Saito is a better role model than Kenshin.

This debate concerns the anime Rurouni Kenshin: Wandering Samurai http://www.absoluteanime.com... (Actually Kenshin was never a samurai.) The fictional story is set ten years after the Meiji Restoration, which makes it about 1878. The main character is Kenshin Himura, a master swordsman and assassin in the war who swears off killing as a consequence of certain tragic events. Kenshin uses a sword with the cutting edge reversed so he will not kill as he fights for justice. The whole anime series ran for 95 episodes, enough to introduce dozens of characters who interact with Kenshin. http://www.geocities.com... Plot themes include redemption, friendship, commitment, and heroism. The series was immensely popular in Japan and among anime fans around the world. The series ran on Japanese television from 1996-1998, and was released on DVD in English from 2000-2002. It remains an anime classic. The character Hijime Saito http://www.absoluteanime.com... is featured in a major plot sequence referred to as the Kyoto Arc. He is a police officer who previously served in a position similar to Kenshin's during the war. He is charged with taking down the very evil dude Shishio, who threatens to take over Japan, and he must get Kenshin's help to do so. In the video clip, Saito (black hair and determined expression) challenges Kenshin in an attempt to show that Kenshin's skills have dulled since the war, so Kenshin will need to pick up the pace to defeat Shishio. Kenshin's romantic interest, Kaoru looks on. http://www.youtube.com... One reason for the success of the Kenshin series is the interesting set of characters having distinct traits and personalities. Characters that have no quirks or strong traits do not make for interesting fiction, so they are sharply drawn. This leads to various fan quizzes on "What Rurouni Kenshin character are you most like?" http://www.reverseblade.com... That's not the subject here, but it is somewhat in that spirit. I'm asking, "Who is the better role model?" and offering Saito as the preferred alternative to Kenshin. A person who serves as a model in a particular behavioral or social role for another person to emulate. http://www.answers.com... This grants that neither is ideal, because if they were ideal, they wouldn't be so interesting. The context is the role model for dealing with difficult, life-or-death situations as depicted in the series. Kaoru, for example, would be a better role model for teaching grade school. 1. Kenshin's determination to never kill places his friends, including Kaoru, at unnecessary risk. It puts the future of the country at unnecessary risk. In the anime, his serious opponents implode in various ways at critical moments so that Kenshin preserves his pledge, but it's a bad idea to depend upon that happening in real life. Saito has no such restrictions and does what needs to be done. 2. Kenshin is forever vacillating, unable to commit to his love for Kaoru, way past the point where he ought to. Saito is married; he does not fear commitment. 3. Saito is ingenious, thinks long term, and works to a plan. He obtains Kenshin's support in defeating Shishio. He goads Sanosuke http://www.geocities.com... into properly preparing himself to be a useful ally in the campaign against Shishio. Kenshin sets some goals, like defeating shishio, but does not formulate a strategy. He plays in by ear. 4. Saito remains focused on what is important. He is stoic and rational. He seeks justice and is not deterred. Kenshin is forever pondering personal considerations that should be subordinate in a life-or-death crisis. So while Kenshin is a more interesting character because of his hang ups, Saito is better role model for dealing with crisis. The resolution is affirmed.