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Story guide

Wandering Swordsman | Kyoto | Jinchuu (Revenge) | OVA and Anime Originals

OVAs

Rurouni Kenshin - Trust and Betrayal: The first 4 episodes of the Kenshin OVAs contain the prequel storyline as written in the Jinchuu arc (Manga Volumes 19-21). They are very well done and for the most part better animated than the TV series. These OVAs are not like the usual Kenshin TV episodes as the art style is more realistic with most of the humor toned down (compared to the Manga). While many prefer this, I prefer the style of Watsuki's art rather than the one presented here. Still theses OVAs are awesome, pretty faithful to the Manga and are a must see for any Kenshin fan.

Rurouni Kenshin - Reflection: This OVA was meant to be an alternative ending to the Kenshin saga as it starts off much later than the Manga stories. It takes place 15 years after the Manga ended and covers certain points in the Kenshin storyline including briefly (very briefly) showing parts of the Jinchuu arc (relating to Tomoe, Kenshin, Enishi and the whole revenge theme). Lots of important information is missing from here, but it is great to see animated. The animation on this is remarkably awesome and for what its worth and the DVD was well done. Unfortunately I feel the alternative ending, although entirely valid, doesn't fit with the style of the series. The director attempts to emulate the sadness of the first OVAs and it feels forced, but this point can be argued. I definitely recommend this OVA because of the quality of the title and there are some good things in it, but I wished it could have focused more on the Jinchuu arc.

Anime Originals - Episodes 62-95: Due to the fact Nobuhiro Watsuki was still working on completing the Jinchuu arc when the Kyoto arc animation was finished, Sony created anime original episodes, or fillers, in its place to buy more time for Watsuki. Unfortunately ratings for the show plummeted in Japan and it was eventually pulled off the air and canceled. These episodes, while not entirely awful, are not nearly as good as the Wandering and Kyoto arcs and pale in comparison to the Jinchuu arc. In fact they are so bad, I lost interest in watching the rest of the filler episodes myself and I have them all on DVD. Its too bad that this happened; I still hope they do animate the last arc of the Kenshin saga. But if not, your better off watching the Reflection OVA and ending it there.

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