Rating: Summary: it deserves more stars than just 5 Review: What can I say? This movie HAS to be the greatest Anime/Manga Ive seen so far.The animation is simply beautiful, the music - captivating.. haunting, the storyline & characters were well developed.. I was confused at first but the more times I watched it the more I loved the movie. And you know what?? It only gets better with Samurai X - Betrayal.
Rating: Summary: Master Piece Review: I'm a big fan of Rouroni Kenshin (the manga series, and I was bit hegitant to get this DVD when I saw its cover graphic. It wasn't that convincing for me to get this but bought it anyway. And to tell you the truth, I have watched it at least 5 or 6 times since then because of its high production value. This DVD stretches the flashback that Kenshin is having in the manga series, and not only it has stretched the flashback with style but perfected with mesmerizing storyline along with music score. I put 'mesmerizing' here to describe storyline, but in fact there's not much of change from the manga series. It merely shows how Kenshin has become from being a formidable swordman to an assasin, but the way they have presented the story, it's very like melodrama. I would say the best feature of this DVD comes from unrivaled cinematography and music that raises the whole story to the level where it can compete with anime like Ghost in the Shell and Mononoke Hime. If you are looking for lot of action and sword fighting, then this one's not for you. However, whether you like Kenshin or not, this one's definitely not to be missed by anyone. Masterpiece, Period.
Rating: Summary: The Best Samuria Tale Ever Told! Review: To summarize Samurai X I must say one thing, WOW! Never before I have I seen such a tale of human pain and suffering brought to life through such beautiful battle scenes that the violence is almost poetic. The story focuses on a young man named Kenshin whom has been trained to be a master assassin since the death of his adoptive family when he was only a child. Now he serves a small clan that is attempting to over throw the current tyrinical government. Yet things become more complicated for Kenshin when he allows a young woman whom witnessed him kill a man. Yet it is not long before Kenshin begins to find that perhaps there is more to his life. Yet in his world of shadows and death the only language known is that of flesh and steel. The music, voice acting and script are all top notch and superiour to most major hollywood productions. Samuria X is a two DVD OAV(Origanal Animated Video) and is much darker and more violent then the series to which it is a prequel, Rourin Kenshin. This film contains scenes of graphic violence and some mature themes the recommended age for this DVD is 17+. If you enjoyed Ninja Scroll then Samuria X will grant you the action that was essential n Ninja Scroll with drama equal to any film by Akira Kurosawa.
Rating: Summary: One of the most beautiful movies in a long time Review: Ever since I first watched "Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuioku Hen" (aka "Samurai X") a year or two ago, I've viewed it at least once a month to remind me just how great a piece of storytelling it really is. In one sentence it can be described as a masterful and flawless mix of a samurai epic, historical drama and melancholy love story, but actually watching it was a much different experience for me. It's hard not to be touched by a flashback early in the first episode where the young Kenshin makes graves for both his step-family and the bandits who killed them the night before. Seijuro Hiko, his sensei, narrates to the audience, "He is so pure that I'm tempted to call him a simpleton." Kenshin sees the world only in black and white, though the truth is far from anything so simple. Even the bandits, Hiko notes, "were living life the only way they knew how." No one person is better or worse than another, but is simply forced to choose a way to live. Kenshin, almost contradicting his simplistic good-and-evil beliefs, admits, "once they're dead, they're nothing more than corpses." Kenshin carries out assassinations for Kogoro Katsura, leader of the Ishin Shishi, a group that wants to bring about a revolution to the corrupted government. He eventually meets Tomoe, a mysterious woman who he doesn't know yet was the fiancee of one of his victims. Kenshin takes her in to the inn where the Ishin Shishi are staying after she witnesses him carry out one of his jobs. While the other members of the group are uneasy about her, fearing she may be a spy, Kenshin is almost subdued by her presence and the fact that she honestly cares for him. Once, startling him, Kenshin almost cuts her down with his sword. He apologizes and realizing what he's done, is almost embarrased. She makes him slowly remember and reveal his humanity, acting as Katsura puts it best, a sheath for a blood-stained blade. Sword fights seem like beautifully choreographed dances rather than battles to the death, and you often seem to forget that they involve two people trying to kill each other. Like all works of art, "Tsuioku Hen" is best watched in its original language, as especially is the case here as many things that make it so great have been lost in the translation. ADVision has admittedly changed many things in the English dub, with the script being severly butchered to the point that several plot elements have been completely removed or edited. To fully enjoy the experience you should watch the subtitled version and completely ignore the English audio track. I honestly can't think of anything bad to say about "Tsuioku Hen". After watching the first volume, nay, the first episode, you'll undoubtedly be moved, touched, and absolutely hooked on this absolutely beautiful work of art.
