Rurouni Kenshin Vol. 5 - Renegade Samurai

Rating:
Summary: Nice eps. COOL, evil manslayers in Raijuta's ambition!!!!!!
Review: This is not the best DVD in the Wandering Samurai arc because I think Shadow elite is(because my favorite bad guy is Aoshi, though he is not really bad). This DvD has the last of that old fart Gohei Hiruma in the Wandering Samurai arc which aside from the first two DVD's of Kyoto is the only arc I have seen (Hey! I'm working on finding the other eps for the other two arcs.) I haven't seen the OVA's (Samurai X) because they are rated 17^. It is not the best because of the first and last episode on this DVD. They are not so important to me because they dont have a lot to do with the storyline. I dont want to spoil this DVD but before I depart to look for other stuff to review I will say why its 13^.
1. violence (Not neccesarily the most violent)
2. mild language (worse if you turn on the subtiles)
3. Blood. (Its in all Rurouni Kenshin episodes)
And by the way will someone finally say what Samurai Deeper Kyo is rated and what it is rated for? I need to know that way I finally have something else to do with my money.

Rating:
Summary: The only things that will make us immortal are our swords...
Review: Immensely popular in Japan, "Ruroui Kenshin" is an anime series about the intrepid journeys of a masterless roving samurai named Himura Kenshin, an idealist whose Reverse-Blade sword is only sharpened on the backside so that it cannot kill anyone. But the fates repeatedly tempt him to go back into full Battousai ("man-slayer") mode. This is the standard motif for these episodes, in which Kenshin is helped by his friends, Karou Kamiya, the idealistic, passionate and fiery Assistant Master of the Kamiya School, Yahiko Myolin, an orphaned pickpocket from a samurai family, and Sanosuke Sagara, a former opponent who has given up his hatred of all things Imperial.

Volume 5 contains five episodes (Episodes 18-22), including a three-part tale. Episode 18 "Run, Yahiko: Get back the Reverse-Blade Sword Back!" finds the youthful ambition of young Yahiko causing him to actually turn over Kenshin's reverse-blade sword to a bad guy because of empty promises. This sets up the three-part story in which Kenshin and his friends come across a country mansion owned by the wealthy Tsukayama family and where they find that the young master of the house, Yutarou, is looking for someone to teach him swordsmanship. However, it is not Kenshin, but a vengeful samurai named Raijuta who becomes the young boy's mentor and second father.

Episode 19, "Raijuta's Ambition: Dream of a Forbidden Kingdom" sets up the conflict, specifically in terms of Raijuta trying to turn the clock back on the Meiji Restoration and have things return to the good old days of swords rather than guns. Episode 20, "Revival of the Shinko Style: The Technique Which Heralds a Storm" finds Yutarou and Yahiko repeatedly butting heads over not only their skill as "swordsmen," but also the reasons for learning such skills in the first place. Meanwhile, Raijuta has brought together the best warriors in the land to bring about his kingdom and restore their pride, and the authorities are out to stop him. Episode 21, "The Dissolution of a Nightmare: Rajitua's Ambition Concludes" has Rajitua and Kenshin finally drawing swords, and Yutarou literally getting in the middle of the fight and learning a few brutal lessons.

This three-parter covers a lot of the fundamental themes of "Rurouni Kenshin," in terms of the new world created by the Meiji Restoration, Kenshin's vow not to take a life, and the reasons for studying the sword. Although there are some new wrinkles, such as Rajitua's Izuna ("vacuum") stroke, we have covered this ground before. If anything, this trilogy represents a variation on the original Yahiko storyline.

The final offering, Episode 22, "First Train Ride: Danger on a Runaway Locomotive!" is basically a comic relief episode in comparison to the rest of this DVD's dramatic action. Karou insists the gang enjoy the extravagance of the new steam engine and take a train ride to Yokohama. This becomes an anime version of "The Great Train Robbery" because there is a good shipment on board and some pirates are after it and have to be dissuaded by Kenshin and the gang. There are lots of comic fights in this one (those annoying scenes where the pupils of the characters disappear and their faces become all distorted), but after the relative seriousness of the previous episodes this sort of makes sense.

