(CR) Rurouni Kenshin (new TV series)

[Kanon]

Originally Posted by Engels

So, will the first ''season'' finish with 24 or 26 epsiodes?

24 episodes.

[Frontier]

Yahiko should know better by now than to suggest Kenshin is fooling around with another woman behind Kaoru's back. But they have bigger things to worry about...like Saito! Slipping in as Goro Fujita !

I love how Kaoru had pretty much written off Sano for dead, probably thinking she wouldn't need to worry about him freeloading any more .

Akamatsu really thought he'd taken Kenshin down? Kenshin tanked all those hits just so he could understand what Saito's plan is, as soon as he has that he quickly frees himself and finishes Akamatsu off. Dude's defeat isn't even off-screen .

Man, Kenshin has it rough. He gets thrown around like a rag doll and returns home just in time to see his arch-rival chilling at his home, ready to fight him. But while Kenshin thinks Saito has degraded himself and the nobility of the Shinsengumi, Saito sees Kenshin as dishonoring himself as a warrior with his no-kill code and letting the bad guys he's stopped get away with too much before he resolved the issue. And both are carrying these feelings into their first duel in over a decade .

Well, this fight definitely got off on the wrong foot for Kenshin, Saito straight up stabs him and then tosses him aside like he did Sano. And that's before he brings in his leg for kick attacks. In the Bakumatsu era you use anything you have at your disposal to win .

Kaoru was worried she'd lose Kenshin in this fight and she was right to be concerned as he slowly transforms back into Hitokiri Battosai, right down to his voice sounding different, as has been building up across all the fights he's had over the course of the series. Saito brought out his full warrior instincts, and he finally gets to fight Battosai again .

Jeez, the fight gets so serious it eventually stops being a sword fight. They lose their blades, Saito throws hands and tries to break Kenshin's neck with his jacket, and Kenshin hits him with his hilt. They're throwing everything they still have at each other .

Kaoru doesn't want to lose the man she loves to Hitokiri Battosai, but the only person that can stop these two who have returned back to the Bakumatsu era is someone who lived through it with them...such as revolutionary soldier and current Meiji Home Minster Okotsu, who orchestrated this whole thing to test Kenshin's abilities. Kenshin doesn't seem too happy to see him .

[EroKing]

The Hitokiri Battousai everyone was waiting for. This did not disappoint.

[GDB]

The way the VA changes both tone and dialect/manner of speech is so disturbing, it really makes Kaoru's reaction stronger.

[Kanon]

Soma Saito's performance in this episode was stellar. Recasting Kenshin is the best thing this remake has done.

[grecefar]

huh, normally the yell of the main girl stops the match but it wasn't like that here. Hitokkiri battousai is not joke.

[Frontier]

Originally Posted by grecefar

huh, normally the yell of the main girl stops the match but it wasn't like that here. Hitokkiri battousai is not joke.

Kaoru already used it once, Kenshin is probably immune now .

[FlareKnight]

This one is going to be harder to walk back from. Mostly because there wasn't a way for Kaoru to stop Kenshin. They simply lucked out that the mastermind decided to show up and basically blow the whistle on their fight. That's...a rough one.

Obviously it was somewhat expected and highlights a major issue. If Kenshin isn't strong enough in his no-kill state then he can easily get flipped to a kill mode depending on the opponent. The policy is only as strong as the relative strength of his opponent.

I feel bad for Kaoru in this moment and I feel bad for how Kenshin is going to feel later. He's still in a pissed off state. But soon as this immediate situation plays out he's going to have to face a distraught Kaoru and the realization of how ready he was to kill. Very nearly proving Jine right once again.

And of course this whole situation isn't exactly done either. I really doubt they used a mad dog like Saito to test Kenshin just for the sake of curiosity. They almost certainly want to use him for something.

[Master_Yoma]

Kenshin vs Hajime and there just destroying Kaoru dojo

[Tactics]

Hmmh ...

Spoiler for Episode 23, better not open this if you didn't like '96 or spoiler-ish talks:

Soma Saito is fine, the rest ... not so much ...

I didn't like how Saito shots tried to frame him like some upcoming party member.
Well he is, also manga accuracy above all is the rule of thumb here, but part of his identity is faithful practitioner of Aku Soku Zan;
This is one of point where liberty to add more characterization would be appreciated, but nope, things keep going by railroad to the point dramatic weight almost entirely carried by Kenshin (unlike '96 that shared it between Kaoru and Yahiko about how the gap of those two with others is unreal that goodwills slowly but surely not reaching Kenshin, also Saito confidence to punish evil that is Kenshin).

