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35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"The last of life, for which the first was made", May 15, 2003
The 'Samurai X' OVA's stand separate from the body of the Rurouni Kenshin series in that the subject is the events preceding and following the television stories. While the contain a commonality in characters and are the go further in the direction of presenting more of the motivations that lie behind master assassin Kenshin Himura's decisions and provide us with closure on the story of a life full of regret and the quest for atonement. All of the OVA's, 'Reflections' included, lack the comic relief of the TV series. In that sense they are an acknowledgement of Kenshin's contribution, and the ongoing price he would have to pay for being a murderer. In 'Reflections,' Kenshin seeks the ability to be at peace again. And Kaoru, the loyal wife of his later years wants desperately to be as important a part of his life as his first love, Tomoe, who sacrificed her life at his hands so that he could go on to fight the Shogun. The pressures of their lives drive them apart on more time, as Kenshin travels to China to help the living. But the real story is the retelling of their relationship and it's themes in carefully interwoven flashbacks. The threads of destiny and duty wind tighter and tighter as the drama, reminiscent of Greek tragedy as well as Noh plays, comes to its bittersweet conclusion. It is almost unfortunate that 'The Cross-shaped Wound' (the last episode of the previous OVA volume) reached such a high standard of artistry. 'Reflections' is wonderful, beautifully written, illustrated and scored, but it lacks the utter magic of its predecessor. I can't fault it though, it is the difference between excellent and perfection, and I am delighted to have experienced both in the same series. Part of the stories charm is the maturing of not just Kenshin and Kaoru, but many of the supporting cast. Yahiko Myojin, a loyal friend, is a story unto himself, and several villains also make surprising developments. All of this gives the story a compelling multi-dimensionality that is infinitely satifying. Because Rurouni Kenshin is a historical romance surrounding real events, as well as a story with deep samurai roots, it appeals to a broad audience. In a sense, it stands at the apex of the use of anime as classical Japanese drama. Thus, it is worth seeking out for many reasons, illuminating and uplifting as well as entertaining. Above all, it will become an unforgettable memory.
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32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Reflecting on "Reflection", April 17, 2003
One of the most disturbing images in the new Kenshin OVA Reflection, is to see Kenshin failing in the grip of some sort of disease. This illness however, is a reflection of two distinct things: in the story presented here, Kenshin is not afflicted with some earthly disease such as leprosy or turberculosis. Megumi tells Kaoru that Kenshin is only a man, and that all of the fighting he has done will eventually take its toll. Kenshin also talks about having given up his sword and suffering in a different way to continue atoning for his past - and that is what I believe causes his illness. The lesions are an outer reflection of his inner turmoil and guilt, feelings that his once strong body can no longer supress. Kaoru doesn't contract it because it's communicable, but rather because her soul is so bound up in Kenshin's that she shares all of his pain, spiritual as well as physical. She willing shares his burden out of her great love for him. The story of Reflection takes a beloved character and reflects a flawed understanding of just who Kenshin was and what his story was about. His essential nature has always been that of a deeply scarred man attempting to atone for his past. He has always suffered and felt guilt for the killing he has done, yet he is also the wanderer who has cared for many people. A man who never abandoned his principles such that his very example has helped other unhappy and guilty souls find peace and purpose (i.e. Megumi, Sano, Saitou, Aoshi, even some of Shishio's Juppengatana). To believe that this man would, after all his been through - even after making his peace with Enishi - STILL be wandering around Japan, abandoning Kaoru and their son, is just unbelievable. The whole point of the story as I understand it is that Kenshin finally finds a home with Karoru at the Kamiya dojo since it was a place where he was accepted for both his past and present selves. He has found peace by defeating (or accepting) his past demons in the form of Shishio, and ultimately Enishi. Not only did Kenshin find rest from his wandering, but also a chance at happiness. The corruption of Kenshin's body is simply a reflection of how corrupt the story of Reflection ultimately is. It's hard as a Kenshin fan to accept that this is the latest, and presumeably last, installment in Kenshin's story. I believe that while there are some minor good things - such as seeing Kenji (his fight with Yahiko was the highpoint of the story) and finally getting to see Enishi's arc (if only briefly) were minor pleasures in what is ultimately a bittersweet ending. I believe that the original name, Year of Frost, was well very chosen. This is the melancholy version of how Kenshin's story might have turned out if things had been different. I personally prefer the story where Kenshin not only finds peace and forgiveness for himself, but happiness too.
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful animation, depressing OOC plot., November 7, 2004
This review is from: Samurai X - Reflection - Director's Cut (Rurouni Kenshin) (DVD)
I bought the Region-2 DVD of this director's cut before the domestic release of the original version, so this was actually my first exposure to it. I was forewarned by summaries and spoilers about how much of a downer it would be, but boy, is this OVA a downer. Although the animation is as beautiful as the first OVA (Trust/Betrayal), its dramatic structure is imho much weaker due to various factors. The first half of Reflections is built around fragmentary recaps which can't be fully understood without prior familiarity with the original manga and/or the parallel first two seasons of the tv series. The plot then proceeds through the manga's Jinchuu Arc in a manner that's only slightly less cursory, and similarly requires foreknowledge of either those manga volumes (not yet translated by Shounen Jump as of the DVD's release date) or the Trust/Betrayal OVA, or optimally both. And then there's the whole question of how the OVA depicts Kenshin's behavior after the manga timeframe; in many fans' opinion, he completely reverses the direction of character development that was shown throughout the manga, negating the peace he'd supposedly found. So while Reflections is dependent on its context, it simultanously undermines that context's core themes, which is a really irritating paradox. A mitigating factor in the Director's Cut is that it adds some happy scenes that weren't present in the original version: Kenshin's second wedding; early scenes from his marriage including the birth and childhood of his son. Kaoru and Saitou also have a brief conversation about, er, something. (Maybe if I actually understood Japanese I could attempt a summary.) Nitpickers will be entertained to note that the wedding is grossly anachronistic, as the "traditional" Shinto ceremony wasn't invented until 1900. Still, the animation really is dang beautiful. The recaps of key fights from the manga/anime are full of grace and power; in more introspective scenes, individal cherry petals or fireflies float weightlessly through the air. The character design is slightly different from either the first OVA or the tv series, but certainly recognizable and vital. In the long run, while you kinda have to be a diehard RK fan to really appreciate this OVA, most diehard RK fans may end up in a maelstrom of pathos and indignation by the end. Watch at your own risk, and keep some tissues ready-- even if you don't need them for your eyes, other people nearby may need to stuff them into their ears.
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