WHY IS KENSHIN'S HAIR RED?

[samuraichikX]

alright since there is a bit of confusion with the guy kenshin is based on i've decided to quote something from the manga that watsuki wrote about here goes:

Kawakami gensai was one of the four great hitokiri, or assassins, of the revolutionary (bakumatsu) period. he was short and skinny, and could be mistaken at first glance for a woman. contrary to his appearance tho he was clever and clear headed despite also being mose dreaded among all the hitokiri.

master of an original sword style called shiranui-ryu kawakami is famous for felling the great idealist Sakumi Shozan in one swing, in mid day. kawakami is nevertheless a mysterious figure, however as there are no certain records of his other assassinations.

after the revolution and unable to let go of the idea that japan should remain closed to the world kawakami found himself in frequent conflict with the revolutionary government. ultimately, he was accused of a crime he did not commit and executed in the 4th year of the meiji.

(watsuki) as i researched further, it began to occur to me that the story wasnt so cut and dried. what this hitokiri could not let go of was his duto to his fallen comrades, and to the men that he had killed. it's this that gave me the initial idea for the kenshin character. as for others, there is the selflessness of okita soshi of the shinsengumi and the mysterious quality of saito hajime...but, then again, who knows.

hope this helps ^^  

[fungrl515]

I think the color red was chosen to 1) make him stand out, and 2) to show Kenshin's blood-stained past and how no matter where he goes, he is constantly reminded of it by the color. I think it is both symbolic and just practical to make him easily recognizable.  

[cycloneoldaccount]

I've only met one asian, and old chinese lady, with naturally red hair. Very rare. I know I'm random, so sue me. I thought it was interesting.  

[Youkosama]

fungrl515

I think the color red was chosen to 1) make him stand out, and 2) to show Kenshin's blood-stained past and how no matter where he goes, he is constantly reminded of it by the color. I think it is both symbolic and just practical to make him easily recognizable.

Well, as the autor of the anime/manga has allowed information of, kawakami gensai, born with red hair, was a slight influence on the character Himura kenshin. It wasnt so much to make him stand out or remind him of his past, his past was gave back to him through nightmares of the past and war trauma. I have studied almost everything in my grasp on Kawakami Gensai, he is a major influence in my life, some would call this a role model.

I do beleive that kenshin was half-based on kawakami, however, not fully, due to the historical guidlines and facts on kawakami. But yes, the red hair was influenced by kawakami, or so, this is what the autor has hinted at.

^_^  

[chocolateee]

because too much pplz that the blood stained his hair heart  

[Bibliophillic]

Why not? This is anime, after all. Nothing HAS to make sense, especially regarding hair color. anyone whose seen any anime can tell you that.

Plus, It's just cool.  

[Enishi-san]

Bleach = Same thing.  

[C0FFIN]

kenshin's hair is red because it makes him look cool.  

[NewtypeS3]

Let's also not forget that in Japan, the color red is pretty much the heroic color.  

[Lady Boleyn]

I think watsuki made Kenshin's hair red so that he would stand out more as the main character, and because, well, black hair and dark brown eyes on every one gets boring after a while.
Personally, in my own little world, I liked to think that his mommy was Irish or something. LOLZ. Weird I know....  

[Athrun 789]

I do not know why it is red but in talk2hand

 

[santannamoss]

becuz it is stare stare JK  

[flutflut]

i don't know why but i think it's cute.  

[d a s Z o m b i e]

I'd say to make kenshin stand out.  

[Deathfire-san]

It got dyed with blood from all his kills.
I jest, he was born like that.