Exploring the Tragic Beauty of Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal

[@henrikaugustsson4041]

I believe Kenshin’s different personalities is more like an old habit. Like “this is what is needed to be a killer” and “I don’t want to be a killer.” You could almost compare it to addiction, like an alcoholic struggling to stay sober. Kaoru reminds Kenshin why he needed to stop, he doesn’t want to be a murderer, but murdering is directly tied to his most inner desire to protect loved ones, which is why he sometimes sacrifices his own want not to kill in order to protect his friends. Battousai isn’t another personality, so much as it is his killer instincts, drowning out the soul he tries to keep alive, the suppression of his heart.

[@hitokiribattousai111]

I completely agree. I never was fully convinced of the extremely popular notion of the Kenshin/Battousai psychological duality - according to some, a form of Dissociative Identity Disorder (though I completely understand why the masses would accept that). It was never that black and white. To me the depiction of Battousai was simply Kenshin's realization that he needed to kill. That's it. He didn't want to kill but it was needed in order to bring in a era of peace, which was his ideal. Your comparison to addiction is interesting and I do believe, like you, that Battousai is his killer instinct NOT a shift in personality (unpopular opinion).

[@r.babylon2885]

I don't honestly think he had differing personalities. I think it was more like old buried behaviors and PTSD. The longer he is in combat, the more his old habits and mindset take hold. Sometimes it's more difficult to shake. His softer side isn't exactly a mask, but a series of behaviors he trained himself to use until they also became natural.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Hey Babylon! Thank you so much for stopping by. I think that’s a very valid interpretation and is certainly the more realistic take on it. If entirety of Rurouni Kenshin was redone in the more grounded period drama style of Tsuiokuhen, that would absolutely be the case. Dissociative disorder is a bit cliche. That said, I’m what we did get, from the anime at least, I think it leaned much harder into a secondary personality. The biggest example is when he had to punch himself in the face to force his more peaceful personality to manifest. But the series did a couple of weird things as they adapted the manga.

[@r.babylon2885]

@@NerdTalkDan Just thinking out loud. Samurai X was one of my favorite anime to come out for a long time, and I appreciate you covering it. I think you might enjoy a 6 episode miniseries by the name of Rin, Daughters of Mnesomyne.

[@NerdTalkDan]

I'll put it on the list! I hope you'll drop by the channel again!

[@charismagibson12]

I agree. I've studied psychology and He doesn't show signs of having a dissociative disorder. Like you said when he's in combat that old part of himself creeps back the longer he fights. That old behavior doesn't completely go away it's still apart of him. I think the softer side of himself balances the fierce side.

[@rumblefish9]

The softer side is Kenshin's true nature. Its Shinta. The Battousai is the one he takes on when he kills. Its a coping mechanism to separate himself from the deed of killing.

[@taimu4624]

You know an anime is good when the live action is decent.

[@NerdTalkDan]

It certainly gives the LA adaptation a solid base when the source is good lol

[@truebeliever786]

I disagree. I think the live action sucks big time. But the anime's amazing, one of the best I've ever seen if not the best.

[@WhiteOni-01]

@@truebeliever786 L

[@zlostnypopolnik]

@@truebeliever786 You have the right to disagree, even if you are wrong :)))

[@bronsonluks795]

The live actions are honestly the best anime adaptations out there. Say what you will about the dialogue or acting, but the fight choreography is absolutely amazing

[@supriyagour2892]

I remember watching Trust and Betrayal for the first time in 2005. My first year of university. December. Final exams that I should have been studying for. It was night, and I cried, oh I cried as I watched this. I was not prepared for the emotional storytelling, considering the anime was somewhat goofy. I remember walking outside my dorm when I was done, and looking up at the streetlight. It was so quiet and snowing, and in the light it seemed to come down so slowly. I was the only one awake. I felt alone and peaceful at the same time. THIS is my memory of the the first time I watched Trust and Betrayal. It's one of my most cherished memories, and an actual defining moment in my life for so many reasons. 16 years later, and I appreciate this OVA so much more, and consider it the best OVA ever produced. Also, the music. Oh, the music. It was perfect. The only soundtrack I enjoy from the tv series is Departure. I'm sad that the OVA and the soundtracks are so hard to find now. If anyone knows where I can buy legitimate cds/dvd, please leave a comment! Thanks.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with Trust and Betrayal. It certainly is a powerful watch and I also remember exam times and those little releases of pressure when you’re prepping for the next day’s tests lol. Made for some intense emotional ups and downs. As for where you can buy or watch the OVA, depending on where you are Netflix might carry it. But otherwise Amazon should carry it as well. I’ll try and dig up a link for you in a bit!

[@yaritzarodriguez4617]

Thanks for sharing your story, somehow it made me cherish the movie more. It is amazing how a story can remain with us and make us feel.

