Kenshin suggestions

[Varo]

Ok, I asked this same question over at the gamingforce forums, so I thought i'd ask it here too.

I just saw my first episode of Kenshin the series. Not THE first episode but some episode in the series. I absolutly loved it. One of the best i've seen, right up there with EVA, Samurai Deeper Kyo, and Naruto. After I finished watching it, I immediatly went to the internet and did some research. I found that there are several different series to Kenshin. One being the TV series, there is apperently two OVA's, another series titled 'reflections', and a movie.

My question is: Which should I start with? Also, is there anyway I can buy whatever the first one is in a boxed set? I try to buy my anime in a boxed set, I hate buying it one DVD at a time. Thanks for the help.

[Dark Mage]

You should buy the movie Samurai X not the one with the blue X, that one kinda stinks. Instead buy the one with the Red X there is a lot more action in that one.

[Kosh]

Well, there are two samurai X OVAs and one Samurai X movie. The movie is just like the tv series. The OVAs take place before the tv series. I am not a fan of the series but I liked the OVAs a lot. Although they star Kenshin, they are much more serious. The character's eyes don't grow huge or look like this: V V, giant drops of sweat don't appear on their heads and they don't make noises like tim "the tool man" taylor "auhhh?" which happens all the time in the series.

Anyway, The OVAs are very serious and take place before the television series. If you like the series than I think you will really like the OVAs. I say this because it takes place before the series. Trust me, these aren't spoilers: In the OVA Kenshin is willing to kill and it shows why he stops and how he got his scars. I won't say anything else.

Anyway, a lot of people said you are supposed to watch the OVAs after you watch the series. They are probably right but I wouldn't know, since I couldn't take the series after the first ten episodes.

Well, hopefully this info helps you with the OVAs and movie. Sorry I don't know much about the series and I've never heard of the "reflections" title.

[Maxim]

The TV series has three different seasons to it, with the second being the best since it concentrates on one topic and doesn't bird walk from one theme to the next randomly. The first season was well done as well. The third season was sort of like a filler season just to keep the fans entertained and because of this, it wasn't all that great (the TV series' ending isn't the same as the manga's ending either).

I suggest you watch up to the end of the first season before watching the first OVA (the OVA has four parts, by the way). The OAV will have a larger impact on you if you do that since then you'll have a better understanding of what's going on. The OVA is extremely bloody however, so don't watch it if you're not into that stuff.

The second OVA is about what happened to Kenshin after the three seasons of the TV episodes. Don't watch it until you've seen all three seasons (or if you're not planning on watching the third season, then watch the second OVA after the end of the second season of the TV series).

I haven't seen the movie, and I haven't even heard of "Reflections" so I can't tell you anything about that.

[Kosh]

Maxim, are you sure about that?

I own both of the OVAs (unless there are more than two). They are called "Trust" and "Betrayal". Each one only has two episodes and they both take place before the tv series. Maybe they later came out with an OVA that has all 4 parts but I've never heard of it... Do you know what it's called? I was not aware of any OVA that takes place afterwards, did one recently come out? Is it actually called Samurai X? Hmmm, is it possible that what you are thinking of as the second OVA is actually the Samurai X movie? Because that definately takes place after the tv series began. And it probably should've just been called Kenshin the movie (not Samurai X) because it is nothing like the OVAs.

[peet]

i would have to agree start with Samurai X. Without giving away too much of the story its deals with a younger Kenshin.

[Kosh]

i would have to agree start with Samurai X. Without giving away too much of the story its deals with a younger Kenshin.

LOL, who are you agreeing with? I think everyone else said don't watch Samurai X before the TV series. :p

Like I said, I couldn't get into the show so I don't know firsthand if anything gets ruined but from what others say it's like watching phantom menace before watching star wars.

[Pai Pai Master]

Ok, you've pretty much got it sorted out, but lemme clear up the confusion:

The Rurouni Kenshin Epic, in order of Events Taking Place

OAV: Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X

- Volume 1 - Trust : 2 Episodes
- Volume 2 - Betrayal : 2 Episodes

TV SERIES: Rurouni Kenshin

-96 Episodes Total, Divided By Three Major Arcs:

-Wandering Samurai Arc
-Legend of Kyoto Arc
-Tales of the Meiji Arc

Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X MOVIE

SECOND OAV: Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X

- "Reflection" - Two Episodes, the conclusion of the Rurouni Kenshin story

And there you have it.

I believe the manga is still in serialization in Japan. TokyoPOP will soon domesticate the manga.

[Kosh]

Ahhh thank you oh wise one, I get it now. I never knew about the second OVA and I noticed it was called "reflections". Everything seems so clear now. Can you tell me if the second OVA is like the first one? Or is it like the movie and TV show? I'm sure you know what I mean (serious :mad: vs. goofy :sweat: ).

(crosses his fingers that it's like the first OVA...)

P.S.

Sorry I doubted you, Maxim, I should have known better

I didn't realize the TWO volumes were considered ONE ova :spin:

[Pai Pai Master]

The second OAV is from the same animation studio as the first, if that's what you mean.

The entire kenshin saga revolves around the same story, that of a "legendary manslayer" of the time of the Kyoto wars in Japan's revolutionary era. As quite evident, both OAVs are serious and much more brutally violent than the "romantic comedy-esque" tone of the TV series, which can also be quite farfetched at times. It's all good, tho.

[Varo]

Wow, thanks a lot guys. That helped immensly.

[DarkKnight]

I highly recomend watching the OVAs of KEnshin they were totally awesome. I Loved them alot.

[Sugesuke_Plain]

yes get the OAVs i own them all. Watch the first part (Trust and Betrayal) and then the last OAV Reflection takes place some years after the series, you could enjoy it now . . but if you'd watch the whole TV series it would be so much better

[Rico]

Aw im late I wanted to help out -_-, o well. Samurai X is a great show. And I think Kenji is cooler too bad he doesn't like his own father Kenshin >.<, :sweat:

[Zach Imato]

Rurouni Kenshin is my favorite anime ever. I started with the first OVA, Tsuiokuhen and there is for episodes of that (i think)then i watched the TV series in japanese of course. some people like samurai X and the american version but i think it sux completely. yeah so watch the tv series and you can watch the movie like any time during or after that. The second OVA series seisouhen (spelling ?) is the conclusion to rurouni kenshin. There are 96 epidsodes from the tv series and seperated into three different seasons. Personally i like Legend of Kyoto the best. but yeah if you really want to experience Rurouni Kenshin in the best possible way, watch it in order. Tsuiokuhen-TV series-Samurai X movie- Seisouhen.