HIMURA KENSHIN, The main character... a wanderer trying to make up for a bloody past by protecting people with a Sakabatou (reverse-bladed sword)he wishes to make-up for the many lives he has taken
KAMIYA KAORU, A budo instructor who has taken on her father's dojo - she teaches sword techniques for defensive purpose and protection rather than a form for killing... she loves Kenshin, but neither will admit it openly
SAGARA SANOSUKE, once a member of a proud militia group - he turned to the mafia after the govt. used and framed them for their dirty deads - He wanted revenge for his leader, but joins Kenshin after realizing the harmful and illegal things he has done for his revenge
SHINOMORI AOSHI, a member of a group of ninja called the Oniwabanshu - he becomes obsessed with the idea of his technique to be strongest, having felt he lost that title to Kenshin back at the end of the EDO Dynasty; he seeks to prove it by defeating him... he turns his back on himself and his fellow ninja for this goal
MISAO, part of the ONIWABANSHU, of which Aoshi was leader, she loves Aoshi - though they are seperated by several years and opposing views. She believes there is still hope to save him and longs for the day to see him smile