[@rahakiani4261]

I had those nights, the are some of my best memories,but unfortunately it didn't happen with trust and betrayal, i guest it's because antidepressants make my feelings numb, and also i'm not in a dorm because of covid lol

[@ZephyrBW]

it brings back memories

[@hariharan945]

Also they don't make anime's like this anymore. Pure original and masterpiece!

[@Kara_Pabuc]

Trust and Betrayal is the best thing that I've ever watch in my entire 30 years of life, and I do not expect to watch anything better.

[@NerdTalkDan]

It really stands well as an absolutely classic piece of media. I wish it was more well known.

[@noinktechnique]

​@NerdTalkDan it's astonishing that it's not held in higher esteem. It's an equal work to things like Perfect Blue and is one of the greatest pieces of jidaigeki there is. Thanks for making this!

[@mcmarkmarkson7115]

Yes very few come close to that level. Cowboy beebop also for me.

[@Hope-l7v]

Same here , i accidently bought a movie when i was going to bus stop, around 22 years ago! turned to be the best movie i have ever watched

[@coltonowens2742]

I haven't even seen the regular anime series, but trust and betrayal is one of the best pieces of media I've ever seen. So beautifully directed.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks for stopping by and commenting Colton. It truly is something special. Surprisingly quiet and more minimalist than people would expect. Truly a masterpiece. I’d recommend the rest of the series if you get the chance. Thanks again for stopping by, I hope you’ll consider subscribing!

[@coltonowens2742]

@@NerdTalkDan I'll check it out at some point. You made good video, so yeah subbed.

[@coltonowens2742]

@@NerdTalkDan Got around to watching the Anime. I'm ending that at 62, with the finale of the Kyoto Arc. That show truly surprised me. It might have been the polar opposite of T&B, but I can't imagine it being any other way. The Anime,(minus the bad filler) and Trust and Betrayal, are both two halves of an amazing whole. Time to blast through the Manga, I am officially a hardcore Kenshin fan.

[@NerdTalkDan]

@@coltonowens2742 welcome to the club! We also have the live action stuff to dig into! You should stop by r/RurouniKenshin on Reddit. It’s a fun little community

[@CraftyCovers]

Rurouni kenshin will always mean the world to me. I grew up watching it on Toonami and tried to mimic Kenshin in my every day life (cringe I know, but it's true). Thanks for the video, I enjoyed it quite a bit

[@NerdTalkDan]

Hey man, we all did cringe stuff growing up. Heck, check out some of my videos! I STILL do cringe stuff lol. But I’m glad you enjoyed it and was able to recapture a bit of your childhood. I hope you’ll stop by again!

[@UnifiedEntity]

Mimicking one of the most wholesome and wise anime protagonists of all time? Shit, cringe? Where!?

[@NerdTalkDan]

@@UnifiedEntity touché

[@ryan10491]

I feel the same way

[@spirit_gun3869]

I never understood that anime,without the sword he is nothing and it is the thing we must hate

[@dannycr06]

I consider Trust & Betrayal the perfect "anime". There is not a single thing i can find to criticize this piece of everlasting art. And much like the anime, there is not a single thing that i could say to improve your video. It is perfect. Expertly written, narrated, exemplified and analysed. Tremendous amount of context for the un-initiated and the long-time fans as well. I can only wish to ever produce something as well crafted as this video. You made Trust & Betrayal proud with this ode and I hope you never stop feeling proud of producing such quality content.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Dannycr06 Your kind words have honestly made my day. Thank you so much. It was definitely a work of love from a fan for fans. I hope you’ll drop by the channel again soon and help me build this community of people talking about your own formative media. The stories and works of art that shaped you!

[@dannycr06]

@@NerdTalkDan already subscribed after a few minutes of watching your video. 😉

[@mikhailstewart]

I loved that you spoke about the change of tone between the anime and Trust and Betrayal. While I loved the anime.. as a kid I never truly understood why Kenshin made that promise to never kill. Trust and Betrayal takes away that sense of adventure to show us the reality of Kenshin's past. How dont matter how hard he tried.. his sword brought saddness in his life.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks so much for stopping by K Sama! I've always been fascinated by how we reevaluate the media we loved growing up and can continue to learn and enjoy it in different ways. Trust and Betrayal definitely hits different as an adult than when I was a kid. The tone of the OVA is one of the things I love best. It's just so down to earth with everything. I just fin it so beautiful/

[@mikhailstewart]

@@NerdTalkDan I also loved also how you used the word romantacism in this video. A word that has a sort of double entendre. Kenshin literally had a mal relationship with the pre meji era.... and he had a romance that with a woman that helped him moved past said relationship

[@camelfilters3224]

I'm a trust and betrayal fan. The art, the colors, the story all of it make it one of the best imo. Great video and break down.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks so much! It’s always great to hear back from people fellow Kenshin fans! I hope you’ll subscribe and stop by the channel again for more videos!

