Rating: Summary: A classic of Modern Animation Review: The Samurai X OVA (Original Video Animation) Trust and the second part called Betrayal is truly one of the classics of modern Japanese Animation. The story is about a gentle boy, born in a time of violence. He is trained as a master swordsman, and becomes an assassin during the Japanese civil war of the 1800s (known as the bakumatsu). This story is about the conflict between one's ideals and one's actions. The conflict between Kenshin's desire for a peaceful world, and his occupation as a cold-blooded murderer.This story is very violent. Assassinations are shown in a very graphic way, but the violence is used to emphasize the dichotomy between the ideological youth's dreams and actions. The conflict is brought into focus when the main character, Kenshin meets a woman named Tomoe who makes him question the life that he has chosen. The graphic violence makes this a title for a mature audience, but a mature teen may also appreciate this work. The main character comes from the anime / manga series Rurouni Kenshin that is set ten years after this story. I stongly recommend that you watch this work subtitled in Japanese, as the original voice acting is very fine. Don't let the violence prevent you from seeing this excellent work.
Rating: Summary: Very Graphic Review: I just saw the movie 2 days ago and I was surprised at the beginning.THere was a lot of blood and it was very graphic.We were having a party at the time we were watching it.I like the looks on my friend's faces when they saw the beginning.They were watching with their mouth and eyes wide open.As for the rest of the movie,I didn't really understand it that much because I just watched it in english.When I watched it again in japenese with english subtitles,I understod it a little bit but i was still lost.After I read the historical background then I finally understood the movie.All in All,it's a good movie.Oh and one more thing,if your going to watch Trust you better have Betrayal too because if you don't you'll be disappointed at the end of this movie.
Rating: Summary: What action packed episodes Review: If your squemish, you probably won't like this one. But other than being very bloody, its cool. The first episode give away all of the secrets of his childhood. The second episode is the best though. Kenshin is the assasin in the shadows and has a very fast way of killing. Thing is he wasn't suposed to be there in the first place. In this episode he meets Tomoe for the first time. But Tomoe knows something that Kenshin doesn't. What is her secret?
Rating: Summary: AWESOME MOVIE Review: This is probably the best OVA's of the series, when Kenshin meets Tomoe. The best part is when Tomoe wants to see Kenshin's bloodshed. Awesome movie!!!
Rating: Summary: Pretty cool Review: Basically this Dvd is about Kenshins past while he was a manslayer not a wanderer as on the tv series. The animation is pretty good a little blurred and etchy in some parts but not bad. To understand the whole thing you don't really need to have any knowledge of the anime series because as i said its before all that, so it doesn't matter. The voice of kenshin is totally different from the series but its cool. The other thing its fairly violent so if you don't like that type a thing don't buy it. Overall a must see for any anime fan. Only big problem it leaves you hanging so if you don't buy the next one you'll never know what the continuation is.
Rating: Summary: a more mature version Review: The two DVD's Trust and Betrayal are a much more mature and serious version than the never-ending series. I have watched (and own) the first eight DVD's of the cuter version, and don't get me wrong, I do like and enjoy it. BUT, this is just so much deeper and haunting. The animation is grittier, and the story is earthier. It is much more emotionally challenging. In short, I find it is in a class all by itself. It is SO darned good! Just don't expect the cutesy redhead of the series, in THIS set.
Rating: Summary: Amazing! Review: The Samurai X OVA is one of the best anime in existance! This series is a must own for any anime enthusiast. Dark, gritty, and real. A fantastic addition to any collection.
Rating: Summary: He Who Slashes as He Draws His Sword Review: In 1854, Shinta, a young boy sold into slavery is the sole survivor of an attack that kills an entire caravan. He is only saved because Hika, one of Japan's legendary swordsmen comes upon the slaughter. Hika is so impressed with Shinta's courage that he renames him as Kenshin, and takes him as a pupil. Ten years later, Kenshin Himura parts with his master to become an assassin in the service of the Chosho clan - helping the plot to bring down the Tokugawa Shogunate and restore the Emperor. These are spectacularly violent times, marked by riots and killings on both sides. There is plenty of work for an assassin, even one who is barely out of his childhood. Kenshin becomes a deadly killer, soon considered one of the most dangerous in Japan. In one of his early missions, he receives the first half of the X-shaped scar that marked his face. And so sets up a chain of destiny that provides much of the charm and depth in an otherwise grim tale of politics and revenge. The two episodes in this DVD, along with the two in 'Betrayal' are a prequel to the long running TV series that has captured imaginations in both Japan and the US. Here we learn of Kenshin's beginnings and accompany him through events in 1864 leading up to the end of the Shogunate. In parallel to the historical drama being played out is Kenshin's relationship with Tomoe Yukishiro, the woman whose betrothed lover was killed by Kenshin. Tomoe keeps Kenshin from losing all his humanity and saves him from wasting his life in a senseless gesture. This is a beautifully created series. Free of the 'limitations' of the TV series, director Kazuhiro Furuhashi chose to create a darker story line with much more delicate film values. Artwork and music enmesh the viewer without ever overwhelming the story with technical excess. Scenes of beauty interspersed with the sudden violence of the assassin's work. Because of the prequel nature of these episodes, 'Trust' and 'Betrayal' are a perfect starting point for those interested in the series as a whole. And, even if you go no further, you will never regret the time spent.
Rating: Summary: Anime at it's best Review: This is my favorite anime series, and for good reason. I found it to be the best combination of action and storyline, all brought together by beautifal animation and music. This is a good series for both men and women. For the men the fight scenes are explict and brutal, and for the women the entire story is based around a tragic relationship, and it works perfectly. I love everything about this 2 part series, the only thing that I find error in is putting them on 2 different DVDs. All 4 episodes could have easily been put on one dual layer DVD, but since this is such a great series I guess they knew you would buy them both so they would be making twice as much money (same thign with Macross Plus), regardless it's still worth the money.
Rating: Summary: I loved it. Review: Samurai X - Trust and Samurai X - Betrayal would have to be some of the best anime out there though there is a large story line in the two they still manage be put enough slice and dice to enjoy. Still yet, I would not recommend the Samurai X - The Motion Picture in the least bit. The two are so different that if you saw Samurai X - Trust & Betrayal you would be lost in the movie. The movie is, as I can tell, off a TV series that is very different from Trust & Betrayal.
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