Rurôni Kenshin: Ishin shishi e no Requiem (1997)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Tsuji Hajiki

Writers:

Nobuhiro Watsuki (story)
Yukiyoshi Ôhashi (dramatization)

Release Date:

20 December 1997 (Japan)

Genre:

Animation | Action | Drama | Fantasy | History | Romance

Plot Keywords:

Meiji | Manga | Anime | Samurai | Japan

Cast

Mayo Suzukaze	...	Kenshin Himura (voice)
J. Shanon Weaver	...	Kenshin Himura (voice: English version)
Miki Fujitani	...	Kaoru Kamiya (voice)
Judson L. Jones	...	Shigure (voice: English version)
Kara Bliss	...	Kaoru (voice: English version)
Yûji Ueda	...	Sanosuke Sagara (voice)
Gray Haddock	...	Sanosuke (voice: English version) (as Gary G. Haddock)
Mîna Tominaga	...	Yahiko Myôjin (voice)
Shaneye Ferrell	...	Toki (voice: English version)
Derek Wade	...	Yahiko (voice: English version)
Ken Webster	...	Saitou (voice: English version)
Hirotaka Suzuoki	...	Hajime Saitô (voice)
Clay Towery	...	Kajiki (voice: English version)
Bill Wise	...	Tomono (voice: English version)
Bill Harwell	...	Yamagata (voice: English version)

Also Known As:

Samurai X: The Motion Picture (USA) (video box title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

English | Japanese

Color:

Color

Certification:

UK:15

Company:

Fuji Television Network

Quotes:

Kaji: I will not be killed by a corrupt man who stands for false justice!

Kill one guy, you gotta take on all his friends

This story is as amazing as the other OVA's and the Kenshin series. True, plenty of fans have had their differences over the two. But I disagree with any disrespect given to this movie.

This movie, compared to the first parts of the OVA (Trust and Betrayal for us pro-English/Japanese-handicapped folk) is closer in style and story to the Kenshin series. The animation is identical to the series though the voice acting cast is different since this movie predates the series by a few years.

From the flashbacks to Kenshin's assassin days to the fact that he's fighting the same battles a decade later, we see that Kenshin's determination to kill with his sword in his former days will never allow his more peaceful side a chance to really be at ease. As in the series... Kenshin's victims, or rather their friends and family, dog Kenshin's every step with either ideas of revenge, making him feel guilty about his deeds, or forcing him to confront impetuous adversaries in order to make things right.

Kenshin uses his reverse-blade sword to try to save himself and his opponents from deadly mistakes. But he finds out how hard it is to atone for such unspeakable bloodshed.

This movie is a little easier on Kenshin's personal life than Trust/Betrayal, but attentive viewers will share in Kenshin's deep frustration when so many subverse elements ruin his chances to make amends.