[@vicdaman]

This video is incredibly well analyzed and edited, and on the topic of my favorite anime makes it extra amazing! Easily the best deep dive on this OVA out there! Bravo.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Victor, thank you so much for the kind words. That someone considers one of my videos the best current video on a topic, let alone this topic which means so much to me, is…it’s so huge. I can’t tell you how overwhelmed I’be been by the kind reception I’ve received from the anime and Kenshin community. I just hope this video helped you see Tsuiokuhen in a new way or just that you enjoyed it enough to want to go back and watch the OVA. Have a great day. I hope to see you around again soon.

[@ryan10491]

My favorite anime as well. But the OVA is second to none

[@ProjektBurn]

I second this comment. Totally took the words I wanted to say and said em for me. Ty both

[@Cristopher-S.G]

The OVAs are a masterpiece, they feel very unique. The anime is light-hearted and feel more like a regular product, it doesn't stand out head and shoulders over other animes as the OVAs did.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Yeah it kind of feels like they had a particular vision walking in. I’m not sure what motivated the stylistic changes, but the knocked it out of the park!

[@kaisarr7632]

The kenshin ovas are terrible a disrespect to the themes and characters of the actual manga

[@heyimurchin6575]

@@kaisarr7632 Sure but people labeled him as battousai the manslayer. You don't go from that to the Kenshin we all know and loved. Something happened in between that changed him. That was the OVA.

[@rumblefish9]

The anime gets darker once they get into the Kyoto arc.

[@rumblefish9]

@@kaisarr7632 Half of it is. Reflection was misguided but Trust and Betrayal is pretty much similar to the manga when he tells the Kenshin gumi about his former life.

[@aurox0122]

I love the animation style of trust and betrayal. More realistic, showing the cruelty of war and murder. He was not trying to convince others but just do his "job" and how he deal with everything. I always wondered how the anime will be with the tone of this OVA. Thank you so much for your job, I really appreciate it.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thank you for stopping by and commenting. Sorry it took so long to get back to ya. If the Tokyo, Kyoto, and Jinchu arc took the time and style of the OVA, I think it would be fascinating. I stand by my statement that the OVA is more a period piece drama than anything else. So the adult nature of it as they all wrestle in more serious way with the ethical dilemmas they face would be excellent viewing.

[@cscummingsiv]

@@NerdTalkDan There's just something so much better, for me, about these more dramatic, serious animes. IMO, there's a reason movies like Ghost in the Shell and Akira are universally praised and have stood the test of time. Really wish there was more of this type of anime out there.. Jin Roh and Patlabor 2 are other good examples.

[@NerdTalkDan]

UPDATE: This video hit over 200k views! Thank you all so much for your suppor! If you don't like and subscribe you're pro-Tokugawa and the Battousai will be sent for you. For any old school Toonami fans, check out my new Gundam Wing video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmOlnHWce6Z4Z68

[@PLXMZ3]

言葉はわからないけど、何となく理解できるくらい愛が溢れているのがわかる

[@NerdTalkDan]

コメント書いてくれてありがとございました。追憶編はその通りだと思う！各単語を理解できない場合意味をはっきり理解できます！音楽とかアニメションスタイルは合わせてみんながわかる内容を作るんですね？

[@micklefox]

I still have my Trust and Betrayal DVD's and watch them every long once in a while, getting lost in the drama of the story all over again. The OST is by far one of my favorite scores put to screen.

[@NerdTalkDan]

It’s really an amazing package of artistry. There are just some works where all the pieces fit together so perfectly and Tsuiokuhen is definitely one of them. I have my DVDs as well but wish they had an HD remaster.

[@andazrai]

This anime is my first ever anime I watched which opened the door for anime world.

[@NerdTalkDan]

That’s awesome! It really is an amazing story which has touched the lives of many people. Thank you for commenting and telling us about how Kenshin has affected you!

[@ghosttimm420]

I have the Director's Cut DvD of Trust and Betrayal, hands down one of the best animations ever made. It's so powerful and moving.

[@NerdTalkDan]

It’s just an amazing work isn’t it?

[@VieriTheArtist]

The first anime figure I ever got at a convention was Tomoe. It was kind of small, no taller than a can of soda on a chunky base. The last little bit of money I had from Christmas I spent on her. I remember crying at my community college campus because I rewatched the OVAs. Tomoe holds a very soft spot in my heart, and this version of Kenshin does as well. Fantastic video.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Tomoe is a really interesting character and her story is heartbreaking.

[@Hope-l7v]

I almost accidently bought a movie when i was going to bus stop, around 22 years ago! turned to be the best movie i have ever watched

[@NerdTalkDan]

A happy accident!

