Kaoru goes to the harbor every day to see if Kenshin has returned. After a while, she starts looking back at her life with Kenshin and all the things that have happened.
(Source: ANN)
Review: The Bittersweet Symphony of Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Seisou-hen
Good day, anime enthusiasts! Welcome to another exciting review with your seasoned adviser, The Anime Critic! This time, we’re journeying into the world of Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Seisou-hen! Prepare to delve deep into this poignant tale, without fear of spoilers, of course. Should you rent it, buy it, or stream it? Well, stay tuned to find out!
The Story!
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan – Seisou-hen, often shortened to Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection, revisits the phenomenal tale of Kenshin Himura, a once feared swordsman now navigating the world as a Rurouni (wandering samurai) in the aftermath of the Meiji Restoration. Meandering between scenes from his bloody past and the peaceful present, Reflection beautifully encapsulates Kenshin’s persisting battle with remorse and the search for inner peace.
The narrative primarily focuses on Kenshin’s relationship with Kaoru Kamiya, a feisty kendo instructor. Their narrative unfolds as Kenshin continues to grapple with his past as the “Battosai,” while striving to fulfill his vow of never killing again. The overarching story is an elegy about love, redemption, and the latent consequences of one’s past deeds.
Digging Deep: The Anime Critic’s Review
While staying faithful to the spirit of the original series, Reflection implements a more mature, introspective approach to its storytelling. The subdued color palette and detailed art style capture the dramatic tonal shift effectively, setting the stage for a retrospective view of Kenshin’s saga.
The character development is where Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection truly shines. Kenshin and Kaoru’s poignant, often heart-wrenching, journey of acceptance and endurance portrays the raw reality of love and sacrifice amidst chaos. The series does an exquisite job of threading in secondary characters without disrupting the focus on Kenshin and Kaoru’s story.
This OVA takes a few creative licenses with the original material to keep viewers on their toes. But fear not purists, the divergence merely adds a unique flavor to the story we’ve come to love.
Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection requires some familiarity with the original series for full enjoyment, but even newcomers will appreciate the depth of storytelling and character development here. The soundtrack is as fitting as it can be, complementing the anime’s atmosphere impeccably with a mix of thoughtful, sobering, and heart-pounding tracks.
Concluding Thoughts
Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection is a thought-provoking, emotionally charged completion to Kenshin’s journey. A must-watch for fans of the series, this anime stands as a testament to Kenshin’s enduring legacy in the world of manga and anime.
If you’re a Kenshin fan looking to complete your journey or a newcomer with a taste for profound storytelling and complex characters, Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection is worth every penny for a buy, or at the very least, a worthy rent or stream.
That’s all for now, folks. Till next time, this is The Anime Critic signing off!
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