Customer Reviews

Rurouni Kenshin - Battle in the Moonlight, Vol. 2

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Himura Kenshin - otherwise know as the "hitokiri batousai" was a professional assassin during the war that brought forth the Meiji era in Japan. Near the end of the war he disappeared. Kenshin became a "rurouni" (wanderer), using a "sakaba tou" (reverse-edged blade) to protect people. The series starts 11 years after the start of the Meiji period in Japan and traces Kenshin's adventures from there.

The series is historically correct in many aspects :). I absolutely fell in love with this series - a wonderful plot that ties episode to episode together. You can not get better plots than this. I don't wish to give it away but it is certainly not a series aimed at children; it contains much politics concerning the building of the new government and much evil done during the war to establish the new government, amazing fights (descriptions of certain moves & weapons in fights are real and accurate :)) and wonderful characters. There are many lighthearted & funny moments but in a way that fits in with the story and the characters. Again, plot is incredible in this story.

The characters are extremely well developed and the background music is absolutely amazing. The artwork is also incredible.

Specific to episodes 5 - 8. At this point some of the main characters are still being introduced but by no means boring introductions. The middle two episodes is a great little story with incredible fight scenes which makes a very important point.

That said. I do hope you try it out. I do not think you can be disappointed :).

This is a long anime series, and at first it may seem to drag somewhat. The early episodes are intended to introduce and establish the main cast of characters, to show them at their best, to allow the viewer to come to know them well. The stories told in episodes 1-27 (the first season) of the series are fairly simple, though fairly well-written. It is clear at all times that Kenshin and his friends are the "good guys," and that the people they're up against (bandits, pirates, terrorists, the like) are the bad guys, in almost all of these episodes. There are a few exceptions, but only a very few. It is with the second season that the story really becomes interesting, even riveting, as the series becomes more concerned with historical Japan. The stories become much more complex, with the lines between good and evil blurring and becoming nonexistent. This saga, the Kyoto Saga, is the best of Rurouni Kenshin, and the story which makes the series worthwhile. The main reason to watch these early episodes is for knowledge of the characters, their backgrounds, their stories, and their motivations, by the time the Kyoto Saga comes around. If you've already started the series, and are wondering what all the fuss is about, because the story isn't as interesting as you've heard, you've probably heard about the Kyoto Saga. Hang in there, it'll be worth it. In other words, the early episodes are worth buying as a part of the series, even though they're nothing spectacular on their own. The reason I give this 4 stars instead of 3 is simple: this is an excellent example of good translation work. If you're considering not bothering with the pro translations, and sticking with the fansubs, let me tell you, as someone who's watched the entire series fansubbed, you're making a mistake. This translation gives new quality to this series. Thank you to all those involved with the translation; you have preserved the beauty of the language used in the series, no easy task.

Of course since Himura Kenshin is staying with Karou Kamiya at her dojo, the title of "Rurouni Kenshin: Wandering Samurai" is rather ironic. Volume 2, "Battle in the Moonlight," continues the creation of the core group for the popular anime series and sets the tone for things becoming much more serious. In Episode 5, "The Reverse-blade Sword vs. The Zambatou," Kenshin and Sanosuke Sagara have their big dual. The episode title refers to their respective swords, a non-killing blade and the largest sword in Japan (a.k.a. "the horse killer"). We finally learn why Sanosuke hates the Imperialists and he ends up becoming the fourth member of the group. Episode 6 "The Appearance of Kurogas" and Episode 7 "Deathmatch Under the Moon" offers a two-part confrontation between Kenshin and a shadowy samurai who is able to cloud the minds of his opponent. Kurogas's goal is to enrage Kenshin so that he fights like the mankiller he once was and towards that goal he kidnaps Karou, who had been trying to get Kenshin to notice what is right under his nose.

Episode 8, "A New Battle," is the opening chapter of a larger storyline, introducing Megumi Takani. Descended from a long line of doctors she is now involved in an opium ring and seeks the protection of Kenshin. We also meet Aoshi Shinomori, the former master spy and assassin, who is now the chief enforcer for the opium ring. This ups the ante for "Rurouni Kenshin" in a couple of ways, not only because the subject matter is more serious, but also because Megumi seems intent on coming between Kenshin and Karou. What makes this rather interesting is that the "cutesy" anime sequences, usually provoked by any notion of romance between our hero and young Karou, are really starting to seem out of place. The strengths of this anime is that it is intent on developing a series of characters with some depth involved in stories set against the historical period of the Meiji Restoration. Young viewers are being brought up to the next level of anime story telling and the more serious the subject matter becomes in these episodes the less appropriate we find the kiddie stuff to be. Still, the ambitious nature of "Rurouni Kenshin" is clear at this point, which makes it a notch above most of its competitors.

In terms of the Extras this time around the Liner Notes continue our education on Japanese language and culture as to the meaning of "sessha," who the Shougital were, what constitutes a Battojutsu, and the correct usage of ore; however, be aware that these vocabulary terms are not in alphabetical order and that the writing is pretty small. The character provided on Volume 2 are of Megumi Takani and Aoshi Shinomori, as our little group continues to expand. There are even some faux "Outtakes" which show that these extras are limited by fan friendly.

