Rating: 
Summary: Great
Review: Samurai X - Trust and Samurai X - Betrayal would have to be some of the best anime out there though there is a large story line in the two they still manage be put enough slice and dice to enjoy. Still yet, I would not recommend the Samurai X - The Motion Picture in the least bit. The two are so different that if you saw Samurai X - Trust & Betrayal you would be lost in the movie. The movie is, as I can tell, off a TV series that is very different from Trust & Betrayal.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVED THIS!!!!!!!!!!
Review: This anime has to be the best ive bought. Its full of action, romance and suspense.
I cried the first time I watched the anime, Ive watched it dozens of times, and it still hasnt gotten old for me.
the ending left me speechless. suprises just keep coming up.
You should watch the firts anime part, Samurai X, Trust, before this one, and some of the Rurouni Kenshin series. I have all those too. They all add up.
This is a MUST buy. worth every penny.
Rating:
Summary: Best Rurouni Kenshin out there
Review: This is the beginning to the best anime series I have ever seen, that is including the ending (seisouhen) oav's that put a true end to this epic series.
The OAV's are much better than the series, so be sure to check them out.
Very violent...
Rating:
Summary: A true work of art (part 2 |g|)
Review: This DVD presents the last two episodes (30 minutes each) of the Rurouni Kenshin OVA (miniseries), not to be confused with the theatrical film or the main television series.This DVD (and its companion, Trust), presents the backstory of Kenshin Himura (hero of the RuroKen series), during the years of the Imperialist Revolution against the Tokugawa Shoganate (i.e., more than 8 years before the start of the main series). This particular DVD tells of how the Imperialist assassin, Kenshin Himura, becomes a simple farmer of a small town, while hiding from the Shogunate soldiers who are tracking down the scattered rebel forces. The first (3rd) episode is very tranquil and pastoral (aside from some brief establishing flashback sequences), and shows how Kenshin slowly heals his soul, living with Tomoe as husband and wife, first as merely a cover (they don't share the same bed), and then later as reality. It is extremely romantic and tasteful; the one love scene is very moving and understated, and contains no obvious nudity. The second (4th, final) episode shows how a betrayal within the rebel forces puts Kenshin and Tomoe into extreme danger; and explains why Kenshin has an cross-shaped scar on his left cheek. It also explains why he chooses to become a wanderer after the end of the rebellion, leaving behind forever (he hopes) the sword of a killer. There is more action in this last episode than in the first three put together, and I found it to complete the story very satisfactorily, on many emotional levels. The OVA is very different in style and tone from the main series; subjectively, I can't decide whether it's better or worse (the two stylistic presentations are intended for two different target audiences, I think, and both do their distinctive jobs very well). Objectively, the animation is more detailed, nuanced and realistic. Music and sound are at the same high standard (by the same composer, too, I think), but obviously more tragic and epic and even understated than what is sometimes found in the main series. These two DVDs (Trust and Betrayal) stand well together as an independent storyline (it's not necessary to know, or be a fan of, the main series); and in some not-insignificant ways, the film is better than the comparable live-action American Revolutionary War movie _The Patriot_. There are high standards of realism to the film--no hyper-jumps, or vacuum-slinging swords, but merely extremely realistic swordfighting. The violence level is very high, particularly in the second episode of this disc, though not overall as in-your-face brutal as the first episode of the first disc; but it is in keeping with the central point to the film, which is that no matter how necessary killing may sometimes be, it is still a tragedy which threatens to turn the killer (even with the best of intentions) into a monster. Like many of the best oriental fighting-movies (and like the main series upon which the OVA story is based), the underlying message is actually rather anti-violent. Language is roughly PG-13 material. DVD production values are competent, though nothing particularly special. English dubbing is very good, and subtitling makes good sense; both are distinctive enough to be worth going through each, but overall I prefer the dubbing. Not being familiar with the Japanese language, I can't gauge how accurate they are to the original, but they fit what's shown very well. It's difficult to recommend when a fan of the main series should watch this. Fans should definitely get it, but it does contain many 'spoilers' about the history of Kenshin. The best time might be after season two of the series.
Rating:
Summary: "A masterpiece" would be an understatement
Review: Kenshin fans will adore this; non-Kenshin fans will too, unless they have something wrong with them.... (Just kidding!) Although I am more fond of the series' style, the more realistic look to these OVAs is great, though it may take a bit getting used to. Whether or not one's read/seen the Kenshin manga/series, the plot is wonderfully woven, and you get to see what made Kenshin turn from his life of slaying. I recommend this to any and all anime/movie fans, unless you really can't handle blood and gore; these OVAs are full of it, truely earning the "Suggested 17+" label.
Rating:
Summary: For those who want to know the true begining
Review: This set of DVD's Trust & Betrayal are necessary to understand the nature of Kenshin's Battuosai side, these are very serious and show the true development of Kenshin's personality. I think they are a must buy for fans of the series. Basically if someone had questions about Kenshin's early years.. these DVD's settle those questions. I won't reveal what happens... but either rent or buy these DVD's. Fans will definately not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: A stunning conclusion! Don't miss it!!
