Samurai X Collection DVD Review

Samurai X Collection DVD

Reviewed by SuperNova

DVD released by ADV Films

Samurai X (Rurouni Kenshin Ova Collection)
Trust, Betrayal, and Reflection
Rating 17+
2000/205 minutes

Original Story By: Nobuhiro Watsuki

Director: Kazuhiro Furuhashi

Story:

“Samurai X Trust” : Nineteenth Century Japan - A land torn by warfare and rebellion where small bands of soldiers seek to overthrow the tyrannical Tokugawa Shogunate. Enter Kenshin, a young orphan whose fighting skills were honed by the great swordsman Hiko. But Kenshin’s soul is embattled much like the killing fields of Japan, his hopes for a new world peace at odds with his life of blood and killing. His world thrown into further confusion by the arrival of a mysterious woman named Tomoe. Her kindness and attention show him a kind of life he didn’t know existed. Can she help the assassin become a real man? Or does she hide a secret that could destroy everything he has come to depend on? Join the battle and discover the enemy within.

“Samurai X Betrayal” : After a series of disastrous events in Kyoto, Kenshin and Tomoe escape to a small farm in rural Japan. Living their lives as simple farmers, the two begin to learn more about whom they really are inside. Meanwhile, the political conflicts of the outside world inch closer day by day. A traitor is at work to bring down the rebellion, and destroy Kenshin in the process. Tomoe is torn by her familial allegiances and the ghost of her tragic past. The fugitive couple soon find their lives being inevitably drawn to a terrible conclusion. The forces that surround them manipulate their lives with invisible hands, weaving loose threads of fate into a terrifying tapestry for the stunning climax of Samurai X Betrayal.

“Samurai X Reflection” : Known throughout all Japan as the Kitokiri Battousai (sword-bearing master assassin). Rurouni Kenshin is now a lost soul cursed to seek atonement for his bloody past. Even the peace that now exists as a result of Kenshin’s sword brings him no solace, driving him to wander far from those he loves. His wife, Kaoru, steadfastly awaits his return as she mourns his absence. Will Kenshin come home before she dies of grief?

Reviewer’s Thoughts:

The popularity of Anime is one of the most intriguing if not fascinating educational studies someone could learn about. Alone the foundation of the fan base can generate consumers of all ages, providing an outlet for desires, fixations, and childhood fantasies. My exploration into this genre began not too long ago, when I first learned about Japanese comic books called Manga. The appeal is to a larger extent mesmerizing, even to someone like I who has been following foreign markets for quite some time. Understandably, unlike the United States in regards to cartoons and comic books, Anime and Manga aren’t specifically geared towards a certain audience, but rather approach concepts that are of equal or greater importance and intelligence to the viewer. The fans are a testimonial of achievement to this genre and while it may appear humorous to see a group of teenagers and sometimes middle aged men and women walking around wearing a costume of their favorite character, it is this conduct of cosplay that separates the real otaku (fan) from those who are just beginning to understand. I purchased this OVA collection with minimal expectations. Long departed are the days of adolescent obnoxious entertainment - exchanged for family values, nobility and the path to internal enlightenment.

The Rurouni Kenshin OVA collection as it is better known, consists of three volumes with each disc containing two episodes. ‘X’ pertains to the scar or cross left upon Kenshin’s cheek that holds moral interpretation and significant consequences behind his judgment. This OVA collection is essentially a two part prequel and sequel to the wandering samurai’s life. What ensues later on is the salvation Rurouni Kenshin tries to seek during this series by reversing the blade of his sword so he can no longer kill anyone. Best described as a Rurouni, meaning a wanderer or drifter with no solid home or purpose because he has no basis for stability and comfort.

The question I was faced with was not of whether I would like this series, but if I could actually watch an Anime and still be able to pull out the thoughts and emotional impulses I did so well with live action films. I could assure the connection and commitment on my part, but my lack of knowledge and understanding of historical times throughout the Shogunate era might have played a pivotal role. It was not through persuasion that I watched this series, but a desire to learn more and to be immersed by the talent and craftiness heroically portrayed. The first volume respectfully entitled “Trust” shows us how Rurouni Kenshin came to be an orphan. His friends and family reprehensibly stripped of their lives and body parts courtesy of a group of strangers in the dark armed with sharp pieces of cold glistening steel. The image of warm imminent blood being spilled is enough to move anyone, but the way a Katana sword slices through thick opulent flesh without any hesitation or the evidence of bone marrow is poetically inclined to captivate ones sense almost immediately. “Trust” opens with a scene that’s sporadic enough to leave the viewer breathless, but moreover is an inclination to what will proceed. The purpose of our hero’s destiny is now paved in full, but the road to clarification will be the hardest to travel. “Trust” creates for the viewer a world of corruption cleverly disguised under a blanket of tranquility.

