Samurai X: Reflection
Encyclopedia
Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection, known as in Japan, is the second OVA series of the Rurouni Kenshin
anime
television series, acting as its sequel
. It was directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi
and written by Reiko Yoshida, and was released in Japan in 2001.
The OVA series is set both during and after the timeline of the television series and tells of Kenshin and Kaoru's later days, much of which is not derived from the Rurouni Kenshin manga
. It is mostly told from the point of view of Kamiya Kaoru
. The story follows Himura Kenshin
as he attempts searching for ways to atone for those who died at his hands, while Kaoru waits for Kenshin to return home. Kenshin's actions, however, alienate him from his estranged son, Kenji.
Reflection was originally released in North America as Samurai X: Reflection while it was being licensed by ADV Films. Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection is now currently licensed by Aniplex of America
for English-language releases. Reflection was released in the United States by ADV Films on DVD on March 25, 2003, while a Director's Cut edition was later released. Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection was released on Blu-ray Disc
by Aniplex of America on September 21, 2011.
Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection has received mixed reviews upon its release. Critics have praised the art, animation and music of the series but have criticised its story and character development. Despite Reflection acting as a sequel to the anime series, Nobuhiro Watsuki
, creator of the Rurouni Kenshin manga, disapproves of it, stating that it is not canon and should not be treated as canonical.
In the manga, the prequel flashback took place in the midst of encounters with "The Six Comrades". It initiates in volumes 18 and ends with the manga at volume 28. The prequel with Tomoe was based on the 14-part "Remembrance" (which ran between 165 and 179) in volumes 19-21. It is essential to understanding the final arc, and thus the first OVAs are essential (much as the TV series is) to understanding OVAs 5 and 6 which compose Reflection, for those who have not read the manga.
Reflection is a very condensed version, as it focuses only on Kenshin's battle with Enishi, and it does not feature the Six Comrades or Kenshin's teammates' confrontations with them. The Kyoto and Revenge arcs are the same length (10 volumes) in the manga, and the television adaptation of the Kyoto arc took 35 episodes. While the Tomoe flashback was very detailed and of comparable size (4 OVAs to condense under 2 volumes of material) the rest of the final arc (the actual sequel to the Kyoto arc) was shortened to an extreme degree. This may be that what we are seeing is simply limited amounts of what Kaoru is able to remember, from her perspective, rather than a first person witnessing of things which is the context that the television series, movie and first 4 OVAs took.
, told from the point of view of Kaoru Kamiya
. Then the remainder of it involves Kenshin, who becomes tortured anew by the guilt of leading a happy life after such a destructive past. He makes the decision to wander again, and Kaoru strongly supports him, promising to welcome him home with a smile and their child. For fifteen years, he wanders, returning every once in a while.
However, this leads his son, Kenji Himura to hold resentment towards Kenshin for leaving them. Now in his adolescence, he leaves for Kyoto hoping to learn Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu from Seijuro Hiko
, hoping to be as strong as his father, and create his own legend. Soon however, Yahiko Myojin
tracks him down at the request of Kaoru. He wears the mark of evil on his back, too. Yahiko duels him to show him the delusions of achieving his father's greatness. Yahiko admits that he is a genius and has natural talent as a swordsman. However, he knew that neither passion, discipline, nor skill would make Kenji superior to his father. So, in a one final strike, Yahiko lets Kenji experience the full brunt of Kenshin's Sakabatou; allowing Kenji to experience the strength of his father's philosophy firsthand. Falling to his knee, Yahiko presented Kenji with the Sakabatō as a late genpuku
gift, hoping that now he'd realize that Kenshin's strength lay not in his ability to kill, but in his appreciation of life, his devotion and self-sacrifice to those in need.
Meanwhile, Kenshin eventually becomes ravaged by an unknown disease that is much like leprosy
(the writers have admitted there is no medical explanation for Kenshin's condition). To share his pain, Kaoru convinces Kenshin to infect her with the disease through sexual intercourse. Kenshin then leaves to go assist in the First Sino-Japanese War
(primarily over control of Korea) as he had promised the Meiji Government, not fighting and killing, but instead helping people.
After the war's end, Sanosuke discovers a very ill Kenshin sometime after he had fallen overboard on a ship. Sanosuke arranges Kenshin's return to Tokyo by boat. Upon arriving, a bed-ridden Kaoru, almost on instinct, gets up to walk outside the dojo on the cherry blossom path, seeing her husband struggling with each step to meet her.
