Story
Prelude to the Rurouni Kenshin TV Series, Samurai X (English dub title) shows the past of Himura Kenshin and how he came to be known as the Battousai. The story begins with Kenshin as a child, when he was known as Shinta. He is being led into a village alongside his masters when they are attacked by a group of samurai. Everyone but Shinta is killed before a man named Hiko arrives, easily killing each samurai. After Hiko finds Shinta standing on the graves of those he himself buried, Hiko decides to take Shinta as his pupil. Further, Hiko renames him Kenshin, as according to Hiko, Shinta was too delicate a name for a swordsmen.

The story then steps through time showing Kenshin's training as a student and assassin. Kenshin lives the rest of his life this way until meeting a beautiful and mysterious woman named Tomoe. Through her he begins to question who he is and if the path he has chosen is the correct one in order to protect others as he himself was taught.

Packaging
The cover's artwork is amazing, showing Kenshin, sword in hand, in front of fellow assassins of the group he works for. Above and behind Kenshin is a red moon, which may signify his deadly lifestyle. The title for the DVD is "Samurai X Trust" which was layed out well but angered many fans as they do not see Samurai X being an acceptable change from Rurouni Kenshin. The back cover contains various images, Kenshin being one in color, and others as silhouettes. A short description of the story is also present along with an explanation of who Kenshin is. A list of the features included on the dvd is also provided, followed by production information. Within the casing you are provided a slip with the same cover as the front, though Rurouni Kenshin is written in small kanji and romanji at the top right. The back of this slip contains a list of trailers and chapters contained. The disc is plain silver with an "X" marked through; kind of disappointing. The cover is reversible, simply open the DVD casing as much as you can and slide the cover out. The other cover is breathtaking, showing Kenshin looking down on his own blood after being cut on his cheek. Behind him is Tomoe and above them is the dead body of Kiyosato. The cover also appears to be raining to express the changes that Kenshin goes through in the movie. Rurouni Kenshin is written is Kanji and Romanji followed by "Trust" in English. The back is the same on both covers.

Menus
Basic screenshots used on each page of the menu along with nice Japanese music playing. The menu is extremely easy to navigate as well. The main menu page is the picture of Kenshin that appears on the front with a flame moving where your selections are. Each page after only contains a screenshot without the flame.

Video
Superb artwork almost completely different from that of the TV Series. I have heard from others that a few rainbows and scratches appear in certain parts of the movie, none were brought to my attention. In truth, I didn't see one flaw in the video, considering it to be of the caliber of Mononoke. The DVD begins like a real movie with FBI Warnings and trailers for other anime. The slip contained within states what trailers are on the DVD but misses a couple such as "Sin." All the other animes shown look interesting, and this section of the DVD can be easily skipped over with search or next.

English
Almost a completely re-written script is used, which changes the mood of the movie. I did not get the same feeling from the Japanese version as compared to the English. Though the voices are talented actors, none seemed to be able to capture who the characters were. J. Shannon Weaver (Kenshin) in particular, simply did not have the voice of a murderous assassin as Suzukaze-san did. The voice could be compared to that of Eric Johnson's Trunks, which is a good voice for Kenshin the wanderer, but not for Kenshin the manslayer.

Japanese
Completely different from the series, Kenshin's demeanor is still as the manslayer rather than wanderer. Mayo Suzukaze (Kenshin) is able to become the Battousai in such a way that you cannot understand how someone so cold could be so free spirited as Kenshin is in the TV series. Even Masami Suzuki, the voice cast for Kenshin as a child named Shinta, pulls off the innocence that Kenshin once possessed. All voices fit the character's personalities perfectly. Not only the voices of the characters is different from the series, but the setting as well. Since Kenshin is a wanderer who no longer kills in the series, the setting is made brighter, as more scenes take place during the day. However in this movie, most scenes take place at night, making the setting very dark to fit the murderous mood of Kenshin.

Subtitles on this version are a yellow color with no black borders. I had no trouble reading the words in any scene, though some people with poor eye site may have trouble reading them in scenes that contain snow or extreme dark. Some subtitles seemed to appear when there was no dialogue. This may have been an audio problem with the studios accidentally deleting some voices or I just don't understand Japanese as well as I thought and the subtitles are just off. Further, suffixes such as "san" and "sama" were left out completely and replaced by either "Mr., Mrs., or nothing at all. The word "Battousai" as well was not present ever which leaves out an important part of the story as Kenshin is referred to as "Battousai the Manslayer," the strongest of all swordsmen. Rather, nothing is put or the subtitle will read "my boy" or "assassin" which is a horrible translation in both cases.

Extras
Three extras appear on this DVD, the original trailer, character intros, and historical background of Japan. The trailer is very well done and entertaining; made in such a way as to not ruin some of the more entertaining scenes as many Hollywood movie trailors do. The character intros were also created well, white text on a dark background with information on the character and a selection to show a clip of that character also appears. The historical background is informative but moves a little too fast for even someone like me who can read quickly.

Final Thoughts
I absolutely loved this movie or OVA as it can be referred to. Alone, this movie stands above all others that I have so far seen, showing the life of a samurai and assassin who may be losing control of himself in a world of war and death. Without some knowledge of the Kenshin TV series, viewers may be lost as to whom some of the characters are, but with seeing only a minimal amount of the series, you will be able to appreciate the beauty that this movie is. Some may find it difficult to return to the series after seeing this movie, they may not be able to accept Kenshin as the wanderer after seeing him as the manslayer. However, true fans will be able to appreciate who Kenshin became as opposed to who he was. I highly recommend picking up a copy, but be warned, this movie contains massive violence, death, and blood and is not for the faint of heart. Later minna!

© Eric.