Rating: Summary: A beautiful day... Review: I was just sitting at home packing my stuff into boxes when the mailman knocked on my door and gave me my long awaited copies of Samurai x,Trust and Betrayal.Suddenly I didn't care about moving from my house of 10 years or how sad I felt over it.I must've read every ...review for these movies and purchased them without thinking twice.I expected to be dissapointed considering all the hype but after watching them 7 times straight(2 movies,1 hour each=14 hours!) I knew I was ready to write this review.first off,yes,it IS violent.I don't suggest watching this when kids are anywhere near,because they WILL try to pass by and see what you were warning them about.The story and the imagery are one,and these 2 dvd's are one.Don't go and buy one without the other.There's so much going on here you cannot catch it all right away,so be patient.A very interesting love story,a look into Japanese feudalism and the begining of Kenshin make this a must have.A very satisfying purchase. :)
Rating: Summary: A definate must see for all Kenshin fans Review: If you have been following the Kenshin series and are curious as to how he came to be the Hitokiri Battousai, why he has a scar on his cheek, and what he was doing while he was the Battousai then this is a must see!! It has everything Kenshin has 'cept a bit more blood for those gore fans. The fighting scenes are well done, the animation is great, the music my favorite score, it gets you emotionally envolved, everything about this OVA is great! The extras aren't the best but who's complaining? My advice to you tho' is to watch this subtitled as to Kenshin's US voice doesn't really fit his personality. Mayo Suzukaze(his Japanese voice actress) is the part for that as I've said many times before. Plus if you have the subtitles going at the same time you'll notice they don't follow the Japanese script at all. It seems like they were aiming towards the people who are just into fighting like Ninja Scroll fans or something(no offense to you Ninja Scroll fans ^^() ) Anyway it's a great animé to have in your collection even if you don't necessarily like the Kenshin TV series. Ja-ne! ^^x
Rating: Summary: PERFECT !! Review: To me this is one of the best anime i have ever saw everything here is just right, the animation is so crisp and detailed the music is so moving the story is great but if there's any diappointment in there is that the action is not enough the fighting is not to much but every fight is just so butiful every fight its just like dancing with sowrds and every thing else is just plain butiful to me if there is nothing as near to perfection as SAMURAI X. dont ask just buy it you wont be dissapointed i GUARENEE IT !!
Rating: Summary: I was expecting much less Review: I watched another kenshin movie before betrayal and trust. It had the large hair and eyes that I just can't take seriously. It also had a small hint of that kind of silly fall over humor that is featured in alot of anime series and sometimes movies. So when I saw that trust and betrayal featured none of these anime eyesores, It was a big plus. Some people may find the large hair and eyes and sometimes mouths appealing but I don't. I almost forgot about the big sweat bubbles that look like crystal punching bags, there were none and I was glad. I also liked the fact that there isn't any jpop or rock. I doubt that it would go well with an 18'th century setting.The music is great, and fit very well with the movie. The movie has many philosophies from the characters about life, death and killing. It is very violent, but not needlessly overdone. The character design is very good and went well with the smooth animations.I suggest both betrayal and trust to anyone, not just anime fans. I was going to rate this dvd only 3 stars since it is short, having only 2 episodes on the dvd, but I thought that would be unfair to the movie,since it was good. Both trust and betrayal could have fit on one dvd, if not for the very very long previews stuffed as a substitute for some of the remaining space on the dvd. But even still, I'm sure the dvd could of fit the other 2 episodes.
Rating: Summary: Drama, Romance, and Shocking Violence Review: If you think cartoons are for kids, then this anime will prove you wrong. Right from the opening scene, the blood and violence will grip you, and then allows hope to fall back upon the young Kenshin, whom you will foresee take revenge on inhumane humanity itself. "Trust" is actually the first 2 episodes of the Kenshin OVA, and "Betrayel" contains the 3rd and 4th. You will have to watch all 4 episodes at one go to absorb it's true meaning. Kenshin is one who will struggle within his own belief against being a human. Unfortunately, his belief does not coincide with human life. Thus, as you will see, in "Betrayal" he will understand what life is about by paying a high price ...
Rating: Summary: A Masterpiece Review: This dvd is so good that you should not waste time reading this review. Just get it. Yeah it's that awesome. The animation is far beyond most contemporary anime. The character are beautifully drawn with incredible detail and the colors are so vivid that the environments seem to come alive. Besides the technical aspects the story is complicated, but very enjoyable. The action is fantastic. Kenshin deals with his foes in a savage yet graceful manner that causes your draw to drop while the blood gushes. This dvd has something for everybody the only problem is that it may make most of the other stuff you've seen look like Garbaaggee.
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