Best/Worst Kenshin OVA

[FireStarterLE]

Since i've decied to get Samurai X/Rurouni Kenshin; i've been wondering about two things: What is the best and worst Samurai X OVA (so i'll know which one to get first) and also do all of them use the same voices as the series?

[MrBananagrabber]

Since i've decied to get Samurai X/Rurouni Kenshin; i've been wondering about two things: What is the best and worst Samurai X OVA (so i'll know which one to get first) and also do all of them use the same voices as the series?

ADV handled these, so the dubs all have different actors. There are 2 OVA series and one movie. Trust and Betrayal is the prequel to the TV series, it's about Kenshin's past as Battousai. It's the best one. There's a "director's cut" version out, don't get it. It crops the screen poorly to make it seem widescreen and has a terrible remix of the music. The movie was pretty boring, truth be told. Kept repeating this one flashback over and over. I wouldn't suggest it. THe final OVA, called Reflection, is...a mixed bag. It's the end of the show and does a teensy tiny bit of the Jinchuu arc, but it's nothing like the manga at all. I personally didn't enjoy it. I wouldn't bother with the movie or Reflection unless you NEED to have all things Kenshin. Trust and Betrayal are great, though, go buy them. Now.

As for the dub...well, as far as Trust, Betrayal, and the movie go, it sucks. A lot. Kenshin's voice is pretty good, so is Saito's, IMO, but the rest of them, yeesh. Not to mention the dub script is complete and utter crap. Subtitles all the way for this one. And this comes from a guy who generally enjoys dubs.

[FireStarterLE]

if its about Kenshin's past, then it sounds like a good one. I'll have to get that one.

Thanx for the Info, i didn't really want to waste money quite like i did with YYH: Poltergeist Report, that kinda hurt to watch

[zmanjz]

yeah...

Trust and Betrayal is IMHO the only good Kenshin OVA.


to be blunt, The Movie sucks. Sano sounds like a Gay person from Hong Kong in it... actuallyu no one sounds "right" so I do not reccomend it on that basis alone. But additionally the story isn't that good, and it doesn't fit into the story line well (Yahiko and Kenshin are too weak compared to what their strenght should be at that point.)

As for Reflections.

I look at Reflections as being an Altiverse ending to Kenshin.

Just like the Futures of Mirai Trunks, and the X-Men's Bishop this version of Kenshin's end is not written in stone. I did not like it, and I believe it weakened the entire series slightly.

No, Trust and Betrayal are the only two good Kenshin OVAs

Even though Trust and Betrayal have a Different VA than the Series, it actually makes a little sense (people change as they grow, and this Kenshin really was a different person) SO although I would prefer that they used the same VAs, it's ok.

But beware, the OVA is a Dark tale of Kenshin's Dark Past. It is a Tragedy and I do not believe I laughed once.

It's lack of humor is a Lack of Life that also may be appropriate for such a dark past. But If you watch the OVA, I reccomend watching some Episodes of the series to "Release the good" as it were.

Although the OVAs have excellent Animation, I find the Stories too Dark and while old scars may exist, I dont believe in Picking at them.

[purplehairedwonder]

No, Trust and Betrayal are the only two good Kenshin OVAs

Even though Trust and Betrayal have a Different VA than the Series, it actually makes a little sense (people change as they grow, and this Kenshin really was a different person) SO although I would prefer that they used the same VAs, it's ok.

But beware, the OVA is a Dark tale of Kenshin's Dark Past. It is a Tragedy and I do not believe I laughed once.

It's lack of humor is a Lack of Life that also may be appropriate for such a dark past. But If you watch the OVA, I reccomend watching some Episodes of the series to "Release the good" as it were.

The voices seemed to fit well to the mood of Trust and Betrayal. Kenshin's voice seemed a little distant and apathetic to some extent. It seemed to fit his character during the time.

Definately a tragedy, but a great story. The end had me in tears and it was on my mind for days after. Not to mention extremely gory and bloody, but what would you expect from a story of Kenshin's past. I don't think there was a humorous part in the whole story, but it was so dramatic, humor would only deter from the point of the story. The animation is great, and it will touch your emotions. Well worth buying.

I agree with watching some episodes. After I watched it the first time I watched the episode that had aired earlier that night on SVES and later I watched some of the lighter episodes, and it helped.

But definately, if you want to buy Kenshin OVAs, get Trust and Betrayal.

[Cyporiean]

a word of warning..


DO NOT BUY Trust and Betryal Director's Cut. It is a horrible hack job.

instead buy the sperate volumes of Trust and Betrayal.


Also, Do Not Buy the current Reflections Disc, ADV will be released the Directors Cut version of it next year, it is much much better.

[Chrono1995]

I couldn't stand the director's cut version of Trust & Betrayal - it's basically stretching the image and cropping off the top and bottom by sticking in black bars for a faux widescreen look.

Anyways, this is one of the best things I've ever seen, anime-wise.

I didn't see the movie, and I thought "Reflections" was a horrible waste of quality animation and scoring. I would've rather had the Jinchuu Arc animated, and I didn't like the ending.

Lastly, in "Reflections", some of the characters seemed out of touch. I mean, would Hiko really give Yahiko the time of day?