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2300 years ago, a man called Ashoka ascended the throne of the Mauryan Empire in India; he was a vile person, had committed many flagitious deeds, and was especially fond of torturing his enemies in a specially built palace.
8 years after his coronation, he waged war against the kingdom of Kalinga, one of the few regions that were free from the yoke of the subcontinent-spanning Mauryan Empire; a sanguinary battle ensued in which over 200,000 souls lost their lives.
The immense carnage wrought by the Mauryan troops and the plaintive wails of the bereaved women and orphans (who were taken as slaves by the victor) brought about a wondrous transformation in the cruel king. Soon after the battle, he renounced war, converted to Buddhism, and became a staunch advocate of peace to atone for his sins. Under his auspices, Buddhist monks carried their teachings and his principles of nonviolence and Dharma (duty and responsibility) to China, Sri Lanka, Japan and South-East Asia, turning a riverine sect into one of the major religions of the world.
The transmogrification of this repugnant emperor into an envoy of peace led the great writer, H.G. Wells to issue this encomium, "Amidst the tens of thousands of names of monarchs that crowd the columns of history, their majesties and graciousness’s and serenities and royal highnesses and the like, the name of Ashoka shines, and shines, almost alone, a star."
When I finished watching Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan, I could not help but compare the eponymous hero to Ashoka. Like the latter, Kenshin’s hands were stained with the blood of myriads and like Ashoka, Kenshin metamorphosed from a murderer into a force for good (a peaceful peripatetic in the latter’s case). But what event could have possibly made Kenshin do such a volte-face?
In Rurouni Kenshin: Reminiscence, we learn about the impetus behind this change of heart. Set in the tumultuous milieu of the ‘Bakufumatsu’ (fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate), Reminiscence is a haunting tale of two star-crossed lovers; the movie also reveals how Kenshin got his trademark cross-shaped scar.
One of the things that I loved the most about Reminiscence is how beautifully it captures the mood of the era it is set in. Keeping in tune with the tumultuous milieu of that time, Reminiscence makes use of a muted color pallet in stark contrast to the bright and upbeat one of the original TV series that reflects the hopes of early-Meiji Japan.
Moreover, Reminiscence ditches the drollery and tomfoolery of the original series and maintains a somber tone throughout the movie in tune with the times. Both these points lend it an air of verisimilitude that enables the viewer to be more connected to the story.
In addition to this, the plangent and melancholic OST (one of these nights, is quite possibly the best track I have ever listened to) further accentuates the gloomy nature of the period and enhances the emotional impact of the many poignant scenes of the movie.
Another thing that endeared me to Reminiscence is that it fleshes out the two main characters: Kenshin and Tomoe, and tells us the story of their doomed love in a highly realistic fashion without resorting to melodrama or seeming mawkish. Their story is incredibly heart rendering and the dénouement of the plot was suffused with pathos so strong that even a person as phlegmatic as I was nearly moved to tears.
Finally, the fluid animation that captures the action scenes in breathtaking detail (for its time), the consummate voice acting, and unique art style give a fillip to Reminiscence which solidifies its place in the pantheon of great movies.
In conclusion, watching Reminiscence truly was a spectacular experience and it stirred my emotions as few movies ever have; in my opinion, this movie is the embodiment of all that animation as an art form is capable of achieving. I advise all readers to give this movie a shot, even if you have not watched the original series, or found it too suffused with wackiness for your taste. Trust me you will not be disappointed.
