Samurai X - Reflection (Rurouni Kenshin)

Rating:
Summary: Redemption
Review: I put off buying this video because of some of the earlier reviews. I'm glad that in the end I decided to get it. And I want to begin this review by saying that I have watched both movies and the TV series as well.

If the writer had had Himura Kenshin born at the beginning of the Tokugawa and not its end, this would have been a happier series. Then Kenshin could have gone around the country righting wrongs, probably wearing a regular sword, and taking comfort in the belief that even though there had been lots of bloodshed, he had helped create peace after the civil wars of the 16th century.

But here is Kenshin, a noted swordsman, born as the era of swordsmen was coming to a close. He is a man out of place in his time. Not only that, the blood he shed has helped create a new government that does not live up to his ideals. You can tell this from the TV series as well as the movies.

Now I suppose this could have had a happy ending, Hollywood-style, in which he dies happily at the age of 90 or so surrounded by his loving family and loaded down with honors from the government. To achieve this, however, Kenshin would have had to live through the 1920s and 1930s and suffer even greater disappointment. After all, the promise of the Meiji period, which was far from perfect, was not realized in the early 20th century. So when I first began watching the TV series, I never imagined a perfectly happy ending, unlike some of the other reviewers of this film.

So here's a guy who helped create a new government by killing its opponents. Then the new government turns out to be imperfect. What to do? Defend the weak against oppression, I guess we can say, and that is what he does in the TV series, wearing a reverse-bladed sword so that he need not kill again. The TV series also makes it clear that Kenshin feels great remorse for the killing that he has done in the past. How can there be a happy ending unless that remorse is lifted from his spirit?

In Reflection, he is 15 years older. Unlike some earlier reviewers, I don't want to put a lot of the plot into this review. The only drawback I find is that there are too many flashbacks.

I do want to talk about the ending - that is, the ending before the credits, the ending for Kenshin and Kaoru, as there is another ending for the minor characters after the credits. Yes, it is sad. But I think that it is a magnificent ending: a sign appears (or rather disappears) that indicates that Kenshin has achieved the redemption that he had sought for so long. I do not believe that any ending could have been more powerful than this one.

Rating:
Summary: you probably won't feel neutral about it...
Review: Star ratings don't really cover it - you either love this or you hate it.

The animation is excellent. The re-worked character designs aren't quite to my taste, but they grew on me, and the fights are beautifully done. It's an excellent sequel to the first OVA sequence, Trust & Betrayal. It's just that it's not such an excellent sequel to the manga.

Those who claim this is true to the manga must not be very familiar with it. As soon as the flashbacks start you'll notice scenes that are staged differently from the version seen in the manga, and the differences just get more obvious as they get further into the story. The supporting cast played a much larger role in the manga version; it's entirely up to the viewer which version is preferable, but just be aware that they're different.

It's no doubt becoming clear which version I prefer. I got attached to these characters. I thought the manga ending was both perfect and appropriate. I liked the manga characterization as well, and in this, both Kenshin and (especially) Kaoru behave much differently than they had in the past. I like my drama leavened with humor and my characters possessed of some ability to move on and let go of the past.

If you liked the manga or the anime series, and have never thought while watching them "this would be great if it had more angst," you probably want to stay away from this. If you preferred the previous OVA, go for this - you'll love it. It's a beautifully-done and genuninely tragic story. It's just not one I wanted to see. FOR ME, the story ended with the manga.

Rating:
Summary: Watsuki!! What have you done?!?
Review: Okay, to begin with, i haven't purchased this part yet. But i've read enough to know how bad this is. i've seen the OVAs and the series. Nobuhiro Watsuki, i hope you see this. You're an awesome guy, but why did you let some goof take over the series and end this wonderful story just like that? The OVAs were good, no complaints. The motion picture was quite a bit boring, but it's ok. But the stuff after the Kyoto Arc in the series, sheesh!! They're awful!! Things don't connect. It's like a whole new story. A crappy one! I even taped the DVDs of the episodes after the Kyoto Arc to the casing and wrote "Do not view." Now this? Kenshin dying of some stupid disease? He deserves more than that. Watsuki should've taken care of that part and left us an open ending. Please think of this Watsuki, are you there?!?!? If at all possible, pull the stuff after the Kyoto Arc and the Reflection movie out of the market and remake them. Please!

Rating:
Summary: this is perfect
Review: THIs is pure perfection and anybody with a narrowminded opinion that it isn't the true ending,its bad,or anything else negative thats been said about this.they can DIE!!!! WITH THEIR DUMB OPINIONS!!!

