 |
| 5. 3rdEyeVision
 
I must admit I was pretty skeptical about this series when
I first decided to sit down and watch it. The only reason was that it was a whopping
95 episodes long and I had never before even attempted to watch a series this
long. I didn't know if it could actually manage to keep my attention for that
long. Well, the good news is : It did. This show is so well done and entertaining,
it doesn't feel like it's as long as it really is. Himura
Kenshin is a character that is easy to like. While not being the typical ass kicking
sword-swinger that most of us would expect, he is by no means weak or passive
to the point of boredom. The catch is, he fights using a reverse blade sword as
not to mortally wound his opponents, just put them out of commission for a while.
It sounds kind of anti-climactic, but it's pulled off quite well throughout the
whole series. As for the storyline, you can almost
break it down into seasons , or about 30 episodes in this case. The first 30 are
almost like an introduction to Kenshin, where you get familiar with the
fairly large cast of supporting characters. The second set of 30 episodes are
what most people consider the best part, the Kyoto storyline involving Makoto
Shishio. This is by far the most climactic season. You almost get the feeling
that they weren't expecting it to go beyond the second season. The third season,
or last 30-35 episodes or so are not really *bad* but they just lack the same
impact and continuity of the first 2 seasons. It's more like a string of side
adventures that you could take or leave and still have had the same great experience
as you did with the first 60 episodes. Think of it as filler. (although I kind
of liked the Feng Shui storyline). My bottom line is: This is greatness. It really
doesn't get much better. The only thing that holds it back from a perfect score
for me is the excessive amount of episodes, some of which I could take or leave. |
| 4. Gyro
Hitokiri Battousai is a legend throughout Japan. He was known
to be unstoppable in battle, and has taken the lives of many. When he could no
longer stand bringing death and destruction, Himura Kenshin, the battousai, took
an oath never to slay another human again. To repent for his deeds, he has become
a wanderer who wields a reverse blade sword to help the innocent in any way he
can. Which is were Rurouni Kenshin begins. The first
season is a little slow, but still above most other anime shows. The series picks
up considerably during the second season, the Kyoto Arc. It's what you hear the
die-hard Kenshin fans jabbering about. Great action, animation, and story
make it the highlight of the series. Then the third series comes along. After
the greatness that is the Kyoto arc, the third season just seems... subpar. The
series does an excellent job of mixing action with humor. Even during the darker
episodes there's always a few jokes thrown in for comic relief and it doesn't
feel forced. The interaction between the different characters will always make
you chuckle. The characters are one of the major
appeals for the show. From the loudmouthed street brawler Sanosuke Sagara, to
the silent ninja Aoshi Shinomori, just about every character has something about
them that makes them easily likable and cool. The
animation and music are topnotch. The animation only gets better as the series
progresses, and the music fits the action on the screen perfectly. All of the
beats are very catchy, too. You'll be wearing a big goofy grin every time you
hear the opening theme. All in all, it's a good series,
well worth checking out. Besides, who doesn't like samurai? |
| 2. Olmanek
(Importantly after the Shishio arc around episode 60 or so
I believe, the series goes off in a different direction than the Manga did, which
has bothered many fans, and which bothered me as well, but in the new Seisouhen
OAVs which finishes off the story they cover the manga storyline, only briefly
though. One extra thing I think I should add, I do not recommend that you watch
the first OAVs (the ones covering Kenshin when he was the Hitokiri) before this
series, it would be best that you watch it at the very earliest just after the
end of the Shishio arc, the reason for this is that one of the reoccurring things
amongst fans is that if they watch the OAV first they end up being confused and
often angered by the series due to the completely different tone and nature that
it has.) Set in Japan during the Meiji Era, 10 years
after the Bakumatsu, Himura Kenshin now a Rurouni (Masterless Samurai) formerly
known at the infamous 'Hitokiri Buttousai' who disappeared shortly before the
final days of the Bakumatsu, stumbles across the young female owner of a dojo
after wandering for 10 years, he comes to reside at the dojo but makes clear to
Kaoru (The owner of the dojo) that he is a wanderer and will likely one day continue
his journeys never to return, and so you have the premise. Rurouni
Kenshin is the best Sword-fighting anime series made, and has some of the
best fights scenes from any anime series, but, do not be mislead, this series
isn't just flashy, stylish fighting, it has a strong background and has strong
character development mainly due to the length of the series, you can genuinely
see the characters mature and transform which is a rare luxury in any series,
anime or not. Kenshin lives his life trying to atone for past sins and in some
sense recognize the own worth of his life, he struggles to refrain from becoming
the Hitokiri again but enemies from the Bakumatsu appear and he has trouble not
reverting. All the characters have interesting complex pasts which he or she is
trying to overcome or atone for, the reasons for their actions and the reactions
to situations are very realistic and makes it easy to empathise with the characters,
plus there is a huge cast each with their own story and each adding to the flavour
of the series. Rurouni Kenshin is a great series which can appeal to just
about every fan, it has romance, comedy, character depth and manages to cover
a huge scope of events, a wonderful series. |
| 
 |