The two finally meet, and Kenshin collapses into her arms as he clutches her to him. Kenshin tells Kaoru that he returned for her, and Kaoru quietly greets him with his old name, Shinta, for he had asked it before he left the last time. Soon, they end up beneath a cherry blossom tree, where Kaoru tells him that they will invite everyone for a cherry blossom viewing, and continue to gather in the years to come. With the silence growing stronger, Kaoru realizes that Kenshin has died quietly in her arms. Upon brushing his hair off his left cheek, Kaoru notices Kenshin's scar has faded away, signifying an end to his life of pain and bloodshed and commencement to a life of peace. In the final scene before the credits, she holds his head in her arms and weeps.
After the credits finish rolling, there is a scene which shows Kenshin and Kaoru's son, Kenji, walking with a young girl, Chizuru, beneath the cherry blossoms, saying that they will live happily together.
Mike Crandol of Anime News Network
gave different opinions about the OVA series. On one hand, Crandal said that the OVA series were some of the best animation ever to come out of Japan, rivaling the American masters in fluidity of motion and with a musical score to match. On the other hand Crandol says that fans of the original story will be disappointed as there are not many fight scenes and that the character Kenshin Himura
is very different from his original version; for instance, he never uses his trademark idiomatic phrase "oro?", and it is thought he never gives a "true" smile. Crandol also comments about a "tedious and depressing melodrama".
Rurouni Kenshin
, also known as Rurouni Kenshin and Samurai X, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The fictional setting takes place during the early Meiji period in Japan. The story is about a fictional assassin named Himura Kenshin, from the Bakumatsu who becomes a wanderer to...
anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
television series, acting as its sequel
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
. It was directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi
Kazuhiro Furuhashi
is a Japanese anime director and supervisor, born in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture. He is amongst anime's most foremost directors, having directed and helmed the entire Rurouni Kenshin series , the You're Under Arrest series, GetBackers, Hunter x Hunter, Zipang, Le Chevalier D'Eon,...
and written by Reiko Yoshida, and was released in Japan in 2001.
The OVA series is set both during and after the timeline of the television series and tells of Kenshin and Kaoru's later days, much of which is not derived from the Rurouni Kenshin manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
. It is mostly told from the point of view of Kamiya Kaoru
Kamiya Kaoru
, known as Kaoru Kamiya in the Media Blasters English-language dub and Kori Kamiya in the English Sony Samurai X dub, is a fictional character from the Rurouni Kenshin universe created by Nobuhiro Watsuki as a main protagonist of the media franchise, which consists of a series of manga, anime,...
. The story follows Himura Kenshin
Himura Kenshin
, known as Kenshin Himura in the English-language anime dubs, is a fictional character from the Rurouni Kenshin universe created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. He is the main protagonist of the manga and anime series, as well as the related media in the franchise...
as he attempts searching for ways to atone for those who died at his hands, while Kaoru waits for Kenshin to return home. Kenshin's actions, however, alienate him from his estranged son, Kenji.
Reflection was originally released in North America as Samurai X: Reflection while it was being licensed by ADV Films. Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection is now currently licensed by Aniplex of America
Aniplex
, formerly known as Sony Pictures Entertainment Visual Works Inc. and Sony Music Entertainment Visual Works Inc., is a Japanese anime and music production and distribution enterprise owned by Sony Music Entertainment Japan and established in January 1997...
for English-language releases. Reflection was released in the United States by ADV Films on DVD on March 25, 2003, while a Director's Cut edition was later released. Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection was released on Blu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc is an optical disc storage medium designed to supersede the DVD format. The plastic disc is 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick, the same size as DVDs and CDs. Blu-ray Discs contain 25 GB per layer, with dual layer discs being the norm for feature-length video discs...
by Aniplex of America on September 21, 2011.
Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection has received mixed reviews upon its release. Critics have praised the art, animation and music of the series but have criticised its story and character development. Despite Reflection acting as a sequel to the anime series, Nobuhiro Watsuki
Nobuhiro Watsuki
is a Japanese manga artist, best known for his samurai-themed series Rurouni Kenshin. He once worked as an assistant for his favorite author Takeshi Obata.-Biography:...
, creator of the Rurouni Kenshin manga, disapproves of it, stating that it is not canon and should not be treated as canonical.
