Rurouni Kenshin / Samurai X

[Tavrobel]

I've only ever seen seasons one and two, and season two is just the greatest to me. Season one drags on sooo long, perhaps because it is introducing characters and telling all their stories, and season three started out weird and I never wanted to finish it (I read that this season wasn't derived from the manga as it was still being written, so perhaps that is why), though it has been a long time since I attempted.

Season 1 and 2 are both based on the original manga, ending at episode 62. Season 3 is all filler, every last bit. 63 is a bit of a shoutout to Kenshin's past but it's just to tip off that they aren't doing anything else from the manga. There is a noticeable decline in quality until the Shimabara arc, and after that it drops off horribly again. 100% skippable, but potentially entertaining.

After episode 62, you start reading from chapter 152 in order to continue the series with Kenshin's past. This is the written version (mostly) of Trust & Betrayal/Tsuiokuhen. You finish with the rest of the manga's Jinchu arc.

Reflections/Seisouhen is the closest thing you get to an animated version of Jinchu. Unfortunately, this is also of sub-standard quality. This is quite the shame because there's supposed to be even more fights than in the second season.

There's also a "filler" movie, Requiem for the Patriots, and a 2010 "update" for the Kyoto Arc where everything is thrown into a pinball machine. You can watch these, too, I guess.

The only real differences in adapting Tsuiokuhen are...... that the events are slightly shuffled, but this was the correct change to make for pacing.

The manga didn't bother to blur the age difference between Kenshin and Tomoe.

Tomoe cuts the rest of Kenshin's scar while dying in the anime; she does it almost by accident in the manga.

Most importantly, the manga clarifies that it was Kenshin's idea to "pretend" to be married.

In addition, the manga version carries the sort of tense but comical tone of the rest of the series. Tsuiokuhen is dead serious the whole way through, zero laughs expected.

[Forsaken Lover]

The scythe wasn't the only big thing wielded by this little "lady."

[black orb]

>>> Thats Shishio`s lover boy, I remember him..

[Shauna]

I have read all the manga which was great, and watched up to the end of Shishio's arc (I think). I never saw the last arc of the anime, but I'll get round to watching that subpar thing any day now.

The Samurai X movies were alright. I liked Trust and Betrayal, Reflections - not so much. It made it too dark and they ruined the great ending of the manga. Oh, that final battle between Kenshin and what's-her-face's kid? Over in like 2 minutes. Ugh. Why were they dying?!

Just read the manga. xD

I am interested in watching the live action movie and the reboot that came out recently. I'll have to have a look into these.

[DarkBahamut]

The OVA Trust and Betrayal is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.His past is filled with such tragedy, change in lifestyle, and he eventually is hurt for life for listening to his heart (when he's young and leaves master Hiko Seijuro because he feels like innocent people are being killed even though Hiko perfectly predicts that he will be forced onto one side of the Revolution and all of his talent would only make him a pawn/assassin.) And he finally finds someone who can change him, and kills her with his own hands.P.S. Kenshin's Battosai ego is awesome.Before going on further, the series ends for me at the end of the Kyoto arc. In fact, I don't remember season 3 vividly. All I know is that he faces Shogo, the guy that claims himself as a God and uses Hiten Mitsurugi Style as well. And then there's something about like Black Knights.Now, addressing the first two seasons: For me, Season 1 is really good. I mean, the anime is overall brilliant. But I have to agree with Shorty that it drags on too long. There's too many things that happen that don't seem necessary. The Oni-Waban group is awesome. Jinei is the first time we see the man-slayer in him. It's basically a summary of what Kenshin is and how he is as a person. At one point, every episode is just him saving his friends or some randoms. And too many of his enemies think it's easy for them to defeat a legendary swordsman who is widely known as the best.Again, only according to me, this is where the anime kicks off and becomes so exciting. I remember the exact episode numbers, the second half of episode 29, and first half of episode 30. Kenshin vs Saito has to be one of the most epic fights in anime history. And this is where the new soundtrack is brought, the tone darkens, thus marking the start of the Kyoto Arc/Season 2. I feel like his reverse-blade sword is given more importance for his character and it really serves as a symbol of his inner-battle between man-slayer and pacifist. Yeah, sometimes it seems throughout the series, it seems weird. Some of his enemies die themselves. And vs Cho, how coincidental was it that the last sword that person's dad made was a reverse-blade sword hahaha.And honestly, my heart melts over Sojiro (no homo). He might be my favorite character and his story is compelling. And the ending of the series is filled with a lot. The return of Aoshi and that story is also awesome.But look at this: Episode 47 to 60 contains Anji vs Sanosuke, the battle at the Aoiya, Saito vs Usui, Kenshin vs Aoshi, Kenshin vs Sojiro, everyone vs Shishio.

[Freya]

Aren't there some live actions movies for this series? Anyone seen them? Here have trailers. They look good to me.

[Lone Wolf Leonhart]

Sometimes, it makes me think of a Gundam show that used to come on before or after RK on Cartoon Network. I could swear the lyrics had Shining Finger in it, but when I look it up it's only a quote from the show and has nothing to do with lyrics. Pisses me off.

[Mercen-X]

Hory Kod! I never even knew they were saying Flying in the Sky. I always said either "Raichu Kai" or "Right, you guys!" lol

[Forsaken Lover]

[starlet]

I love kenshin, but I havent seen it all. I need to fix that! Ive also seen the live action movie, it was really well done. I also drew this awhile back!
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[Mercen-X]

Found the Kenshin ending theme I've had stuck in my head for weeks:
Hitori de wa, tooi ashi'ta wo
Yoake no mama de, koesou de
Butsukatteikya kokeru omoi yo
Konya mo mata, sure chigai

Though I'm alone, I think I can cross over
the distant tomorrow, as long as it's still dawn
Feelings that would break apart
Pass by each other again tonight