[@mystique9130]

I've always loved how mentally strong he was. Despite all the tragedies he faced, he still has the will to live and move forward. It did paid off in the end now that he has a family and a home. I miss you Onii Chan! (Yes I call Kenshin as Onii Chan cause he's been my brother since I was 8, the age I watch this anime)

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! It’s great to hear Kenshin means so much to you. Have a happy and safe new year!

[@mystique9130]

@@NerdTalkDan I had struggles with my mental and behavioral disorder and 3 years without a job cause of a pandemic took alot of toll onto me. Eventually I was able to accept all the baggage I had and it helped me move forward, then I eventually remember Kenshin. He went through alot of pain too and I never realized it until now. I regretted that I didn't go back there, but I never forgotten him.

[@NerdTalkDan]

@@mystique9130 Thanks so much for sharing your story. The media we ingest and love can be a powerful way to gain perspective and healing and I’m glad that Kenshin could be inspirational for you. I hope you keep moving forward. Unfortunately, life can be hard and unfair, but never give up. I hope you can find friends and family to trust just like Kenshin did.

[@dinogt8477]

Phony

[@spirit_gun3869]

He only looks amazing when he does what he knows, yet it is the very thing we must hate. An overated anime

[@DoomStarRequiem]

My teenage years. This show was one of the things that made it memorable.

[@Chaosic]

The animation for trust and betrayal is top notch,great backstory for Kenshin,can compete with the shakespeare or greek tragedies.

[@NerdTalkDan]

It really is something special! When was the first time you watched it?

[@Chaosic]

@@NerdTalkDan I watched Trust and Betrayal many years ago either on youtube or an anime site. I saw Rurouni Kenshin on toonami in 2003,then years later bought all three seaaons.

[@NerdTalkDan]

@@Chaosic It was an epic time to be a kid. Those early Toonami and Adult Swim days gave us so much gold

[@Chaosic]

@@NerdTalkDan yep it was dude

[@dylangriffn]

This is a wonderful and articulate essay - thanks so much for your editing and hard work here

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thank you so much for your kind words Dylan. I’m so glad you enjoyed it and I hope it inspired you to watch or rewatch Trust and Betrayal again. Hope to see you around the channel again sometime soon!

[@doyokgonzalez]

'There is nothing stronger than the will to live' seems to be the main message of Watsuki-sensei in all RK media. From Hiko's teaching as Kenshin attempts to master Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki, to Kenshin's slash-on-the-cheek wound in his fight vs Kiyosato Akira. "His skills are nothing special, but his will to live is formidable"..."I hope you will find happiness in the next life" --> Kenshin's opinion of Akira that was curiously not included in the anime, but thankfully it was there in the live-action version.

[@TheMissgoodbody]

I believe those lines or a similar equivalent do exist at least in the original audio

[@lewisaino]

Kenshin the Heart of Warrior

[@its_anime_otaku]

Ruruoni Is My Fav Anime Bruh I Just Love It.... Kenshin Himura Is So Me 😩🧡

[@alejandromolina7270]

I just have to watch this twice because it was so good.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Wow! I’m so glad you enjoyed it Alejandro! Are you a Kenshin fan? If you like this kind of video, I recommend my FLCL or Cowboy Bebop video! I hope you’ll subscribe and stick around for more!

[@andrewhammel2]

This is ultimate art. Never watched anything better.

[@John-sl4ov]

My first experience with Trust and Betrayal was from a Linkin park AMV from all the way back in 2000 when I was 4 years old lmao, I distinctly remembered certain shots like Kenshin's sensei obliterating that one bandit, or kenshin sticking a sword through a guys jaw, and for years I thought about those scenes wondering what the hell this was from (I would watch the normal kenshin anime on toonami but had no idea what Trust and Betrayal was). It wasn't until 2006 when I finally watched it in its entirety online, and man did it affect me. It's one of my first exposures to a story that can be both tragic and incredibly beautiful. It's one of those stories that you just can't stop thinking about even days after watching it. the rest is history.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Ahh the golden days of anime music videos. My favorite one was the Gundam Wing Kryptonite video. Thank you so much for sharing your story, one of the best parts of making this video is hearing the stories from other Kenshin fans about how this amazing OVA affected them. If you enjoyed this video, I hope you’ll consider subscribing.

[@viniciusmaidana2159]

I genuinely think Tsuioku Hen is an anime masterpiece, one of the best pieces of content ever produced in the history of the media. Rurouni Kenshin is great all around, but Tsuioku Hen is just audiovisual content masterclass

[@NerdTalkDan]

It’s honestly beautiful. There are some flaws, but it was ambitious for what it was. Especially when if they had just adapted it in the anime, it would’ve been fine. But they kicked it up so many freaking notches lol.

