The OVAs and the Kyoto Arc *spoilers*

[Don]

Okay, if you haven't seen the end of the Kyoto Arc (Shishio vs. Kenshin) and do not want to be spoiled about the events of the battle... LEAVE THIS THREAD RIGHT AWAY ^_^

Consider this the spoiler warning...

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Okay, now the question lies in whether or not it is better to see the Kenshin OVAs before viewing the Kyoto Arc. Remember that originally, in Japan, the OVAs were released after Kenshin TV so there is no problem in that... you have to see Kenshin TV first. ^_^

But when Media Blasters and ADV, the Kenshin OVAs were released before Media Blasters even got close to the Kyoto Arc.

I believe that the Kenshin OVA should be viewed after the conclusion of the Kyoto Arc. Why? It leaves a stronger impact on the viewer for one sole reason: parallelism.

The entire build-up between Kenshin and Shishio's battle is that they are two sides of the same coin. Both were hitokiri for the Choshu Ishin Shishi, both weild swords from the same swordmaker, yet their ideals differ. Then, there's the largest similarity between them: the loss of their loved ones. While Shishio stabs through Yumi to injure Kenshin, Kenshin accidentally slashes through Tomoe, killing her.

Now, I'm sure Mayo Suzukaze (sp?) had no idea about Kenshin's past but her acting during that moment is superb. The anger portrayed in Kenshin was great... but it isn't until you view the Kenshin OVAs do you realize that Kenshin went through something very similar... and that leaves a better impact then seeing Shishio stab through Yumi and going "oh, just like the OVA.. sorta."

That's my opinion anyhow, anybody have anything to say? ^_^;; <-- hopes his post makes sense

[Darklightz]

Personally I'd rather see the OAV first because it's inchronological order and also because it leaves a sense of remembrance.When they first showed Saitoh in the series I immediately recognized him.And finally because they keep speaking of the past so it's hard to understand if you don't know what exactly happened in the past.

[Ura]

I'd say either options good. I saw the OAVs first and the Kyoto Arc only recently I felt no less impact from knowing Kenshin's past. In fact it felt better knowing the reasons why he became the Ruroni.

[evasoul]

i'd prefer watching the ova's first (mybe bec. that's the order in which i watched it )... anyway watching it first does help a lot in the kyoto arc... it helps understand why kenshin became a rurouni and why he doesn't want to go back to kyoto... and if you remember an ep after kenshin beats shishio (i think?) he visits tomoe's grave... now if you haven't seen the ovas then you would wonder who was that and why is kenshin holding his cheek (scar)... it would really leave many questions after seeing kyoto arc and maybe not enjoy it as much but it really depends on the viewer anyhow... that's just me...

[Don]

LOL, Tomoe's grave during the Kyoto Arc... that was funny...

(Roughly)

Hiko: So... here you are, visiting *wind blows* 's grave...

Kenshin: Yes.


Hehehehehehe, it always gets to me... the wind covered up her name.

When watching a show, I think I enjoying having a question answered... rather than not have a question to ask to begin with.

[Ura]

Yeah but it also got me as to the fact that she was burned at the House in Otsu. He erected a cross and left the sash on it after the war with the graves in the country. So how did she get buried in Kyoto. Her family wasn't even from there!

[Don]

That never happened in the manga... so blame Sony.

[Ura]

Curse you Sony for warping my fragile little mind. But still wasn't she from somewhere to the south of Kyoto so shouldn't she be buried there or in Otsu, its a days travel to Kyoto!