As a result of his great loss, Rurouni Kenshin makes a vow to bring peace to the world, but his attitude is contrary to his actions. With each stroke of his blade, victims are left lying in a pool of their own blood. The justice often sought is betrayed, the peace never truly offered or invited. Kenshin’s misery lies in his gift, for his life is indeed his own curse. He is the prey of his own feat - skillfully crafting a destruction of death that manipulates the wandering samurai and confines him to a world of fatality and tragedy. There is no way to atone a death and this is brought up throughout the series with much guilt and contemplation. Atonement comes when all is right with yourself and the world. To seek atonement is to seek retribution for actions that have occurred in the past. The idea of forgiveness is to let things be and to move forward. For a memory is like a scar upon your cheek, forever reminding you just how close the past is while eternally wishing for it to be forgotten. Life’s greatest mystery is to find our purpose here on earth, with Kenshin there’s always hands that influence and guide him away from sensibility.

What starts off as an average revenge story complete with evil grinning villains and stand still altercations surprisingly crafts a different page and reaction from the viewer. Kenshin is a cunning assassin taking lives of the depraved and sadistic, the corrupt and the cruel, all the time turning into the very things he stands against. It’s this morbid raft of carnage and destruction that contributes to the overall message without controlling the story - the outcome weaves together because of the varying options each character has to choose from, leaving most to pose a strong enough threat to seek salvation, but giving into a tainted temptation or a blinded emotion.

“Betrayal” is the series’ most significant story and without a doubt contains the most pivotal second episode. The soul searching that burdens Kenshin and his own way of life is a unique examination of the trials and times of a samurai warrior. The attention centers around Kenshin’s new found love for Tomoe, the woman who has taught him the meaning of his existence and that there is happiness beyond the Choshu Clan which he has never experienced. The tragedy for a samurai assassin is to leave your past behind. Death is always waiting in the wings no matter how hard you try to place your sword down, so it seems inevitable to live you must make sacrifices. “Betrayal’s” commentary talks about the life of a samurai and how you live and die by the sword. Feudal wars rage on inside your own personal life creating conflicts and sadness in which you cannot escape. Taking a human life may be as quick and easy as the soft, and delicate stroke of a blade, but the anguish that falls upon you after you watch your opponent fade into darkness is haunting. With each humble life taken you leave a family abandoned, with each life sacrificed you gain another enemy. Death is hardly forgivable and even though betrayal represents the deception of someone close to you, it also states the betrayal of your purpose and the betrayal of human life, for lives should not be merely taken just to forfeit the bad for the good.

It’s in this time that Kenshin offers his sword one last time to a helping cause for a dear friend. It’s a scene that couldn’t be less subtle, but possess more of an emotional attachment and impact than any Anime I’ve ever seen. Confrontation meets the eyes of a man with such mystery and skill that the anticipation is all too relentless. A man with a story behind his stare, concealed underneath his fiery orange hair is a scar that projects a message of remembrance and recovery. An assassin with a sword so deadly, but a heart so pure that the result seems less conceivable. This is the epitome of the scene, where love and hate collide, and the will of one man’s destiny and strength is tested. Survival and uncertainty versus mentality and legacy. As our hero’s determination and dedication prevails, the viewer wonders if such a life for a samurai assassin could truly be left in the past.

“Reflections” is a sequel or the final installment of Kenshin’s journey. The story is told through flashbacks courtesy of his wife Kaoru. It’s the witnessing of age and the toll it takes on the body of a man conflicted with a disease. It’s by far the series’ most depressing episode, because the remembrance isn’t focused on the love Kaoru and Kenshin share, instead about the life in which Kenshin cannot escape. The past that preoccupies him, the desire to salvage what can never be, the gluttony of guilt, and the neurosis of spilling innocent blood. If you look closely Kenshin is a character we all find in ourselves. Spending his whole life searching for an answer, to what, he truly doesn’t know. Making mistakes, learning from his wrongs and continuing to move forward despite the barriers that shift in front of him. It’s strange in a way because Kenshin has devoted his life to acknowledging the fact that he is immoral and unethical and will do anything to somehow find sanctuary in his sins. Kenshin’s struggle to find remorse is daunting, but as a viewer it is plain to see why. All he’s ever known throughout his life is pain and suffering, an incantation that seems cast over his poor soul to always remind him of his crisis and deeds. He can never truly find happiness even if acquired through sporadic moments with his family. It’s a constant battle between his own inner demons and a world in which he’s glorified and loathed at the same time. Caught in the conflict of this all is his beautiful wife Kaoru.