Volume 5 of "Rurouni Kenshin" does not offer any classic episodes of the popular anime, but these five are certainly representative of the strengths of the series. The extras on the DVD include an on-going glossary of Japanese terms that the series uses, taking pains to explain in simple language so that younger viewers will understand the meaning and significance of these concepts. It is that serious tone to the series overall that makes up for the periodically intrusive comic interludes.

Rating:
Summary: The only things that will make us immortal are our swords...
Review: Immensely popular in Japan, "Ruroui Kenshin" is an anime series about the intrepid journeys of a masterless roving samurai named Himura Kenshin, an idealist whose Reverse-Blade sword is only sharpened on the backside so that it cannot kill anyone. But the fates repeatedly tempt him to go back into full Battousai ("man-slayer") mode. This is the standard motif for these episodes, in which Kenshin is helped by his friends, Karou Kamiya, the idealistic, passionate and fiery Assistant Master of the Kamiya School, Yahiko Myolin, an orphaned pickpocket from a samurai family, and Sanosuke Sagara, a former opponent who has given up his hatred of all things Imperial.

Volume 5 contains five episodes (Episodes 18-22), including a three-part tale. Episode 18 "Run, Yahiko: Get back the Reverse-Blade Sword Back!" finds the youthful ambition of young Yahiko causing him to actually turn over Kenshin's reverse-blade sword to a bad guy because of empty promises. This sets up the three-part story in which Kenshin and his friends come across a country mansion owned by the wealthy Tsukayama family and where they find that the young master of the house, Yutarou, is looking for someone to teach him swordsmanship. However, it is not Kenshin, but a vengeful samurai named Raijuta who becomes the young boy's mentor and second father.

Episode 19, "Raijuta's Ambition: Dream of a Forbidden Kingdom" sets up the conflict, specifically in terms of Raijuta trying to turn the clock back on the Meiji Restoration and have things return to the good old days of swords rather than guns. Episode 20, "Revival of the Shinko Style: The Technique Which Heralds a Storm" finds Yutarou and Yahiko repeatedly butting heads over not only their skill as "swordsmen," but also the reasons for learning such skills in the first place. Meanwhile, Raijuta has brought together the best warriors in the land to bring about his kingdom and restore their pride, and the authorities are out to stop him. Episode 21, "The Dissolution of a Nightmare: Rajitua's Ambition Concludes" has Rajitua and Kenshin finally drawing swords, and Yutarou literally getting in the middle of the fight and learning a few brutal lessons.

This three-parter covers a lot of the fundamental themes of "Rurouni Kenshin," in terms of the new world created by the Meiji Restoration, Kenshin's vow not to take a life, and the reasons for studying the sword. Although there are some new wrinkles, such as Rajitua's Izuna ("vacuum") stroke, we have covered this ground before. If anything, this trilogy represents a variation on the original Yahiko storyline.

The final offering, Episode 22, "First Train Ride: Danger on a Runaway Locomotive!" is basically a comic relief episode in comparison to the rest of this DVD's dramatic action. Karou insists the gang enjoy the extravagance of the new steam engine and take a train ride to Yokohama. This becomes an anime version of "The Great Train Robbery" because there is a good shipment on board and some pirates are after it and have to be dissuaded by Kenshin and the gang. There are lots of comic fights in this one (those annoying scenes where the pupils of the characters disappear and their faces become all distorted), but after the relative seriousness of the previous episodes this sort of makes sense.

Volume 5 of "Rurouni Kenshin" does not offer any classic episodes of the popular anime, but these five are certainly representative of the strengths of the series. The extras on the DVD include an on-going glossary of Japanese terms that the series uses, taking pains to explain in simple language so that younger viewers will understand the meaning and significance of these concepts. It is that serious tone to the series overall that makes up for the periodically intrusive comic interludes.

