Rating: 
Summary: Another Work of Art
Review: Oh my gosh. This is one of the best anime I have seen in my life. It has EVERYTHING, or three bricks short. This DVD will feature the last few episodes of the battle between Makoto Shishio. I won't spoil anything, but here's the review.
Animation-This is some of the best artwork an anime can produce. The water shimmers as it does in real life, and is the most realistic thing I have ever seen in an anime. Fires look pretty good, battle sequences are full of action and full of movement and flexibility. 5/5
Music-I never cared much for "It's Gonna Rain!" or "One Half", but I came to like them, mainly because of the animated sequence with it. I personally thought "One Half" was much to quick, but that is how Japanese is said, quickly. I originally heard the MIDI version of "It's Gonna Rain!", and though it sounded like crappy Mario music from the original SNES game, Super Mario Bros., but the MP3 is so much better and fuller. 3 1/2-5
Voice Acting-Not all that bad. Kenshin's voice was well selected, Shishio's was as well, suprisingly, Yumi's was pretty good. It wasn't too young, nor not too old, just right. Misao's and Kaoru's sounded too young, and so did Yahiko's. Sanosuke's voice was pretty good, I believe Lex Lang did his, whom was featured in .hack//SIGN as well. 3 1/2-5
Dub-The most dreaded part in anime. The dub. I can't remember which company did this one, but it was great! There might have been, what, three parts that were off? All of it at least most of it was relating to the dub, if not exact. Dub wins 4/5.
Overall Rating-5 out of 5, woo hoo! Dub was great, musis was pretty good, voice acting was great for the most part, animation was beautiful, heck, this is one of the best. Probably one of the top ten anime existing in America, as far as dub and whatnot.
All combined with romance, comedy, and action, this is a must-see. Rated 13^ for somewhat graphic violence, a little bit of language, and death. Nothing too serious, just Makoto Shishio stabs his sword through Yumi and into Kenshin, plus it shows Shishio being burned alive from fighting too long, him, Yumi, and Houji in Hell, only it is a big place with blue rocks. No adult material, definitely recommended for ages 11-13^.
Rating: 
Summary: Finally.....the fight is on
Review: OK, I am going to try to give the reader the most insights I can without spoiling the surprises of this DVD.So far, the Legends of Kyoto series is the best. Well, it was great up until the end. Kenshin's fight with Shishio had to be the most drawn out fight ever. I love the anime series, but sometimes I just want to say "Finish already." I cannot beleive they used 3 episodes for the Kenshin vs. Shishio, Saito vs. Shishio, Sano vs. Shishio, and Aoshi vs. Shishio. Sure that sounds like a lot, but those fights lasted for not more than 5 minutes each. I was rather bored with most of the dialog because they are just reviewing what happened. If you've seen Samurai X: The Movie, you would understand what I am talking about on how they repeat scenes over and over again. Anyway, enough about my gripes. Other than those minor faults, I am happy with my purchase. It was nice for them to do a wrap-up episode to inform us of what happened to the surviving members of Shishio's crew, and it was pretty cool to know that Kenshin's master may be in future episodes. As cocky as he is, Hiko III is a rather entertaining character to watch.
Rating:
Summary: Ok,One Word:AUESOME!!!!!
Review: OK,this where kenshin finally beats Shishio!!!I like the part when Kenshin uses his special attack on Shishio. The outtakes are REALLY,REALLY funny!Any way it is really good!!If you have it on VHS throw it away and get the DVD!!Because on the dvd they show you a preview of the next series!:Rurouni Kenshin-Tales of the meji.Also,i'm sorry about my little brother"sonic killer".He's grounded for 2 weeks and he can't come to this website ever again!!I don't like sonic either but hey, everyone has their own opinion!!(look at my other reviews,kingdom hearts,final fantasy x,tekken 4,tekken tag,and action replay p.s.2!)
until next time,
KENNY ~_~ >_< :) :(
Rating:
Summary: Ok,One Word:AUESOME!!!!!
Review: OK,this where kenshin finally beats Shishio!!!I like the part when Kenshin uses his special attack on Shishio. The outtakes are REALLY,REALLY funny!Any way it is really good!!If you have it on VHS throw it away and get the DVD!!Because on the dvd they show you a preview of the next series!:Rurouni Kenshin-Tales of the meji.Also,i'm sorry about my little brother"sonic killer".He's grounded for 2 weeks and he can't come to this website ever again!!I don't like sonic either but hey, everyone has their own opinion!!(look at my other reviews,kingdom hearts,final fantasy x,tekken 4,tekken tag,and action replay p.s.2!)
until next time,
KENNY ~_~ >_< :) :(
Rating:
Summary: The Kyoto Arc resolved... Beautiful!