The set is so blue, the fight is fast it became difficult to tell what happened .... and of course, do not expect brilliant creative take like '96.
People that watched '96 may remember Kenshin jump from wall to wall to made himself unpredictable since going straight is no good against Saito, altered perspective or Saito triggered rather than surprised several times even when his condition is no better than Kenshin. It deviates from manga, sure, but it speaks a lot about Bakumatsu era standard held by upcoming enemy.

Yeah, I think with this episode, you can easily tell what you will get if they decided to continue with Kyoto and Jinchu arcs.
Probably it will come with minor surprise like Shishio or Hoji speak English or Chinese when they purchase weaponry to foreshadow Enishi.



Personally, I'm amazed Aniplex didn't capitalize more than "keep it just like that except Raijuta" as if "Rurouni Kenshin: Brotherhood" is firm mantra of success.
I get that Kyoto and Jinchu are the cooler arcs (and its not like RK is excellent marketable franchise) but I'm not feeling "it" with this kind of Tokyo Arc; Furuhashi took the chance, Liden didn't seem like doing it (IMO). Can't blame them if that's the order.

TLDR, this episode (maybe even entire series until Kyoto Arc over) is good if you never watched '96, but that's it, not more not less.

[magnumcyclonex]

I remember in the 1996 anime they were fighting in the dojo and Himura Battousai was using the walls/ceiling to go against Saito. That was an epic battle back then.

When Kenshin's voice and eyes changed into the old Himura Battousai, I became thrilled that the most enjoyable arc for me was finally underway.

[Obelisk ze Tormentor]

Originally Posted by EroKing

This did not disappoint.

I'm actually disappointed by this episode in general.

Originally Posted by Tactics

Hmmh ...

Spoiler for Episode 23, better not open this if you didn't like '96 or spoiler-ish talks:

Soma Saito is fine, the rest ... not so much ...

I didn't like how Saito shots tried to frame him like some upcoming party member.
Well he is, also manga accuracy above all is the rule of thumb here, but part of his identity is faithful practitioner of Aku Soku Zan;
This is one of point where liberty to add more characterization would be appreciated, but nope, things keep going by railroad to the point dramatic weight almost entirely carried by Kenshin (unlike '96 that shared it between Kaoru and Yahiko about how the gap of those two with others is unreal that goodwills slowly but surely not reaching Kenshin, also Saito confidence to punish evil that is Kenshin).

The set is so blue, the fight is fast it became difficult to tell what happened .... and of course, do not expect brilliant creative take like '96.
People that watched '96 may remember Kenshin jump from wall to wall to made himself unpredictable since going straight is no good against Saito, altered perspective or Saito triggered rather than surprised several times even when his condition is no better than Kenshin. It deviates from manga, sure, but it speaks a lot about Bakumatsu era standard held by upcoming enemy.

Yeah, I think with this episode, you can easily tell what you will get if they decided to continue with Kyoto and Jinchu arcs.
Probably it will come with minor surprise like Shishio or Hoji speak English or Chinese when they purchase weaponry to foreshadow Enishi.



Personally, I'm amazed Aniplex didn't capitalize more than "keep it just like that except Raijuta" as if "Rurouni Kenshin: Brotherhood" is firm mantra of success.
I get that Kyoto and Jinchu are the cooler arcs (and its not like RK is excellent marketable franchise) but I'm not feeling "it" with this kind of Tokyo Arc; Furuhashi took the chance, Liden didn't seem like doing it (IMO). Can't blame them if that's the order.

TLDR, this episode (maybe even entire series until Kyoto Arc over) is good if you never watched '96, but that's it, not more not less.

Agreed with most of what you said.

After these very important couple of episodes, I can safely say that the generic episodes of RK23 (easily) surpass the generic episodes of RK96. BUT, the highest peaks of RK23 are not able to top the highest peaks of RK96. Yes, we still have one more episode to go for this season IIRC but now I think I know what to expect from this 23 team (for better & worse). Here's hoping that RK24 or RK25 can get better.

Thank god they actually use male voice for Kenshin this time coz that's actually an essential improvement from RK96 and one of the big reasons for me to keep watching this show pre-Jinchu Arc. Speaking of, Saito's new seiyuu did a pretty good job. I just wish that the animation direction has more style & atmosphere to match the seiyuu's good performance.

