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The Dragon Dentist is a neat little two part original anime. (listed as special but just think of it as an OVA). Those of you clamoring for something new, creative and engaging this is the thing for you!

Story - 8
In a world engaged in a fierce war, there exists mystical giant dragons that can swing the tides of battle in a side's favor. For this reason, the dragons and their caretakers, the dentists, are very highly respected.

As the dragons engage in more battles they become infected through their teeth with the maladies and ill wills of humans in the form of cavities. So dentists, ... who are chosen by the dragons will itself, to be re-incanated as caretakers of the dragons to make sure the dragons don't die. Lest unspeakable evil be released unto the world. Dentists upon re-incarnation are given visions of how they are going to die, and live their lives accepting this destiny they are handed.

The story itself follows Bernard Octavius, a soldier newly re-incarnated as a dentist on the opposite side of the war. And Nonoko Kishii, who takes him under her wing to learn how to defeat the cavity monsters that grow from the dragon's teeth.

The setting and world is one of the main things i loved about this. I love this kind of mystical setting, and its a premise that feels fresh and interesting. It seemed a little weird at first that they fight some kind of mystical cavities, but the actual fights especially in part one are very fast-paced and cool so i warmed up to it. It being a fantasy setting scores points for it having it own lore, which drew me in from the beginning and since there is a war with factions as well as mystical dragons the stakes felt high with this extra context.

Art- 7
I can understand some people not liking it art wise. Most times the colours used are pale, and aren't always filled in so some of the backgrounds end up looking kind of sketch-like. It may be a little different, but I'm willing to cut it some slack since it is just a small OVA project and I actually did like how it looked as it added to the "fantasy feel" of it, giving it a kind of dreamlike quality.
Some CG is used, i noticed it more in part 2. It isn't too intrusive as its only for certain action scenes, and it switches between them enough that it takes me a second to realize when its CG.

Character - 8
A lot of the development of character comes through the idea of re-incarnation and accepting one's fate. This does end up tying into the story in multiple ways, which not only makes the story more exciting but you'll start caring about the characters a lot more through these struggles. Bernard is relate-able and easily sympathetic and his relationship and appreciation for Nonoko is sweet and well told. The re-incarnation and fate dynamic also plays out with a bunch of secondary characters really well, making them feel like characters in a world, rather than simply ornaments to the main story, which is very welcome.

Enjoyment- 9
Somehow a combination of the fantasy elements, and how fresh it feels added to the already good story and character here. The action scenes were good, and pacing kept me intrigued throughout. It felt like more than the sum of its parts.

Overall - 8
Very solid. Keeping in mind that it its basically an OVA series I wasn't expecting too much from this and was pleasantly surprised. I preferred this format to that of a full-movie release as it could take its time with the setting and characters more. Maybe if it was a movie, i'd judge it harsher for its art and animation. But for what it was, i really really liked it. Would highly recommend for anyone that wants something a little different/fresh (not in a bizarre way though)

Rurouni Kenshin Uramaku: Honoo wo Suberu is just a little extra brought to you by Watsuki to celebrate Kenshin's return to the big screen, and honestly probably to gauge interest for the return of Kenshin to manga! Now that THERE IS A NEW KENSHIN SPINOFF ARC ANNOUNCED, i figured i'd write a review for this.

It stars Makoto Shishio and his lover Yumi. Showing how they met and why Yumi joined with Shishio and the Juppongatana. This is the main focus, though it does tease buildup to some plot elements from the main series.

Story - 7

Its good for what it is, but since it ... is just two chapters there isn't a whole lot of stakes that can be built in a short time. We're used to seeing Shishio in epic battles that decide the fate of Japan, but due to the nature of this, it just isn't the time for that. There is action involved and a new "villain" of sorts, but it just doesn't connect to any major plot points and isn't necessary for your understanding of the series. Again, thats to be expected somewhat because this is just an extra. Its still entertaining and well written imo, but if you were expecting something more grand, just know that this isn't really it.

Art - 8

I mean, if you've read the original Kenshin, this will be a huge step up for you so I can't complain. Characters all look neat with their updated looks under Watsuki's new artstyle. None of the characters here were featured in Restoration, so it is really nice to see more old favorites return looking snappy. Some of the action near the end did feel a little cluttered, though I'd chalk this up to page restriction.

Character - 10

I may have given the story a 7, just because the plot doesn't feel totally important, but its the characters and their arcs through this that keep it interesting. The purpose of this seems to be to give more insight into Shishio and Yumi, and on that front it didn't disappoint. Since Shishio and Yumi are the main characters in this, you get to see their perspective more, rather than the goody-two-shoes kenshin, and its both entertaining and intriguing. Having Shishio as the feature makes his "the strong live and the weak die" motto a bit more tempting. I could see him as more of an "evil Edward Elric" in this. Yumi and Shishio's relationship are developed well, and you can see how Shishio's ideals resonated in Yumi. Which is great since in the original she really was more of just eye-candy save for one small soliloquy by kenshin after the Kyoto arc.

Enjoyment - 8

If you like Kenshin, you'll like this. The Kyoto arc was extremely popular and Shishio is a great character, so more of those things are fantastic in my book. I had fun.

Overall, for what it is, its great! Its a short, good read and anyone who liked kenshin will enjoy this. I took another look at it since there is totally a new Kenshin arc coming out January 2017, which i'm super excited for. So GET HYPED FOR MORE KENSHIN woo. Peace out, i'm probably going to be reviewing that too once i get my hands on it.

Rurouni Kenshin: Tonkuhitsu-ban (or Restoration) is not just an update of the original series, it is a re-telling as a kind of parallel story. Restoration retells the very beginning of Rurouni Kenshin with a little bit faster pace, more villains that you'll remember from the series (if you read it) and it is a little bit more violent than before. Treat it as one short arc of "what could have been."

Story - 8
The premise of Kenshin remains the same from the original. It is about a Hitokiri with a cross-shaped scar on his cheek that killed to achieve a new era, but swore never to ... kill again and now must live in Meiji. It does differ in execution, though. Since this is a re-telling as a parallel from a source material, it has quite a bit of things to work with, and does a brilliant job of mixing in elements of the original but combining them in a new way. There are a variety of villains that return from the original series, which kinda makes this into a "super-arc" of sorts. Because of this, is that it is very dense and exciting, though it can feel a little bit rushed at times.

But, because this is quite a shorter work, and isn't "Meiji Kenkaku Romantan," some of the strengths of the original are not present. There isn't really that much romantic tension between Kenshin and Kaoru anymore, as he is more of an outsider than he was in the original, though I do think it does well with what it can.

Character - 9
Character has always been important in Kenshin, and I am very pleased to say that they all remain intact and consistent. All the interactions between characters are relevant, and they do grow quite a bit in this short time.

Though I did say that the characters remain intact from the original, there are changes present in character to reflect the slightly darker, more violent tone, and the introductions are different. Kenshin himself is a little bit more aloof than in the original, and is a little bit more quick to anger. Though on the plus side I really did get more of a feel that "he could kill you, if he wanted to." So thats nice.

Art - 10
The art is fantastic. I really loved seeing the updated designs of the characters. Watsuki has come up with quite a few new ways to express character and themes through design choices, they really contribute to the story and are a pleasure to see. Most things are very detailed, and what I personally love is the attention to detail on the eyes. There is quite a bit of variation in how they are drawn.

Enjoyment - 10
I loved it. I'm a Kenshin fan through and through, so more Kenshin is always a bonus in my books. Watsuki delivered imo.