Many years have passed since the events chronicled in the Rurouni Kenshin TV
and first Rurouni Kenshin OVA series. Kenshin and Kaoru have been living as husband and wife
with their son Kenji. But the sad truth remains: Kenshin's wandering is far
from over... and perhaps it never will be.
Review: Rurouni Kenshin Reflections
If you've read the entire Rurouni Kenshin manga series, you're probably aware
that Kenshin and Kaoru ended up together and had a cute baby boy named Kenji.
Unfortunately, Rurouni Kenshin OVA 2: Reflections
(the final Rurouni Kenshin installment), really destroys any picture of happiness
you may have had for our wanderer.
Reflections unfolds from Kaoru's perspective. Fifteen years have passed, and
Kaoru is all alone... waiting for Kenshin. Kenshin's been wandering throughout
their whole life, returning once in a blue moon to visit her and Kenji.
Kaoru recounts the things that have happened long ago -- how she met Kenshin,
how Kenshin had saved her life numerous times, how Kenshin had fought one
battle after another (part of the Jinchuu / Enishi arc is shown).
For Kaoru, helping Kenshin get as far as he can on his chosen path is her life
and happiness. She hurts like hell every time he leaves, and yet she waits
tirelessly for his return with a warm smile of welcome.
I really hated Kaoru in the TV series, but watching Rurouni Kenshin Reflections full movie made me
understand how Kaoru can be the only woman for Kenshin on account of her inner
strength, utter devotion, and complete selflessness.
I have mixed feelings about Rurouni Kenshin Reflections. Granted it's a superior piece of work,
but somehow I've always wanted Kenshin to ultimately be able to experience a
normal, happy life... especially after everything he has gone through.
Apparently someone had other ideas and so we are left with this tragic finale
instead. I felt some resentment for Kenshin. How could he have been so
selfish? He was so absorbed in his personal issues that he had deprived his
family of his presence for the most part of their lives.
I could not for the life of me see the sense in what he was doing. In the
second half of Reflections we see Kenshin practically starving to death in a
remote part of China, living in destitution by himself. Call me dense but if
he was helping others in that or atoning for past deeds I just didn't see it.
The art and animation are superb, and are quite similar in style to the first
OAV series. Rurouni Kenshin Reflections is laden with gorgeous character designs, incredible
fight sequences, and magnificent backdrops.
Each and every scene is crafted meticulously, making the most of every
expression and movement to highlight whatever emotion it is that is supposed
to prevail at the moment.
Reflections is definitely a must-see for Rurouni Kenshin fans. It's the saddest and most
depressing OVA series I've ever seen but it's also one of the most beautifully
portrayed.
Yes, I thought Kenshin and Kaoru's married life was pretty pathetic, but their
love knew no bounds and they didn't have to be together to be one with each
other. At least we get a little consolation and some hope for the future in
the end, just make sure to watch all the way through the credits...
Miscellanies: Rurouni Kenshin Reflections
Rurouni Kenshin Reflections is made up of only two episodes. The R1 DVD release is entitled
"Samurai X: Reflection". The Samurai X: OVA Collection bundles this together
with the first OVA series.
Related Articles: Rurouni Kenshin The Motion Picture Anime Review
Rurouni Kenshin: Reflections (Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Seisou-hen) | |
| Genre | Drama, Romance |
|---|---|
| Episodes | 2 |
| Status | Finished Airing |
| Aired | Dec 19, 2001 to Mar 20, 2002 |
| Producers | SME Visual Works |
| Studio | Studio Deen |
| Rating | R - 17+ (violence & profanity) |
| Themes | Historical, Samurai |
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