Rating: 
Summary: The end of Kenshin.
Review: I just got ADV's Rurouni Kenshin Reflection dvd yesterday. I have for the most part seen all of the tv series and have both previous oav dvds. I felt that this was a very good movie, albeit very depressing. The animation was wonderfully done, the music was outstanding and fit well with the story being told. With the story in mind, if you haven't followed the tv series your going to miss a lot in the way of certain characters and how they came about and their development. The ending to this movie I felt was appropriate. Kenshin in all his life has known nothing but the pain and suffering of those around him. For him to finally find the peace he wanted was gut wrenching to watch as he left Kaoru behind. Once again this an excellent movie, I won't give any of the details to this as it would spoil the movie.
Rating: 
Summary: A fitting end to this legendary swordsman
Review: A very depressing ending, the "Reflection" story nevertheless, touches the heart. The graphics are beautiful and although my only real gripe is that the Enishi arc was changed a bit and also perhaps more could have been done with it. But I think the ending was more than appropriate.I've been reading many people saying how it's stupid that Kenshin becomes weak and dies of an illness. Last I checked Kenshin is human. He bleeds and he breaks. And, he ages.
Regardless of how skilled or legendary you are in your prime, age will catch up with you. It's real and it's what I loved about the Kenshin series. Many of his conflicts, feelings and emotions though not always his fighting seemed real, almost as though he existed. In some ways, I think he did. Thus as a person gets older, they succumb to natural causes. Sure, Kenshin suffered broken bones and blood loss, but that doesn't compare to the toll that a neurological disease like leprosy can take over long periods of time. SARS, the new found super pneumonia, can take any healthy person and put him or her on a respirator in 5 days. Resting a broken bone allows you body to recover and mend. Fighting a disease never allows your body to rest. And you can only fight so long. I would rather see Kenshin pass away from natural causes than be killed in a battle, and ruin his legacy. I don't think Kenshin was ever meant to be the immortal swordsman. As Kenshin's own master said, you're not a God and you're not a demon. Just a man. In a way, even though the ending hints at Kenshin's death, it can be interpreted in a happy way. Kenshin, after many years, finally resolves his conflicts. Atonement for the deaths he has caused. The death of his wife. His answer to her. Finding a new life and love, and in the end even in his weakend state, he finds peace within himself. The ending brings a closure and peace to a life full of hardship for an extrodinary character. The legacy of Kenshin and finally Shinta, will live on.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, But Kenshin? I think not.
Review: A nice anime overall, but most definately NOT Rurouni Kenshin. It was depressing to the point it made the previous OVAs look like care bears, and was mostly a recap of previous things. Truthfully, the main reason I liked it was because it revealed Kenshin and Kaoru got married. Even if Kenshin was dying of a disease? and fought in another war? I think?
Rating:
Summary: Not for Kenshin newcomers
Review: If you are new to Kenshin (or Samurai X, whatever), do NOT watch this. This DVD contains what is essentially the END of the whole Kenshin storyline, and it contains a LOT of flashbacks to previous events. If you are new to Kenshin, you should start by watching the Rurouni Kenshin TV series or the Trust & Betrayal (aka Tsuiokuhen) OVA series. For those of you familiar with Kenshin, this DVD contains a 2-part Reflection OVA (aka Seisouhen) which takes place 15 years after the TV series. Almost all of the 1st episode and about the half of the 2nd episode are recaps of everything that has happened in Kenshin previously, told somewhat through Kaoru's viewpoint. The rest of the 2nd episode gives a nice, sentimental ending to the whole Kenshin saga. In fact, the whole OVA is filled with nostalgic, sentimental atmosphere (fittingly, I suppose, since it IS mostly flashback), and although the action sequences are well-animated, you would not call this OVA "action-packed." This OVA is obviously intended to give a sense of closure to the Kenshin saga, and it should be taken as such. Now, some Kenshin fans may not be happy with the kind of closure this OVA gives, but I'll leave that up to you to decide.
