Rating: 
Summary: Kyoto Arc moving toward climax...
Review: Ever since I first saw Rurouni Kenshin in fansubs 3-4 years ago, it has been my favorite anime series of all time, and to me, the Kyoto Arc is surely its pinnacle. I'm more interested in characterization than action, so I tend to dislike very combat-oriented animes, but the series of battles that resolves the Kyoto Arc is not only excellent action, but has such human interest behind it that it never fails to satisfy, even for a "chick flick" lover like me.And that's what fills this tape, with episodes 48-52.
48 finishes Sanosuke's battle with Anji (begun in 47 on the previous tape). We learn of the tragic past that turned Anji into the vengeful "Myouou," and those memories are what brings the fight to resolution.
49 is Saitou vs. Usui ("Battle of the Creepy Guys" as I like to say ^_~;) and does a great job of showcasing both of them.
50 and 51 are Kenshin's promised rematch with Shinomori Aoshi. Another reviewer complained of this fight being talky, and they have a point, but I actually like that about it; this fight with all that talk effectively brings Aoshi's character the resolution that's been pending since episode 11, and pushes Kenshin to his limits as well.
The end of 51 and all of 52 are devoted to the battle at Aoiya: Yahiko vs. Henya, Kaoru and Misao vs. Kamatari, and the Aoiya Oniwabanshu vs. Iwanbou. Yahiko, Misao, and Kamatari especially have wonderful moments in here. (I do want to point out a pun in the original Japanese; two words for "scythe" and "gay" are both pronounced "kama", so the realization about Kamatari was "So it's not a kama-onna (scythe girl), it's a kama-otoko (gay man)." I've seen fansubbers try to keep the pun with horrid results, so I respect Anime Works just bowing out of it.)
The tape ends with Kenshin headed toward his battle with Soujiro, and with the appearance at Aoiya of the Juppon Gatana's "secret weapon"---quite a cliffhanger!
This tape also begins the "It's Gonna Rain!" end theme, which I think is RK's best. Being used to some pretty lackluster fansubs, the picture quality of Anime Works' version, to me, was beautiful and refreshing, and despite some conspicuous "guest artist" episodes (notably 50), RK's art is always strong---notice especially the wonderfully varied lighting effects. The subtitling was good overall; the timing was perfect, but being an obsessed fan who knows a tiny smattering of Japanese, I did catch a few translation nits. For example, at the start of this tape (reiterating the end of ep 47), Sano tells Anji "It's too late to pray for me," when he actually said "it's still early", and the credits give Anji's surname as "Yukuyama" when it's actually "Yuukyuuzan", but after the first episode, I relaxed into it, and I don't think there are any translation problems to get worked up about. All in all, I think Anime Works did a good job, and although I wouldn't suggest this tape as someone's first taste of RK, being that it's right in the middle of the show's largest, most complex story, this one has my hearty recommendation!
Rating:
Summary: Kyoto Arc moving toward climax...
Review: Ever since I first saw Rurouni Kenshin in fansubs 3-4 years ago, it has been my favorite anime series of all time, and to me, the Kyoto Arc is surely its pinnacle. I'm more interested in characterization than action, so I tend to dislike very combat-oriented animes, but the series of battles that resolves the Kyoto Arc is not only excellent action, but has such human interest behind it that it never fails to satisfy, even for a "chick flick" lover like me. And that's what fills this tape, with episodes 48-52.
48 finishes Sanosuke's battle with Anji (begun in 47 on the previous tape). We learn of the tragic past that turned Anji into the vengeful "Myouou," and those memories are what brings the fight to resolution.
49 is Saitou vs. Usui ("Battle of the Creepy Guys" as I like to say ^_~;) and does a great job of showcasing both of them.
50 and 51 are Kenshin's promised rematch with Shinomori Aoshi. Another reviewer complained of this fight being talky, and they have a point, but I actually like that about it; this fight with all that talk effectively brings Aoshi's character the resolution that's been pending since episode 11, and pushes Kenshin to his limits as well.
The end of 51 and all of 52 are devoted to the battle at Aoiya: Yahiko vs. Henya, Kaoru and Misao vs. Kamatari, and the Aoiya Oniwabanshu vs. Iwanbou. Yahiko, Misao, and Kamatari especially have wonderful moments in here. (I do want to point out a pun in the original Japanese; two words for "scythe" and "gay" are both pronounced "kama", so the realization about Kamatari was "So it's not a kama-onna (scythe girl), it's a kama-otoko (gay man)." I've seen fansubbers try to keep the pun with horrid results, so I respect Anime Works just bowing out of it.)
The tape ends with Kenshin headed toward his battle with Soujiro, and with the appearance at Aoiya of the Juppon Gatana's "secret weapon"---quite a cliffhanger!
This tape also begins the "It's Gonna Rain!" end theme, which I think is RK's best. Being used to some pretty lackluster fansubs, the picture quality of Anime Works' version, to me, was beautiful and refreshing, and despite some conspicuous "guest artist" episodes (notably 50), RK's art is always strong---notice especially the wonderfully varied lighting effects. The subtitling was good overall; the timing was perfect, but being an obsessed fan who knows a tiny smattering of Japanese, I did catch a few translation nits. For example, at the start of this tape (reiterating the end of ep 47), Sano tells Anji "It's too late to pray for me," when he actually said "it's still early", and the credits give Anji's surname as "Yukuyama" when it's actually "Yuukyuuzan", but after the first episode, I relaxed into it, and I don't think there are any translation problems to get worked up about. All in all, I think Anime Works did a good job, and although I wouldn't suggest this tape as someone's first taste of RK, being that it's right in the middle of the show's largest, most complex story, this one has my hearty recommendation!