[@ben_sisko2149]

I wish they would remake the ova in wide screen without changing anything else... damn, what a masterpiece there are. Oh, and wonderful analysis, mate.

[@NerdTalkDan]

I’d be happy with an HD remaster. Thank you for your kind words Emissary. May the Prophets be with you.

[@SiD19884]

when i first stumbled upon Trust and Betryal.... it blew me away with how raw, how violent and at the same time how sad everything was...

[@NerdTalkDan]

Absolutely Merlin. It’s a huge contrast from what we see in the main arcs and the TV series which were relatively bloodless or discretionary with how violence was shown. Within the first 5 minutes of Trust and Betrayal, we witness a massacre. It’s jarring, which is certainly part of the point.

[@Lunareste]

Just wanted to say thank you for this video. I'm a big Kenshin fan and I've adored the OVA for nearly 20 years but you've given me a new perspective on some aspects. Great video!

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thank you for watching. It was a work for fans by a fan so I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it. If you liked this video, feel free to stop by and check out some of my other videos which are a similar style! Have a great day!

[@anthonychesery3841]

A nice deep dive of a true classic in video essay format. Well done!

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thank you so much Anthony! I hope you’ll subscribe and stop by the channel again!

[@mikhailstewart]

I think the dual personality came after the end of the war.. it makes his personslity more interesting.. because he is more relatsble.. someone with a struggle.

[@darkrage1138]

Good lord this was fantastic, 30 mins flew by.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Hey Darkrage! Thanks so much for stopping by. I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed it. I have a few other anime based essays you might be interested in on the channel. I hope you’ll consider subscribing! Have a great day!

[@nickwatts5269]

truly well said the ova is indeed an absolute masterpiece of art as well as a must watch for all rurouni kenshin fans that is out there for themselves to watch and not only that this ova show the absolute brutal reality story of the darkest arc of rurounit kenshin itself leaving a sense of brutality, sadness, beauty and catharsis but all and all everyone can share these feelings from within themselves as one of duality and one more thing this is a pretty good video of trust and betrayal and also are you looking forward to the new rurouni kenshin that is coming out.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Hey Nick! Thanks for stopping by. I am a bit nervous about the new series but curious to see what they do with it. The first anime version through the Kyoto Arc is just fine to me, so perhaps they’re going to animate the Jinchu Arc? How about you? What are you hoping for from the new series?

[@evil_cupcake2386]

I don't really remember how long ago I watched Trust and Bertrayal last time. 12 years? 15? I remember watching original show when I was a kid and it was really great. In fact it was my first anime and first that I really liked. I remembered those adventures to be more light and more lively. But when I started to watch Trust and Betrayal... Well I can't say it was a shock, but that was certainly a dramatic change for me. To see the character that I watched for so many episodes to become such a cold-blooded killing machine was really something. Nowdays I doubt that anyone can listen to my recommendation to watch original TV series, but If someone want to watch something really good - Trust and Betrayal always will be my number one pick. And to this day it remains one of the best anime for me. Thanks for the video, that was a great nostalgia trip and a good enough reason for me to rewatch it again.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Hey Zloy! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your story. T&B is certainly a huge tonal shift from the mainline series, but it’s something special. I hope you enjoy your rewatch. When you’re done feel free to stop by and comment again about your thoughts! If you enjoyed the video feel free to check out my other videos on other anime from that era and consider subscribing for more essays like this one!

[@vuvuvu6291]

I'm glad the production house and writers decided to animate this origin story on a serious note, also made this in a special OVA. The whole story is far superior than the comic. This is the best anime OVA of all time!

[@torototsupreme2346]

This is gold! Thank you for making this video! Trust and betrayal will always be special to me. It really touched me when i first saw it now 33 it still feels good seeing a masterpiece once again.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thank you for watching. It’s amazing because Trust and Betrayal always seemed so niche and unknown, but clearly it has touched the lives of so many people. I hope watching my video gives you the motivation to go back and rewatch the OVA with a new perspective!

[@torototsupreme2346]

@@NerdTalkDan also has so much life lessons underneath it. That you can always change for the past mistakes that you did, i cant describe it well but the entire rorouni kenshin is special to me even its live action movies, but trust and betrayal was just so different! From the story, artstyle and music. Again thank you for this video!

[@sliceofnippon4631]

Nice edit and japanese pronunciation! and thank you for welcoming me on the discord, keep posting 💪

[@GrimsdaleGaming]

I am jealous of your narrative skills. This is a great video, glad I found your channel. Honestly coming into this, I had no idea what it even was, but I figured I’d give it a try since I’ve seen a few of your other videos. I have learned a lot, and I appreciate you putting this out there.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Hey Grimsdale Gaming! Thank you for the kind words and stopping by. You took a leap of faith by watching this video and that means a lot to me. Out of curiosity, may I ask what other videos you’ve seen and how you stumbled onto them? I hope to see you around my comments section again soon. Don’t be a stranger!

