View Full Version : Help! Samurai X: Trust & Betrayal
NexusSheep
16-10-2001, 22:20
I am about to purchase these two titles from EzyDVD, but there appears to be an additional title called Samurai X: The Motion Picture.
Is this a prequel to the 4-part series, or something entirely unconnected? Should I buy it in addition to Trust/Betrayal?
Thanks. :)
Having just read up briefly on the Movie i'd say don't bother....this is how Rourini Kenshin (correct name for Samurai X cos like many Japanese anime the name is changed for the English release) works....
Samurai X: Trust & Betrayal - 4 Episode Original Video Animation (OVA)
Rourini Kenshin TV Series - 97 episode!! TV Series
Samurai X: The Movie - Continues from the TV Series
They were actually made (AFAIK) in this order....
TV Series
Trust & Betrayal OVA and Movie about the same time i think.
So Trust and Betrayal (Each DVD contains 2 episodes of the 4 episode OVA) was made after the TV Series and is a prequel to it....the TV Series deals with life for Kenshin after the OVA - and it takes a BIG change in direction, so therefore the Movie continues that change of direction and is apparently VERY different to the OVA - in both story and animation (The OVA has fantastic animation that is big budget, the 97ep tv series understandly has a lower budget so therefore lower quality animation, the movie was made to follow TV Series so they kept the low budget animation style)....
I have ONLY seen the OVA (Trust and Betrayal) so am speaking from what I have read regarding the movie/tv-series....I sadly don't have any hands-on experience here...although Madman (R4 anime distributor) apparently have the rights for the 97ep tv series (which is very highly regarded in the anime community).
hope that makes sense :)
I was considering the movie but think i'll leave it considering what I have just discovered, rather wait till i've seen the TV Series.
dave.
The movie is suppose to slot in somwhere during the first third of the series between episodes 25~45 and doesn't impact too greatly on the series if at all. There seems to be a little dispute when the movie is actually set but viewers of the t.v series tend to agree that it's set during this period... i won't discuss why ;)
It's a self contained story that does not lie within the 3 main Kenshin story arcs although it does offer more insight into the Kenshin psyche. If you're a purist then it's better to watch it after the first dozen or so episodes. If you can't wait that long then there are no spoilers to the rest of the series/OAV. It really is just an extended t.v episode and self contained.
The OAV is the epitome of the series in terms of animation and being an extremely dark chapter to the trilogy and follows the first Kenshin story arc
As 'aa above said the t.v series is the 2nd arc and is set far after the OAV, it's generally a lighter than the OAV, apart from the middle 3rd of the series (aka the Kyoto story arc).
The last (?)/3rd arc is only in manga form and may well head to Anime form (fingers crossed)
I cannot recommend this series highlyenough barring the high cost in getting a ~20dvd series
sleep for me i think
Purpledump
17-10-2001, 02:22
I had the first Kenshin DVD for awhile, but only recently managed to buy the whole first arc (tokyo). Been wondering when to watch the OVAs, since I guess the second arc (Kyoto) deals with Kenshin's past, so I think the OVA and the second arc kind of overlap. I don't want to spoil the enjoyment of the OVA, although, technically I could watch it before the TV series. I'll wait after the Kyoto arc.
If you're not going to bother with the TV series, then by all means get the OVA, as you don't really need to know the TV series. Having said that, along with Cowboy Bebop and Escaflowne, Kenshin has become one of my favourite anime series.
Kinda OT, but I got the 5 Kenshin DVDs from DeepDiscountDVD. Cheapest if you spend a lot (which I did) and you're patient, and no complaints with the customer service. They shipped out as they got them in stock, so I managed to avoid customs. I'm planning to buy the rest from them once the Kyoto arc has been completely released and they offer some other anime titles.
NexusSheep
17-10-2001, 10:33
Thanks guys. I won't bother with TMP for the time being.
Originally posted by Purpledump
I had the first Kenshin DVD for awhile, but only recently managed to buy the whole first arc (tokyo). Been wondering when to watch the OVAs, since I guess the second arc (Kyoto) deals with Kenshin's past, so I think the OVA and the second arc kind of overlap. I don't want to spoil the enjoyment of the OVA, although, technically I could watch it before the TV series. I'll wait after the Kyoto arc.
It's debatable when the OVA's can be watched. Some people watch them before the Kyoto arc to get background on Kenshin, others watch it after the Kyoto arc to fill in the missing bits.
