OVA (Samurai X: Reflections) Story: 8/10 Characters: 8/10 Animation: 10/10
Manga Story: 10/10 Characters: 10/10 Art: 10/10
Summary: The story takes place 10 years after after the revolution in Japan, in the Meiji era (roughly the 1870'sXD). The story is about Himura Kenshin, who since the war ended has been traveling around Japan trying to repent for his sins he committed as the "Hitokiri Battosai", a manslayer by living a life to protect others with his reverse blade sword that can not kill.
After 10 years of traveling he finds his way to tokyo were he runs into a somewhat tomboyish Kamiya Kauru, who is trying to keep her father's Kendo dojo alive all by herself, but all her students left. There happens to be a group of people, who's leader claims to be "Hitokiri Battoasai" and killing people in the name of the Kamiya Kasshin dojo (giving her a bad name). Kenshin ends up beating the crap out of them, and in the process Kauru discovers he is the true Hitokiri Battosai. This doesn't matter to her though, things like the past, and she asks him to stay with her to help repair her dojo so she can teach her father's ideal of "the sword that gives life"
As time goes by she gets a student, and they make random friends like hitmen and opium makers, and ninjaXD. Eventually its discovered that kenshin has a split personality, and that when pushed to far in battle his "man slayer side" comes out. Kauru wishes to help kenshin so he doesn't have to live that way, but with the future of Japan and possibility of war in the future this becomes nearly impossible.
Overall the story is a little slow at first, but once it gets more involved it gets much betterXD The fighting scenes are so-so~ Its the story and characters that kept me watching it^.^ While it says "romance" in the genre the anime series has like... one or two episode that is very romantic~ish...
Unfortunatly the series become all fillers after 62... so if you don't want to kill this awsome anime just stop watching there to save yourself hearache>.< Rating each part of the series Beggining Tokyou arc: 7/10 Kyoto: 10/10 Fillers (Eps 63-95) Crazy Christian Cult: 4/10 Something with ninjas: 2/10 Chinese majicians: 1/10...
The movie: Requiem for the Ishin Shishi Is like watching a really long filler... with good animationXD Best to avoid... there is at least some what of an realistic plot, unlike the other fillers though... It was so boring I honestly can't even remember what it was about...something about trying to start a revolution in JapanXD
The Manga: Is the same story as the anime, only more serious and no fillers^.^ Unlike the anime it incorporates the "Revenge Arc", which deals with kenshin's past in the war, how he got his cross-shaped scar, his lovelife, and obviously someone who wants REVENGE! It may be just me, but Kenshin Also looks less girly in the manga...they may be because most of the time is black and white so we don't see him wearing pinkXD (actually I think it was supposed to be a red outfit to begin with). The art style is also more detailed, and the battle sequence which seemed kinda slow in the anime outside of like 5 of them~ the battles in the manga are done much betterXD The manga on a scale of ten gets 10000000!!!!
Trust and Betrayal: This movie Portrays Kenshin's past during the war and his romance lifeXD. There is no warm happy feelings unlike the anime, its much more serious and people bleeds lots when they're cutXD The animation and music are awsome (a completely different style than the anime took)~ even though I was upset with the ending of the anime it makes up for it (almost)~ Its extremely SAD thoughT.T You'll need some tissues.
Reflections: The first 1/2 of this OVA is trying to condense the whole anime and "revenge arc" of the manga that couldn't make it into the anime~ it does a mediocre job. BUT the rest is about the rest of Kenshin's life after he marries Kauru, up to his death, and his son. Also VERY sadT.T Animation and music are up to par with Trust and betrayal. Cleary this ending is COMPLETELY different from the manga, out side of one hint of one sentence in the last chapterXD but it still is pretty good^.^
I tried to be as unbiased as physically possibleXD But this is my favorite anime, so it was very very difficult...
I was wondering if someone would do Kenshin, I do love this series. Trust and Betrayal is the best. Personally, I am not a fan of Reflections. Something about it just did not appeal to me.
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Sure, I could think of something but I hold you responsible for the consequences
I always confuse what is called what. I know I've seen everything, although I haven't seen every episode. The series was ok, but I think I like the OVA (???) most...the one that details his love life and is totally depressing and all that jazz. That one. I coulnd't stand the movie. And the thing in which he grows old? That reminds me of highlander 2...it's too stupid to exist. >_<
Haven't read the manga. I can't afford all the volumes!!
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"I believe in dragons, faeries, good men, and other fantasy creatures."
Series is only good for Shishio arc, Movie was boring, reflections was excessively boring, OVA's were kickass until Tomoe jumped Kenshin's bones and turned him emo.
I wasn't overly fond of reflections either, at least not as much as Trust and betrayal~ But mostly because I usually hate anything that doesn't follow the origenal mangaXD I only give it credit for attempting to show enishi and the revenge arc plot... But its better to just read the manga~
OROoooooXD
