Reviews

Samurai X - Trust and Betrayal is a four episode OVA that acts as a prelude to Ruroni Kenshin set during some civil war in Japan. It begins with Kenshin being found by a swordsman that teaches Kenshin about being an awesome samurai. Kenshin argues with his sensei about using his sword skills to save people and ends up leaving him to join some revolutionist that are in need of an assassin. Kenshin is eventually seen assassinating a dude by Tomoe, a mysterious woman that every one seems to think is a hooker. Samurai X has a great story that only gets better with multiply viewings. The more you watch it, the more you details you pick up like the top that Kenshin has throughout the film or the blanket Tomoe gives him. Samurai X is very different than Ruroni Kenshin. It's much more serious with more attention to the plot than to the fighting. It's also MUCH more violent. Samurai X is a prequel to Ruroni Kenshin so even if you haven't read any of the manga you can still watch the OVA. The animation is typical OVA quality; better than a TV anime but not as good as a Studio Ghibli movie. There is an odd choice to use live-action footage mixed in with the animation. And they're just random things like a spinning top or a fireplace that seem totally out of place. Thankfully, they're only in the third episode and they don't ruin the anime. The dub is alright but the voice actors try too hard to match up with the lip flaps and end up sounding odd. I prefer the subs for Samurai X myself. You should definitely see Samurai X. It's easy to get a copy, I've found it at F.Y.E. and most Blockbusters have a copy. If you are going to get Samurai X - Trust and Betrayal, make sure you don't get Samurai X - Reflections, another Kenshin-based OVA series that should not be viewed by anybody.