Cramming a 30 episode arc into 90 minutes isn’t the best idea and did not work out. They drastically rewrote key elements and set pieces, as well as omitting characters and taking severe creative liberty to condense it for time. The OVA took a darker turn which ended up contradicting many of the characters and forgoing their development. The most egregious example of which is the main protagonist himself, Kenshin. He is way more brutal in this appearance, for some reason. Nearly all the fights are inferior compared to the original series. They do not have the proper pacing nor emotional buildup. Sure it has better animation. If this is your first experience of the Kyoto Arc do not let it be your first. Watch the anime or read the manga instead. The way it was meant to be experienced.
