Samurai X - Trust (Rurouni Kenshin)

Starring:Mayo Suzukaze, Miki Fujitani, YÃ»ji Ueda, MÃ®na Tominaga, Mika Doi, Yoku Shioya, Kaori Yuasa, Noriko Namiki, Hirotaka Suzuoki, Yoshito Yasuhara, Tomo Sakurai, Akio Ã”tsuka, Yasuyoshi Hara, RyÃ»nosuke Ã”bayashi, Hiroshi Takahashi (II), Mitsuru Miyamoto, Taeko Kawada, Minoru Inaba, Norito Yashima, Ikuya Sawaki
Director: Kazuhiro Furuhashi, Kaeko Sakamoto
Studio: Adv Films
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
The four-episode Samurai X original animation video captures the mixture of swordplay and poetry that makes Japanese warrior culture so intriguing to viewers on both sides of the Pacific. The OAV series serves as a prequel to both Samurai X: The Movie and the more lighthearted TV series. The action unfolds in 1864, when a few clans began the revolt that would overthrow the military dictatorship of the Tokugawa Shogunate and return power to the Emperor in the Meiji Restoration of 1868. Shinta, a lonely orphan, is transformed by master swordsman Hiko into Kenshin Himura, an assassin in the service of Katsuga, one of the revolutionary leaders. Kenshin kills whomever Katsuga orders with consummate skill and unshatterable calm. He believes he is using his sword to bring about a better world, even as the intrigues and counter-intrigues escalate. But he becomes aware of unspoken doubts when he meets Tomoe, a mysterious girl whose beauty, like the iris, is seen to best advantage in cloudy weather. Director Kazuhiro Furuhashi choreographs the sword fights with a grace that infuses even scenes of extreme violence with an elegant sensuality: in one striking image, he focuses on the rain washing a spatter of blood from Tomoe's cheek. The dialogue in the English translation often sounds stilted, but the words are usually superfluous. Furuhashi's ability to present a story visually has made Samurai X a popular anime property in America and Japan. Unrated; suitable for ages 18 and up for explicit violence. --Charles Solomon

Samurai X - Trust & Betrayal (Director's Cut)
Average customer rating:

Huge Kenshin Fan

Tragic, beautiful, captivating anime

Words of Advice

Not so much a review but a warning ...

The beginning and the end

Samurai X - Trust & Betrayal (Director's Cut)
Starring: Mayo Suzukaze , Junko Iwao , Nozomu Sasaki , Masami Suzuki , and Shûichi Ikeda
Director: Kazuhiro Furuhashi
Manufacturer: Adv Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00008G8PP
Release Date: 2003-05-20

Amazon.com

Director Kazuhiro Furuhashi has recut the four-episode Samurai X OVA into a seamless feature that serves as a prequel to both Samurai X: The Movie and the light-hearted TV series. The action unfolds in 1864, at the beginning of the revolution against the Tokugawa Shogunate that culiminated in the Meiji Restoration. The orphan Shinta is transformed by master swordsman Hiko into Kenshin, an assassin who believes he is using his sword to bring about a better world. When he and the mysterious Tomoe hide from the intrigues of Kyoto in a remote mountain village, Kenshin finds peace, raising crops and savoring the passage of the seasons, but this tranquility cannot endure. Furuhashi choreographs the characters' inner conflicts as skillfully as the epic sword fights, infusing them with an elegant sensuality. In either format, Samurai X OVAs capture the violence and poetry of samurai culture in a story of exceptional emotional depth. (Rated 17 and older: violence, alcohol use, mature themes) --Charles Solomon

Description

Nineteenth century Japan: a land torn by rebellion and civil warfare; small bands of soldiers roam the land, seeking to overthrow the tyrannical Tokugawa Shogunate. Enter the young orphan Kenshin, trained as a fighter by the master swordsman Hiko. Kenshin's desire for peace is at odds with his brutal life, and the tension seems unreconcilable until he meets a mysterious woman named Tomoe. The enigmatic Tomoe's actions may show Kenshin that another life can exist for him, or may instead conceal a destructive secret. Samurai X: Trust & Betrayal Director's Cut follows the progress of the rebellion against the Shogunate and the complex evolution of Kenshin's and Tomoe's involvement, and reveals how Kenshin received the distinctive cross-shaped facial scar that gives the film its name.