Review: Rurouni Kenshin's Kyoto Arc, my favorite story arc of my favorite anime series ever, comes to a close in this tape, and believe me, it's a satisfying ending, despite the fact that in my opinion, the final battle with Shishio is really not the best. This tape includes episodes 58-62.
58-60 complete the final battle with Shishio, begun in episode 57 (on the previous tape, Innocence and Experience). As I said, this fight is *not* my favorite. Both physically and mentally/philosophically, neither side will budge. It's altogether proper for Kenshin's powers of heart and persuasion not to sway Shishio himself, but since that's my favorite thing about RK's fight scenes, for me, this one lacks the emotional power of the previous fight with Soujiro. On the level of physical combat is where the problem is worst, however. Despite my love for RK and the Kyoto Arc in particular, I was half-tempted to give this tape four stars because about the first hour of it is just Kenshin and co. hammering ineffectually at a seemingly invincible foe; everyone uses all their flashy special techniques (almost all of them anyway), none of it really gets us anywhere, and some of Shishio's parries are frankly ludicrous. I lose patience with it all by the end of 58, but 59 was more of the same. Episode 60 at last gets to the meat of the fight, and this part really is quite good. Yumi steals the show, and this battle's resolution is unforgettable.
61 and 62 are the Kyoto Arc Epilogue, and when I said I was half-tempted to give this tape four stars, in the end I had to give it five because these denoument episodes are excellent. In 61 we find out the fates of Shishio and his followers, and in 62, Kenshin and his friends all reflect on their experience and return home. A very special goodbye in Kyoto and a very special welcome home in Tokyo complete this absolutely satisfying conclusion. These days I hear a lot of talk about "the true ending" of RK. Some may say it's the last volume of TV episodes (End Song), some say the new "Reflection" OVAs, some say it's only to be found in the manga. I understand those viewpoints, but for me, Fire Requiem is the true ending. I know that there were more episodes/OVAs/etc. and more great moments after this (which I don't want to turn you off from buying!), but to me, the tale that begins in the Trust and Betrayal OVAs is here beautifully brought all the way around to resolution. Of course you have to see everything prior to this tape to fully appreciate these episodes, but if you see RK up to and including Fire Requiem, I give you my word, you'll be glad you did!
Rating:
Summary: The Legend of Kyoto epic comes to a fiery conclusion
Review: Season Two and the epic "Legend of Kyoto" story arc comes to an end on "Rurouni Kenshin: Fire Requiem," the fourteenth collection of episodes of the Japanese anime, as Kenshin Himura fights for the future of the Meiji era against Sishio: Episode 58, "The Age Chooses Shishio?: Kenshin's Greatest Crisis," finds Kenshin down and out, with Saitoh and Sano in not much better shape to face Makoto Shisio. But they go up against him nonetheless to stop Shisio's quest to rule Japan. Episode 59, "Not Out of Luck!: The Revival of a Fighting Spirit" finds that only Aoshi Shinomori, already weakened by his fight with Kenshin, is left to stand against Shisio. Meanwhile, Kenshin's thoughts on the edge of death turn to Ms. Kuro. Episode 60, "The Man Who is Chosen for Victory: Shishio Verus Kenshin, Finale" tells you from the start that all the death matches between Kenshin and Shishio are finally going to come to an end. Despite all of his evil deeds, Shishio saves the worst for last before meeting a most fitting fate. At this point in the series Beethoven's 13th Piano Sonata ("Midnight Blue") is introduced as a recurring music theme that is used to good effect throughout the rest of the season. Once again the villain has an Achilles heel that saves the day for our hero, but at least this time there was a physiological twist that had to do with how Shisio was so badly burned. Episode 61, "The Juppongatana who Remain: A Choice for Life" begins the two-part epilogue to the Kyoto storyline as Kenshin and the others are finally reunited and take time to heal before considering where their paths must go next. Episode 62, "Kyoto, the Engraved Memory: Begin with a Wish" finds Kenshin and his friends finally returning home to Kuro's dojo, but not before Kenshin makes a visit to a very special place. The characters might be back together again, but given everything that has happened they are changed, and we should see some interesting developments off of this in the third season of "Rurouni Kenshin" (to wit, Kenshin and Kuro might finally talk to each other about their feelings).
Extras on this DVD include the usual Liner Notes and a good sent of ad-libbed Outtakes, but this time there is also an Attack List that translates each of the attacks of Kenshin, Anji, Sanosuke, Saito, Misao, Aoshi, Shishio, Chou, Henya, Hannya, Raijuta, Jinei, Kamatari, Okina, Usui, and Yahiko. So now you can appreciate the difference between the Ryu-tsui-sen (Dragon Hammer Flash) and the Ryu-shou-sen (Dragon Fight Flash), and, of course, the Sou-ryu-sen (Twin Dragon Flash). There are also messages from the various characters that make for a nice touch at the end of Season Two.
