Rurouni Kenshin: Seisouhen | |
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| | Alternate title : Samurai X - Reflection
Studio : Studio DEEN
Licenced by :
Length : 2 OAV
Year : 2001
Genre : Action - Drama - Historical - Romance
Synopsis :
This takes a look back at the entire series of Rurouni Kenshin from Kamiya Kaoru's point of view. It touches on Kaoru's life after the death of her mother, and how she deals with being separated from Kenshin for so many years. About 96% of this OVA is unseen materials like Kaoru's conversations with Kenshin's opponents, and the aftermath of Kenshin's life as a battosai.
Added : 2005-10-30
Synopsis by : ladyarakune
Last update : 2008-03-06
Last update details : Link added
Score : 7.46
Number of reviews : 26
Link(s) :
A-Source #1 : Anime-Source.com DVD Review by Angelking & Kaiser
Release(s) :
There are no release available for this anime.
Hits : 24611
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Posted by : Cassandrita
Posted on : 2010-01-17 
Plot: 10
Characters: 9
Sound: 10
Animation: 10
Music: 10
Overall: 10
Watching this OVA I was hoping to see a conclusion to the entire series, and that is what I got. Me being a Rurouni Kenshin fan, I have read the entire manga and I particularly LOVED this OVA.
The animation was beautiful, the portrayal of Kenshin's and Kaoru's relationship captivated me. To those complaining about the recaps, it's good they showed them...it explains the story more, and for those that haven't read the manga it shows the parts needed to understand the series fully. The recaps I thought fit the movie perfectly, it told from Kaoru's POV not the usual view of the anime.
The settle fighting scenes I liked to, they were more realistic, and the realism aspect in this OVA is something that really set me to like it. I like fantasy, but it's nice to see a GOOD OVA that is told realistically.
Yes it had a couple of drawbacks, such as the voice actor for Kenshin or the drastic change from being the Battosai to a weak old man. Kenshin fans will either love or hate this film. If you are open to a complete change and an ending that DOES make sense...then you WILL love it.
The characters, Yahiko was one of my favorites, along with Sanosuke. As far as Kaoru and Kenshin, yes Kenshin is a bit out of character but this is AFTER the story of him being a battosai.
The music set the mood for each scene, especially the ending. The story was tragic...and touching. It's much more serious, so it does not have the comical relief the series has, but the reactions are so much more realistic.
10/10...this movie caused me to cry, and it closes a wonderful tale with a sad but amazing ending.
Posted by : MrSentimental 
Posted on : 2009-12-14  
I just started seeing some of the Kenshin shows. My bad for being so late. I think it'll be hard for any of the shows to stack up to the 4 episode "beginnings" OVA I recently saw, which was very well done. But this one was OK.
The artwork was first quality like in the "beginnings" OVA. Great job with the characters and backgrounds.
I found the interactions between Kenshin and Kaoru to be the biggest draw here. They were very warm and appealing together. There were numerous slower parts though, and I found myself hitting the fast-forward button on occasion. The action scenes were OK, but this really wasn't the main focus for this particular Kenshin flick. The biggest thing was Kenshin's and Kaoru's relationship.
The music and sound quality was OK, but nothing spectacular.
So, it was OK once, but I won't be giving it a second go-round. No humor to be found here (like in the "beginnings" OVA). There was happiness with the love between the two main characters, but this one had it's share of suffering and sadness as well. 3 1/2 STARS. 7 out of 10 rating.
Posted by : joem20
Posted on : 2009-04-13
If you are not a manga reader of this series, i believe this OVA is a perfect story to end the Kenshin Saga. I like the fact that they give more importance to Kaoru this time being a perfect wife to Kenshin. (I wish i can find a girl like Kaoru.. ^^)
Even the animation is not that good than the first OVA, it is not too bad. The fighting scenes were short but still good because of its perfect quality. I like the importance given in the details of their eyes.
The music was perfectly fitted in every part of the OVA, especially the last scene when Kenshin and Kaoru meet each other.
Overall, this was the perfect OVA to end the story Kenshin, who once a merciless Assassin, and now a helpless and weak man that needs love and care. The flashbacks were not a nuisance and the voice actors deserve great gratitudes from its fans. Kenshin is the best!!!!!!!
