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Samurai X - Reflection (Rurouni Kenshin)

Samurai X - Reflection (Rurouni Kenshin)

List Price: $29.98
Your Price: $26.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The conclusion to the legend.
Review: Its finally here. The REAL ending to the Rurouni Kenshin series. The way it was meant to be. Not some horrible filler episodes, but an OVA based off of the last manga arc of the Rurouni Kenshin series. The main part takes place years after the last manga, when Kenshin and Kaoru have a son, Kenji. Kenshin is on his way back from a trip to China. His ship gets caught in a storm and in his efforts to save a man from being thrown overboard, he himself is thrown overboard.
Kaoru is sick, and after coming back from the port to look for Kenshin, collapses in the dojo. What happens next is a large flashback to all the important events that had to do with Kenshin and Kaoru's relationship, the biggest ones being Jin-eh kidnapping her (See the second Rurouni Kenshin DVD, Battle in the Moonlight) and of course, the most exciting of all, Kenshin vs Enishi Yukishirou (This is taken from the Jinchuu arc, the final part of the kenshin manga that was not animated). You may remember Enishi from the first RK/Samurai X OVA, Betrayal and Trust, he was Tomoe's (Kenshin's first lover) little brother.
After the flashback comes the final conclusion to the RK saga. I wont describe any part of it in the review since its probably a better idea to let you see it for yourself..

If you love Rurouni Kenshin, then you MUST NOT miss out on this DVD. If you loved the first OVA then I also recommend this one to you aswell.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Why did it have to end?
Review: This, the animated ending of Rurouni Kenshin, affected me for days. It is beautiful and extremely tragic. The animation is done not in the style of the series, but of the first OAVs, which seemed fitting to me because of the serious tone of the storyline. I could really feel all of Kenshin and Kaoru's emotions in this DVD, not to mention Kenji's anger. It does a nice job of summarizing the Jinchuu Arc, which was *VERY UNFORTUNATELY* never animated outside of the manga. That is my only complaint. It would have been so wonderful to have that story animated fully instead of being squeezed into this DVD. It is too short. Overall, however, if you love Rurouni Kenshin it is only fitting to watch it through to the end. If you love a tear-jerker, I strongly recommend this one.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: an uncharacteristic end of Rurouni Kenshin story
Review: The anime about Kenshin's redemption and his final rest is
outlined in this story; beautifully told. While my first reaction
upon seeing the portrayal of Kaoru as a devoted wife waiting for
Kenshin in Tokyo annoyed me (after all, she is a swordswoman
herself, so why did she not accompany him?), the explanation
the voice actors give in the extras for this DVD explain that as
a period piece this act of Kaoru is faithful to the ideal of
a good wife of that era. However, I agree with another reviewer
that the message that Shinta (Kenshin) could obtain peace only
at death is contrary to the message of the RK manga and the
TV series. Also, from a Buddhist point of view this is a depressing story as even in death, the kind and gentle Kenshin
did not achieve peace and release from karma from the point of
this story. One consolation is that, as one of the voice actors
explained, this is only one possible ending to the RK storyline!
Worth buying if you keep this in mind; the animation is spectacular!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Please Don't Support This Movie
Review: Ok, I know that not everyone is going to agree with me but here it goes. I don't beleive that many true fans of Kenshin will like this movie. I know that I was truely disappointed. Not only was the story line not well written but the ending totally ruined it for me. I am not opposed to sad endings but it just didn't seen appropriate for this character. I know that some have arged that the ending is realistic and in real life everyone dies but remember this is not true life. This is a cartoon. Besides not everything in real life has a sad ending. Anyways I thing that they should have stuck more along the lines of the magna, which is the show the true development of the story. I know others may say that the the TV series and first OVA may have differed from the magna too but it was only slight, nothing that completely changed the original story, at least not from what I have read so far. I haven't read all the volumes yet but I have read the summaries and plan on buying more of the magna, which show the true end, with Kenshin finally living in peace with his family. We can just imagine the rest if we so choose. THis movie completely alters and important element of the story, which Nobuhrio Watsuki, the creator of Kenshin felt was important, a happy ending. I think they made this movie just to make people stoping asking for more Kenshin by killing him off. Personally, I see this movie more as an animated form of fanfaction that Watsuki, doesn't even support. Why does movie creators always have to ruin the stories of our favorite heros? I hope that Watsuki, pushes for someone to animated the Jinchuu Arc to give the conclusion to the Kenshin story that true fans support. I watched this movie a few times and hated more everytime. They didn't even keep in line with the personalities of the characters. However, I do feel the animation style was nice. I highly recomend that people not buy this film or at least take it with a grain of salt. However I highly recomend that instead you purchase the first OVA Trust and Betrayal and the TV series, they are excellent. Even though much of the last season is not based on the magna, it the episodes I have seen are quite enteraining. More importantly, unlike reflection they don't hurt or butcher the original story. Also I'd like to mention that I strongly advise you not to show any of the OVAs to the younger fans of the Kenshin series. There is much more graphic gore (1st OVA) and sexual scenes, although not in any real detail or anything you can really see but it strongly implies things that parents probably will not want to be explaining to younger audiences. All in all, I'd like to forget ever watching this movie and tell others to just stick with the other movies, TV episodes, and magna to the series. You will end up much mopre satisfied with the story.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Tragic, yet beautiful ending...
Review: Rouroni Kenshin has moved me beyond explanation, it sounds so weird being a thought, a figment of someone's imagination, however, that's just what it is. It is the deep emotion of the creator that inspires us all--and inspired I am.

