Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal REVIEW

Trust and Betrayal.

Anime (Japanese Animation) is not very respected these days despite it's storied history; people completely dismiss classics such as Akira, Ghost in the Shell, and Ninja Scroll just because they're "Anime." Another on that list unfairly shoved aside would be Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuioku Hen, or perhaps better known as Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal as it was released in the U.S. The OVA (Original Video Animation), or mini-series, released in 1999 took people completely by surprise serving as a prequel to the very popular Rurouni Kenshin series; revealing the upbringing and transformation of young Shinta into Kenshin of the show.

"The moon peers down on a diseased world. There is no cure for the disease. An entire race vaults mindlessly into destruction. Not even a man of colossal power would be able to prevent the inevitable."

The 4-part OVA opens with young Shinta traveling with a group of  traders and slavers as they're viciously attacked by bandits. Several women give their lives to shield the young boy from the bandit's blades; it's a scene of complete carnage and savagery. When all the women lay slain, his fate seems all but sealed before a wandering swordsman intervenes, laying waste to the bandits in an instant. After doing his best to bury the women (and their attackers) that valiantly gave their lives to defend him, Shinta wonders why they did so when they had no reason and wishes he had had the strength to defend them.

"Death no longer horrifies men...so he creates slavery and savagery which surpass the horror of dying. These can only be fought with more bloodshed and the cycle never ends."

The wanderer reveals himself to be Seijūrō Hiko, a master of the Hiten Mitsurugi, strongest of all sword forms; he offers to him such a strength. He takes the boy as his apprentice, giving him a new name: Kenshin.

"A child's name, too soft for a swordsman. As of today, you are Kenshin."

Years pass and the student grows restless. He wishes to apply his abilities and the principles of Hiten Mitsurugi, to protect the weak and innocent, to the world that's descending into darkness around him. The Meiji Restoration has happened upon Japan and Kenshin cannot stand by while the warring of the factions brings about the blood shed of defenseless innocence. His master Seijūrō knows the pain that lies ahead of him, not wanting him to become a tool of destruction; become a pawn of nefarious men.

"Go down there. Brand yourself a murderer...long before you were born, my sword was tearing asunder the lives of men. Yes all of those men were evil, but they were human beings first and foremost."

From there it's Kenshin's transformation from wide-eyed (but skilled) teenager, into the Hitokiri Battōsai; or Battosai the Manslayer. The story is excellent, the action is sparse but fierce, the animation is beautiful, and the music is ethereal. Which brings us to the voice-acting, probably the most controversial component of the entire package, I consider it to be.. respectable; both the Japanese original and the oft-maligned English dub. There has been more than one instance where disdain for English dub has been rightly so but in this case I believe it's a matter of either being traumatized or spoiled.

"The world you ardently desire to enter will not know what do with you... you will accept it's lies, all the while your hands will be stained with the worst of offenses."

There is no other reason for the extreme reaction given to certain release's English dubbing, particularly this one. It is pretty faithful to the Japanese original with only a blemish or two; what most people (extreme "purists") have a problem with is the voice actor's themselves. I just don't see it (or hear it), and while I may be just slightly partial to the English dub (being first version watched) it's not enough to warrant that either one is superior to the other. To each their own.

Regardless of which audio you prefer, neither take away from the story. The English and Japanese voice actor's convincingly portray and match each character. Matching is probably the most important given that the barrier most people have when considering to go with dub or original audio, is whether a character's voice actor matches that character. At which point, it's more subjective than just about any other piece concerning Trust and Betrayal. So if you are more accepting of English dubs, and/or prefer it, you could do far worse, and if you prefer original audio, you'll be just fine.

This OVA proves to be one of the best ever created and some of the best anime can offer. It's not a prerequisite to watch Rurouni Kenshin the show to enjoy this self-contained superbly crafted mini-series. Do yourself a favor, if you're a fan of anime and haven't gotten around to it or you've stayed away from Japanese Animation, pick up a copy of Samurai X: Trust & Betrayal; it's been available for years on DVD but if you can, pick it up on Blu-Ray. 

Rating: 10/10

I hope ya'll enjoyed the review, leave your comments, similar or dissenting opinions, and keep loving What ya love and keep sharing it with Who ya love.

-The Natural Jay