Personally i think watching the OVA's after the Kyoto arc give the best effect as the intrigue and mystery built up during the arc really makes you want the OVA..... i had to wait years for the OVA :D
The movie should ideally be watched before the Kyoto arc as it.
If you're not going to bother with the TV series, then by all means get the OVA, as you don't really need to know the TV series. Having said that, along with Cowboy Bebop and Escaflowne, Kenshin has become one of my favourite anime series.
Pretty much the same as me. I can still remember watching the first 2 episodes of Escaflowne all those moons....
I watched the OVA first, it was recommended to me that I see it first by a friend. She then said watch the series.
I'm up to episode 24 or so in the TV series of Kenshin, and have them all on dvd turning up, up to Vol 11 (R4) :eek:
This show has it all though, action, comedy, suspense.
Superb really , this is whats got me interested in anime :thumbs:
Shingster
20-01-2003, 21:09
The ideal time to watch the OVAs is directly after episode 76 which IIRC is the final episode in the Kyoto Arc. This is how the Manga flows & so this is how the story should've conitnued rather than 20eps of filler episodes that preceded theKyoto Arc.
Basically if the series had followed the manga you were prolly looking at another 6eps after the end of the Kyoto arc (ep76) that the rememberance arc (which itself is a small section of the Jinchuu Arc) kicks in, this is what the OVAs are.
I personally think that it;s best to watch The Movie after the series, it should definitely be watched after the Kyoto Arc as that arc will develop the character of Saitoh Hajime & you;ll appreciate his role in the film more. It's set after the series, definitely after the kyoto Arc at least.
Are the 20 fillers eps really that bad? Or just fail in comparison to episodes before it?
Shingster
20-01-2003, 21:17
The "Taoism" arc is poor, but thankfully only about 4episodes long, they're eps 91-95 IIRC, the "Knights" arc is also mediocre which runs between eps 86-91 or thereabouts.
Other than that there's nothing really wrong with the final 20eps, it's just that they cover old ground they have nothing to add to the kenshin story imo. They're good, but kind of a let down after the Kyoto arc because of how brilliant that arc is.
What arc am I at then?
spoilers didnt work :shocker:
I've just had the episode where Sano meets Katsuhiko for the first time, and they take out the Sekihoutai impersonators
Shingster
20-01-2003, 23:52
Ah that's in the latter half of the Tokyo Arc, you've still got all the best stuff to come yet! :)
Another Kenshin fan here!
I've just received shipping notification from FBO of Volume 11 (R4) :clap:
Already pre-ordered volume 12 - how many volumes are there gonna be till the TV series is complete (in Australia anywho)?
I watched the OVA's at the end of the first (Tokyo) arc - was this wrong ;)
This movie then? Is it worth getting - actually bit of a stupid question if you've got into it enough to buy 10 DVD's and the OVA's already :lol:
Shingster
21-01-2003, 17:03
The Movie is basically an extended filler episode of the TV show, if you like the show then the movie should be worth getting (particularly when AtlanticDVD are doing it for £7 or £8 delivered)
Seeing as the 4 OVAs are completely isolated from the TV series then it really doesn't matter when you watch them, but if someone is sitting on the first 76eps of the TV show & the 4 OVAs & they ask me what to watch first i will say the first 76eps of the TV show because then they will be experiencing the story in the same order as the orignal Manga (also the OVAs kind of contain a very brief spoiler for the final epiosde of the Kyoto Arc).
KeyserSoze
22-01-2003, 11:26
where can i get the OVA on DVD ?
I got mine from AtlanticDVD.com.au - they are in an anime sale they've had going for a while now - see here (http://www.atlanticdvd.com.au/speciallist.cfm?List=55) for a direct link to the sale page).
Cost me £14.70 (delivered) for both. You have to go through a credit card authorisation process though.
Also got the 4 volumes of Lain from the above page (same price) - Excellent stuff :clap:
KeyserSoze
22-01-2003, 12:37
is it only on R4 then ?
I don't think so.
It is nice and cheap on R4 though :D
Shingster
22-01-2003, 15:31
The OVAs are available on R1 DVD & no doubt there's a Japanese DVD release as well, probably without subs though.
The R4 DVDs & R1 DVDs are considered to be identical bar the PAL/NTSC difference I think, so I'd go with the cheapest which is undoubtedly the R4.
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