Anime Series Reviews - RK OAV: Tsuioku Hen

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Anime Series Review:
Rurouni Kenshin OAV: Tsuioku Hen

Titles

English: Samurai X
Japanese: Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuioku Hen

Rating

R: For Adult Audiences Only!

Total Number of Episodes

Episodes Seen

1-4

Version

Japanese subtitled

Voice Acting

The Japanese voice cast is talented and they fit their roles nicely.

Music

The music in this OAV is up to RK's high standards. Powerful BGM, it's among the only series' instrumental tracks that I listen to outside of the anime.

Animation

The animation in the OAV is markedly different from that of the anime. It is more 'real' looking...probably due to the serious nature of the plot. Admittedly, I wasn't fond of it at first, due to being used to the anime art style. Though, I must admit, it has rather grown on me. ^^ And it's quite appropriate to the story, and contributes well to the overall feel of the OAV.

Plot Summary
(May contain spoilers. You've been warned!)

Tsuioku Hen is the powerful story of Himura Kenshin and Yukishiro Tomoe. As those who have seen the TV series know, Himura Kenshin was once a feared assassin during the Bakumatsu, but since then, he has become a gentle, peace-loving rurouni (wanderer). Tsuioku Hen is set during the Bakumatsu, when Kenshin is a teenage Hitokiri Battousai. The OAV shows Kenshin's lifestyle during the Bakumatsu, and how he starts upon the road to becoming the gentle rurouni that we all know and love. We see him meet and eventually fall in love with Yukishiro Tomoe, a mysterious young woman. After the disastrous events in Kyoto, Kenshin is faced with even more horrible possibility: Tomoe is accused of being a spy for the Shogunate. After a final confrontation with the Shogunate assassins, Kenshin realizes just how he and Tomoe feel about each other. Tsuioku Hen also tells the story of how Kenshin got his trademark scar.

Objectionable Material

Violence - This is rated as "17 and Up" and with good reason. Unlike the TV series, Tsuioku Hen is very violent. There is a lot of blood, and numerous scenes of very brutal murder. Examples of this include swords through the head, people being cut completely in two, etc. However, this violence is in context; one needs to understand Kenshin's lifestyle as a Hitokiri.

Nudity - None

Sexual Situations - One sex scene, although this is very mild. The scene changes to another the moment the two of them start to undress. I say it will not even be obvious to some viewers that it is meant to imply sex...heck, I didn't make the connection until someone pointed it out to me. ^^;;

Profanity - Very little, if any.

Mature Ideas/Issues - There are many complex issues, such as betrayal, patriotism, and revenge. Thus, younger audiences may not fully understand this title.

Kat's Rating

Tsuioku Hen is, without a doubt, my favorite anime OAV title. This powerful story of how the infamous "Hitokiri Battousai" comes to care for a woman, and thus learns just how horrible his life as an assassin really is, is absolutely beautiful. The artwork, though of a very different style than that of the TV series, is very appropriate, and beautiful in its own right. The soundtrack, as to be expected of a Rurouni Kenshin title, is stunning. I highly recommend this title to anyone mature enough to understand it (and to handle the violence). However, in order to fully understand and appreciate Tsuioku Hen, you really need to see the RK TV series through the Kyoto Arc.

Dub vs. Sub

At this time, I have only seen Tsuioku Hen in a subtitled format.

Manga vs. Anime

I have not yet read the manga version of this OAV.