Samurai X: Reflection

I just finished watching this one, and I have to say it's just SO sad...Yes, this is closure to the series, but, like it's been said, this is more of a follow-up for the first OAV than the TV show. It's mostly taken from Karou's point of view, so the storyline seems more skewed, since we don't get to see development from Kenshin's side, like in the TV show. Also, it plays with the storyline, not being QUITE accurate, but not completely deviating... at least, not until the end.Still, you get to see Karou fall in love with Kenshin in a fairly intimate way. Although we get to see that in the TV show, there's something in this OAV that makes you understand why she just stuck with him the whole time.Hmmm... besides you get to see Tomoe's brother, Enishi, Sanosuke, a grown-up Yahiko (he's COOL!!), Kenshin and Karou's son, Kenji, Megumi, and Hiko-sama. For this alone, I think this was worth it... although... um... tough call. THE END WAS DEPRESSING!!Let's see... the animation is as good as in the first OAV, the music is equally sad and haunting, and the voice actors did a wonderful job.Frankly, I think if you really need to finish off the story, watch it, but be prepared for the fact this is NOT the TV show or the manga. There's no joy in it, just like the first OAV, but there's a lot of quiet moments...

For almost two years, I've been following the Rurouni Kenshin series, and one of my favorite parts has been the first OVA series, "Remembrance / Trust & Betrayal." As a result, I was immediately interested in seeing the second OVA series once I knew it was being brought overseas. And even though before I had heard many times that "Reflection" was, to put it simply, depressing, I still wanted to see for myself as to whether or not that was the case. I'm very glad I did so, for even though it's easy to call "Reflection" depressing, there is a story there that is too moving for me to not regard it in a positive way.I know that there are many RK fans who have considered either the end of the Kyoto Arc or the end of the Revenge Arc (which only appears in the manga, and I highly recommend those who are planning to buy this DVD to read more into the Revenge Arc, as "Reflection" takes place a number of years after the Revenge Arc, and makes several references to it) to be the true ending of Rurouni Kenshin. But even though I count myself among the former group, I still have a healthy respect for the Revenge Arc, because I consider it a very likely possibility of what could happen after Kenshin and the others return from Kyoto. The same goes for "Reflection", in that I consider it a possibility. Even some of the Japanese voice actors who worked on "Reflection" (many of whom are the original voice actors from the TV series) think of this as only one of many possible endings, as they say in their interviews (one of the extras on this DVD.) However, don't let that deter you from watching this DVD for yourself, for it is a truly moving experience.For those of you who have been waiting for a story detailing the depth and strength of Kenshin and Kaoru's relationship, your wait is over. The second OVA series primarily focuses on the bond between them- a burdened protector who does all that he can to help others, but secretly yearns for a time when he can rest and live quietly; and a woman who has been through so many trials by herself, but wants nothing more than to create a home with the man she loves. In addition, the strength they draw from each other also affects the lives of those around them, even those who don't quite understand it yet, as in the case of their son, Kenji.Visually, "Reflection" easily meets the standards set by the first OVA series, from the vivid use of color and motion to the inclusion of live footage blended wonderfully into the animation, it all comes together to create a very lifelike and vibrant ambience. And as with "Remembrance / Trust & Betrayal," the music composed by Taku Iwasaki is an almost tangible force that continues to convey the emotion of the story.All in all, if you're the RK fan that either liked or disliked the first OVA series, or believe that Rurouni Kenshin was either finished too soon or not soon enough, there is definitely something for all to appreciate here, and I highly recommend this DVD to all RK fans.

I put off buying this video because of some of the earlier reviews. I'm glad that in the end I decided to get it. And I want to begin this review by saying that I have watched both movies and the TV series as well.If the writer had had Himura Kenshin born at the beginning of the Tokugawa and not its end, this would have been a happier series. Then Kenshin could have gone around the country righting wrongs, probably wearing a regular sword, and taking comfort in the belief that even though there had been lots of bloodshed, he had helped create peace after the civil wars of the 16th century.But here is Kenshin, a noted swordsman, born as the era of swordsmen was coming to a close. He is a man out of place in his time. Not only that, the blood he shed has helped create a new government that does not live up to his ideals. You can tell this from the TV series as well as the movies.Now I suppose this could have had a happy ending, Hollywood-style, in which he dies happily at the age of 90 or so surrounded by his loving family and loaded down with honors from the government. To achieve this, however, Kenshin would have had to live through the 1920s and 1930s and suffer even greater disappointment. After all, the promise of the Meiji period, which was far from perfect, was not realized in the early 20th century. So when I first began watching the TV series, I never imagined a perfectly happy ending, unlike some of the other reviewers of this film.So here's a guy who helped create a new government by killing its opponents. Then the new government turns out to be imperfect. What to do? Defend the weak against oppression, I guess we can say, and that is what he does in the TV series, wearing a reverse-bladed sword so that he need not kill again. The TV series also makes it clear that Kenshin feels great remorse for the killing that he has done in the past. How can there be a happy ending unless that remorse is lifted from his spirit?In Reflection, he is 15 years older. Unlike some earlier reviewers, I don't want to put a lot of the plot into this review. The only drawback I find is that there are too many flashbacks.I do want to talk about the ending - that is, the ending before the credits, the ending for Kenshin and Kaoru, as there is another ending for the minor characters after the credits. Yes, it is sad. But I think that it is a magnificent ending: a sign appears (or rather disappears) that indicates that Kenshin has achieved the redemption that he had sought for so long. I do not believe that any ending could have been more powerful than this one.

It is Kenshin and Kaoru's final moments and the best tragic movie I have ever seen in my life. I believe even ones who do not know about Rurouni Kenshin will be hooked into this patiently crafted, Zen spirited, feminine story - since it is reflected through Kaoru's memories.I have witnessed my own tears flowing free, while seeing Kenshin and Kaoru, and drifted-away Sanosuke who tries to save his friend, the legendary swordsman Kenshin now all but weak and forgotten in his own memories, even having hard times to remember his own name. I longed for Sano to bring him to Kaoru, and reunite again just like in the old times, but the end brought too much sorrow; and yet, the end could not be much better for a man like Kenshin.This final atonement reveals brilliantly how women of Japan, even all women in the world suffered for their fool lovers, husbands and sons who went to wars and never came back; and Kaoru suffers in her ocean like heart where only love can exist.One more note: Taku Iwasaki's music is stupendously haunting, and lets you feel the real suffering and compassion within the whole movie.

Good alternative story, could have expanded more on the cannon story but otherwise enjoyed.

Un dvd assez simple mais sympa pour les fans de la série