Sagara Sanosuke

In this Japanese name, the surname is Sagara.

Sagara Sanosuke
Rurouni Kenshin character
Sagara Sanosuke on the cover of Rurouni Kenshin Kanzenban Volume 5
First appearanceRurouni Kenshin Act 5: The Fight Merchant
Created byNobuhiro Watsuki
Portrayed byMunetaka Aoki
Voiced by
In-universe information
AliasZanza (斬左)
NicknameSano (English anime only)
AffiliationsSekihō Army (formerly)

Sagara Sanosuke (相楽 左之助) is a fictional character from the Rurouni Kenshin manga and anime series created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. In the English anime adaptations he is known as Sanosuke Sagara and nicknamed Sano. Watsuki, being a fan of the Shinsengumi, created Sanosuke by basing his name and characteristics on that of a real Shinsengumi member named Harada Sanosuke.

Set during a fictional version of Japan in the pre-Meiji period, Sanosuke is a former member of the Sekihō Army. When the group is destroyed by the Meiji Government, he becomes a fighter-for-hire to calm his anger by fighting. During his introduction in the series, he encounters the wanderer Himura Kenshin, who easily defeats him and is able to convince him to stop his mercenary work and instead start protecting people. After that encounter, Sanosuke becomes Kenshin's best friend as well as his partner in most of their fights.

Sanosuke appears in the featured films of the series and in other media relating to the Rurouni Kenshin franchise, including a plethora of electronic games and original video animations (OVAs). Numerous anime and manga publications have commented on Sanosuke's character. Mania Entertainment praised his character development, noting that he becomes more trustworthy and reliable as the series progresses.[10] SciFi.com referred to him as a "video-game icon", and noted how he is portrayed as a "tragic figure".[11] Sanosuke has been popular with the Rurouni Kenshin reader base, placing second in every popularity poll. Merchandise based on Sanosuke has also been released, including key chains, and plush dolls.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Watsuki 2005 99 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Aniplex, Fuji TV (January 31, 1996). "悪の一文字・ ケンカ屋左之助登場!". Rurouni Kenshin. Episode 4. Fuji TV.
  3. ^ Aniplex, Fuji TV (February 7, 1996). "逆刃刀対斬馬刀・ 闘いの果てに!". Rurouni Kenshin. Episode 5. Fuji TV.
  4. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 18, 2022). "New Rurouni Kenshin TV Anime's New Promo Video Reveals Cast for Yahiko, Sannosuke". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  5. ^ 「るろうに剣心」声優一覧│新アニメの全キャスト49人を網羅＆随時更新 (in Japanese). Abema TV. September 15, 2023. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  6. ^ Aniplex, Fuji TV (March 20, 2003). "One Word: Evil. The Fighter Sanosuke Appears". Rurouni Kenshin. Episode 4. Cartoon Network.
  7. ^ Aniplex, Fuji TV (March 21, 2003). "The Reversed-Blade Sword Vs. The Zanbatou". Rurouni Kenshin. Episode 5. Cartoon Network.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference ova was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Johnson, Darius [@DariusJ_VO] (November 15, 2023). "I'M BAD 惡 Proud to be a part of the reboot of the legendary Rurouni Kenshin as English voice of Sanosuke!!!!⚔️ Thank you @mummynyan , @staleybud , and everyone @BangZoom PS, I don't support the actions of the author! Many of the cast have donated to @childrescuecoalition" (Tweet). Retrieved November 16, 2023 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ Lavey, Megan (2002-01-22). "Mania.com Review: Rurouni Kenshin volume 6". Mania Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2009-07-18. Retrieved 2008-01-25.
  11. ^ Robinson, Tasha. "Rurouni Kenshin TV The first steps down a very popular road". SciFi.com. Archived from the original on 2008-04-18. Retrieved 2008-05-01.