Trust & Betrayal is a story that serves as the prequel to the Rurouni Kenshin series. If you are expecting to see the character, Himura Kenshin, in his usual comedic and happy-go-lucky attitude, then you will have a rude awakening. Trust & Betrayal shows you the melancholic and tragic past that Kenshin endured before the main series. Because of the period that the OVA is set in, which is during the Bakumatsu Revolution, Kenshin is introduced as a boy who has lost everything thanks to the act of murder. When his future master, Hiko Seijuro, finds him, he sees that he is a broken shell of a boy who is living in a time of hate and despair. When his master decides to teach him the art of killing, Kenshin then starts his long and lonely journey of cleansing Japan of its evil with the use of a sword, giving birth to the man known as the Hitokiri Battousai.
What truly makes this OVA shine is the message that you gain after viewing it, which is "you reap what you sow". You experience Kenshin throughout the entirety of the OVA suppressing his emotions when killing, causing him to become a master at what is typically revered as a heinous action. However, although Kenshin views killing as something that is righteous if used for justice, he starts to learn how there is a possibility of consequences for one's actions. This revelation allows Trust & Betrayal to ultimately serve as a life lesson, not just towards Kenshin, but also towards the viewers.
This series also proves that music and animation from years ago is still amazing to view and listen to. The art of Trust & Betrayal is breathtakingly somber and colorful, while at the same time merging in a highly unique use of realistic cinematography that beautifully showcases wildlife and other forms of nature that fit into the setting. The soundtrack is also exceptionally amazing. It not only sounds great, but it also causes you to actually feel and create emotions while viewing the story, something that is very challenging to accomplish within films or shows.
Although there are many great aspects of this OVA series, it also suffers from one small flaw, which is the pacing. There are moments within the series where characters are introduced or shown within a blink of an eye, causing you to forget most of their names and how they are important to the story. Certain headlines appear throughout most of the scenes that give you information on Japanese history, yet they are only on screen for a mere few seconds. Ultimately, the pacing is a nuisance, but it shouldn't distract you too much from this series' greatness.
Samurai X: Trust & Betrayal is nothing short of a masterpiece. This is one of the very few series where I felt as though I was experiencing a character's life and actions through his own eyes. Aside from the amazing swordplay, direction, cinematography, music and art, this series acts as an impacting and grandeur commentary on consequences and morality in life and how our past can change our present state in life. If you fully want to experience an emotional impact with this series, I highly recommend that you read a good sum of the volumes of the manga, or watch at least half of the main anime series. Once you have done this, I guarantee that you will look at this OVA series as something that is special and unforgettable.