Rating:
Summary: The Legend of Kyoto epic comes to a fiery conclusion
Review: Season Two and the epic "Legend of Kyoto" story arc comes to an end on "Rurouni Kenshin: Fire Requiem," the fourteenth collection of episodes of the Japanese anime, as Kenshin Himura fights for the future of the Meiji era against Sishio: Episode 58, "The Age Chooses Shishio?: Kenshin's Greatest Crisis," finds Kenshin down and out, with Saitoh and Sano in not much better shape to face Makoto Shisio. But they go up against him nonetheless to stop Shisio's quest to rule Japan. Episode 59, "Not Out of Luck!: The Revival of a Fighting Spirit" finds that only Aoshi Shinomori, already weakened by his fight with Kenshin, is left to stand against Shisio. Meanwhile, Kenshin's thoughts on the edge of death turn to Ms. Kuro. Episode 60, "The Man Who is Chosen for Victory: Shishio Verus Kenshin, Finale" tells you from the start that all the death matches between Kenshin and Shishio are finally going to come to an end. Despite all of his evil deeds, Shishio saves the worst for last before meeting a most fitting fate. At this point in the series Beethoven's 13th Piano Sonata ("Midnight Blue") is introduced as a recurring music theme that is used to good effect throughout the rest of the season. Once again the villain has an Achilles heel that saves the day for our hero, but at least this time there was a physiological twist that had to do with how Shisio was so badly burned. Episode 61, "The Juppongatana who Remain: A Choice for Life" begins the two-part epilogue to the Kyoto storyline as Kenshin and the others are finally reunited and take time to heal before considering where their paths must go next. Episode 62, "Kyoto, the Engraved Memory: Begin with a Wish" finds Kenshin and his friends finally returning home to Kuro's dojo, but not before Kenshin makes a visit to a very special place. The characters might be back together again, but given everything that has happened they are changed, and we should see some interesting developments off of this in the third season of "Rurouni Kenshin" (to wit, Kenshin and Kuro might finally talk to each other about their feelings).
Extras on this DVD include the usual Liner Notes and a good sent of ad-libbed Outtakes, but this time there is also an Attack List that translates each of the attacks of Kenshin, Anji, Sanosuke, Saito, Misao, Aoshi, Shishio, Chou, Henya, Hannya, Raijuta, Jinei, Kamatari, Okina, Usui, and Yahiko. So now you can appreciate the difference between the Ryu-tsui-sen (Dragon Hammer Flash) and the Ryu-shou-sen (Dragon Fight Flash), and, of course, the Sou-ryu-sen (Twin Dragon Flash). There are also messages from the various characters that make for a nice touch at the end of Season Two.
Rating:
Summary: The End of Kyoto
Review: The DVD Fire Requium is the last in the Kyoto series, and definately one of the best. The last five episodes, are truly remarkable, and not because of the climactic final showdown between Kenshin and Shishio. These last episodes deal with some of the deepest themes in the series, such as: Does winning a fight make the victor the one who was right in the end? and Do the the strong exist to protect the weak, or to use them as food? After the battle is over, it is then that the characters make the most important discoveries about themselves and each other. That is the real heart of it all. But, I have to admit, I totally loved the fight scenes too!
Rating:
Summary: Final Showdown
Review: The final fight is super cool and I can safely say that I am not at all disappointed. These five episodes keep you glued to your seat. Shishio seems to be an invincible [dude], but he is human after all. Well, I think he's a freak of nature. Anyway, the Kenshin gumi gives their all, but is it enough? You have to find out yourself, [right?]. Buy this now or [ELSE]! ...
Rating:
Summary: A Rurouni's Finest Hour
Review: The Kyoto Arc is my personal favorite of all the Rurouni Kenshin storylines, be they manga or anime. It really goes deeper into Kenshin's past, his character, and the people who care for him than any other season in the series. Fire Requiem is where it all goes down. Not only does Kenshin have to face his replacement and nemesis, Makoto Shishio, but he must defeat him without reverting to the Hitokiri Battousai, the killer mentality that nearly stole his humanity during the Bakumatsu period. He is aided by allies and enemies alike, all drawm together against a common foe, and the final blows are certainly something to remember. Many consider this the end of the Ruouni Kenshin saga in any way shape or form. They are wrong, but this is a great end to a wonderful storyline, and the translation from manga to anime form couldn't have been better. The DVD package is made all the sweeter by a few gems in the extras (the cast REALLY had fun with the outtakes) and, of course, the spectacular Heart of Sword as the ending episode theme. No Kenshin collection should be without it.
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