Kenshin was always shown as the strongest character, and not just physically, but also emotionally. No matter how much fans desperately wanted to see some more warmth between him and Kaoru, there never was anything to really satisfy what we were looking for. As years have passed along, however, and we learn that Kenshin, no matter how you look at him, is only human, we can see a little of his vulnerable side for the first time. For a character such as his, one that is so fascinating for so many people, it could go either way. You could, like I did, enjoy watching Kenshin come to terms with the strange and brutal truth of his life, or you could be angry that he did not go out in a blaze of glory.

The animation itself is gorgeous. There was so much thought and detail added to the characters, they could almost jump out of the television and touch you. In my eyes, everything was perfect, the atmosphere, the music, the dialogue. Everything was as it should be, and though I admit to crying...yes, crying, I was also a bit happy to see a story that I have loved for so long finally come to a close. Kenshin and Kaoru deserved it^^

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Learn how to be Depressed ....
Review: Kenshin( Shinta)
When I first decided to see this movie I was excited to see some kenshin action, but it fell short of Kenshin action because it was so enamoured in the boring Love story. I dont mind a Love story but a redundant and depressing one just doesnt do it for me. Yes , he's sorrowful for the things he's done in his past but the dramatic music and the never ceasing depressed look to the movie makes ya wanna puke!!!!!!!! The art was very good and the only action in the movie was good becuase the artist is a good one. The art is reminscent of Pat labor 3 (a Great Movie) which uses crisp and clear anime cells, although great art doesnt have to make a good story. Once you see the movie all the way to the end you've decided that this is not a fitting end to the Kenshin story, and seeking retribution for such an end is now incumbent to all kenshin fans that agree with me. If you're a guy and find yourself crying or shedding a tear , then you're not losing your manhood but realizing that depression is a symptom for everyone. This movie will show you this.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: It doesnt add up...
Review: okay, now, I had a very hard time accepting this ending. i have a lot of resons and here are a few:
Nobuhiro Watsuki, the creator of Rurouni kenshin, didnt write or appear to have any say in this, it seems as though Sony decided to inflict cruel fates on his characters.
anyone who is a fan of either the tv series or the manga knows how Kenshin evolved as character throughout the series, facing his inner demons and talking about the will to live, in "Reflection", Kenshin is presented as though he never lived through any of the experiences in the series, just so they can make him wander again in angst and have a tragic end.
Also, I anyone can see how everyone in Reflections was out of charcter by far.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Moving but not in character
Review: Beautifully done and very moving. I even cried at certain parts. The music is wonderful, the action and the animation is good.