Customer Reviews:

Huge Kenshin Fan.......2007-01-28

I really enjoyed both of these movies; however, I would not recommend this to someone who has not followed the Rurouni Kenshin Series. If you have not seen the Rurouni Kenshin Series - primarily Arcs 1 & 2 - I would recommend holding off on purchasing this DVD set. If you watch these without watching the first two Arcs, you will most likely not enjoy the movies; and more importantly, in the case of Reflections, they will ruin the series for you.

Now I know a lot of people get confused about the order of the Series & OVAs, so I'd like to clarify the issue. As far as I know, this is how it goes (If I am wrong, feel free to correct me):

Arc 1 = Introduces the Main Characters
Arc 2 = The Shishio Story
Arc 3 = Consists of several "Mini Stories" (They seem like filler episodes)
Arc 4 = The Enishi Story (This Arc was never animated)

Trust and Betrayal is the Kenshin story that takes place before Arc 1 - This story really describes the events and tragedies that cause Kenshin to become the Kenshin we know from the series.

Reflections takes places after Arc 4 - This story is a recap of the Kenshin story (hints the name "Reflections") and ultimatley concludes the Kenshin story.

Theses DVDs are a lot more violent and serious when compared to the action/comedy series. The mood is completely different from the series. They are very "emotional" and really allow you to "feel" and "understand" the characters (Another reason why I recommend watching the series first). If you are a huge Kenshin fan like me who loved the series and always wondered what happened before and after the series, then I would highly recommend purchasing this DVD set.

Tragic, beautiful, captivating anime.......2006-08-07

I watched this first, then bought the TV series, which is quite enjoyable, and not quite as dark and depressing as this movie. However, the art work is just beautiful, and the voice acting is well done. The power of the Samurai code and of love itself is palpable in this film, and I will watch it many more times!

Words of Advice.......2006-08-04

Okay where to begin. First off for the two of you who don't know Samurai X are the oavs that are extensions to the manga Rurouni Kenshin. The reason it is not named that is because the animated version ofthe tale is published by a different company. Trust and Betrayal takes place during the main characters youth. Though the movie can be watched seperately it is best enjoyed after watching the first and second season of the anime series or the first 15 or so mangas volumes.

First off three warnings. One if your like happy light simple anime, look else where Samurai X trust and betral are anything but happy light and simple. Second though not essentual you should have some knowledge of the samurai code of honor, it helps a great deal when it come to motives behind the characters. And lastly and perhaps most importantly this film is not for children, this is not because there is anything objectably besides gore in the film, rather the stroy if so complex and subtle children simply won't understand what's going on.

Now on to the actual review. Samurai X Trust and Betral is simply put perfection incarnate and one of the few anime ever made that can stand beside legendary series like Neon Genesis Evangleion and the like and not be out of place. The story takes place during the beginnings of the Japanese revolution that began the Maji Restoration and fouces upon a assassin named Kenshin Himura. I won't go into details about the plot however as i said this story is a true tragedy. Think Romeo and Juilet except with samurai and tens times more tragic. The story is very VERY sad and this is resounded in every aspect of the film, from the color scheme to the voice acting and music. Also there are alot of things going on behind the story and are rather subtle side in presentation. However if you truly grasp the more subtle things of the story you will find it to be one of the best stories ever written peroid.

On to the art. What can I say really other then that I have seen well over two hundred anime series and I yet to see anything say for a few Myhozoki films that even come close to the animation and art work. Yes it is that good even though only pastel colors are used these furhter reinforce the sense of tragdy. By traditional anime values the character are almost ugly however if not expecting that they are beautifully drawn, especially the faces and eyes.