Review: Short Version - "Betrayal" is part 2 of the two part Rurouni Kenshin OAVs and it chronicles Kenshin's gradual emergence from his shell of sadness. This is the better half of this stunning series, and is both a masterpiece and an absolute must-see. Long Version - Once again, an easy five star rating. Since the American distributors not only decided to rename Rurouni Kenshin but also to sell the OAVs as two separate DVDs, I have to write two reviews. In my review for "Trust" (part 1 & the 1st DVD) I already covered many aspects of this OAV series which do not need to be rereviewed here. So instead, I'll take note of any differences that existed between the two DVDs. Plot: In part 1, Himura Kenshin, famed and feared shadow assassin of the Ishin Shishi, has already laid the foundation of "Trust" which becomes the pivotal center of his "Betrayal". The only question thus becomes "Who is the Judas (infamous betrayer of Jesus in the Bible)?" By the end of DVD 1, Kenshin's life is in grave danger, so he and Tomoe are spirited away to a remote village in Otsu with Tomoe, the woman he met outside a tavern in Kyoto. Posing as a humble married medicine man, Kenshin finds peace for the first time in his short fifteen years. But as with all good things, the calm he comes to share with Tomoe is soon shattered. Watch this DVD to bear witness to the heart-pounding climax and the final unveiling of the legacy of hatred and sacrifice behind Kenshin's famous cross-shaped scar. A solid and engrossing plot that often moved me to tears. 5/5 Pacing: As with the first DVD, the pacing of the story in "Betrayal" is appropriate and gripping. Fortunately, there is more packed into the second half of the Memorial Arc, so the pace picks up a little by the end of Ep. 3, and the rest of the DVD is pure magic. No needless "dragging-on" to be found here. 5/5 Animation: As with part 1, I had the same qualms with the animation. Although admittedly fluid and often lovely to look at, the people still look drugged, the foregrounds still bleed into the backgrounds, and, amazingly enough, the blood has changed shades half-way through the OAV series. Whereas in the first DVD, the blood had a realisitic coloring, part 2 has some bright orange-ish splashing. A minor thing, true, but it does make it rather awkward to feel the expected sorrow and horror when the people look like they're being doused in V8 vegetable drink. 3.5/5 Music: Obviously, the same soundtrack is used for part 2 as in part 1. The only note I can make here is that to notice the originality of this anime series. Different from other action series, the music is used here to both support and offset the storyline. If this is confusing, picture hearing gentle piano music in the background as Kenshin is fighting. Or hearing nothing at all when you would normally expect to hear something. This seamless juxtaposition makes each the music and story all the more excellent. I cannot say this enough: "BUY THIS SOUNDTRACK!!" Every emotion is brought to the surface with a beginning to end listen: happiness, sadness, and every range of feeling in between that can be given no words. Again, there is no J-pop anywhere on this soundtrack. But not to despair - the orchestral sound is heavenly in and of itself, and no doubt, holds the power to convert many anti-classical people into fans of the genre. Quiet piano solo tracks are combined with pounding full orchestral suites - this CD can be fully enjoyed with or without having watched the anime it was meant to accompany. Without question 5/5 Accuracy: Unlike "Trust", the less-than-faithful retelling of the original story from the manga can be readily noticed here. However, the changes made are obviously in the interest of simplifying the tale for viewers new to Kenshin, and are overlookable. Could have been better though. 4/5 Voice Acting (seiyuu): Once again, the voice acting in Japanese is superb. The simultaneous restraint and emotion in the voices of the actors is amazing to the ear. The dubbing is notable, although not top-notch. As with most animes, it's best to stick with the original voice-overs with this DVD. 5/5 OVERALL: Once the scores are averaged, we get an almost perfect score, which I round up to a five. "Trust" had its flaws, as does this half of the series, but in all the little ways that count, this DVD is slightly better. Certainly a more deserving five. But one is not useful without its partner, and I recommend purchasing both and experiencing the magic for yourself. Both DVDs are strong, and this OAV is as touching and wondrous as it is groundbreaking. Rurouni Kenshin has one of the best track records in Japan for the '90s as a hit manga/anime series - watch "Trust" and "Betrayal" to find out precisely why!
Rating:
Summary: The best!
Review: I've never seen such a rough, sad, beautiful and romantic anime. I've seen many of them but this one rules. Great story, breathteaking animation, beautiful music and elaborate characters. All of these elements guide you to the sad end. And I recommend to everybody to watch all the episodes in TV series and of course, last OAV. You won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Oh...my ...gosh.....
Review: This is,by far, the BEST anime I have EVER SEEN! The OAV series is SO much better than the other one (which is still pretty good). When I saw this for the first time, I loved it instantly. I have always been a big fan of Japanese history, so this movie really speaks to me. It's awesome. I reccomend it to everyone. Kids should watch this in school. OK maybe not that but....watch it anyway!
Rating: 
Summary: The Movie not the OVA....
Review: This is a review of the motion picture, hence the title you are looking at, not the series. Many of the DVD references on this page refer to the Samurai X OVAs. While Trust and Betrayal were awesome in animation and plot, the motion picture returns to the television series animation. I thought that the plot was interesting and while the blood and gore might seem fake to some it is done so to provide the sharpness of a remembered scene. I thought that this movie was pretty good, not necessarily up to par with the Trust and Betrayal, but pretty good. I enjoyed watching it. If you like the tv series then you will most likely enjoy the motion picture.
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