Hunters-Guild.org: Kaji's Blog: Anime Review: Rurouni Kenshin Shin Kyoto-Hen Part 1

The Samurai who once gave up the named "Hitokiri Battousai" to become a rurouni is back. As is one of his deadliest of enemies in the new re:telling of the second arc of the Rurouni Kenshin Manga. Kenshin got very popular in the mid-90s in Japan with 28 Tankobon, 95 T.V. episodes, two movies (animated & live action), 3 different O.A.V.s, art books, figures, games, and more. It has been sense 1997 sense our beloved wanderer Himura Kenshin has a had to relive the past and battle his once replacement, Shishio Mokoto. Does Kenshin stand a chance this time around?

STORY:

The blood-stained path of Himura the Battousai, (now Himura Kenshin) is starting to catch up with him. He now travels to Kyoto to face the oncoming war that Shishio Mokoto plans to bring head on to Japan. Both where once assassins that worked for the same side, but now the two must fight for the future of Japan.

Honestly, if you're watching this OAV there is a good chance you watched this same thing during the Rurouni Kenshin T.V. series. I love the original story, and this OAV does nothing but enhance and compliment it. The story starts out differently then the original: Originally where Misao met Kenshin in the forest, now she meets him when she accuses him of being "Hitokiri Battousai" and the last person to see her love Shinomori Aoshi alive." From there on, the basic of the original story stays the same with enough differences to keep things interesting.

My only complaint here is also a compliment; They took out alot of story and characters that lead up to this. Unless you watched the original T.V. series, read the manga, or had a friend give you a quick summery - you are going to be confused. You won't know who or why Kaoru, Yahiko, or Sano are really coming after Kenshin. (Maybe I missed something, as my Japanese is sketchy.) It really throws you into the story. Even though you may feel in the dark about certain things, the story flows well together. You may not miss what you don't get, and that isn't a bad thing in these times of anime having to many main characters. 4/5

DIRECTION:

Changing the story just enough to keep old fans interested and new fans on the edge of their seat was the best choice someone can make when retelling a story that was originally told back in 96'. Some of the battles that took placed where skipped originally, but they where battles no one would of originally cared about. Sorry Senkaku, I don't feel bad for saying that. 5/5

AUDIO:

The original Japanese cast returns, with the exception of Ken Narita replacing the late Hirotaka Suzuoki, with the spirit and energy like they never where apart. From the first minute hearing Mayo Suzukaze's voice coming out of Kenshin mouth to the end credits, I was one happy fanboy. Ken Narita does such a perfect Saito you would think there wasn't even a change in cast.

The music is also great - Remixed and re:recorded versions of the music from the original T.V. series pulls at the heart. If I had to compair it to something, I would compair it to the FFVII: Advent Children Soundtrack. Enough old school with a whole new feel. I plan to find this soundtrack at AX12 if it's possible. 5/5

VISUAL:

The animation is fantastic. Smooth, crisp, and clear. The characters have alot of feeling in their face with the new character designs. Studio Deen, who animated episode 66+ of the T.V. series did a great job bringing Kenshin back. The battles that once looked a little stiff (Old school anime VS new school anime) are now smooth and quick. I wanted to watch it right away once it was over, but my fiancee reminded me it was way past my bedtime. ^~ 5/5

OVERALL:

Everything about this OAV screamed old school anime with a new feel. The only unfortunate thing about this OAV is that it did skip alot of information. Perhaps this should of been a 3 part OAV, with the first part introducing characters and a little back story. Even without that though, this first part feels like it's just path to the greater battle. I will have high standards for the second part.

Kenshin is back to prove that he isn't some old anime relic, but one of the top known anime characters.