The love often expressed here is of a memory frozen in time. Kaoru’s commitment to Kenshin is likely something no one will ever understand, just as Kenshin’s love for Kaoru is often misunderstood. The bond they share is immeasurable, but hardly witnessed by those around them. If what Kenshin really seeks in life is atonement then the explanation as to why he always seems to be running from something is a solid enough answer for even myself to accept, but I believe the true reason why Kenshin is always running away from his life is because he’s afraid of hurting those he loves the most. He fears his presence puts them in a position of weakness and susceptible to the outside dangers. It’s the truest form of sincerity and the flattering statement of poetic love - I’ll leave this land so you can live in peace and raise our child well, teach him to move the stars and the mountains, but not the hatred that we all pass down.

Audio:

Newly remastered in English and Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 audio soundtracks with optional English subtitles. I only watched the series in its native language, so I cannot comment on the quality of the English dubbed track, but the Japanese soundtrack certainly sounds perfect, not an audio blip or distraction. Usually these series will be accompanied by J-pop (Japanese pop) and J-rock (Japanese Rock) music that is along the lines of contagious harmonies similar to techno music you would find here in the US. The difference being of course the lyrics reside in the Nihongo (Japanese) language, making the appeal to a larger extent more interesting. Taku Iwasaki delivers a wonderful score here that’s neither melodious nor technical, but atmospherically matches the tone of the series brilliantly. There’s a reoccurring theme that plays throughout the series, which usually surrounds a battle for honor and humanity. It’s inspiring to hear especially when our hero is outmatched and outnumbered. The success of this soundtrack is partially due to the fact that this is such a tremendous story, but accreditation must go to Taku Iwasaki for creating such a motivating piece of art.

Video:

The striking animation is beautiful and colors are deeply saturated. Presented in their original 16:9 widescreen transfer, AVD films delivers a solid presentation with this OVA collection. For an animated movie I was surprised by just how vibrant the colors appeared, and how the quality of the picture flowed like smooth silk. There’s a considerable amount of bloodshed in this series and though the action scenes usually mold together ferociously and quickly - pausing for short burst of monumental slow motion reveals, the droplets of blood seem to carry their own persona, expelled out of time, floating through the night air without a purpose other than to glorify a great loss. For those curious English subtitles are provided for every episode and are easy to read.

Special Features:

Each disc contains two episodes, totaling six episodes all together. Each episode contains four chapter selection menus and brief character introductions as well as ADV trailers for upcoming and present releases (be sure to check out Crying Freeman!). The Reflections DVD is by far the best because it has a collection of interviews with the original Japanese voice cast. You’ll learn some interesting things when you watch them, for example that Kenshin’s voice is provided by a lovely female. The reason being Kenshin’s representation of a samurai is supposed to be pure and deeply emotional. Also available to view are production sketches and a clean closing animation, which is of a soft Japanese song provided over waves crashing on the shore of an ocean beach. Each disc also contains an original trailer of the series as well as English subtitles.

Interviews with original Japanese voice cast

Character Introductions

Historical notes

Screenwriter Notes

Clean Closing animation

Production sketches

ADV previews

Overall:

Anime is an interesting genre that in a lot of ways is like it’s own world of cinema or format complete with micro genres coexisting inside. There truly is something for everyone, if you have the patience, desire and money of course. As far as Samurai X goes, I thoroughly enjoyed this OVA collection. I didn’t have any expectations when I picked it up, but I was surprised by how much I truly liked the episodes. Still to this day I couldn’t tell you a Yu-gi-oh from a Dragonball, but that’s only because I’m new and have a lot to learn. If you are looking for a great starting point, this is by far my best recommendation. Anime is certainly difficult to get into and even more difficult to appreciate, not because it’s bad, but because there is so much to learn for someone new to this type of genre that the task can be overwhelming. If you want a story that will definitely move you in terms of lifting your spirits, this is a great series. The action scenes are beautifully choreographed and the soundtrack is outstanding.

Movie ****/*****
Audio ****/*****
Video ****/*****
Supplements ****/*****