Samurai X

Director
Tsuji Hatsuki
Production
Fuji TV, Sony, Studio Galup
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Film
Running time
90 mins
Year
1997

Rurouni Kenshin a.k.a Samurai X

By Lyndonimus
23rd May 04

During the Tokugawa era he was a monarchist samurai who was a legendary swordsman. During this era he killed many foes for what he believed in. He was called Hitokiri Battousai [or Battousai the Slasher], which means master of the sword.
After the Tokugawa era was over he vanished and his name became a legend. 10 Years later he reappears in the suburbs of Tokyo as a rurouni, this is the tale of Himura Kenshin. However he has changed, he uses a rverse blade sword [where the sharp side is on the inside of the sword] and has vowed never to kill again.

The movie to Samurai X, opens with Kenshin in the Tokugawa era, dueling another samurai. I was immediately grabbed by this opening, it was dark, moody and had tense written all over it. It shows us how skillful Kenshin is, This flash back is key to the plot as it shows how much Kenshin has changed, yet his past comes back to haunt him.
Kenshin and his band of followers [from the TV series] meet and become friends with a Samurai Takimi and his companion, Toki. However Takimi has no clue of Kenshins past as Battousai [Kenshin killed his brother] this however is revealed during the course of the film.

The film is not connected to the original OAV's and aimed mainly at fans of the series. The animation doesnt really live upto the opening sequence we were granted, [the duel] and doesn't seem to be movie quality. However it does hold itself together throughout, it doesn't fall apart at the end ^^v.
The charecters feel alive, although sometimes they come and go at a moments notice. This isn't too much of a problem as th central theme is so engrossing you probably won't notice.

The plot is utterly engrossing. It's laden with humor, dark drama, and unavoidable tragedy. Kenshin, who has sworn never to kill with his sword again, finds himself caught between his loyalty to the Meiji and his own sense of responsibility and guilt. Takimi is a driven man, hell bent on avenging his brothers death, only after it is too late does he realise the error of his ways. Also thrown in is the subplot of men throwing their lives away for a seeminly false ideal. This indeed is heavy stuff, so pay attention while watching.

This was a memorable watch, and I believe there are more parts, as well, the plot is darker than the series, but it also contains some fabulous fight scenes.
The dramatic final duel is one hell of a battle, which has been built up to boiling point throughout the course of the film, it is truely dramatic stuff. A must see in my book.

8/10

-- Lyndonimus 23rd May 04

Samurai X Images