Samurai X (Rurouni Kenshin) - Reflection

DVD 
Anime
Action / Drama
Released by ADV Films
Original Story - Nobuhiro Watsuki

The story of the hit T.V. series and manga comes to a finale. Released several years after the end of the manga, "Reflection" picks up sometime after the manga finishes. Kenshin and Kaoru are now married, though Kenshin continues to wander off doing different things. Kenji, the son of the wandering swordsman and the dojo assistant master has gone off to seek his father's old mentor to learn the HitenMitsuryugi Style of Kenjetsu (swordsmanship.) to find out more about how his father, who was never a large role in his life, thought and felt. While Kaoru no longer has Kenshin or kenji by her, a teenage Yahiko must do his best to help Kaoru live to see her family.

Story wise, this is a very well written ending to the saga that is Rurouni Kenshin. Though I always enjoyed the fun of the manga and TV series, the last OAV definitely brings out the darkness of Kenshin's past and future. The animation, much like the previous OAVs, is animation at it's finest. Even the original music will make your eyes tear and your heart jump even if you're only listening to the music itself. All of the original RuroKen Japanese Voice actors return to reprise their roles. 

The one thing I really adore about this DVD is that it animates some of the greatest scenes and battles right from the manga. (You'll notice the anime and manga storylines are the same, but certain things happen differently.) On top of it all, it shows a good amount of footage from the Revenge Ark of the manga. Seeing Enishii animated was definitely a treat.

Being brought over by A.D.Vision, the same company that had rights to the RuroKen Movie and the first OAV, has translated this masterpiece perfectly. They also included the original Japanese voice actor's interviews about the final as original production sketches.

Overall, I really enjoyed the finale to Rurouni Kenshin. Though, I will always prefer the way the original author tells the story.

My total review on Rurouni Kenshin / Samurai X : Reflection

+Great Animation, Music, Voice Acting, and story!
- Like most good things, it's to short.