HOWEVER, a very big but for me is the fact that I find Kenshin and Kaoru in this OVA very out of character. I think the makers wanted to create in Reflections something akin to Trust and Betrayal but it just doesn't work for me. I find it extremely hard to believe that the Rurouni in Watsuki's manga and in the anime series would do anything he did in this OVA. And that wasn't Kaoru either, she seemed more like Tomoe to me. I know real life can be depressing. I don't really mind a sad ending especially if it is nicely done. But this OVA is just so out of character I prefer to think of it as part of Kaoru's dream in episode 95 of the anime series.

Of course, if you're a RuroKen fan, the DVD is still worth buying.




Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Bad revisions to scoring = Director's botch
Review: The one-star rating refers specifically to Reflection: Director's Cut. I would rate the original Reflection release--a two-part OAV--four stars. It had its content problems, as most Kenshin fans know. But I loved the quality of animation and the strength of the music, and I went with the content. I didn't feel ripped off, as it all seemed a worthy effort (even if doing a feature of Jinchu Arc would've been energy much better spent.)

The director's cut, however, makes me feel VERY ripped off. Why? It may provide about 14 minutes of extra footage, and further interviews with the Japanese voice actors; and for those who like the American track, there is a commentary track by the American voice actors. It also gets rid of the melodramatic dialog over the end credits. HOWEVER, it does an absolutely abysmal overhaul of the soundtrack once you get into the "part 2" material, ejecting some of the BEST and most exciting scoring for a rehash of music from Trust and Betrayal. The fight with Enishi is one such instance. In the original Reflection, this fight was electrifying, loaded with tension, the scoring absolutely wonderful. Well, that scoring's gone here. Why? Who knows. And the fight scene suffers terribly from this change. Other tampering with the music includes "blanket tossing" the opening theme around, and really ruining Yahiko's fight with Kenji. Such musical revisions all seem so careless, deflating what was previously exciting or touching or thought-provoking. They lack accent for emotion, and when spanning scene shifts, they ignore dramatic enhancement ... a terrible thing to do an anime that was originally, with respect to its scoring, nearly flawless. It also cheapens the Trust and Betrayal music, which I happen to love when it's used well.

The most I'll do with this DVD is pop it in for the extra 14 minutes when watching my original Reflection ... if I even do that. To be frank, I wish I had waited and gotten this thing used on the super cheap. The 14 minutes are worth something, I suppose, particularly as Saito shows up in one of those minutes; but nothing here is worth the full price of the disk. In fact, the sense I got from this was that nobody really cared what in heck they were doing, and that grates.

For those who are interested in either Reflection release but have not seen other Kenshin material (Trust and Betrayal; the Rurouni Kenshin series), the story here may confuse you and will probably not have much of an emotional impact. I'd recommend starting with the earlier Kenshin stuff. And when you're ready to see Reflection, go for the OLD release. Not this one. If you become a fanatic, you'll still want the director's cut. But seeing the original OAVs will ever be a far more satisfying watch. And by then, you may find lots of these director's cuts for sale used ... mine may be one of them.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The conclusion to this legendary tale, yet very sad.
Review: This movie does not introduce a new ark or saga, but instead it recalls Kenshin's past conflicts. In the beginning of the movie we learn that Kenshin has gone away from the Kamija Dojo and Kenji (Kenshin's son) went to train with Kenshin's master. Kaoru feels worried since she has no news of Kenshin's health and of Kenji's ground. While Kaoru faints she remembers all of Kenshin's past conflicts, and the last saga or ark is about Enishi's revenge on Kenshin because Enishi's sister died for Kenshin and her death left Enishi alone in the world. Enishi's saga is the original last saga and "Tales of the Meiji" is only a saga of filler episodes because the original author of the series, Nobuhiro Watsuki, did not write it. Around the end of the series we learn that Kenshin has a disease that always turns out fatal and Kaoru gets it because she asks Kenshin to transmit it to her through a passionate night because she wants to carry some of the suffering he is caring.
At the end Sanosuke finds Kenshin and helps him travel back to Japan before he dies so he can see Kaoru again, and when he meets Kaoru he dies in her laps.


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