Rurôni Kenshin: Seisô hen (2001) (V)

Director:

Kazuhiro Furuhashi

Writers:

Nobuhiro Watsuki (comics)
Reiko Yoshida (writer)

Release Date:

19 December 2001 (Japan)

Genre:

Animation | Drama | Action | Romance

Plot:

Kenshin and Kaoru are married. Kenshin leaves Kaoru with their son, Kenji, to lead a revolution in China...

Plot Keywords:

Samurai Warrior | Zen | Samurai | Sequel | Dark Hero

Cast

Mayo Suzukaze	...	Kenshin Himura
Miki Fujitani	...	Kaoru Kamiya
Mîna Tominaga	...	Yahiko Myôjin
Yûji Ueda	...	Sanosuke Sagara
Mika Doi	...	Megumi Takani
Yuri Shiratori	...	Tsubame Sanjô
Nozomu Sasaki	...	Enishi Yukishiro
Shûichi Ikeda	...	Seijûrô Hiko
Yuki Kaida	...	Kenji Himura
Hirotaka Suzuoki	...	Hajime Saitô
Akio Ôtsuka	...	Jine Udô
Harî Kaneko	...	Aritomo Yamagata
Mitsuru Miyamoto	...	Ujiki
Sukekiyo Kameyama	...	Police Captain Muraki
Junichi Miura	...	Newspaper Seller

Also Known As:

Rurôni Kenshin: Time (USA) (informal literal English title)
Samurai X: Reflection (USA)

Runtime:

83 min | Japan:90 min (director's cut)

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:12

Company:

Fuji Television Network

Trivia:

The flashback to Enishi's revenge scheme in episode two was a major part of the final story arc of the Rurouni Kenshin manga. However, the television series ignored it completely. Thus, this is the only Kenshin anime production in which any scenes from the manga's revenge arc were animated.

Movie Connections:

Follows "Rurôni Kenshin: Meiji kenkaku roman tan" (1996)

A Beautiful Masterpice

I thought it was very very good. Truly a work of art, and a classic in my book. A little slow moving for an Action series, but very good. But I really didn't mind it being a little slow, as action doesn't mean it will be good. My gripe, at times I got a little lost and confused, but none the less, quickly bounced back. And it had absolute wonderful music too, absolutely a beautiful Original Score. I tell you it truly is the most moving soundtrack ever, gives Hans Zimmer a run for his money. It would win an Oscar. The only problem with it is, that it was used a bit too much. When you use music to much it loses it's power for other sequences. Composers have to be-careful with that. But it really was good. If there's a soundtrack out there, I'll be getting it. Not the best of Animation, but oh well, it is an OAV, and Anime is under-budgeted anyway.

And it was an absolute wonderful and powerful story. So beautifully told, too. Two lovers, who are so dedicated to each other, and how war affects them. I cant ask for a better story. It redeems the incredibly bloody action/violence. Another thing I really liked was, even though it was action, it had a lot of drama in it, and mind. I don't like mindless action/violence, riddled with drug content, or language. B/c there comes a point when violence is too distracting, and you loose the focus of the story. I'm may be a guy, but I'm a softy for the sappy stuff. Especially with Romance. That's what I always love about Anime, there is some kind of Drama. "Kawaii overdoes" as was stated on the descriptors of Anime Network's parental guidance warning. And they mean it. And it had the most powerful ending ever. Simple, pure, and heart wrenching. Two Lovers clearly week likely on there death bed, walk down a beaten path to each other, and our long time hero, dies right in her armes. So powerful, it puts you to tears.

Nice use of music, visuals, cast, and theme. Great use of thematic elements, to give it the emotional punch. Terrfic Voice Acting from the English cast. And a really sad ending too.

If you are a Kenshin Fan, and you haven't's seen this, you should!!!! It is wonderful, and even if you are not, if you like action/adventure, or your a sucker for the sweet sappy stuff (like me) you are bound to love this. I strongly recommend it! As I haven't seen the other OAV's, you might want to check those out too.