Rating:
Summary: More Excellence From Rurouni Kenshin
Review: In this DVD Kenshin and the gang first have to get the reverse blade sword back from Gohei Hiruma, who tricked Yahiko into stealing it, then they have to protect a young European rich kid from a swordsman whose special technique is to slice things without his sword touching them(the kid thinks this guy wil lteach him swordsmanship when all he relly wants is to use his estate to build an empire, there is a very comedic scene in this small little 3-episode saga when Kenshin forgets NOT to go rushing into the woman's bath without wearing any pants.....

lastly, Kenshin and the rest of the gang go on a train ride(though Sanosuke had to be practicly held on there by Kaoru) to Yokohama, and the train ends up getting robbed

Overall this is a wonderful DVD continuing in the high-quality Rurouni Kenshin standard

Rating:
Summary: A fairly good volume
Review: Kenshin and friends continue on their journies in volume 5 of Rurouni Kenshin. Episode 18 once again focuses on developing Yahiko's character as a swordsman, and marks another appearance of everyone's favorite stock villain, Hiruma. Yahiko wants to become a real swordsman like Kenshin, and is tricked by Hiruma to steal Kenshin's sword and use it to fight him. Of course, Hiruma's real plan is to hire someone to kill Kenshin when he's left without a weapon. It's up to Yahiko to escape and return the Sakaba-Blade to Kenshin before he's killed.

In episodes 19-21, Kenshin and pals visit a huge lodge in the countryside owned by the Tsukayama family. Yutaro, the young heir to the Tsukayama family wealth is looking for someone to teach him swordsmanship, but Kenshin isn't looking for an apprentice. Yutaro meets Raijuta, conveniently also a swordsman who saves Yutaro from the brink of death. Raijuta agrees to take Yutaro in as his apprentice, but it turns out Raijuta is just looking to fund a revolution on the Tsukayama wealth. Overall, these three episodes are quite entertaining together.

In episode 22, the gang gets a taste of western technology as they go on their first train ride. Sanosuke is wary of the whole idea of magically moving horse-free carriages, and when Kaoru insists they get their picture taken, hilarity ensues. The train is coincidentally being used to transport gold from one city to another, and that can only mean one thing: Japan's first train robbery, with Kenshin around to act as the Deus ex Machina.

The video and sound quality is all-around excellent, except for the opening and ending themes which still look like they were transfered from third-generation VHS tapes. The translation is accurate, but still uses the annoying literal translations for many of the Japanese terms. Overall, this is a fairly good volume worth buying, but it's not nearly as good as the upcoming Kyoto stories...

Rating:
Summary: Kyoto at its best
Review: Personally, the Kyoto storyline has always been my favorite out of all associated with Rurouni Kenshin, and these episodes are one of those periods where you just have to sit back and enjoy what's before you, rather than over-analyze what it may have or lack. One of my younger sisters in particular loves the episode concerning Yahiko and the disappearence of the reverse-blade sword. A good DVD to have if you're in the mood for a less intense, but still enjoyable Kenshin experience.

Rating:
Summary: More filler episodes
Review: Rurouni Kenshin is a great anime. It is an anime that spans 95 episodes, 4 OAV episodes, and 1 movie. This DVD is what I call 'filler episodes' meaning not pertaining to the large story at hand. These can easily be passed off and not seen as such a large part of the story. It's a DVD where Kaoru Kamiya teaches this kid how to fight using her style and they train together (Yahiko trains also). My memory is a little fuzzy about these 5 episodes. Anyway, after this DVD marks the beginning of what people think was the best story in Kenshin. It's marked as the Kyoto Part. It is the part where Kenshin goes to Kyoto to face another enemy. This part of the story introduces new characters and will keep your interest and biting your nails for wanting the next volume after that! Definately keep continueing to buy Kenshin because it is a great series. Plus, Media Blasters is doing a fine job pumping out all these great DVDs. And also Media Blasters does the best Dub songs I've heard! Except they use the same person to sing all the songs .. but I guess that's not that important :)