[@GrimsdaleGaming]

@@NerdTalkDan I’ve seen your Dead Pool video, the Halo 5 video, and your video about Among Us. All very high quality, and easy to understand. I’m working on my own Deadpool related video actually. My whole channel is an Electrical Engineer’s take and analysis of scenes of movies and video game design in regards to Electrical Theories and Practices. I’ve analyzed the city of Rapture in BioShock, and Jaws 2’s Ending, and next I am analyzing the Juggernaut Cable to the Glutes and falling in the pool scene, but on a more serious note I try to show people the cool parts of electricity and caution them against the dangers of electricity. Anyway, I’m a subscriber to your channel at this point, I’ll be checking out your videos when I can. Take care!

[@NerdTalkDan]

Your channel sounds fun. I’ll be sure to take a look when I have a second. Keep me up to date on the Deadpool video!

[@robertogarciadelangel2405]

What a great video, i saw Rurouni Kenshin for the first time early this year, and it stuck with me, it´s one of the best anime i´ve seen, but this OVA, it´s art, i haven´t seen something like it, it´s so profound, and the action it´s so simple. Loved your video man, I think that it´s the best OVA analysis I´ve watched, and I want to watch more of yout videos. I think that I just can say thank you.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Hey Roberto! Thank you so much for stopping by and your kind words. You’re right, Trust and Betrayal is a great example of anime as art. It’s one of those semi-hidden treasures in the anime world. I have a new video out in FLCL if you’ve ever seen that show. But otherwise I hope you’ll stop by my channel again and comment. I’m always happy to talk with other Kenshin fans!

[@carolineribeiro6713]

That's really an amazing analysis, maybe that feeling of the 1st time watching it won't return, but this video certainly remembered and added some layers of understanding to this story, making me feel all over again a lot of sad, hopeful and nostalgic feelings at once, almost made me cry again, thanks for organize, compare and explain so clearly how this piece of art was made and why it impacts us in this tragically beautiful way. Amazing content!

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thank you so much for your kind words Caroline. Hearing that my video helped you recapture some of those feeling from when you originally saw Trust and Betrayal makes me so happy. I’d love to hear the things that struck you about the OVA when you originally watched it. What made it special for you?

[@carolineribeiro6713]

@@NerdTalkDan "that's so saaad..." *Cries* ...haha Idk, I was young and expecting just action and blood for some reason, Kenshin as a assassin for some reason, a lot of cool fights lol... And then you get a huge drama and complex story, as you say, the scenes of action disturb you, not entertain, they're cold, realistic... So the contrast, complexity, specially Kenshin's growth, not as in good or bad, just a young boy in a world of turmoil trying to do good... A futile hope that they will remain happy even knowing that one scar is missing :'(

[@renstimpy9313]

i really apreciate the effort, arigatou from the bottom of my dying heart

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thank you for watching, my friend. I’m glad you enjoyed it. It was a work of love.

[@gelinrefira]

Trust and Betrayal is the perfect anime for me.

[@NerdTalkDan]

It’s an amazing work!

[@DrSeuss-px3oj]

I watched the anime on toonami growing up. I had to have been about 13, found trust and betrayal at Blockbuster, I was blown away , I had no idea there was a movie and I'd never read the manga ( relevant because I watched reflections after taking trust and betrayal back) my god that was a very emotional weekend. Kenshin's story is a masterpiece in my opinion, I have not had another character in fiction that I felt so close to, and I've yet to experience a sense of loss that potent from any other Tale. It informed my world view dramatically. as did Berserk and the hunger for philosophy triggered by the KOTOR games.

[@ஒருதமிழன்]

We must also speak about the seasons shown in the ova: the calm spring, the violent rainy and the dead winter. Nice analysis on the ova, one of the best written which was 180 degree opposite to anime series.

[@7swordquanta459]

Not a season buy something that must be added: the cruel night (since most assassinations and fights happen at this time)

[@NerdTalkDan]

That’s true. I think a lot of people miss the seasonal changes because it’s such a short anime. But it goes from summer to the dead of winter. Tomoe and Kenshin spent months together in their little farmhouse. A small slice of happiness during a turbulent time.

[@coffin29]

What a fantastic take. You really nailed it. Trust and Betrayal was a masterful work of art indeed. In both style and structure. And this review or video essay proves that well. Thanks.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks so much for stopping by. It really is something special which deserves more attention than it gets. Have a great day!

[@rasser80]

totally agree the OVAs are some of the best animes out there.

[@NerdTalkDan]

It’s really an amazing work. Thanks so much for stopping by and have a happy new year!

[@imreallylowkey_d]

This is probably the best review of any piece of media I’ve seen on KZbin. I appreciate your ability to properly pronounce the Japanese terms and names. Splendid job and thank you for the time you spent planning and making this!

