Rurouni Kenshin Meiji Kenkaku Romantan Seisouhen

(OVA Series 2002 - 2 episodes - Studio Deen/SPE Visual Works)

4 reviews - 16.0 total score (Explanation of the rating system)
avg. score: (4.0)

4. VLeo

This is every bit as good as the first OVA though the tone takes a more mellow turn. This second and final OVA aptly concludes the Rurouni Kenshin TV Series.

There were many necessary flash back scenes to the TV series and added ones which brought out the love and friendships that Kenshin shared with his compatriots. One of the strongest plus points for me was getting to see the "Kenshin Gumi" all grown up!

Don't be mistaken that this is a wussy show. The fight scenes were magnificently done and more than a rival of the classic Ninja Scroll. Every series has to be taken in its right perspective. In the first OVA, Kenshin was establishing himself as a Battousai, in this one, Kenshin resolves the demons within himself. Kudos to the creators of the series who intricately woven the threads from beginning to end.

The show evoked deep feelings within me and one of these was an ingrained respect for the one known as the "Samurai X." He lived for his ideals, never once faltering; surely an anime character to stay in our hearts forever.

PS - My only "disappointment" was that there weren't any scenes of Saitou and his wife!

3. Cross Scars

This OAV is supposed to be the final installment in the Rurouni Kenshin saga. The main purpose of these two new episodes was to appease fans of the series who felt so aggrieved that the Jinchuu/Revenge Arc never got animated when many considered it the best story arc of the whole manga. Thus we get to see Enishi animated for the first time (at least as an adult) but overall the Jinchuu Arc still features relatively little in this OAV. Instead the first episode focuses on flashbacks of Kaoru's to past events while the second episode deals with Enishi and events afterwards that are completely new.

The quality between the two episodes was fairly wide too. The first episode really shows us very little we haven't seen before and even then the directors of this OAV seem to want to change that which we have seen. In every flashback there are differences to the original TV series and manga which is annoying. Some of them fundamentally change the message of the scenes and this all occurs when there's not a need for it. The second episode is by comparison far better. Perhaps it's because for a lot it even if you've read all the Kenshin manga you can't have any preconceptions about the events. It's good simply to see Enishi brought to life at last but even this is topped by the interesting characterization of Kenji. This episode is a tragic end to the Kenshin tale and while never matching the heights of the original OAV it is none the less touching to watch and provides a better ending to events than the TV series left us with.

On more mundane points the animation is a very impressive as befits an OAV and it keeps the same style as was used in the previous Kenshin OAV. The music is a fairly good set but the best tracks are in fact those that come from the score for the first OAV.

My username gives away that I'm a big Kenshin fan but no one should find this OAV a disappointment. The first episode is admittedly mediocre, as it's mostly been seen before, but the sad and new events that take place in the second more than make up for it.

2. Yogi

What a disappointment. This sub-par piece clearly tries to capture the spirit of the first OVA, but fails in the fact that it tried to squeeze too many things in to little time. Large sections of Kenshin’s life is simply glossed over, the scene changes between past and present gets much too confusing after a while, and the entire things has the feel of just a series of events, with no general story or direction holding them together. They should have made it LONGER, much longer.

1. weasl

Marking the end of the Kenshin saga, this second set of OVAs finishes up the story, as well as gives a brief recap of the events of the TV series for those new to it. Seisouhen is an interesting piece, with the majority of the air time dedicated to Kaoru's memories of Kenshin, their meeting, their struggles, and most importantly, their relationship. A great deal gets covered including the introduction of Kenshin and Kaoru's son, Kenji, as well as Kenshin's duel with his late lover's vengeful brother. Any fan of Kenshin *NEEDS* to see this. It's easily on par with the first OVA, and it brings a heartfelt conclusion to one of the better series out there. A must see.