Samurai X - Reflection (Rurouni Kenshin)

Rating:
Summary: A must see for fans of the TV series.
Review: Samurai X - Reflection is the conclusion of the Rurouni Kenshin TV series while Samurai X trust and betrayal is the prequel to the TV series. Reflection gives you a quick overview of the TV series then finishes the story. After the overview, we find that Kenshin marries Kaoru and they have a child. While Kenshin was not the best husband or father, it was important for him to make atonement for all the deaths he has caused even if it meant being gone a lot and exposing him self to leprosy. While Kenshin was home Kaoru allowed her self to be exposed to his leprosy, because of her great love for him. In the end Kenshin and Kaoru found each other. And his atonement now complete the X shaped scar disappeared and his swordsmanship name Kenshin was changed back to Shinta. He had now come full circle; I think that the ending is very beautiful.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful animation, depressing OOC plot.
Review: I bought the Region-2 DVD of this director's cut before the domestic release of the original version, so this was actually my first exposure to it. I was forewarned by summaries and spoilers about how much of a downer it would be, but boy, is this OVA a downer. Although the animation is as beautiful as the first OVA (Trust/Betrayal), its dramatic structure is imho much weaker due to various factors.

The first half of Reflections is built around fragmentary recaps which can't be fully understood without prior familiarity with the original manga and/or the parallel first two seasons of the tv series. The plot then proceeds through the manga's Jinchuu Arc in a manner that's only slightly less cursory, and similarly requires foreknowledge of either those manga volumes (not yet translated by Shounen Jump as of the DVD's release date) or the Trust/Betrayal OVA, or optimally both.

And then there's the whole question of how the OVA depicts Kenshin's behavior after the manga timeframe; in many fans' opinion, he completely reverses the direction of character development that was shown throughout the manga, negating the peace he'd supposedly found. So while Reflections is dependent on its context, it simultanously undermines that context's core themes, which is a really irritating paradox.

A mitigating factor in the Director's Cut is that it adds some happy scenes that weren't present in the original version: Kenshin's second wedding; early scenes from his marriage including the birth and childhood of his son. Kaoru and Saitou also have a brief conversation about, er, something. (Maybe if I actually understood Japanese I could attempt a summary.) Nitpickers will be entertained to note that the wedding is grossly anachronistic, as the "traditional" Shinto ceremony wasn't invented until 1900.

Still, the animation really is dang beautiful. The recaps of key fights from the manga/anime are full of grace and power; in more introspective scenes, individal cherry petals or fireflies float weightlessly through the air. The character design is slightly different from either the first OVA or the tv series, but certainly recognizable and vital.

In the long run, while you kinda have to be a diehard RK fan to really appreciate this OVA, most diehard RK fans may end up in a maelstrom of pathos and indignation by the end. Watch at your own risk, and keep some tissues ready-- even if you don't need them for your eyes, other people nearby may need to stuff them into their ears.

Rating:
Summary: An unreal end
Review: I truly love this OVA evan know it is very good i cant exscape the fact that these characters do not seem to be the same.Karou was not herself in reflection i know her love was deep for kenshin but she seemed unreal,her love was deep for him in the series but she was still the funny, joyful,loud swordswoman she always was but with more love in her heart because of kenshin.The same with yahiko megumi and sanoske.It felt like Karou turned into tomo kenshins first wife,a soft spokened loving caring wife who would never leave kenshins side.Im very sure karou would become something like tomo but in her own way.Plus after what happend in the series with yahiko taking kenshins sword to fight gohei hiruma the crazed ediot who would stop at nothing to kill kenshin for breaking his thumb it looked as if kenshin would never let yahiko touch the reverse blade sword again. To end this it's hard to believe that all of the characters hardcore rurounie kenshin fans have come to love could change so much. In a way i dont know these people but overall reflection is a good story sad but good and the big change is it's only downfall. I agree with other reviewers because the animation is just unbelievable and i wish they used it for the series.