequently writing about it in his manga notes. Kenshin himself even resembles [[Characters/SamuraiShodownIII Shizumaru]] [[ApologeticAttacker Hisame]] from the same series too.[[note]]This is particularly evident with Kenshin wielding an umbrella like Shizumaru during the Marimo filler episode.[[/note]]
87	* Hyottoko's flame technique is reminiscent of Dhalsim's ''Yoga Flame'' from ''Videogame/StreetFighterII''. Han'nya also uses the optical illusion of his striped arms to make them seemingly stretch like Dhalsim's limbs.
88	* Shinomori Aoshi's ''Ryusui no Ugoki'' (Waterflow Movement), ''Kaiten Kenbu'' (Spiral Heaven Sword Dance), and ''Kaiten Kenbu: Rokuren'' (Spiral Heaven Sword Dance: Six Series) are all reminiscent of the magical illusion powers of [[Characters/PunchOut Great Tiger]] from the [[Platform/NintendoEntertainmentSystem NES version]] of the videogame ''VideoGame/PunchOut''.
89	* Raijuta is also modeled after ''Samurai Shodown's'' own [[Characters/SamuraiShodownIII Zankuro]] [[AntiVillain Minazuki]].
90	* Soujiro's only named sword technique is the ''[[IAmNotLeftHanded Shun Ten Satsu]]'' (Instant Heaven Murder) or a combination of the ''[[FlashStep Shukuchi]]'' and ''[[IaijutsuPractitioner Battoujutsu]]''. This is in reference to Akuma's ultimate technique, the ''[[BlackScreenOfDeath Shun Goku Satsu]]'' (Instant Hell Murder) from ''Franchise/StreetFighter''.
91	* The unburnt version of Makoto Shishio is just a slender version of [[Characters/SamuraiShodownII Genjuro]] [[HandsomeDevil Kibagami]] (also from ''Samurai Shodown''), his [[SinisterSilhouettes silhouette]] drawn [[FaceFramedInShadow in shadow]].
92	** Meanwhile, Shishio's flame moves are based on the ones used by [[Characters/SamuraiShodown2DFightingGames Kazuki]] [[PlayingWithFire Kazama]], who also has his own FlamingSword.[[note]]The ''Guren Kaina'' is, in Watsuki's words, "pretty much a rip-off ''Daibaku Satsu''", an explosive GrappleMove by Kazuki in ''Samurai Shodown IV''.[[/note]]
93	** Watsuki might've gotten the name "Shishio" from the name of the final boss of ''[[VideoGame/FuunSeries Savage Reign]]'', otherwise known as ''[[MarketBasedTitle Fūun Mokushiroku: Kakutō Sōsei]]''. The game was released in April 1995 before Shishio was first name-dropped in the ''[=RuroKen=]'' manga around late 1995[[note]](the 7[[superscript:th]] compilation volume was released in October 1995)[[/note]].
94	* Speaking of Kazama, Banjin Inui's [[ArrogantKungFuGuy personality]] and design are based on Kagetsu Kazama as well. He was also [[WhatCouldHaveBeen originally]] going to be one of the Ten Swords and was going to use [[AnachronismStew army-style hand-to-hand combat]] for good measure.
95	* The names of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu [[GrappleMove jujutsu moves and throws]] that Kaoru shows off to Yahiko during the engagement ring filler episode are shout-outs to many famous ''Street Fighter'' throws, particularly the ''[[https://streetfighter.fandom.com/wiki/Hell_Wheel Hell Wheel]]''[[note]](itself a shout-out to the Creator/IkkiKajiwara manga ''Jūdō Icchokusen'' and its SignatureMove involving the user grappling with an opponent and [[RollingAttack rolling forward]] with him continuously until he collapses)[[/note]] and ''[[https://streetfighter.fandom.com/wiki/Somersault_Throw Somersault Throw]]''.
96	** In the same episode, Kaoru gives Sano and Yahiko a [[DoubleStandardAbuseFemaleOnMale Megaton Punch]]. As they're flailing through the air, the input for a fighting game move appears in the corner of the screen. Specifically, it looks like the input of a ''[[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters King of Fighters]]'' or Creator/{{SNK}} FightingGame [[LimitBreak Desperation Move]].
97
98	!!Miscellaneous
99
100	* Kaoru is modeled after Sanako Chiba from the novel ''Ryōma no Koibito'' and the personality of Mifuyu Sasaki from the novel ''Kenkaku Shobai''.
101	* When Misao tried to make Aoshi smile post ''Kyoto Arc'', she [[HotBlooded hot-bloodedly]] [[BreakingTheFourthWall declared]] she would use the work of Japanese comedy troupe [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshimoto_Kogyo "Yoshimoto Kogyo"]] as a guide. This naturally [[DramaticIrony confused]] Okina, as [[BokeAndTsukkomiRoutine Yoshimoto Kogyo]] didn't come into [[AnachronismStew existence]] until the 20[[superscript:th]] Century.
102	* The Sony dub had Saito introduce himself to Sano as [[Theatre/DeathOfASalesman "Willy Lomo"]] instead of "Fujita Goro" in the original Japanese while pretending to be a medicine peddler.[[note]]The peddler or salesman part clued Kenshin in later that he's dealing with a former Shinsengumi member from his past.[[/note]]
103	* [[KidSamurai Yahiko]] and [[ShrinkingViolet Tsubame]] are named after rail lines on the Tokyo subway.
104	* The Black Knights reference the legendary trio of Sir Perceval, Sir Galahad, and Sir Bors, the three knights who were able to find the [[Myth/KingArthurAndTheHolyGrail Mystical Holy Grail]]. The [[MacGuffin Divine Elixir]] serves as their equivalent of the Grail.
105	** The Arthurian reference is further solidified by [[ChivalricRomance Schneider's romance]] with the kunoichi Misanagi[[note]]because many versions of the Holy Grail Quest feature a romance either waiting for Perceval or between his sister and a knight (often Galahad or Bors), or an implied one tying knights to the purity of Christianity[[/note]].
106	* Originally a [[ChameleonCamouflage "camouflage costume character"]], Banjin ended up becoming a [[UsefulNotes/MixedMartialArts "combined martial-arts user"]] in the ''Jinchuu Arc''. It's only appropriate that his MMA shout-out come full circle by having a [[Film/RurouniKenshin version of himself]] be portrayed by famed MMA pioneer [[ConfusionFu Genki]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42Ov8Tlcnlw "Neo-Samurai"]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genki_Sudo Sudo]].
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Context ShoutOut / RurouniKenshin