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks for such high praise from a LowKey kinda guy! If you enjoyed this video, I have a few others in the same depth and style about other anime from this era! I hope you’ll check’em out!

[@szanzarichards378]

this anime was really lovely and i loved your analysis and break down. trust and betrayal is poetry

[@NerdTalkDan]

The OVA really is something special. I wish it was more widely known rather than a sort of niche side story to the mainline Kenshin series.

[@danteunknown2108]

Absolutely phenomenal video. Top tier documentary level. Could be the whole wiki entry by itself. I just want to take a moment to go off about Kenshin's scar. In western culture I think we overlook the majority of its meanings. And there's so much there. For starters, Tomoe as you said set out to kill Kenshin. One way to say 'kill another' in Japanese, especially for the period of the movies setting, is basically to say you will 'cut' them, to 'kiri'. This was thanks to the prevalence of the sword kill of course, but in Nihon-go it's 'kiri'. Rewind a bit to when that lowly guard manages to cut Kenshin, he does 'kill' a part of Kenshin by destroying Kenshin's sense of invincibility granted to him by his godly sword technique. Kenshin visibly is shocked but his own mortality in that moment when he's felt so empowered for so long. And as the story goes on, the wound opens on its own when Kenshin kills again. It's loaded with the possible ghost of the man who cut him still trying to kill him from beyond the grave, and the continued bleeding of Kenshin's heart as he comes to grips with the meaning and cost of killing another. Back to Tomoe though, in a beautiful but tragic circle, as I said earlier she does sincerely set out to kill Kenshin, or 'kiri'(cut) the man who killed her first love. When she *betrays* the assassins she teams up with to kill Kenshin and save's him instead, it's an odd predicament. She's of noble blood it's pointed out early, so she can't lose face or suffer dishonor of a broken agreement, despite her pure reasons. When she raises the blade to Kenshin's cheek she gets to an apex of purpose. She literally cuts (Kirimasu) Kenshin, as she promised to her assassins bargain, and herself, and also to the memory of her dead fiance. She succeeds in that quest peacefully. And she also at that point knows that first scar was left by said fiance, symbolizing the rejoining of the two first lovers in being the only two to ever wound Himura. Physically AND emotionally. Joined forever in death where their paths literally cross again. And as the scar heals and comes to rest, Kenshin's heart and mind are purified. Kenshin's life as a swordsman doesn't begin with sword classes, it begins by burying the victims of senseless violence and war, and marking the graves with crosses. He loses himself then in that same violence. And it's only when one last cross is placed burying that sin in forgiveness, that he dies as the lost soul within and gets his purpose. He becomes a reflection of the scar. It's In a very literal sense his cross to bear. And the most beautiful thing? After Tomoe's cut joins her fiance's on Kenshin's cheek, the wound finally heals. The vengeful spirit of the fiance is put to peace as he too finally gets to return to his love as he wanted in life, albeit now in death. And it never opens on its own again. There's to me where the beautiful tragedy really was.

[@NerdTalkDan]

That was an amazing write up. Thank you for sharing your take on Kenshin’s journey. I think your post offers a lot of depth into an issue I didn’t really delve into so I hope people find this comment!

[@WealthEngineering]

Danm... That's deep

[@oultimoheroiromantico8658]

Great video. This anime is so special to me, it changed my life and inspired me, especially to deal with my inner demons and my struggles with depression/anxiety. Kenshin is my favorite fictional character of all time.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your story. It’s amazing how stories can affect our lives so deeply. Have a safe and wonderful new year!

[@oultimoheroiromantico8658]

@@NerdTalkDan Thank you my friend, wish you the same!!

[@BushidoHEAT]

Great video! "Trust and Betrayal" is the GOAT of Anime. The real tragedy here is the Taku Iwasaki's soundtrack is not on spotify.

[@NerdTalkDan]

That would be amazing. If you enjoy his tracks here, I recommend his Witch Hunter Robin soundtrack as well!

[@krow5099]

I got the CD still after all these years

[@Elena26]

Thank you for this beautiful video essay for one of my favorite pieces of art. I love RK and T&B is hands down amazing and as you said I wish I could experience it for the first time again. The OVA took the best of the story and took the character's struggle and made that pain and endurance the protagonist. I love that you pointed out the music, the tone shift, and how Kenshin crafted this cold exterior to be able to endure the hardships of what he was doing.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks for stopping by and commenting Elemesca! It really is an amazing OVA which can break your heart.

[@handitan3090]

dude the way u explain everything in great details to music, and make it into many categories, this is by far the best video on breaking down rurouni kenshin as anime series, manga and ova, you are a genius. super incredibly well edited and analyzed.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks so much for your kind words. It was a work of love for sure. I hope you’ll subscribe and stick around for more videos like this one!

