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10 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
Truly Beautifull., 1 October 2003
9/10
Author: Fangor from Sweden

Truly Beautifull. I havent seen the series, but has seen the first OVA and Requiem for the res... So much of this film was pretty messy as sequenses from this long series swirl by one after another without much explanation. But I read up on some Fan sites and the events, history and characters became much clearer, and I could appretiate the soul of the film without haveing seen the series. And I have to say that a film can move me deeply but I rarely cry, at all... But through the end of the second part I just wept. It was so sad and so beautifull... The categories I have judged separatly, and it still ended up as an all 10(nearly), but the most exellent parts of this anime are the characters and the great story. Maybe I will watch the series one day, but for me the serious, mature Kenshin that is portrayed in the 2 OVAS will allways be the one who stays in my heart and soul. Do see The first OVA or the series before you see this film as it is not stand alone in any way. Average 9.8(10)

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8 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :-
Great, only if you've seen the T.V. series and the first OVA., 17 August 2002
9/10
Author: Epsilon1000 from Nevada, US

I thought that the Rurôni Kenshin Seisô hen OVA was great. There are some problems with it though. The lack of explaination of who the characters are is one major flaw in the movie. By the time I saw this OVA though, I saw some of the T.V. series and the first OVA and knew who most of the characters were. Anyone who has not seen the first OVA and the T.V. series may be confused to what's going on. This should only be watched after the first OVA and at least some of the T.V. series. There are many flash backs, like the rest of the Rurouni Rurôni movies, which may also cause some confusion.

I gave this a 9 because I understood what was going, and I like how the battle sequences were done. Without knowledge of who everyone is and what happened in the first OVA, this would be pointless movie to watch.

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9 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
Horrid Betrayal of the Spirit of RuroKen, 8 March 2006
1/10
Author: OmegaWolf747 from Michigan, United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

This is the biggest piece of garbage I've seen that's attached to the name Rurouni Kenshin. I never saw the third season of the anime, but I could probably tolerate that better than this train-wreck.

A lot of people like the animation and character design. I despised it. The characters all look ugly, with these glazed-over eyes and depressive faces. They look nothing at all as they do in the manga, or even the anime.

The Jinchuu Arc has all the important plot-points (the three-front attack, the corpse doll, Rakuninmura and Kenshin putting his demons to rest) stripped out. In this version, all that happens is Enishi kidnaps Kaoru (who doesn't even try to fight him) and leaves a note saying, "Jinchuu". Kenshin goes to the island alone (instead of with all the others as he did in the manga), fights Enishi, beats him and then offers his life in exchange for Koaru's. *flips through her manga volumes and can't find one instance of kenshin offering his life to an enemy* Since Kenshin never went through the life-altering experience of Rakuninmura, he really couldn't form a close bond with Kaoru in this OVA as he did in the manga. That is why five years into their marriage, his attitude was, "Screw my family. Saving the world is more important", and he went to China to help the Meiji government invade a sovereign nation. I'm 100% sure this is something manga-Kenshin would never do.

The idea of Kenshin sleeping with Kaoru when he has a communicable disease and condemning her to death is laughable. Hello, no-kill vow anyone! Or perhaps this doesn't include the woman he's supposed to love.

Kaoru is changed from a strong, fiery-tempered shihondai who would beat the crap out of her husband for even thinking of such a thing in the manga to this weak-willed and spineless woman who just sits there crying as Kenshin goes off. Then she welcomes him back with open arms and sleeps with him in order to "share his pain".

This is reminiscent of Hindu women, who would throw themselves on their husbands' funeral pyres because apparently in those cultures, a wife's life is meaningless if her husband dies. The director was portraying Kenshin and Kaoru as a traditional Japanese couple rather than as Kenshin and Kaoru.

I have no problem with being historically and culturally accurate, but not at the price of butchering Watsuki's characters and storyline. Either follow the manga, or don't animate the stupid thing!

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5 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :-
A Beautiful Masterpice, 11 July 2005
10/10
Author: arorashadow_2003 from United States

I thought it was very very good. Truly a work of art, and a classic in my book. A little slow moving for an Action series, but very good. But I really didn't mind it being a little slow, as action doesn't mean it will be good. My gripe, at times I got a little lost and confused, but none the less, quickly bounced back. And it had absolute wonderful music too, absolutely a beautiful Original Score. I tell you it truly is the most moving soundtrack ever, gives Hans Zimmer a run for his money. It would win an Oscar. The only problem with it is, that it was used a bit too much. When you use music to much it loses it's power for other sequences. Composers have to be-careful with that. But it really was good. If there's a soundtrack out there, I'll be getting it. Not the best of Animation, but oh well, it is an OAV, and Anime is under-budgeted anyway.

