Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story - Seisou-hen Special Edition: A moving reevaluation and new appeal

The appeal and evaluation of "Rurouni Kenshin - Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story - Seisouhen Special Edition"

Introduction

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story - Seisou-hen Special Edition is an OVA based on the popular manga by Watsuki Nobuhiro, released by SME Visual Works on October 9, 2002. This special edition is a re-creation of the Seisou-hen OVA as a "director's cut" that adds new parts to the first and second volumes, making it a feature-length work of about 90 minutes. It was directed by Furuhashi Kazuhiro, produced by Studio Deen, and has music by Iwasaki Taku.

story

In 1896, Himura Kenshin leaves Kamiya Kaoru's side to help many injured people. Kaoru, who is left behind, looks back on the long years she has spent with Kenshin. This is an original anime story produced as the final chapter following the Reminiscence Arc, depicting the deep bond between Kenshin and Kaoru and the end of their lives.

Commentary

"Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story - Seisou-hen Special Edition" is a special edition that adds new parts to the first and second volumes of the OVA "Seisou-hen," which explores the deepest themes of the original work. This special edition has been reconstructed as a feature-length work of about 90 minutes and boasts theater-class quality. Music composer Taku Iwasaki has created new soundtracks for this special edition, further deepening the impact of the work.

cast

The cast of this work is Suzukaze Mayo as Himura Kenshin, Fujitani Miki as Kamiya Kaoru, Tominaga Mina as Myojin Yahiko, Ueda Yuji as Sagara Sanosuke, Doi Mika as Takani Megumi, Shiratori Yuri as Sanjou Tsubame, Sasaki Nozomu as Yukishiro Enishi, Ikeda Shuichi as Hiko Seijuro, Kaida Yuki as Himura Kenji, and Suzuoki Hirotaka as Saito Hajime. These voice actors portray the emotions of the characters realistically, deeply moving the viewers.

Main Staff

The original work is by Nobuhiro Watsuki, published in Weekly Shonen Jump and published by Shueisha. The director is Kazuhiro Furuhashi, the script is by Reiko Yoshida, the character design is Akira Matsushima, the music is by Taku Iwasaki, the storyboard and direction is Kazuhiro Furuhashi, the animation director is Akira Matsushima, the art director is Masami Hagiwara, the director of photography is Masahide Okino, the animation production is Studio Deen, the planning cooperation is Fuji Television, and the production copyright is Aniplex. These staff members work together to improve the quality of this work.

Main Characters

Himura Kenshin is a master of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu style of swordsmanship, and was known as the "Battousai the Assassin" during the late Edo period. He travels to the continent at the request of Yamagata Aritomo, but his body is already suffering from an incurable disease. Kamiya Kaoru is Kenshin's wife, and in accordance with her late father's wishes, she serves as the assistant instructor of the Kamiya Kasshin-ryu style of swordsmanship. She has a son, Kenji, with Kenshin, and although she is also suffering from an illness like Kenshin, she continues to wait for his return. Myojin Yahiko is the number one disciple of the Kamiya Kasshin-ryu style of swordsmanship, who trained under Kaoru, but has now left the dojo and lives elsewhere. Sagara Sanosuke is the only opponent that Kenshin recognizes as an equal friend, and once fought with one fist, bearing the character "evil" on his back. He now travels to the continent to find Kenshin, who is physically and mentally weakened, and works hard to return him to Japan. Takani Megumi is a talented woman who lives in medicine to save people who are hurt, and is the daughter of the Takani family, famous doctors in Aizu. Although she usually has a smug attitude, she is actually a strong-willed adult woman. Sanjo Tsubame is a timid and quiet girl who works at Akabeko. She was unable to go against Nagaoka Mikio, who was her master and servant during the Edo period, but she meets Yahiko and gains strength. Yukishiro Enishi hates Battousai for taking the lives of his sister and her fiance, and in order to get revenge, he plans to take the lives of those Kenshin loves by "Jinchu". Himura Kenji is the only son born to Kenshin and Kaoru, and is a mischievous boy who trains in the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu style under Hiko Seijuro, with the dream of becoming the strongest swordsman.

Related Titles

"Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story - Seisou-hen Special Edition" is deeply connected to the following related works:

• "Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story"
• "Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story - Reminiscence Arc"
• "Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story, Seisouhen, Volumes 1 and 2"

Theme songs and music

The ending theme "Aisashisa no Kumi" (The Food of Love) was written by Hiroshi Yamada, composed and arranged by Taku Iwasaki, and sung by Hiroko Kasahara. This song has a beautiful melody that symbolizes the deep love between Kenshin and Kaoru, and will resonate deeply in the hearts of viewers.

Evaluation and Impressions

"Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story - Seisou-hen Special Edition" faithfully depicts the deep themes of the original work and is a moving work for viewers. In particular, the scenes depicting the love and bond between Kenshin and Kaoru are so moving that it is impossible to watch them without crying. In addition, the newly added new parts further deepen the story and provide viewers with a new perspective. The soundtrack, newly created by composer Taku Iwasaki for the special edition, is also an important element in enhancing the moving feeling of the work.

The acting of the cast was also excellent, especially Mayo Suzukaze as Kenshin and Miki Fujitani as Kaoru, who expressed the emotions of their characters realistically and deeply moved the audience. The teamwork of the staff was also excellent, and the director Kazuhiro Furuhashi and the rest of the staff worked together to improve the quality of the film.

It has a deep connection to related works, and you can understand this work more deeply by watching "Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story," "Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story - Tsuioku-hen," and "Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story - Seisou-hen, Vol. 1 and 2." The ending theme, "Aisashisa no Kumi," is a beautiful melody that symbolizes the love between Kenshin and Kaoru, and resonates deeply in the hearts of viewers.

Recommendation

"Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story - Seisou-hen Special Edition" is a work that can be recommended not only to fans of the original work, but to all anime fans. In particular, it is a work that should be watched by those who like moving stories and deep themes. In addition, watching related works will help you understand this work more deeply, so we recommend enjoying the entire series.

Although this work is in the form of an OVA, it has been reconstructed as a feature-length work of about 90 minutes, and boasts theater-class quality. The newly added new parts and Taku Iwasaki's new soundtrack are also points not to be missed. Please watch it and experience the excitement.