It's all about the hair

[Kisharo Dragonwings]

Yami no Hitokiri

Kenshin's hair is "flat" during the Bakumatsu because he keeps it tied back in a tight topknot. It's "poofy" during his wandering years because he just wears it in a low ponytail.

It's interesting to watch how his hair progresses through the manga, from the 80s-style hair of the first few volumes to the cleaner more simplistic look of the Jinchuu Arc.

The only change Watsuki made that I hated was when he lopped off Kenshin's gorgeous ponytail. I mean jeez, by that time he only had a few pictures of Kenshin left to draw. Was he so lazy that he couldn't just keep drawing the ponytail a while longer?

Never mess with a bishounen's sex appeal!

Sessha wa rurouni, de gozaro yo.

Actually Kenshin cuts his hair everytime there's a new era or new beginning in his life. If you research, there are pictures of him as Battousai with his hair short after he received the sakabatou signifying he wasn't going to kill anymore (It grew back out during his wandering days). He cut his hair when Kenji was born because it was the start of the era when he began a family.  

[missy_sheryl]

I like his hair poofy (like in the first few volumes of manga). In and after the Jinchuu arc it sort of lies flat... the sticky out bits died crying  

[poisonarrow713]

i almost died when Watsuki killed kenshin's pony tail. ~.~ i liked his hair later on in teh series when it was a little flatter but not like he just had an electric shock of poofiness in the begining >.< but in samuri x, i dont like how they did the hair. >.<  

[Kimiko Sakato]

I don't really care much... but I did treasure Kenshin's ponytail... cry  

[Angelic_gamer92]

I really can't give my opinion on why his hair changed but I like it better flat. However, it's still cute when his hair is poofy. One way or the other I'm fine with it.  

[Kisharo Dragonwings]

For God Sake...
He cut his hair because of the start of the new Era. I'm gonna have to come back and provide the link where I found that info obviously.  

[mysteriouschic]

It doesn't bother me  

[Silverotter107]

The reason I think they do it really is to just make him look younger.

Also, it reflects his personality. In the manga, he looks so loveable. And, come on, does his hair not scream, "Hug me! I'm a smexy teddy bear!" His face, too, is bigger.

But in Samurai X, his hair and face both are more angular, light, precise, like you might expect froma young, lethal killer.

Well, it's my opinion atleast. xd At first I thought he looked horrible in Samurai X, but now it's grown on me. He's not a loveable teddy bear, mind you, but its still cool. 3nodding