Originally Posted by Frontier

Kaoru already used it once, Kenshin is probably immune now .

It's Battousai who is immune now

[Tactics]

Originally Posted by Obelisk ze Tormentor

After these very important couple of episodes, I can safely say that the generic episodes of RK23 (easily) surpass the generic episodes of RK96.

I'm the opposite;

Spoiler for On my side, I found RK '96 still got some edges over RK '23:

The fight in '96 tend to save the praise, commentaries for reversal or match over.
'23 have no qualms letting commentaries barge in sometimes it looks like attack - comment - attack - comment - attack - ...

The girls are non-canon but it help gave more reason why Kenshin fight for people, not limited to Kaoru-dono.

As I mentioned before, I dislike how we got Gensai suddenly gave historical lesson that took minutes for "Who the hell is Megumi?".
'96 is playing smart by having Megumi identity hinted by three reliable narrators: Kenshin (upbringing), Gensai (knowledge) and Kanryu (connection).

Oniwabanshu not die in vain.

The coloring and lighting are ... impeccable, maybe perfect portrayal of Meiji era.
Hannya fight happened in dimmed green corridor, his trick became sensible because no Ronald McDonald arms.
The entire build up to Saito. Thought of using sunset for dramatic build up, lack of light source in some office. This is a bit cheating, don't forget the vibrant Juppongatana base where each generals come with different type of rooms and color scheme.

The OST. BGM, OP and ED delivery are just so good.
Tactics, Heart of Sword, 4th Avenue Cafe and 1/3 Junjou na Kanjou ... even Sobakasu and Its Gonna Rain are fine too.

[Obelisk ze Tormentor]

Originally Posted by Tactics

I'm the opposite;

Spoiler for On my side, I found RK '96 still got some edges over RK '23:

The fight in '96 tend to save the praise, commentaries for reversal or match over.
'23 have no qualms letting commentaries barge in sometimes it looks like attack - comment - attack - comment - attack - ...

The girls are non-canon but it help gave more reason why Kenshin fight for people, not limited to Kaoru-dono.

As I mentioned before, I dislike how we got Gensai suddenly gave historical lesson that took minutes for "Who the hell is Megumi?".
'96 is playing smart by having Megumi identity hinted by three reliable narrators: Kenshin (upbringing), Gensai (knowledge) and Kanryu (connection).

Oniwabanshu not die in vain.

The coloring and lighting are ... impeccable, maybe perfect portrayal of Meiji era.
Hannya fight happened in dimmed green corridor, his trick became sensible because no Ronald McDonald arms.
The entire build up to Saito. Thought of using sunset for dramatic build up, lack of light source in some office. This is a bit cheating, don't forget the vibrant Juppongatana base where each generals come with different type of rooms and color scheme.

The OST. BGM, OP and ED delivery are just so good.
Tactics, Heart of Sword, 4th Avenue Cafe and 1/3 Junjou na Kanjou ... even Sobakasu and Its Gonna Rain are fine too.

Your Oniwabanshu comment and what follows below it is precisely what I consider RK96 peaks that RK23 couldn't match.

I mean, you'e seen me previously having some debates with others in favor of Oniwabanshu from RK96.

[SeijiSensei]

Saito Hajime
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sait%C5%8D_Hajime

Ōkubo Toshimichi
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Ckubo_Toshimichi

[Frontier]

I enjoy both.

[Engels]

Originally Posted by Kanon

24 episodes.

Thank you!

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by Frontier

I enjoy both.

Not allowed, not pure enough. Delete your account.

[Uribatake]

I thought episode 23 did a generally good job with the Kenshin/Saito fight, and I like the change the director made by having the end of the fight happen outside the Kamiya dojo. The only bit that didn't work for me was the shot where Saito disarmed Kenshin with his belt. I found it too quick and poorly composed/framed.

But man, the comparison with the beginning of episode 30 of the '90s adaptation is brutal. That one had some particularly nice animation and Furuhashi himself handling the storyboarding and direction.

[Obelisk ze Tormentor]

Originally Posted by Frontier

I enjoy both.

I do too.
"Enjoying" and "being disappointed" are not mutually exclusive.

For example, I was disappointed by Avengers: Endgame in general but I can still have fun with it & enjoy it.