The new series will feature Kenshin as the protagonist, and it will have five "arcs."

Watsuki and his wife Kaoru Kurosaki published a two-chapter prologue titled "Rurouni Kenshin Hokkaido-hen Jomaku: Ashitarō Zenka Ari" (Rurouni Kenshin Hokkaido Arc Prologue: The Criminal Ashitaro, pictured at right) for the manga in the Jump SQ. magazine in November and December. The manga featured a new protagonist named Ashitaro. Viz Media's digital Weekly Shonen Jump manga magazine published the prequel in English in December.