Samurai X: Reflection
Synopsis
Rurouni Kenshin is a wanderer, a lost soul, cursed to seek atonement for his life in the bloody trade of the samurai. During the long war to overthrow the corrupt government, he was known throughout all Japan as the Hitokiri Battousai (’sword-bearing master assassin’). But the end of the war has brought no peace to Kenshin, despite a vow to draw his sword only for the protection of those in need. Now his wife Kaoru steadfastly awaits his return, mourning his absence as well as that of their son, Kenji. Will Kenshin return before she dies of grief? The past meets the present fifteen years after Kenshin first left.
Review
This is the last of Kenshin, what a ride it has been. From manga to TV series to movie, OAV then finally this OAV, Reflection (Seisouhen). One thing you will notice when you watch Reflection is that the character animation has changed for the better. Everyone has aged, Kaoru and Kenshin is now married and has a child by the name of Kenji. Let us back up for a moment and start off from the beginning.
Kenshin was on a ship back to Japan after he had finished his task helping the needy without the use of his sword. It was because of his continuance to strive to help people he has contracted a disease that in that time was incurable. Kaoru knowing that still wants to stay as close to Kenshin as possible and wanted him to share the pain with her. There were quite a few moments where it became very emotional. Kenji who hardly sees his father thought that he mistreated his mom and him. As he is still a kid, he does not understand and learns the hard way from Yahiko. That was a great fight scene and Hiko Sejuro surely does not look like he has aged much from the last time we have seen him. He is still kicking back drinking his sake as he teaches Kenji some sword technique that is not Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu.
With the first part being more of a recap of the whole Kenshin series, we move on to the real story, part two a flashback of what has happened after the movie. In part two we get introduced to an old character… a character who was in the first OAV. Tomoe’s little brother, Enishi Yukishiro. This time he is not going to stand there and watch. He kidnaps Kaoru and demands a duel with Kenshin to avenge for his sister. Enishi does not follow any style of fighting; he created his own fighting technique, a powerful one too. The action of Reflection was exciting and you can almost feel the blades of the swords collide as characters fight. My favorite fight scene by far is Yahiko against Kenji.
The voice acting of the Japanese and English cast were good, music score was wonderful and the music cast surely deserves a lot of credit for bringing life to the animated pictures. The animation also deserves much praise as they put out such aesthetic work. It is a hard task to see a great series end, and I am sure you would appreciate the way Rurouni Kenshin ends. Although I have battles with people I know about the ending, I see it as a very deep and emotional ending. When you put together all the pieces of what Kenshin really lived for after his Hitokiri days, the ending will start to make sense in a very great way.
The Breakdown
Tough to see Rurouni Kenshin end. This whole series has been around me for about four to five years. Rurouni Kenshin to me is irreplaceable. Kenji can start his own show, but would probably not have the same effect as Kenshin did.