Samurai X is the American name for the Rurouni Kenshin OAV (Original Video Animation) series released by ADV. Unfortunately, ADV does not have rights to the Rurouni Kenshin name and couldn't call this animation Rurouni Kenshin OAV#1 : Trust... I believe US Manga Corps had the rights to the Rurouni Kenshin name since they were distributing the TV series in the US.
What is Rurouni Kenshin?
This is an anime that first shown in Japan many moons ago... the Rurouni Kenshin TV series was the first to come out in Japan. The series spanned 95+ episodes and 4 OAVs and 3 movies (if I remember correctly). The TV series dealt with Himura Kenshin, a Samurai who wielded a Sakaba sword (a Katana sword with the blade reversed) and had a large X shaped scar on his left cheek. A Sakaba was made not to kill hence the reversed blade. Himura Kenshin was a warrior of the great war... the Bakumatsu... that installed the Meiji government into power. Kenshin was their greatest warrior... the Hitokiri Battousai. The man who killed as he drew his sword. It is several years after the Bakumatsu where the Hitokiri Battousai disappeared just before the end of the war. The Kenshin we see in the TV series is a lighthearted and compassionate person who would risk his personal well being in the protection of others. The TV series overall was about good vs. evil, romantic stories, friendship, and generally lighthearted and good fun.
The Kenshin OAVs are a different story... they take place before the events of the TV series. They show Kenshin's early life... how he came into the care of Hiro the master of Hiten Mitsurugi style swordmanship and how Kenshin became trained in that style. The OAVs are much darker, grittier, bloodier, and tell a powerful story all on its own. The art is very sharp and serious where the TV series is more goofy yet still clean...
The OAVs in many ways were more appealling that the TV series!
The OAVs
The OAVs are loosely based on the real life historic events (like the Bakumatsu and the revolution that led to the Meiji government coming to power) but the characters and story overall are fictional. We catch glimpes of the scenes shown in the TV series on Kenshin's past... the brutal murder of three young girl's trying to protect him from murderous brigands and his rescue by Hiro the swordman and Kenshin's eventual swordmaster (Sensei). This is 16 years prior to the events of the Kenshin TV series (as per episodes 50-60 of the TV series). We pick up Kenshin again as a teenage in a quick yet bloody swordfight... executing members of the Edo government... and where Kenshin gets the first cut on his face. The story proceeds to tell the involvement of Kenshin in the revolution and his important role as the Hitokiri... the master assassin for the Choshu clan (the eventual Meiji government).
There is plenty of action in the series with beautifully choreographed swordfights, gorgeous artwork, strong characterizations and plot. There is a definitely sense of the sword fighting styles in the OAV and the skill level of fighters with their weapons. The art is very clean using mostly subdued and dark color overtones throughout most of the first two episodes. Music is appropriate for the era that the OAVs depict... lending a feeling of wonder and confusion present in the era. The music is strictly classical Japanese music at the time... no J-Pop music beats... nothing goofy... just a powerful instrumentals! There is a strong feeling of suspense and drama throughout the OAVs.
However, the major strengths of the OAVs is the depiction of the characters and the ideas/viewpoints of the time. Kenshin although diligent... seems lost in his search for self. He always seems in conflict between the Hitokiri... a nonstop killing machine versus his true nature... a pure and simple person full of compassion and worry for others. In many ways, this is one of the major driving forces of the Kenshin OAVs! The introduction of Tomoe also has similar characterizations in that she is also lost... between her duty and her feelings. The OAVs also present the romance that develops between the two and how it changes both of them. These two are the major characters of the OAVs although everyone named seems to play a huge part in the story.
Another strength and difference from the OAVs is that there is no real sense of who is good and evil. Everyone is fighting for what they believe is right... so you are with the revolution or against it. There are no morals sides in this series just personal beliefs and personal honor and duty. You rarely feel that someone should have been cut down... instead most of the fights and deaths seem to be a fight for survival and the ability to promote one's beliefs further... characters who died, died because they truly believed in something and were willing to risk their life for it.
The only major flaw I have with the OAVs is that they seem too short. The OAVs could have been easily made into a much longer running series about Kenshin's past and the time of the Bakumatsu.
Overall
I feel this is a powerful addition to any movie collection period. The OAVs tell a powerful and convincing story and don't necessarily need you to know the TV series to enjoy. The bloodiness and violence may lead some parents not to let their kids view this however. This is not only a shining piece of animation work but a shining piece of storytelling even for live-action works.
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