Posted by : miestersean
Posted on : 2008-07-21
Story: There are too many flashbacks and a lack of progression results.
Dialogue: Nothing profound is said due to the plot, but it's decently written.
Characters: The beloved main characters are all depressingly old and sickly and the new character Kenji is irritating.
Animation: Average; nothing stands out.
Music: Decent, but because of the weakness of the story, it can't excel.
Enjoyment: I felt annoyed and betrayed when forced to watch everyone suffer in their old age.
Value: Not recommended. It's a frustrating, anticlimactic tack-on ending.
Score: 4/10
Posted by : ScarredSwordHeart
Posted on : 2007-08-21
Sorry, but there is just no way for me to like this OVA. Instead of animating Watsuki-sensei's wonderful story, they just take bits and pieces of it and intersperse them randomly throughout a made up story that's worse than the worst filler arc of the third anime season.
Anyone who has read the manga or seen the anime would know that Kenshin and Kaoru would never behave as they did in this OVA. I understand that the director was going for a realistic and culturally accurate portrayal, but couldn't he just have used his own characters instead of mangling someone else's?
The only redeeming features to me of Seisouhen were the beautiful background animation and a glimpse of Kenji as a teenager.
A lot of people dislike Seisou!Kenji and call him a spoiled brat for how he treats his parents, but honestly I feel sorry for him. If any of us were treated by our parents the way Kenji is treated by Kenshin and Kaoru in this story, we would probably react the same way.
When all is said and done, Kenji is really the only character I like in this OVA.
Posted by : forshizzle
Posted on : 2007-07-25
I don't know, 'cause i didn't finish watching the series. But whatever it was, I don't think it would change my opinion of Seisouhen.
Maybe i'm a sucker for depressing and tense movies, but this made me shocked and touched until the very end. No shit, really. I'm being honest here.
Although I noticed some people believed there wasn't much action..or better phrased, little to no storyline. Arguably, I say the storyline was a closing of a wonderful series; not an elongated filler. Maybe I'm one in ten, but i took the lack of action as less is more, since Seisouhen was a movie that didn't need it. The repeats of events, a fresh but nostalgic reminiscing of what made the series so great. And the ending, a real, raw, but nonetheless beautiful. I won't put up any spoilers but the way the characters turned out, especially Kenshin, was elegant and very logical.
So long story short, Rurouni Kenshin: Seisouhen is the rare few in this decade that handled the closure of an anime with such grace and beauty.
10/10 babyy :)
Posted by : du5k
Posted on : 2007-03-21
I’ve never really completed the Rurouni Kenshin series, so I couldn’t compare. Seisouhen's a much more serious, as well as tragic version of the original series. Even the animation seems kind of different. While some Rurouni Kenshin fans may turn this down due to the huge difference in the mood/style, I feel that on it’s own, it's still pretty good.
First of all, you don't need to understand the original Rurouni Kenshin story to enjoy these OVA. Kenshin's and Kaoru’s character is near perfectly etched to the audience, you can feel that emotion like loss, loneliness and guilt clearly. Without comparing to the series, I’ll say this OVA has a complete plot in showing Kenshin’s life as a man slayer, his responsibilities and the things left that he wants to do. With a very complete ending too, although it’s a little sad, it's almost a beautiful end.
The animation has some differences, as Kenshin seemed to look quite different in these OVA. Otherwise, the animation is beautiful even though it didn't really used the newer animation technologies (I guess). The art in the background, like cherry blossoms and leaves, etc, are just wonderful.
There isn't much music you can appreciate, but their voice actors do shows their emotions nicely. I applaud that.
While this isn't really my type of anime/story, I enjoyed it nonetheless for the awesome plot and animation style, as well as the strong atmosphere set my the animation and background music.
Posted by : Glance_3
Posted on : 2007-03-16
Here is the end of Kenshin's history; it was pretty sad though. They made this one very seriously that it change the story line, because the series was hilarious and many liked it. And this one the recap of it, they somewhat change the setting. That's why I'm a bit disappointed. Although the story shaped itself to form the ending, that was very moving. I almost cried actually.
Plot:9/10
A bit common but it's a thing to look on to. You have to have knowledge of the series and other movie to understand it clearly though, but I'm sure if you're one of his fan you'll cry for good.