Rating:
Summary: Reflecting on "Reflection"
Review: One of the most disturbing images in the new Kenshin OVA Reflection, is to see Kenshin failing in the grip of some sort of disease. This illness however, is a reflection of two distinct things: in the story presented here, Kenshin is not afflicted with some earthly disease such as leprosy or turberculosis. Megumi tells Kaoru that Kenshin is only a man, and that all of the fighting he has done will eventually take its toll. Kenshin also talks about having given up his sword and suffering in a different way to continue atoning for his past - and that is what I believe causes his illness. The lesions are an outer reflection of his inner turmoil and guilt, feelings that his once strong body can no longer supress. Kaoru doesn't contract it because it's communicable, but rather because her soul is so bound up in Kenshin's that she shares all of his pain, spiritual as well as physical. She willing shares his burden out of her great love for him. The story of Reflection takes a beloved character and reflects a flawed understanding of just who Kenshin was and what his story was about. His essential nature has always been that of a deeply scarred man attempting to atone for his past. He has always suffered and felt guilt for the killing he has done, yet he is also the wanderer who has cared for many people. A man who never abandoned his principles such that his very example has helped other unhappy and guilty souls find peace and purpose (i.e. Megumi, Sano, Saitou, Aoshi, even some of Shishio's Juppengatana). To believe that this man would, after all his been through - even after making his peace with Enishi - STILL be wandering around Japan, abandoning Kaoru and their son, is just unbelievable. The whole point of the story as I understand it is that Kenshin finally finds a home with Karoru at the Kamiya dojo since it was a place where he was accepted for both his past and present selves. He has found peace by defeating (or accepting) his past demons in the form of Shishio, and ultimately Enishi. Not only did Kenshin find rest from his wandering, but also a chance at happiness. The corruption of Kenshin's body is simply a reflection of how corrupt the story of Reflection ultimately is. It's hard as a Kenshin fan to accept that this is the latest, and presumeably last, installment in Kenshin's story. I believe that while there are some minor good things - such as seeing Kenji (his fight with Yahiko was the highpoint of the story) and finally getting to see Enishi's arc (if only briefly) were minor pleasures in what is ultimately a bittersweet ending. I believe that the original name, Year of Frost, was well very chosen. This is the melancholy version of how Kenshin's story might have turned out if things had been different. I personally prefer the story where Kenshin not only finds peace and forgiveness for himself, but happiness too.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Depressing
Review: The fighting scenes were extremely detailed and realistic. I really enjoyed those especially those with Enishi and Jineh, but.....
The script was a little off, Kaoru's personality was very different, Kenshin too pathetic, it makes you want to vomit, and the overall movie just.. depressing! Even though the action scenes kept me entertained, it broke my heart to see Kenshin die at the end- that part gets me every time with tears. Kenshin appeared to be a weakling in this OVA. I mean, seriously, the man needed some prozac. He was always cowering over all depressed and sad. The movie lacked completely in the hilarious department, which made me sigh. It's really dramatic, and low key. Heck, if I had a lover like Kaoru who cared so much about me, I'd forget about Tomoe and move on, but Kenshin probably was still struggling with the serious chemical imbalance in his brain. If you like the series, and the funny faces, etc. I wouldn't recommend it for you- it's just too depressing. I try to think that KEnshin didn't die the way he did- It was really pathetic- I disease? Gimme a break! This man is the hitokiri battosai who survived all those scars and broken bones, yet he dies from a friggin disease.
Rating:
Summary: An Alternate Ending to Rurouni Kenshin
Review: Everyone's right; this does change many things from the manga, including parts of the Jinchuu arc (what happened to all the other people!), and most people believe that Kenshin deserves peace in this movie, which he does, but can you honestly see our Rurouni happy when he knows others are suffering? Probably not. This is a different take on Kenshin's future, since Watsuki never said anything about it, and it is NOT the happy-ever-after ending we all imagined. I personally liked it, because it gives you a new aspect to Kenshin; you will even watch the TV series in a different light. It has a very romantic storyline, and you come to truly appreciate Kaoru, and her role in Kenshin's life; the first time I watched the movie, I cried through the ENTIRE thing, but it's one of those movies where you're happy in the end, because at least Kenshin, who probably never had peace, is finally happy. You want to glomp all the characters, laugh and cry with them, and lose yourself in the last chapter of Kenshin's life.
