incarnation of Yahiko underwent a major character arc in his battle. In the Critical Survey of Graphic Novels: Manga, multiple writers acknowledged how both Yahiko and Sagara Sanosuke spend their time in the series searching for ways to become stronger. However, they do it for a heroic reason which is assisting Kenshin. His design in the OVA series has drawn acclaim as one of the few to be well translated from his original manga design by Mike Crandol from Anime News Network. In the second review from the OVA, Crandol liked that Yahiko appeared several times in contrast to the previous OVA in which he was "written out" so that the story would focus more in Kamiya Kaoru and Kenshin's relationship. He also noted his battle against Himura Kenji to be very entertaining, but not as much as the previous fight which was between Kenshin and Yukishiro Enishi. Ridwan Khan from Animefringe noted the fight between Yahiko and Kenji had been long awaited, it was mostly overshadowed by Kenshin and Kaoru's ending. References External links Anime and manga sidekicks Child characters in anime and manga Comics characters introduced in 1994 Fictional Japanese people in anime and manga Fictional kendoka Fictional male martial artists Fictional samurai Fictional swordfighters in anime and manga Male characters in anime and manga Martial artist characters in anime and manga Orphan characters in anime and manga Rurouni Kenshin characters