Animation:8/10
The animation was good and it has change totally from the original.
Music:9/10
Really puts you to the place there in and it really matches the scenes it. This is actually one of the factors that will make the viewer cry.
Voice:6/10
Good enough. I didn't really like that tomboyish voice of Kenshin; it makes him look like a girl, although it fits him (because he does looks like a girl here).
Overall:8/10
If you want to know how Kenshin ended his history you must watch this. The ending was somewhat disappointing, but its worth watching.
Posted by : GRC
Posted on : 2007-01-25
Overall - 7.2
Animation - 8.0
Sound - 9.0
Story - 4.0
Character - 7.0
Value - 7.0
Enjoyment - 8.0
An unexpectedly tragic and heartbreaking conclusion of Rurouni Kenshin, Seisouhen is a true love-it or hate-it show. Although the work itself is emotional and dramatic, but the flawed storyline and the unreasonable change of the main character's personality is likely to put many people off. As a result, Seisouhen will either be regarded as a beautiful and tragic work by some or a rude insult to the TV series by many others. As a person who believes in Karma, I was fortunate that I enjoyed this work. In fact, I loved it, although I indeed realized that Seisouhen has many flaws.
The first flaw of Seisouhen is its first episode. Although Seisouhen is the final conclusion of Rurouni Kenshin, but it is also an independent OVA. Thus, the decision has to be made whether Seisouhen's target audience would only be people who have seen the TV series or everyone. The creators' decision seems to be the latter, as the majority of the first episode is a recap of the major events in Kenshin from Reminiscence OVA until the end of Kyoto arc in the TV series. However, the recap was very rushed, as one episode is not enough to tell that much amount of a story. Therefore, people who have not seen the TV series would not really care for Kaoru. And people who have not seen Reminiscence would not know much about Enishi. They might even think that he is crazy.
The major flaw of Seisouhen is the change of Kenshin's perspective, which contradicted with his attitude in the TV series completely. In the TV series, Kenshin is a kind and confident man whom many can rely on. But in Seisouhen, he is dependent and astonishingly weak. Had Kaoru not existed, I would not mind to accept this change. But as it is, his personality only came off as contradictory. I have no idea why Kenshin did not want to return to Japan after he resigned from his work. To say that he was very ill is not as excuse. Kenshin of the TV series would do anything to return home, even if he has to crawl back. Indeed, Kenshin is the weakest character in Seisouhen, and many people who liked Kenshin of the TV series may not be able to accept this change.
Take Kenshin aside, other characters are impressive. Although I was not that impressed with what Kaoru did, I could understand why she made that decision. Sanosuke was still as awesome as he was in the TV series and what he did for Kenshin proved that he is Kenshin's true friend. Megumi was still lovely as usual, but the best character in Seisouhen is Yahiko. Being Kenshin's successor, Yahiko carried Kenshin's ideal within him. The best scene in Seisouhen is the fight between Yahiko and Kenji. Yahiko could change the young boy's perspective from wrong to right, which is something that his teacher could not even do. The ending, albeit a bit manipulative, is touching and powerful.
It is risky to conclude the long series with a sad ending, especially if the majority of the series is optimistic and idealistic in nature like Kenshin TV. This sudden transition will disappoint many viewers. What's more, Seisouhen also changed Kenshin's personality and wasted its first half on recap. It's my belief in Karma which made me able to accept the tragic conclusion of this series. The Battousai had committed many sins, so he must reap what he sowed. Be prepared for a depressing story and a tragic ending, and you might appreciate the beauty of Seisouhen. It's a good movie, but you must be ready to accept the change.
Animation
The animation of Seisouhen is of same quality with Reminiscence OVA and for 2001 standard, it is extremely good. I should have given a nine, but the CG in the first episode (inside the Kamiya Dojo) is not fluid. Therefore, I lowered one point in animation category to an eight.
Sound
Like Reminiscence, Seisouhen's BGM consists mainly of beautiful, orchestral music. I did not love the ED of Seisouhen as much as I loved Reminiscence's ED though. It's a very nice song, but it did not touch me. Voice acting is good as usual.