To the music, hummm there have been few sounds tracks that fit whats happening on the screen so perfectly. Though for the most part sad it is beautiful music and if you can buy the sound track.

Next is the voice acting. The japanese actors are great however for one of the few times the english actors are actually better and fit the characters perfectly and hit every mark. The only problem is the mispronouncing of the main female character's name, which is somewhat frustrating but easily forgiven.

The characters are well thought out and unlike any others in all animedom. By the end of the film I could honestly say that I felt like I knew each of them on a personal level which is rare.

Lastly Samurai X trust and betrayal is one of the best stories ever put to paper or to the screen. I recommend everyone watch this film once they come of age. Especially during the teens years when kids are starting to ask why war and murder are bad things. This film gives a clear and definite answer, if somewhat complex. Now then enough talk go buy now, you'll at the very least like this one if not completely love it.

Not so much a review but a warning ..........2006-06-22

I'd like potential buyers to know that this particular version - the 2003 release "Samurai X - Trust & Betrayal (Director's Cut)" is completely missing the music track.

Both voice tracks as well as the sound effect track are present, but the key ommision of the music track is nontrivial.

The beginning and the end.......2006-06-09

In this little boxset you have the rurouni kenshin trust/betrayal and reflections both in their directors cut edition.

Story:
The first movie Trust and Betrayal talks about the past of Kenshin Himura, as the famous hitori battousai "the manslayer".
This is 10 years before the events of the TV series Rurouni Kenshin.

Reflections:
This somehow is a recount of key moments of the tv series, and provides a conclution to the story.
This about 15 years after the end of the tv series, kenshin is wandering again, and the people that loves him are waiting for him to return.
Packing:
2 slim cases in one slim cardboard box, the artwork is beautiful and the box is the best in quality and least for the animes that i have checked so far.
Video:
Beutiful, just beutiful, both movies are in widescreen, the image is perfect, the first movie have a darker feel and the animation is dark to give it full effect.
the last movie is glorious, wonderful colors and animation.
some people complain because the orginal ovas from trust and betrayal where on fullscreen and were chopped to make it widescreen.

Audio:
English 5.1 and japanese 2.0 make your choice, both soud good, but the 5.1 track sounds the best.
only have english substitles.

Extras:
only a few previews ana trailers for adv series.

Overall:
Even if you are not a fan of Rurouni Kenshin this set belongs to all anime fans collection

Average customer rating:

Part 1 of probably the best anime film ever
Samurai X! The Precuel the Rurouni KenshinThis DVD was awesome! I've never seen anything like it!
The Best anime movie.
a action-packed dang movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!( By: Joey)
He probably was a samurai...

Samurai X - Trust (Rurouni Kenshin)
Starring: Mayo Suzukaze , Miki Fujitani , Yûji Ueda , Mîna Tominaga , and Mika Doi
Director: Kazuhiro Furuhashi , and Kaeko Sakamoto
Manufacturer: Adv Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Samurai X - Betrayal (Rurouni Kenshin)
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ASIN: B00004YKPY
Release Date: 2000-10-10

Amazon.com

The four-episode Samurai X original animation video captures the mixture of swordplay and poetry that makes Japanese warrior culture so intriguing to viewers on both sides of the Pacific. The OAV series serves as a prequel to both Samurai X: The Movie and the more lighthearted TV series. The action unfolds in 1864, when a few clans began the revolt that would overthrow the military dictatorship of the Tokugawa Shogunate and return power to the Emperor in the Meiji Restoration of 1868. Shinta, a lonely orphan, is transformed by master swordsman Hiko into Kenshin Himura, an assassin in the service of Katsuga, one of the revolutionary leaders. Kenshin kills whomever Katsuga orders with consummate skill and unshatterable calm. He believes he is using his sword to bring about a better world, even as the intrigues and counter-intrigues escalate. But he becomes aware of unspoken doubts when he meets Tomoe, a mysterious girl whose beauty, like the iris, is seen to best advantage in cloudy weather. Director Kazuhiro Furuhashi choreographs the sword fights with a grace that infuses even scenes of extreme violence with an elegant sensuality: in one striking image, he focuses on the rain washing a spatter of blood from Tomoe's cheek. The dialogue in the English translation often sounds stilted, but the words are usually superfluous. Furuhashi's ability to present a story visually has made Samurai X a popular anime property in America and Japan. Unrated; suitable for ages 18 and up for explicit violence. --Charles Solomon

