Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story (2012)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The premise is largely the same, as are the main characters. Expect a lot of mixing of different arcs though as the characters don't all stay in their previously assigned roles. For example, Jim is now the "fake" Battousai and works for Takeda with a few fighters you might recognize from the Onniwaban Group as well as a couple of others that didn't belong anywhere hear that arc. Megumi is still a doctor who gets caught up in the opium trade and Kenshin saves. Zanza is still rather brash and loud, though he doesn't go after Kenshin as much it seems as he did in the anime. Kaoru and Kenshin appear to be the least changed of all the characters, being very true to their original roles and convictions. Not always a fan of the live action versions of different series as sometimes they come off just wrong. This one is pretty decent as far as they go.

Samurai X: Reflection

Samurai X: Reflection (2001)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Done in two episodes rather than a full length film like the other Samurai X features, this recaps (and in some cases re-writes) the TV series before continuing on to the main character's ends. The art is very different and the story ultimately strikes as both slow and sad, leaving for a depressing bitterness at the end.

Samurai X: The Motion Picture

Samurai X: The Motion Picture (1997)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


While there are some tie-ins are reflections to Kenshin's past in this film, it takes place in the same time-span as the TV series and largely focuses on a current conflict which brings Kenshin against another war survivor. As far as the three movies go, not as good as Trust & Betrayal, but put together better than Reflection.

Samurai X: Trust & Betrayal

Samurai X: Trust & Betrayal (1999)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


This film is the first of 3 in the Samurai X line and the unofficial prequel to the better-known Rurouni Kenshin TV series. This film introduces a young Kenshin, going so far back as to when he first met his sword master and received his new, swordsman name. It follows his experience through the war working as an assassin until the war ends, which is where the TV series picks up. It also explains the infamous X scar on his left cheek. You get some of this information occasionally in flashes or conversation from the series, but not nearly as detailed or chronological. Makes a lot more sense seeing it in the movie.