Value
Seisouhen is quite difficult to recommend. Although the movie has several impressive and brilliant moments, but people who have not seen both the TV series and Reminiscence will not get the most out of it, because they will not feel very attached to any characters. And many people who have seen the TV series will not be able to accept many of its changes and contradictions. My recommendation only goes to people who have seen both the TV series (at least up to the end of Kyoto Arc) and Reminiscence OVA and are able to stand the sad ending (it is essential that you must know this before you start watching). You still might hate this, but it's worth the risk. I personally really liked it, and I can only hope that you will enjoy it as much as I do.
Posted by : HitokiriJinchuu
Posted on : 2006-03-23
The only reason I'm even giving this OVA one star is because that's as low as I can go. As a Kenshin fan who has read the manga, I can say without a doubt that this is the most heinous betrayal of a manga by its anime counterpart that I've ever seen. The manga has a happy ending, where Kenshin stays with his wife and raises his child. There is never any mention of him leaving again to wander, getting a disease or any of this other garbage.
Everything in this OVA beyond Kenshin giving Yahiko his sword is filler and is in no way canon. The characters are bastardized beyond words. Kenshin becoming a deadbeat dad and negligent husband, Kaoru as this whiny, weepy woman who begs him to stay at home and then asks him to infect her with his disease so she can follow him into death. Yeah, right! Really in character, really canon!
The background animation is well done, to be fair. But the characters themselves! They all have these weird, sunken, haggard features. Their eyes have no emotion in them. Kaoru's eyes are brown! What's up with that?
The supposed animation of the Jinchuu Arc is such a ripoff, it doesn't deserve to be called that. If it's the Jinchuu Arc, where are Gein, Banjin, Kujirinami, Otowa and Mumyoi? Where's the doll? Why doesn't Kenshin go to Rakuninmura? Where are all the others when Kenshin goes to the island to get Kaoru? They're not there because all of that, and thus the whole meaning of the story, was butchered out!
Kenshin's fight with Enishi is complete crap too. Kenshin actually allows Enishi to kick his face into the dirt and offers his life in exchange for Kaoru's? I can look through all my manga volumes and say that that is most definitely not canon!
It seems like the message of this OVA is Kenshin was never able to let go of his grief and guilt over Tomoe, Kaoru never gained the strength and resolve needed to keep Kenshin stable and that Kenshin became self-destructive after giving the Sakabatou to Yahiko. Again, I can look through my manga volumes and say that this is not canon.
This OVA betrays the message of Watsuki's manga, which is that one can best atone for one's sins by living instead of dying. The message of the OVA is that peace can only be found through death. Uh-huh. Really canon.
My only prayer is that someday the real Jinchuu Arc will be animated and this betrayal, this blasphemy will pick up dust on the shelves.
Posted by : ariq
Posted on : 2006-01-24
Im am one of those people right now that would have prefered the ending to the tv series. The Ova was ok, not that great.
The story this Ova really did not have much of a story, but look back at the past. Well the basci story line is Kauru has been going to the dock to see if kenshin has come back from his job for 15 years and she has been waiting since then. including her health condition has gone bad. The ending to this ova was i would say unexpected, it was kind of sad, but not enough to make me cry, to be honest im proud that no anime has been able to make me cry.
The animation to the Ova was great, it was a whole new animation compared to the tv series, it also made the physical appearence of the characters look more real such as not giving kauru those big eyes. Awsome animation it had.
Characters in the Ova were crap, Kenshin looking old, and also kauru looking old make them just look bad. They made kenshin look so weak, and once again i will comapre this to the first ova where you see the strong ruthless kenshin. I shall be biased also on this one saying that i have always and forever hate kauru first of all i think she is silly, and kenshin will always belong to tomoe. I have stated this also before, and i think this because i saw the first ova before the show. None of the characters did not really have a big role to play in the ova it i was all about kenshin and kauru, not only that you actually get to see kenshin in the present time in the last 20 mins of the ova or so.
Music i kind of forget what the music was like so cant criticize on this.
The ova was ok as i have stated before, i can reccomend this ending for people that are pretty much looking for a complete complete ending to the kenshin franchise.
