| I think this series has some of the deepest story telling I've ever seen in an anime. Not saying that that'll be the reason u decide to keep reading but it was was really gravitated me towards the series. |
Sagepool said: Is nostalgia the main reason a lot of people like this series. Nop. While there is definitely nostlagia for the series, the main reason for its success and positive critics is the amazing development and depth of the protagonist, and the strong ideology clashes. Sagepool said: Most that happens is a fight and they speak about swordstyles but then the fight ends in just a normal swing or counter. Fights being short and ending in one-hit is true up to the start of the Kyoto Arc, with Kenshin vs Saitô. But yeah, the fights will always end up with a swing/counter, although it is definitely not "normal" ones ("logical" is a far more matching word). They are swordsmen/samurais after all, i don't really get what you are expecting more, tho ? Sagepool said: but it’s just staying at 6/10 for me. That doesn't mean much, tho... What does a 06/10 represent for you ? What did you (not) liked, and to which degree ? What critic do you have for it ? Sagepool said: I don’t even mind the old shonen tropes, its just that nothing gives me any semblance of stakes. There is a lot of stakes going on, especially during the Kyoto Arc. Shishio and his Juuppongatana are an unstoppable force going forward to overthrow the government, and his plan should already have been revealed to you at this point. If he succeed, he would render the results and hope of the Meiji era, and the sacrifice and weight of the Bakumatsu to nothing, and would start a new war. Kenshin is also starting to show doubts in his ideology and his vow, which would force him to review all he did in his life, and what he fought for, on top of losing his anchors (Kaoru and co.). (That point will be even more obvious and impacting once you reach the Tsuioku-hen Chapters in the Jinchuu Arc) All of that is a huge difference compared to the Tokyo Arc, where the only stake was Kenshin helping a few innocents. The stakes are at its highest point there, even being lower in the Jinchuu Arc (but these latter being emotionnal stakes makes them way stronger, in my opinion). Sagepool said: It all feels like stories I’ve heard or seen before. While the story itself was done again and again, Rurouni Kenshin still is original and fresh on a lot of point. Like, that's a Shounen Nekketsu (battle shounen), with an actual adult protagonist, which already has an heavy past. The guy is not creating his legend in the story you are reading; he already did beforehand. He's also a former assassin, making him a character the reader just can not self-insert. It's a "samurai" story, happening during the Meiji era, with bits of the Bakumatsu. The plots are deeply anchored in the setting, and contains numerous references to the actual story of Japan... If you know anymore of these, i'll wait your recommendation anytime. The only story i have on mind that is remotely similar is Black Cat, by Kentarô Yabuki, or Mugen no Juunin (a Seinen). Sagepool said: I’ve heard about Trust and Betrayal. Idk why its Samurai x but it had looked good I was curious about it That's the adaptation of the reveal of the past of Kenshin, during the Bakumatsu. It's a wonderful story, even taken as a stand-alone, and contains great realistical sword fights. It's an heavy spoilers tho, so do not watch it now if you are planning to continue reading. |
 "Genius lives only one storey above madness." – Arthur Schopenhauer. "Stupidity is a talent for misconception." – Edgar Allan Poe. "I'm tired... and hungry." – Alexioos95. |
| I started reading the manga after watching the anime in real time, so nostalgia is not the reason I like it. I simply liked the character designs and the effects of the anime techniques, and I liked the story. As for the fight scenes, I don't mind that there are a lot of them because it is a shonen manga. Personally, I liked the story towards the end of the series. I personally think the first series was more interesting, although I continue to read the sequel, the Hokkaido version. If anything, I think the OVAs are more appreciated than the manga or the TV anime series. |
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Sagepool said: Seven Samurai, Ghost of Tsushima, Vagabond, Blade of the immortal, Vinland Saga, Gintama, Sword of the stranger, Dororo, Samurai 7, Katanagatari, and Shogun Seven Samurai is a cinematic masterpiece that literally influenced all of the subsequent stories made about samurais. It's really no wonder there is a similar vibe to it. Ghost of Tsushima, Vagabond, Mugen no Juunin and Vinland Saga are Seinen, so it's also quite logical for them to aboard such themes. Gintama was, partially, directly inspired by Rurouni Kenshin, especially for the protagonist and his past (Gintoki/Shiroyasha). For Sword of the Stranger, Dororo, Samurai 7 and Katanagari, i don't see similarities, aside of them being "samurai" stories, tho. As for Shogun, i have yet to watch it, but i know that a large portion of the fandom of Kenshin loves it too. Sagepool said: They all speak on different warriors changing themselves That's a very, very common narrative, even among not Samurai themed stories, tho. What Rurouni Kenshin have that other samurais series does not, is the ideology clashes done through the long and flashy (supernatural) fights, typical of Shounen stories, and, of course, the Shounen tropes. Samurais is more often than note tide to Seinens stories, as the genre is obviously linked with war. That's why fans of the genre generally likes the Tsuioku-hen OVAs adaptation over the rest, because it heavily toned down a lot of these tropes, which makes it a way more realistical and mature story. Kenshin also have a clear distinction with the other protagonists; he didn't killed because he was mad, by vengeance, or that it was natural for him in his world. He did so because he believed it would lead the world to peace, even if he knew what he did was wrong, and even "regretted" it after all was done (on top of having done a few things that will haunt him for life, as shown during the Tsuioku-hen Chapters). That's way closer to Canute's path after the Prologue Arc of Vinland Saga than Thorfinn's. To summarize, Kenshin is a wonderful mix of a Seinen story, mature themes and subtle storytelling, with the flashy-ness of the Shounen stories. What drew you to this manga and what made you finish it? Oh, and as i didn't answered yet to that: I was looking for Action/Romance Shounen Animes, and discovered the Anime around 2015. I was also interested by the samurai/swordsmanship theme. I quickly completed it, and loved the Kyoto Arc. Shishio is a very charismatic antagonist, and his clashes with Kenshin, be it physically or psychologically was absolutely great. The Tsuioku-hen OVAs also shocked me with the truthes about Kenshin, and made me love him. The gap in what he was and what he is now is incredible, and retro-actively makes you realize what Kenshin was really thinking about when he said the things he did during the Tokyo Arc, which seems either anecdotal or shallow. Such storytelling, that forces you to re-evaluate what happened before, is in my opinion, a sign of a masterpiece. The setting is also captivating. Most samurais stories happen during the Bakumatsu, but only slightly mention it, in truth, and never mention the Meiji era that comes after. Playing with the after-war fear/not so peacefull peace was very interesting. I then started looking for infos about the Anime, and learned that the last Arc was only very partially adapted in the Anime, so i continued and finished the Manga for it. |
Alexioos95Jul 8, 2024 7:21 AM
"Genius lives only one storey above madness." – Arthur Schopenhauer. "Stupidity is a talent for misconception." – Edgar Allan Poe. "I'm tired... and hungry." – Alexioos95. |
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