Synopsis
It’s nineteenth century Japan. The Tokugawa Shogunate is on the brink of collapse. Rebel clans of warriors from all over the country vie for power in a struggle to see whose view on what Japan shall become will reign supreme. Enter Kenshin Himura, a young assassin, who, under the tutelage of master swordsman Seijuro Hiko, has become embroiled in the conflict, fighting for the rebel clans to bring about a new peace-loving country. He enters the fight at the tender age of his mid-teens, bringing inside of him his own conflict: is fighting to bring about peace really just about killing people and ending people’s happiness in the end? Thus a woman comes into Kenshin’s life to help answer that very question.

Review
I first must state that when I first saw this, I had no previous knowledge of the whole Kenshin mythos, so I went into this blind, not expecting much at that. My presumptions turned out wrong, in the end. This first DVD of 2 episodes embodies what I love most about anime, the realistic depiction of fighting (with swords no less), a tragic past with a less than hopeful romance, and the slaughtering of people for the sake of a vision not to come. All of these things are in these first two episodes. On top of that, expect lots of killing, and lots of blood. This OVA has no qualms about showing how horrible killing people with a sword is, or with the other multitude of weapons depicted within. But’s it’s all very realistic, with no gratuitous blood or gore, which is something I like very much. You can also feel the anguish of the main characters within the story, especially the dilemma within Kenshin himself.

The Breakdown
Are you a fan of serious romances? It’s here. How about action? Oh, it’s definitely here. Like political anime? Check. If there is anything you like about anime, it’s here. Well, that is, except for comedy. Not one joke to be had. But it’s not needed here. Buy now!