Rating:
Summary: Rurouni Kenshin; A truly paramount series
Review: I must say, this movie made me cry to a point that I started to weep for Kenshin as if he were an actual person i had lost. Terribly sad and joyous simultaneously, this movie is a must see for anyone who wants to know what real anime is. The characters are so well developed, that you feel you are connected to them and their adventures throughout the rurouni kenshin series. The music will take your breath away. The musical score is unlike anything I've heard before. This series is truly paramount, a must see for anyone. The beautiful swordfights throughout this series are the best fights ever to grace a TV screen. There are no words to describe how beautiful and life-like everything seems in this series, it's as if Nobuhiro Watsuki had transported us back to the blood-soaked times of the Bakumatsu Revolution. This series throws all other anime to the curb. There is not one word to sum up this entire series, you just have to see it to believe it.

Rating:
Summary: Aww... it's over...
Review: This is a really great movie. It's second to Trust and Betrayel. This shows the ending of the series. I was really sad at the end. I was sad to see the perfect series end, but it was a fitting ending. This DVD will make you hurt inside. After it, you'll feel sort of a hollow, cold ache. Watch it only after every other Kenshin DVD. It is the end, after all.

Rating:
Summary: Really good, and really sad!
Review: Samurai X-Reflection is a break from all of Action of all the other Kenshin stuff, since I have seen everything in the Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X) Department. Anyway, in this OVA it is over 10 Years later from the T.V. Series, and Kenshin and Kaoru got Married, and had a son, named Kenji (Look's just like his Father), And Yahiko is still staying at the Kamiya Dojo, but Sanosuke wandered off sometime after the T.V. Series I guess, and Miss Megumi moved to Izu. With Kenshin being gone for a while, Kaoru is really depressed, and so she falls Ill and has Memories of the Past, then a few Day's later Sanosuke finds Kenshin staring out into the Ocean, half-dead. So Sanosuke takes Kenshin to where he lives and goes out and get's some Fish, and throws one to Kenshin, and Kenshin couldn't catch it (Just got me so saddened), then Sanosuke got him a new Liver from a Tiger so that he could make it back to Japan. Before he some on that, Yahiko went to go get Kenji, he was Training under Seijiro Hiko (Kenshin's Master), and so Kenji went home. Then with the little time Kenshin had to Live he went and saw Kaoru one last time and died right in here lap (I cried my eyes out, I would never of thought Kenshin could die, but all of those time getting hurt, and using the Hiten Attacks it took it's toll and 'caused Kenshin's death, and soon Kaoru's.). Also before he left he gave the same Illness he had to Kaoru.

Rating:
Summary: It Depends on Who You Are
Review: Who you are can sometimes determine whether or not you enjoy something. Samurai X Reflection is without a doubt a very beautifully animated feature. It has the deep emotion and realistic swordfighting that can make any viewer feel something. I know that I did. I am a true Rurouni Kenshin fan, but I must admit, I was disappointed with this future that was created for Kenshin. As a person who has a strong connection with the character of Kenshin, I believe that his life should have ended happily. Atoning for past sins and living to serve others is a life of joy, happiness, and growth, I know that from experience. A happy ending, I believe, is what was intended for Kenshin. So, I believe that's how it should have been animated. That is my opinion. Because I am a person deeply connected to Kenshin's character, and because I know what I know through experience, I didn't enjoy Samurai X Reflection like I expected I would. I still watch it though, and I respect this interpretation of how Kenshin's life could have continued after the TV series. It is not the ending I would have created at all. However, I understand completely that every person is different with different experiences, so I understand why most fans love this DVD. I like it too, but I just believe that it should have turned out differently, more like the manga. I believe happiness is the destiny for a strong character like Kenshin.

Rating:
Summary: Samurai X - Director's Cut
Review: i have actually not watch the OVA yet,What i actually wanted to know is that, does this OVA have a Director's Cut version? as i would much prefer to watch the Director's Cut version rather then the normal one. Well, If any One knows please do e-mail me at [e-mail]

Thankx a Million~!

Rating:
Summary: Well you either hate it or love it...
Review: There doesn't seam to be any middle ground on this one. Basically almost the entire film is a (very) edited repeat of what happened in the books. (Yes the books, not TV series. Other people have stated that only the beginning is a repeat and then there's another story. NO - it's the story of the book) Which isn't very good, if we didn't know the plot already it's really hard to follow on top of which it might be closer then the TV-series but they still changed a few things. Also the ending is completely made up.
But let's review it for what it is 'Another Kenshin Movie'. The animation is on the same standard as before and the soundtrack it ok. For those that have been waiting for a kiss between Kenshin and Kaoru this is a must, since it's the only time it will ever happen.
Other then the repeating of the story there isn't a lot of plot to this. Kenshin is married to Kaoru (with a son - who goes to train with Kenshin's old master) and leaves her on various journeys. he becomes very ill (so does Kaoru because she wants to share his pain?!) and Kaoru constantly awaits his return...

If you like Kenshin and know the story and go ahead and by it. But if this is your first introduction to Kenshin (even if you have seen Trust and Betrayal) then I would advise against it. All in all it is a disappointing conclusion.