History
Unlike the first 4-part OVA series which was a prequel to the TV series (and was addressed in flashbacks during the manga), Reflection is based in part on the final arc of the manga, usually called the "Revenge" arc. It follows after the Kyoto arc that ended in volume 18 which included Shishio Makoto and the Juppongatana. In this sense, the OVA adaptations are the reverse of the manga because the manga told the prequel as a flashback in the final arc in real time, but the OVAs tell the prequel in real time and the final arc as a flashback.In the manga, the prequel flashback took place in the midst of encounters with "The Six Comrades". It initiates in volumes 18 and ends with the manga at volume 28. The prequel with Tomoe was based on the 14-part "Remembrance" (which ran between 165 and 179) in volumes 19-21. It is essential to understanding the final arc, and thus the first OVAs are essential (much as the TV series is) to understanding OVAs 5 and 6 which compose Reflection, for those who have not read the manga.
Reflection is a very condensed version, as it focuses only on Kenshin's battle with Enishi, and it does not feature the Six Comrades or Kenshin's teammates' confrontations with them. The Kyoto and Revenge arcs are the same length (10 volumes) in the manga, and the television adaptation of the Kyoto arc took 35 episodes. While the Tomoe flashback was very detailed and of comparable size (4 OVAs to condense under 2 volumes of material) the rest of the final arc (the actual sequel to the Kyoto arc) was shortened to an extreme degree. This may be that what we are seeing is simply limited amounts of what Kaoru is able to remember, from her perspective, rather than a first person witnessing of things which is the context that the television series, movie and first 4 OVAs took.
Plot
The OVA starts out as a montage of singular events surrounding the life of Kenshin HimuraHimura Kenshin
, known as Kenshin Himura in the English-language anime dubs, is a fictional character from the Rurouni Kenshin universe created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. He is the main protagonist of the manga and anime series, as well as the related media in the franchise...
, told from the point of view of Kaoru Kamiya
Kamiya Kaoru
, known as Kaoru Kamiya in the Media Blasters English-language dub and Kori Kamiya in the English Sony Samurai X dub, is a fictional character from the Rurouni Kenshin universe created by Nobuhiro Watsuki as a main protagonist of the media franchise, which consists of a series of manga, anime,...
. Then the remainder of it involves Kenshin, who becomes tortured anew by the guilt of leading a happy life after such a destructive past. He makes the decision to wander again, and Kaoru strongly supports him, promising to welcome him home with a smile and their child. For fifteen years, he wanders, returning every once in a while.
However, this leads his son, Kenji Himura to hold resentment towards Kenshin for leaving them. Now in his adolescence, he leaves for Kyoto hoping to learn Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu from Seijuro Hiko
Hiko Seijuro
is Himura Kenshin's master in the manga and anime series Rurouni Kenshin. As a potter, he uses the assumed name of . His Japanese seiyū is Shūichi Ikeda, and his English voice actor is Richard Epcar.-Development:...
, hoping to be as strong as his father, and create his own legend. Soon however, Yahiko Myojin
Myojin Yahiko
, known as Yahiko Myojin in the Media Blasters English-language dub and Yoshi Myojin in the English Sony Samurai X dub, is a fictional character from the Rurouni Kenshin manga and anime series authored by Nobuhiro Watsuki...
tracks him down at the request of Kaoru. He wears the mark of evil on his back, too. Yahiko duels him to show him the delusions of achieving his father's greatness. Yahiko admits that he is a genius and has natural talent as a swordsman. However, he knew that neither passion, discipline, nor skill would make Kenji superior to his father. So, in a one final strike, Yahiko lets Kenji experience the full brunt of Kenshin's Sakabatou; allowing Kenji to experience the strength of his father's philosophy firsthand. Falling to his knee, Yahiko presented Kenji with the Sakabatō as a late genpuku
Genpuku
or genbuku was an historical Japanese coming-of-age ceremony. The etymology is atypical; in this case means "head" and means "wearing". The ceremony is also known as , , , , and ....
gift, hoping that now he'd realize that Kenshin's strength lay not in his ability to kill, but in his appreciation of life, his devotion and self-sacrifice to those in need.
Meanwhile, Kenshin eventually becomes ravaged by an unknown disease that is much like leprosy
Leprosy
Leprosy or Hansen's disease is a chronic disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Named after physician Gerhard Armauer Hansen, leprosy is primarily a granulomatous disease of the peripheral nerves and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract; skin lesions...
(the writers have admitted there is no medical explanation for Kenshin's condition). To share his pain, Kaoru convinces Kenshin to infect her with the disease through sexual intercourse. Kenshin then leaves to go assist in the First Sino-Japanese War
First Sino-Japanese War
The First Sino-Japanese War was fought between Qing Dynasty China and Meiji Japan, primarily over control of Korea...