Customer Reviews:

Part 1 of probably the best anime film ever.......2006-08-04

It always surprises me the stigma that anime has. Despite the fact there's fairly innocent anime shows like Love Hina or Fruits Basket, people focus on the ultra-violent ones like Akira or Evangelion. Don't get me wrong, the Samurai X OVA's are indeed bloody as well but there's also a poetic atmosphere running through the entire thing that rivals even the best Hollywood productions. Even though the separated OVA's kind of ruin the flow, it's still a memorable look at a man forever scarred.

Shinta was with a group of slave traders who were then killed by bandits. A man saves Shinta and takes him on as a swordsman apprentice. Renamed Kenshin Himura, he becomes the legendary Hitokiri Battousai(although he's never named that here), an assassin wanting to take down an oppressive government. He ends up meeting a woman named Tomoe who is slowly starting to calm him down and give him some humanity. But there's something in her past that connects her with Kenshin which is tearing her up.

Keep in mind this is a really violent film, even more so than you normally see from Kenshin. While nothing really gets cut off(at times), there's a lot of huge sword slashes and blood flows a lot. But it's not done in a kind of exploitative blood for blood's sake like other anime so it's better handled considering how violent it is.

The animation is quite fluid and really expressive which helps the film considerably, allowing a more poetic imagery to come across. The one thing that you'll notice but won't really pay that much attention to is the character designs. Kenshin, while still retaining his red hair and clothes, looks remarkably different in design to the show.

Now the question of whether or not to watch is obvious: a resounding yes. Whether you choose to watch it after finishing the Kyoto Arc of Rurouni Kenshin(do NOT watch the 3rd season) is entirely up to you.

Samurai X! The Precuel the Rurouni KenshinThis DVD was awesome! I've never seen anything like it! .......2006-03-05

This DVD was awesome! I've never seen anything like it! It may be a bit bloody but who cares about that! this is definately a must buy!

The Best anime movie........2005-07-29

If you've read the Rurouni Kenshin manga or watched the Rurouni Kenshin series you'll love this movie. I think you would love this movie even if you didn't know anything about Rurouni Kenshin. It is rated for people 17 and up mainly for violence, but there is also alcohol, and some jokes. And one small sugjestive cene, but it is nothing compared to many PG13 anime shows. It's mainly violent. The art is wonderful, truly captivating. And the story is engaging, and the characters are complex. The story is about Himura Kenshin and how he becomes a hitokiri(assassin)for the Ishin Shishi. The story is placed in the chaotic times of the Bakumatsu. It's a wonderful story of love and hate, trust and betrayal, your justice and the justice of the enemy. You can watch it over and over again, and get something out of it each time. I sugjest that you buy Samurai X Trust and Betrayal in Director's Cut instead of buying them separate, it's better that way and you save some money. You really should buy this movie. Thank you.

a action-packed dang movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!( By: Joey).......2005-01-30

the legacy of Bai'tosai!!!!!!!! sweet kenshin with tons of violence!! it is what I think is 17+ for EXTRA VIOLENCE,ect.
ect.:

1)violence
2)more violence
3)alchol re. ( For instance Margerita, Beer, Wine, ect.)
4)tobacco re. (For instance cigar, cigarettte, pipe,ect.)
5)whaddda ya' know even more VIOLENCE!

(i messed up on my first review on yuyu movie.)

He probably was a samurai..........2004-06-06

If he wasnt a samurai, like one of the previous earlier posts suggests, why was he permitted to adorn the two swords? this is not allowed in society if he was not a retainer.

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