Rating:
Summary: More filler episodes
Review: Rurouni Kenshin is a great anime. It is an anime that spans 95 episodes, 4 OAV episodes, and 1 movie. This DVD is what I call 'filler episodes' meaning not pertaining to the large story at hand. These can easily be passed off and not seen as such a large part of the story. It's a DVD where Kaoru Kamiya teaches this kid how to fight using her style and they train together (Yahiko trains also). My memory is a little fuzzy about these 5 episodes. Anyway, after this DVD marks the beginning of what people think was the best story in Kenshin. It's marked as the Kyoto Part. It is the part where Kenshin goes to Kyoto to face another enemy. This part of the story introduces new characters and will keep your interest and biting your nails for wanting the next volume after that! Definately keep continueing to buy Kenshin because it is a great series. Plus, Media Blasters is doing a fine job pumping out all these great DVDs. And also Media Blasters does the best Dub songs I've heard! Except they use the same person to sing all the songs .. but I guess that's not that important :)

Rating:
Summary: Another good buy
Review: The series move on and Kenshin faces another challenge. I will keep this review short so I won't bored the readers with junk. 2 words MUST BUY.

Rating:
Summary: Really 3.5--at least it's better than the previous DVD...|g|
Review: This volume contains another five episodes ('eps'), 18-22. The distinctive arc-eps for this DVD (eps 19-21, concerning Raijuuta) probably count as critical eps; but they don't have much impact the underlying story. (They do circumstantially set up one of the better 3rd season arcs; and are at least referred back to once by a future canonical ep.) Eps 18 and 22 are not critical eps and, unlike the Raijuuta arc, don't seem to come from the original manga series.

After the significant drop of DVD #4, the threat-level comes back up somewhat: there is a good (although short) fight scene bridging eps 19 and 20, where Kenshin actually has to resort briefly to Battousai mode; and Raijuuta is dangerous (and ruthless) enough that Kenshin almost slips into Battousai mode again at the climax of the arc. Still, Raijuuta's main tactic is (as the manga explicitly points out) very much the same in principle as Sano's was; and his defeat entails merely dodging long enough to get (unlike Sano) one good blow against him.

One of the interesting things about the Raijuuta arc, is that in some ways it is expanded and yet in some ways condensed from the original manga issues: the first time in the anime series where this happens. In my opinion, the rather major changes from the original story (like most of the minor ones) are actually for the better. (Although I did miss my favorite line from the manga: Sano tells the arrogant Raijuuta, who is mocking Kenshin's--temporary--departure, "You don't have a single clue, do you? You just pissed off the most terrible man in the world..." |g|)

I found the first ep of this DVD (ep 18) to be somewhat implausible in its central concept: it asks us to believe, that at this point in the story, Yahiko could be goaded into _stealing_ Kenshin's reverse-blade sword! But once the plot-element is in place, the ep does a good job of fleshing out the implications of the theft (including the reasons why Yahiko did it). The threat level is a little higher than usual for filler eps, and the villains a little more colorful.

The final ep of the DVD (ep 22) is another semi-comedy ep, involving Kenshin & Co's first ride on a steam locomotive (one of the first such in Japan). The train is also carrying British gold, and so becomes the target of a train-robbery; and some fun is had with this concept. The ep does a fair job hampering Kenshin, thus keeping the relative level of threat at an interesting level. This ep features some coastal pirates (the train typically runs on a dike along the coast, out of a prudent local fear that coals from the smokestack will set towns on fire) who do not seem to be the same group featured later near the end of season one. Sano and Kaoru's debate about what exactly is making the locomotive run (steam or ghosts!) was very amusing. I recommend watching this ep right before the theatrical feature (see my review of it for further reasons.)

The annoying opening title music ('Freckles') is still in place, as well as the inferior of the two first-season end-title credit sequences (although there is a clever segue between the music at the end of ep 22, where Kenshin and Co. have their photograph taken, and the end-title music). There is no outtake collection (possibly for the last time in the AnimeWorks DVD release, if my memory serves correctly). The dubbing remains at its usual high quality, and all the main vocal actors are still on board.