Posted by : faebinder
Posted on : 2005-12-30
This anime movie is post the TV series Rurouni Kenshin. Sadly, if you were expecting it to be as great as the first OVA pre-tv series than you are mistaken. While the movie is dear to me cause it shows the end of Kenshin, I found many sad flaws I can't help by be bitter about. Still this movie was a must buy for me as a fan.
Animation: 10/10. How can I state this without sounding too much like an idiot fan? The art is astonishing. It is even better than the first ova. Excellent job showing the actual age of people in the anime, which helps you track the differing time lines cause there are many of them. The fights (as few as there were) were done well and fluid.
Music/Sound: 10/10. Perfect selection of sound tracks fo the music. I found myself moved by it which makes this a top notch sound and music wise.
Story: 5/10. I was very pissed with the movie. A collection of different past scenes and some little present action in between does not make a movie. The first OVA had recollections but boy does this movie hold true to its translation name 'Reflection'... too much reflection. Also the movie pretty much dumped the story and did little to entertain. Very little to entertain. There were to many jumps for me to enjoy it.
Characters: 7/10. I found trouble with the characters, some of them did not match their actual personalities. The OVA seems to rely on the TV series for the characters to have a personality. Some characters were barely placed in the OVA as if to say, "Yes this one is around."
Overall, good to own as a tragic story.. but falls farfrom beng a good action-filled tragedy story.
Posted by : notnow
Posted on : 2005-08-01
This made me cry (yeah, so I cry easily); it was quite touching in some parts. The animation was fluid as well as the music contributed nicely to the tone. The flashbacks could have been improved some and the pacing a bit slow. On the plus side, there were some nice (but brief) fight scenes and some poignant moments.
Now, keep in mind that I watched this after the first ova, BEFORE watching the entire tv series, and BEFORE READING THE ENTIRE MANGA. After doing all that and then watching this again, I realize that it annoys me! As other reviewers have stated, they really butchered the characterization and some of the events. I much prefer where the manga left off, as it ended happily, the way the true manga writer intended. Of course I think this is still worth checking out, but don't miss out on the manga, especially the Jiinchu (spelling?) arc.
Posted by : luuk
Posted on : 2005-05-15
Now, this OAV either ruined a nice series, or it was the perfect ending for that series. I still don't know what to think of this OVA, I love it, and I hate it.
Like stated above: after the Rurouni Kenshin Series and 4 OVA's (which I sadly have not seen yet, but I will soon) this is the real ending. And what a confusing ending it was.
The first part of this OVA was mostly reflection of the series and apparently the manga (sadly enough I haven't read the manga either) but in a very different perspective. Kenshin and Kaoru are a lot less cheerfull than in the series. That is the first thing I don't like about this OVA, there isn't really a connection between this OVA and the series other than the characters and the story. The whole setting was so different from the series that it was hard to beleive that this was actually the real ending of 'Rurouni Kenshin'.
The second part showed what happened to Kenshin, Kaoru and other characters after the conclusion of the series. It just didn't feel like Kenshin, but if you forget this is actually Kenshin, the story is great. That's all I can say about the second part of Seisouhen.
No matter how hard I try to make up my mind and decide whether I love or hate it, I just don't know. The upside is the story: it was sad, but great and it also made a great ending. The downside is, it doesn't make a great ending for the Rurouni Kenshin series. It just didn't feel like the series. The characters acted totally different and looked like they were just sad persons, scarred by their pasts. Unlike the happy Kenshin from the series, this Kenshin is stuck in his past and doesn't look like he cares about the 'present'.
Now I could be saying that you will either love or hate this OVA, but you may in fact, like me, be filled with doubt. A great story that it is, but very hard to imagine that this is actually the endig of 'Rurouni Kenshin'.
Posted by : GW_Heero
Posted on : 2005-05-07
Great!! These OVAs are extremely good and touching. The sound is great and perfect for the mood of the story. The battles seem, even though there are not many, are extremely good and fast-paced. The characters are all more mature and that is one of the best things about this OVA because it shows them all older and lets you see what kind of people they will become. It also lets you see Kenshin's son and what he will probably become later in life. The only problems I have with this movie is that the flashbacks, even though they are very good and well done, can get a little confusing. Also, while the voice actors sound great for the older characters, whenever it has a flashback it sounds weird because I am not used to the voice acting but this is something that you should not let bother you too much. This is a great end to a great show.
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