(primarily over control of Korea) as he had promised the Meiji Government, not fighting and killing, but instead helping people.
After the war's end, Sanosuke discovers a very ill Kenshin sometime after he had fallen overboard on a ship. Sanosuke arranges Kenshin's return to Tokyo by boat. Upon arriving, a bed-ridden Kaoru, almost on instinct, gets up to walk outside the dojo on the cherry blossom path, seeing her husband struggling with each step to meet her.
The two finally meet, and Kenshin collapses into her arms as he clutches her to him. Kenshin tells Kaoru that he returned for her, and Kaoru quietly greets him with his old name, Shinta, for he had asked it before he left the last time. Soon, they end up beneath a cherry blossom tree, where Kaoru tells him that they will invite everyone for a cherry blossom viewing, and continue to gather in the years to come. With the silence growing stronger, Kaoru realizes that Kenshin has died quietly in her arms. Upon brushing his hair off his left cheek, Kaoru notices Kenshin's scar has faded away, signifying an end to his life of pain and bloodshed and commencement to a life of peace. In the final scene before the credits, she holds his head in her arms and weeps.
After the credits finish rolling, there is a scene which shows Kenshin and Kaoru's son, Kenji, walking with a young girl, Chizuru, beneath the cherry blossoms, saying that they will live happily together.
Characters
- Kenshin HimuraHimura Kenshin, known as Kenshin Himura in the English-language anime dubs, is a fictional character from the Rurouni Kenshin universe created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. He is the main protagonist of the manga and anime series, as well as the related media in the franchise...
also known as Hitokiri Battōsai. - Kaoru KamiyaKamiya Kaoru, known as Kaoru Kamiya in the Media Blasters English-language dub and Kori Kamiya in the English Sony Samurai X dub, is a fictional character from the Rurouni Kenshin universe created by Nobuhiro Watsuki as a main protagonist of the media franchise, which consists of a series of manga, anime,...
- Kenshin's Wife - Enishi YukishiroYukishiro EnishiYukishiro Enishi is a character from the manga Rurouni Kenshin by Nobuhiro Watsuki. He is the primary antagonist of the final arc of the series, the Jinchū arc, and the younger brother of Yukishiro Tomoe.-Conception and design:...
via a Flashback Fight - KurogasaKurogasais a fictional character in the manga and anime Rurouni Kenshin created by Nobuhiro Watsuki.His name is given as Hajime Saito in Western-order, which is the chosen order used in the English anime.- Creation and conception :...
(Jin-e) via a flashback fight - Kenji Himura - Son of Kenshin and Kaoru, angry at Kenshin's neglect
- Yahiko MyojinMyojin Yahiko, known as Yahiko Myojin in the Media Blasters English-language dub and Yoshi Myojin in the English Sony Samurai X dub, is a fictional character from the Rurouni Kenshin manga and anime series authored by Nobuhiro Watsuki...
- Sanosuke SagaraSagara Sanosukeis a fictional character from the Rurouni Kenshin manga and anime series created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. He is known as Sanosuke Sagara in the English adaptation of the anime and is nicknamed Sano...
also known as Zanza, fighter for hire
Reception
Although Samurai X: Reflection was not written by Watsuki, he stated that he "checked in on the script." Watsuki, unhappy with the result, said that he "didn't have any input in it and the director went wild with it. Kenshin went through so much crap and deserved a happy ending."Mike Crandol of Anime News Network
Anime News Network
Anime News Network is an anime industry news website that reports on the status of anime, manga, Japanese popular music and other otaku-related culture within North America, Australia and Japan. Additionally, it sometimes features similar happenings throughout the Anglosphere and elsewhere in the...
gave different opinions about the OVA series. On one hand, Crandal said that the OVA series were some of the best animation ever to come out of Japan, rivaling the American masters in fluidity of motion and with a musical score to match. On the other hand Crandol says that fans of the original story will be disappointed as there are not many fight scenes and that the character Kenshin Himura
Himura Kenshin
, known as Kenshin Himura in the English-language anime dubs, is a fictional character from the Rurouni Kenshin universe created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. He is the main protagonist of the manga and anime series, as well as the related media in the franchise...
is very different from his original version; for instance, he never uses his trademark idiomatic phrase "oro?", and it is thought he never gives a "true" smile. Crandol also comments about a "tedious and depressing melodrama".