Volume two of this stunning series is just as good as the first; as another reviewer has said, the earlier episodes are a bit more concerned with introducing the characters and developing their motivations; this said, there are still some stunning sequences that are well worth waiting for. This DVD also introduces the beginning of a very long storyline that will not be concluded until at least the end of the first season and (it seems) even beyond that.

The series is set in historical Japan but does take liberties, so it is best viewed as a work of historical fiction, or maybe even an 'alternate history' setting.

There is not much extra present on the DVD but what is present nicely complements the main feature, especially for those not already familiar with Japanese culture.

Subtitling is performed using a somewhat archaic-sounding form for Kenshin, but I feel that it is appropriate to how he behaves. The dubbed version seems to be adequate but I have not really listened to it (I am generally biased against dubs, as I have infrequently come across decent work in this area).

Finally, this is not a series that you will be able to just pick up; if you do not watch the episodes leading up to this, you will miss a great deal of the feel of the series. I strongly recommend watching this series in order; while this is not critical at this early stage, it will become more so as the series develops.

This DVD has episodes which meanings cannot be fully understood until seeing more of the Kenshin saga. The battle between Sonosuke and Kenshin is very entertaining and critical to the story as this will not be the last time that they fight. The episodes regarding Jinah and the battle in the moonlight show how Kenshin is battleing with his inner Batosai and how what he does will effect Kaoru. It forshadows the romance that will brew between the two of them, especially the "Protect the one you love" title. Kaoru is the main person bringing him back to who he is and not the murderer inside himself. This is an excellent DVD that will keep you at the edge of your seat with its fighting and romantic atmosphere. When first watching Kenshin on cartoon network this is the show that got me hooked and began a long binge on Rurouni Kenshin. I highly recommend it!

This is Volume 2 of the Rurouni Kenshin Series. This DVD is one of my favorites ( then again, all of them are my favorites ) because of the fighting sequences and introduction of new, main, characters to this series. In addition to the great stories and artwork, we have a glimpse at the relationship between Kaoru and Kenshin. Plus, the music selection is great. I think the pieces they have really suits the mood of the scene. The DVD contains 4 Episodes: Episode 5 is a continuation of Zansa, fighter-for-hire, Story Arc in which his past is made known to Kenshin. Episode 6-7 is the Kurogasa Story Arc in which Kenshin must come to terms with his past as a manslayer. Episode 8 is the beginning of the Oniwabanshu Story Arc.

Kenshin Himura, once known as The Battosai (manslayer), was a killer in service of the Japanese rebellion against the Shogunate. In that most turbulent of times Kenshin made a name for himself as the single most deadly swordsman of the era. Now Kenshin has turned his back on that, refusing to kill again, and, armed with a reverse-bladed sword, seeks to defend those who are oppressed or threatened.

The inner tragedy and betrayal that motivates Sanosuke Sagara (Zanza) are told for the time. We quickly come to understand that the rakish, violent swordsman has a great deal of genuine worth. Kenshin uses both his ability to fight and his ability to reach past barriers to find this value and turn the bitter warrior into a friend.

The next tale is the counter-story to Sanosuke's. This time another killer in the Imperial cause has let the joy of killing and bloodshed overwhelm him. Jinei has lost his humanity, and goes about killing politicians and public figures. When Jinei discovers the presence of Kenshin he issues his challenge, one that endangers Kaoru and threatens to turn Kenshin back into the killer he once was.

In the final episode, a cliffhanger, we meet the beautiful Megumi. Sought by the city's Yakuza, Megumi literally catapults herself into Kenshin's arms. Hardly an innocent herself, Megumi maneuvers Kenshin and his friends into a deadly confrontation with the Oniwaban, a group of ninja and esoteric killers. With spectacular results.

For all the violence that is a part of this series, they touch a deep chord. Kenshin's fierce determination to never kill again is matched by the close bond he forms with his friends. We see a man at peace with the arduous process of remaking himself, with little of the false pride that marks many of his fellow swordsmen. This combination of strong characters, a good story, and excellent graphic work makes this a must series.

I love this show so much, and if I am correct in assuming that this volume contains Kenshin's fight with Jine... these are probably the best pre-Kyoto episodes! Kenshin's character development is great in this part, you see both his romantic side and his Battousai side for the first time (Battousai being, basically, his killer side... no time for lengthy translation notes!) These episodes definitely set the stage for the serious conflicts Kenshin will face later... if you see nothing else this year, or decade, or lifetime, you must see Kenshin!

The video was as great and perfect as the ones on tv! The english dialogue was perfect, the color, everything was perfect to me!!

Ever since I first heard of Hitokiri Battousai... I've loved it. This volume contains the battle with Sano (One of my favorites) and the fight with Jinei, 2 of the best until you get to the Kyoto chapter. The background music is beautiful and the fight scenes are intense. The subtitles are wonderfully done, though the did "over-translate" to simplify things. I highly recommend this to any anime fan!