Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection

Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection, known in Japan as Rurōni Kenshin -Meiji Kenkaku Roman Tan- Seisōhen (るろうに剣心 -明治剣客浪漫譚- 星霜編), is a Japanese original video animation (OVA) which serves as a sequel to the 1996–1998 anime television series Rurouni Kenshin, an adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki's 1994–1999 manga series. It was animated by Studio Deen, directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi and written by Reiko Yoshida. It was released from December 2001 to March 2002.

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.

Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection was originally released in North America as Samurai X: Reflection while it was being licensed by ADV Films. Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection is currently licensed by Aniplex of America for English-language releases. Reflection was released in the United States by ADV Films on DVD in March 2003, while a Director's Cut edition was later released. Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection was released on Blu-ray Disc by Aniplex of America in September 2011.

Plot

The narrative begins with a montage of pivotal moments from Himura Kenshin's life, recounted through the perspective of Kamiya Kaoru. The story then shifts focus to Kenshin, who is tormented by guilt over his violent past and his inability to reconcile it with his present happiness. Resolving to wander once more, he is met with Kaoru's unwavering support; she promises to await his return with their child, welcoming him home with a smile. Over the next fifteen years, Kenshin periodically revisits his family before being stricken by an unidentified illness. In an act of shared suffering, Kaoru persuades him to transmit the disease to her through intimacy. Kenshin later departs to aid in the First Sino-Japanese War, fulfilling a promise to the Meiji government—not as a combatant, but as a healer assisting the wounded.

Meanwhile, his son, Kenji, harbors deep resentment toward Kenshin for his prolonged absence. As a teenager, Kenji travels to Kyoto seeking tutelage under Hiko Seijūrō, aspiring to master the style and rival his father's strength. Myōjin Yahiko, dispatched by Kaoru, confronts Kenji and engages him in a duel to dispel his misguided ambitions. Acknowledging Kenji's innate talent, Yahiko delivers a decisive strike with Kenshin's sakabatō, forcing him to confront the weight of his father's philosophy. Defeated, Kenji kneels as Yahiko presents him the reversed-blade sword as a belated gift.

Following the war, Sagara Sanosuke discovers an ailing Kenshin after he falls overboard during a voyage. Sanosuke arranges his return to Tokyo, where a bedridden Kaoru musters the strength to meet him along a path lined with cherry blossoms. Weak and faltering, Kenshin collapses into her embrace, whispering that he has come back for her. Kaoru addresses him by his childhood name, Shinta, fulfilling his final request. Beneath the blossoms, she assures him they will host yearly gatherings beneath the tree. As silence settles, Kaoru realizes Kenshin has died peacefully in her arms. Brushing his hair aside, she finds his iconic scar vanished—a symbol of his atonement's completion.

In an epilogue, Kenji walks beneath the cherry blossoms with a young girl, Chizuru, vowing they will live happily together.

Reception

Although Reflection was not written by Watsuki, he stated that he "checked in on the script."[17] Watsuki mentioned not having input in it, and let the director "run wild with it." In response to Kenshin's death in comparison to the happy ending in the manga version, he felt that his own work eventually would have reached Kenshin's death had he continued writing. He had not wished to pursue that line because "Kenshin went through so much crap and deserved a happy ending." He felt that neither version was better than the other because "it's a personal taste thing."[17]

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.[18] Crandol also comments about a "tedious and depressing melodrama".[19] while IGN felt that some moments of the relationship between Kenshin and Kaoru were depressing.[20] While criticizing the characters' sad decisions, Serdar Yegulalp from About.com wondered whether the OVAs had to make viewers accept Kenshin's death wish after so much time of wandering and feeling a mortal disease.[21] However, some reviewers noted Kenshin's personality in the OVAs was one of the most complex ever to be animated remarking on the fact that he can not forget his bloody past, despite having a peaceful life.[22] Don Houston from DVD Talk noted the controversy between the fandom as they refrained from treating Reflection as canon due to how tragic the life of Kenshin's family became.[23] Ridwan Khan from Animefringe found that Enishi and Shishio's antagonisms against Kenshin in the original video animations were overshadowed by Kenshin's disease due to the bigger impact it has on the narrative.[24]

type	ova
director	Kazuhiro Furuhashi
producer	Ena Kiriyama Keiichi Matsuda
writer	Reiko Yoshida
music	Taku Iwasaki
studio	Studio Deen
first	December 19, 2001
last	March 20, 2002
runtime	90 minutes
episodes	2
episode list	List of Rurouni Kenshin (1996 TV series) episodes#Reflection (2001–02)

Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection

Plot

Cast

Release

Music

Reception

External links

References