And it was an absolute wonderful and powerful story. So beautifully told, too. Two lovers, who are so dedicated to each other, and how war affects them. I cant ask for a better story. It redeems the incredibly bloody action/violence. Another thing I really liked was, even though it was action, it had a lot of drama in it, and mind. I don't like mindless action/violence, riddled with drug content, or language. B/c there comes a point when violence is too distracting, and you loose the focus of the story. I'm may be a guy, but I'm a softy for the sappy stuff. Especially with Romance. That's what I always love about Anime, there is some kind of Drama. "Kawaii overdoes" as was stated on the descriptors of Anime Network's parental guidance warning. And they mean it. And it had the most powerful ending ever. Simple, pure, and heart wrenching. Two Lovers clearly week likely on there death bed, walk down a beaten path to each other, and our long time hero, dies right in her armes. So powerful, it puts you to tears.

Nice use of music, visuals, cast, and theme. Great use of thematic elements, to give it the emotional punch. Terrfic Voice Acting from the English cast. And a really sad ending too.

If you are a Kenshin Fan, and you haven't's seen this, you should!!!! It is wonderful, and even if you are not, if you like action/adventure, or your a sucker for the sweet sappy stuff (like me) you are bound to love this. I strongly recommend it! As I haven't seen the other OAV's, you might want to check those out too.

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7 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :-
The OVA that ends it all..., 28 April 2002
8/10
Author: sander-22 from Hengelo, The Netherlands

Kenshin lasted a long time: OVAs, Movies and more then three years of television - but all good things must come to an end.

Will Kaoru get Kenshin? What will happen to Yahiko and Sanouske?

This 2-part Kenshin OVA answers those questions and ends the series in a worthy way. It is not as good as some of the other OVA's and TV episodes, but not bad at all.

You could see it as a summary of the TV series plus a final episode.

Fans will definitely not want to miss this, if only to close the magnificent book of Kenshin.

Rating: 8/10

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2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
Don't view it as the end, 3 September 2008
5/10
Author: AmonAmarth856 from United States

I have one major complaint about Seisô Hen. Seisô Hen was not written by Watsuki (creator of Rurouni Kenshin, so the ending in the manga is different than the OVA. The ending to this OVA is far more depressing, and according to an interview with Watsuki, he prefers the manga ending because "Kenshin went through so much crap he deserved a happy ending". The beauty of Rurouni Kenshin being fiction, you can choose which ending to believe in. Quite frankly the ending entirely ruined it for me.

That aside, what you do have is a masterful OVA. The animation, artwork, and sound are of spectacular quality. When it comes to technical merit, this gets a 10/10. However technical qualities won't make up for the ending.

If you've read the manga, go ahead and give it a watch. Just keep in mind that the ending is not what Watsuki wanted. I've seen it once and plan on never watching it again

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3 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Well this Is the Truth, 4 August 2008
1/10
Author: blink-fanlife (blink_182_fan4life@hotmail.com) from United States

Why put a happy series and happy people to a depressing, dieing, mean ending. Thats like putting mickey mouse in a coma cuz he abused his son he had with minnie . then he killed minnie then mickey gets a disease and dies and you have to watch ALL OF IT.

mickey was happy.

Kenshin was happy, we all new kaoru and kenshin were going to get married. They were gonna have a kid named kenji so Lord watsuki named. they were gonna live a happy life with Sano and yahiko around. Yahiko and Tsubame were gonna date. Sano and megumi were gonna eventually be together. If either Kenshin or Kauru died, it would of been old age. Nothing depressing. Thats what watsuki wanted, not bull like this.

Rurouni kenshin was filled with comedy and Romance. Not a bunch of depressing crap and diseases. Stay away from the film. If you have a kid go show them what happens to mickey. Thats how me and true kenshin fans felt. And thats how Noburhiro felt.