Rating:
Summary: Kenshin RULES!
Review: I've already seen 2 of the recent DVDs. Rurouni Kenshin: Shadow of the Wolf and Rurouni Kenshin: Ice Blue Eyes. Both are wickedly cool. Definitely action-packed, so much drama and seriousness, and a bit of humor too. I just can't wait to see the next episodes. I love Kenshin very much. In fact, I even made a sketch of him, just out of inspiration. It's the truth if you don't believe me. I'll be posting it someday in my webpage. Wait and see! Anyway, Kenshin's the man!
Rating:
Summary: 100% Kenshin Goodness!
Review: In my humble opinion, the episodes on this DVD are the pinnacle of all that is good in the Kenshin universe, excluding perhaps the final battle with Shishio. It begins by continuing the Sanosuke vs. Anji fight. The two battered men continue to attack each other savagely, and the tragic past of Anji the monk is revealed. Then, Saito, who hasn't seen much serious action for many episodes, faces Usui, the blind warrior. However, it's not an easy fight; he finds that his gatotsu is ineffective, as Usui easily predicts his attacks and counters with incredible accuracy. Meanwhile, Kenshin goes to face the third combatant, Sojiro the Tenken, but he is met with an unexpected challenger. The time has come for the destined rematch between Kenshin and Aoshi Shinomori. Aoshi, who has thrown away everything he values in order to defeat the Battousai, proves to be an extremely powerful opponent. His swift, fierce attacks with his double kodachi overpower Kenshin, who quickly realizes that he isn't facing the same Aoshi from the Kanryuu estate. To make things worse, the Aoi-ya is being attacked by five of the Juppongatana. If you've been disappointed with the previous Kenshin discs because there hasn't been much action, this one's gonna give you a swift kick in the arse and then slap you around a few times. The animation in these episodes is excellent, and you get a new closing sequence in addition to the regular extras. You even get five episodes instead of the usual four! Buy this disc, you'll want to watch this one over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: One Vengence Arc is Completed
Review: In this long awaited set of episodes, Sano completes his fight with Anji, and Saito fights Usui, but the real drama comes from a suprise "vengence" fight between Kenshin and Aoshi. Aoshi swore to kill Kenshin (or be killed) way back in episode fifteen, and finally gets his chance to avenge the slaughtered members of his group. Kenshin, however, is restrained by a promise to bring Aoshi back to Misau. When Aoshi launches a "no holds barred" attack--can Kenshin defeat him without reverting back to Battousi the Man Slayer? Meanwhile, just to keep you on your toes, three members of the Juppengata turn up with 150 armed soldiers to take out Kauro, Yahito, and Misau... and grandpa cannot help them because of his previous fight with Aoshi! Will Kenshin's master arrive to save the day... or is all lost? This series of episodes is packed with suprises! It's a must!!!! (...)
Rating:
Summary: Tons of Battles!!
Review: The continuation of Sano's fight with Anji isn't over. Just as we thought the big guy was KO'd, he's back and ready more than ever. However, this isn't the only fight in this DVD. We get to see Kaoru and Yahiko fight against the rest of Shishio's group. Kenshin fights against Aoshi in a bookroom and Saito fights against Usui, the blind guy. This DVD contains 5 episodes filled with great fights. You won't want to miss it!
Rating:
Summary: The promised fight must occur...and it shall occur now...
Review: the first episode on this disc is the ending of Anji and Sanosuke's battle, Sanosuke shows that he has learned something from hanging around with Kenshin for so long the second is Saito vs Usui, we get to see Saito's newest and most lethal variation of Gatotsu, the Zero shiki Gatotsu the next two are Aoshi vs Kenshin, this is probubly the third best fight, though its mainly alot of talking, its got its good points the last one is good, even though it was edited(do NOT watch it dubbed in english) and its more humorous than a serious fight....untill a guy named Fuji shows up.... all in all its good, and is necessary to know whats gonig on next...get the next two dvds (innocence and experience, and fire requium) so you don't miss anything for a second...
Rating:
Summary: Kenshin Coolness
Review: This DVD contains episodes of the Meji Revolution. People say this is what makes the Kenshin series what it is. It's spectacular. The quality is the best, too.
Rating:
Summary: Kenshin Vs. Aoshi
Review: This DVD contains one of my favorite fights in the series, Kenshin vs. Aoshi. Aoshi wields his dual kodachi masterfully in this fight, and is too much for Kenshin unless Himura uses his ultimate technique, the ama-kakeru-ryu-no-hirameki, the Succession Technique. These are some great episodes, and combined with the Soujiro fight, make up for the sub-par finish with Shishio.
Rating:
Summary: Juppongatana Assembled
Review: This DVD has five episodes. Sanosuke finishes his fight with Anji, Saito challenges Usui, and Kenshin fights Aoshi. Oh yeah, Kaoru, Yahiko, and the Oniwabanshu fight three other villians. Well, I have to say that Anji and Sanosuke's fight was poignant. Saito vs. Usui fight is pretty cool. At first, I though it was a boring fight, but it grew on me over time. Aoshi vs. Kenshin fight was ok, but Kenshin was talking too much. They both said "Shikijou, Hyotogo, Beshimi, and Hannya" so many times it gets really irritating. And last but not least the fight with oniwabashu and three juppongatana. That fight was good too. If you didn't buy faces of evil, than don't get this one. You have to see the whole Kyoto Arc, not just parts of it! If you can't afford the DVD, than buy the VHS subtitled in english verson. OK, BYE
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