There are also some VERY nice battle scenes you must not miss; Kenshin vs. Enishi; and then Yahiko vs. Kenji (which was never written in the manga). If you're a stickler to the manga, don't bother, because you'll be fretting about the differences; if you just want to enjoy Kenshin, and flow with it, I recommend it whole-heartedly!
Rating:
Summary: Great ending
Review: This was an excellent ending to the Kenshin series. I don't know why people would bash it for being sad. I guess if you can't handle a dramatic ending, you should stay away from it. If you want something realistic, this is it. The thing I didn't like is the length. One episode was almost entirely stuff from the tv series. I did like seeing some of Kenshin's opponents in OAV style animation, but that leaves only one episode for new stuff. It all should've been at least 4 episodes. Nevertheless, if you're a fan of Kenshin and realize not everything can end happily, you must get this.
Rating:
Summary: The death and explanation of kenshin
Review: Yes I agree to those people who don't like it. But I disagree to those who told that if you are kenshin tv fan then don't watch this dvd. If you are kenshin's tv series, you will find that at end episode (episode 95) the story is kinda not finish. You will wonder what happen to the relationship of kaouru and kenshin. This dvd does not give you fighting show or duel like before. But more explanation about their future. They finnally got married and have a son. And in this dvd, kenshin died due to his illness. However the story is sad, but show you the true love from kaouru. Maybe from some people, that kind of love devotion is stupid. But for me, well that's the true love. This highly recommended if you still wonder about what's the end of ruroni kenshin both movies and tv series.
Rating:
Summary: Everything I've expected in the Kenshin Series
Review: I'm a very open-minded person. When it comes to Anime, I pretty much look at everything from an objective point of view, without ties into what I wanted it to be... but with Kenshin it's a little different. Anime Style: well obviously by the title and the cover art it's in the style same as Trust and Betrayal. Gore level: well it is Kenshin... the gore level is lower than Trust and Betrayal, as there is far less killing and more focus on the story, not that the killing in Kenshin was ever gratuitous Suitablity for Children: well some of the concepts probably won't interest children at all, like most anime. It does have some scenes that are "adult" in that it would children probably won't understand what's going on and something that parents won't want to explain. Alright, with that said and done you have to first recognize that this is a continuation from the other OVA, Trust and Betrayal. It's 15 years later, Kenshin has gone to China to help with the wars and hasn't come back yet. He married Kaoru and has a son Kenji (i believe) who has never really seen his father, Kenshin, and therefore doesn't necessarily have the same respect for him as everyone else does. So this entire movie is basically spent "reflecting" upon the past. Kaoru reflects back on events involving Kenshin, reasons why she loves him and reasons why he would love her. There is a new scene she reflects upon that we haven't seen yet. Remeber Tomoe's brother? Well he's seeking revenge and captures Kaoru in the process. The heavy nature of this anime makes it very dramatical, in the idea that most of it involves the relationship between Kenshin and Kaoru. Many surprises come up and Kaoru learns more about Kenshin than she previously knew. Some of the scenes you'll notice are taken from parts of the TV series... but not entirely. Some are written a little differently... but nothing too drastic. Battle in the Moonlight's Kurogasa scene is written a little differently, removing Kurogasa's supposed powers. Hints at several other battles, such as Shishio and Sojiro. You get to see the TV series characters in the different anime style, such as Yahiko and Sanosuke. It is really worth the watch, and yes it does end the Kenshin series. It's the final atonement, as the backside would show. If you get it for any other reason, get it for its finality in the Kenshin Series. Yes we all hate it when our favorite series come to an end, but it's gotta happen... and this way it a good one. Now if you were a Kenshin fan due to the intense action (like a DBZ fan is) or becuase of the comedy then this might not fit your tastes. It is crafted after Trust and Betrayal, and if you've seen those and liked them, then this is up your alley. If you didn't like Trust and Betrayal then you might want to be hesitant about this one first. Maybe give it a rent or see if you can find some trailers on it, check to see if it really for you. There is hardly a moment to laugh in these two episodes, most moments make you wonder how Kaoru could possibly love Kenshin, and then what the heck is going through that swordsman's head. It is everything i expected, everything i could have asked for. That's me, your opinion of it will be different. This was mine.
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