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3 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Seisô hen, 10 February 2006
10/10
Author: mel_lzl from Singapore

Seisô hen basically means after so many years have lapsed. i think it's a beautiful production and its really worth a try. a word of caution though, i notice many who followed the anime/Manga didn't find this OVA very worthwhile. but if you didn't, and only watched Tsuioku hen, then your in for an awesome treat. it's mainly Kaoru reminiscing about her and Kenshin's past. about their past encounters and so forth, so to anime viewers, it's more like a whole summary of the series but to non-anime viewers, it's like a whole burst of information! all the stuff you missed out on! though anime viewers say that it isn't accurate. but oh well, i had nothing to lose. Kenshin goes off to china and just doesn't come back, Kaoru's ill after contracting his disease from him but still awaits his return. Kenji, out of frustration, left for Kyoto to seek the skill of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu from Hiko. Sanosuke manages to find Kenshin only to realise he's lost his memory, only with one thing left: he has to go home. so Sanosuke helps him out, sends him home to japan, back to Kaoru. then this is the best part. *weeps and sobs her head off*

the soundtrack is awesome. i got ordered and imported from Japan, waited a month for it. that's how much i adore it. just listening to the songs with your eyes closed or whatever, brings back all the emotions you felt when you were watching the show. yeah.

by the way, i didn't watch the anime. so it was superb to me.

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1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
This is not Rurouni Kenshin, 24 December 2008
2/10
Author: Max Prodanov from Sofia, Bulgaria

What happens when a positive story with humor and an optimistic message is retold as a depressing melodrama riddled with pessimism, disease and negativity? A masterpiece? No, of course not. The result is something so absurdly different from the original that there's simply no reason to acknowledge any connection between the two. Just think of Seisohen as something else. A different story with different characters.

We know that Kenshin wants to redeem himself for the blood he spilled during the revolution, but god knows why, in Seisohen he decides to go to China to kill even more people. The impression is given that Kenshin's lust for blood is so strong that he goes sneaking out at night killing people... because he can't escape his cruel destiny of a killer. The whole story behind the Reverse blade sword is lost. The motive of redemption through helping people is lost.

If you've seen the original series, watching Seisohen will probably give you the feeling that all the main characters are on drugs, terminally ill or suicidal. You might ask: "What the hell happened to everyone?" or "Is the Ghost of Christmas future showing me this?" No, you're simply watching a different show. Something as absurd as a melodrama based on "South Park" or a comedy based on "Schindler's list". Just imagine.

The ending of Rurouni Kenshin is Episode 95: "End of Wanderings". That's it. Only watch Seisohen if you haven't seen the original, otherwise you'll be sorry.

An objective 2 stars out of 10 because the plagiarism and melodramatism negate anything achieved by the animation.

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1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
animation is the only thing that saves it., 12 July 2008
1/10
Author: mangarocks200-1 from United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Samurai X Reflection (or Seiso Hen) is a continuation of the anime series, at the time of the animes end, the manga was going through the jinchu arc while the anime was doing filler to give manga time to get ahead. Unfortunately the anime produced dozens of filler before the manga could get ahead enough and thus was canceled before the jinchu arc could be made. Anyways back to the review.

Samurai X Reflection is as said a continuation, of the rurouni kenshin series, is literally a reflection of kenshin from the perspective of his wife Kauru. Still feeling guilty of his crimes from his past as a assassin, he leaves to wonder with his wife Kauru supporting him, leaving behind her and his son Kenji. It is recaps some events, animates some of the jinchu arc (I'll be coming back to this soon), and goes into detail of kenshin and kaurus final years.

First the good, the animation is f-ing beautiful. Everything is animated so well, with characters moving realistically, hell even their hair looks really well detailed, and its almost unbelievably gorgeous. This and its predecessor, Tsuikiohen, are among the best animated animes ever made. As for the rest of the good, that about it. No seriously, the voice actors (english), story are just UGH. The voice actors seems to not even attempt to get in character or express emotion but seem to be just reading the script. Not only that character don't even sound right, a character, Yahiko (whoms 15) sounds like he is in his mid 20's, Kauru sounds emotionless, Kenshin sounds like well bad. The story is, well depressing. From of a fan of the manga and anime perspective, its terrible, not in keeping with the spirit of the manga/anime series. From a general watcher, its okay and depressing. I literally got depressed from watching this (thanks to George Carlin, RIP, that wasn't for long) and upset me deeply, many key events, are either left out or bastardized, for example, the jinchu arc, which was about Kenshins Brother in law (from his dead ex wife, whom he accidentally killed) trying to get revenge on him, was shortened and simplified completely. Many moments in the show were redone from Kaurus perspective, and the ending is well, just watch it you feel depressed watching it. If you never read the manga or watched the show, you won't notice nor care, but if you like the show or the manga you will notice it and probably irk you. The tone is another one that gets me, while the anime/manga was mostly lighthearted and enjoyable, this is very somber and sad tone throughout and like I have said countless times, depressing.

Overall, if you never read or saw the manga/anime, you may enjoy it but keep some tissues/something funny nearby at all times. I would not recommend this to fans of the manga/anime for obvious reasons, watch it if you want but be prepared to be disappointed severely.

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