[@user-sg3pt6we3v]

I watched it when it came out and i still cry just thinking about it. Incredibley moving like no other anime has ever been

[@PaFREd0]

Wow this video on itself is a piece of art, amazing brakedown, narrative, and editing, loved the chapter format and all the thought you've putted into it, also amazing comparassions with the mainstream series. What an incredible work! Thank you so much for all the effort you've putted on this. As for my personal experience, I remember watching the main series and wondering about his scar and the history behind it, when I finally discovered about the ova, Rurouni Kenshin was already my favorite anime by far, for all the history, comic, and action, packed in it, but man that ova, oh my god it changed the way I see Kenshin so much, it made me relate so much with him that I just had to re-wach the main series all over again, and then knowing more about his past it made it a brand new experience for me.. and as you've highlited at the end, is such a powerfull and emotional experience (especially the ending) at the first time that the merely fact that you can't fell it again, at least with the same intensity when you re-wach, is on itself tragic. Funny thing for me is that whenever I feel in pain, depressed, struggling this ova always makes me feel better, bacause I feel that I can relate to him, to his pain, and his inner struggles somehow.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Hey Shisue! Thanks for stopping by and telling me what Kenshin means to you. It has been wonderful to hear all these stories about how the series and Tsuiokuhen touched their lives. I hope you’ll subscribe and stick around for some fun upcoming videos.

[@Anakin_Youngling_Slayer]

This is by far the best OVA I've ever watched. Even if it's only four episodes.

[@prettzx]

I remember watching the OVAs on VHS in the late 90s, I had seen clips of the show before but thebOVAs where so beautiful and dark, I was surprised by how light the show was in comparison

[@everking3767]

This is actually my all-time favorite film (if you consider the OVAs as a single film). Full Stop. Such a beautifully tragic stories and such an incredibly realized story.

[@m1jime]

I think I watched Trust and Betrayal after I read the manga. The manga to me is perfect but I also appreciate the OVA and the changes and subtleties you talk about here make me appreciate it much more. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and commentary!

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thank you for stopping by and commenting! There’s a lot to the OVA and it’s a shame it never achieved the mainstream popularity I think it deserves. If you enjoyed this video, I have a few other essays on anime which you might like to check out! Have a wonderful new year!

[@m1jime]

@@NerdTalkDan I’ll definitely check them out! Happy New Year!

[@ma.bernadettebravo2084]

WOW!!! I'm impressed by this video-- the analysis, the arguments, the comparisons with genre conventions and the editing! So well put together! I agree with most of the points (and yes, I also consider the 追憶編 OAV as one of the best, if not THE BEST, anime works ever!) and how you relate it to Japanese concepts such as mono no aware. And as you articulated perfectly towards the end, nothing can replace the feeling you had when you first watched it. I hope you consider making a video comparing the OAV to the live action movie (るろうに剣心 The Beginning) shown earlier this year and giving it the same thorough analysis you did here. AMAZING WORK!!!

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thank you so much for stopping by Bernadette! I’m glad you enjoyed this essay. Tsuiokuhen is truly amazing and mono no aware (you taught me some new Japanese) just clicked so perfectly with the themes. I have some other fun ideas upcoming, so I hope you’ll stick around by subscribing.

[@mtgAzim]

When you talk about the aspect in anime that the protagonists don't often change, but rather their surroundings tend to, I definitely noticed that as well, even as a layman. That's something that became apparent to me when I more recently revisited Inuyasha. I had seen some of it on adult swim in the early 00's, but then there was an extended period when I kinda drifted away from anime. It's because so much of it is cringey, childish, and embarrassing to watch. When I was a bit older I discovered the vast and sometimes complete differences between subs and dubs. I began going back to older shows with an open mind, because I hadn't experienced it as it truly is, instead most dubs are a cruel imitation of something masterful. Over here in the west, it seems that anything animated is treated merely as a "cartoon" for children, and deserves no real respect. Just listen to the comparison of most eldery characters in most anime's. In the English dubs, they're played as ridiculous cartoony caricatures, fit for toddlers, whereas in the original, they use an actual elderly actor, who treats the material and their performance with respect. I could go on for hours about subs versus dubs, but I'm sure most people get my point. The recent popularity of Squid Game brought the awareness of the contrasts between subs and dubs, and the importance of original performances to many more people that otherwise were unaware. Certainly helped by it being live action. Getting back to my point about Inuyasha, I had stopped watching it when I was younger because the actors at ocean butchered the material with the only exception being Paul Dobson, and it just wasn't fun or compelling to watch when I got a little older. When I finally revisited it in it's true form, it was something else entirely. It's wonderfully written and acted. Many of the ways characters are written is different than what you see in many other anime's. When Kagome travels back in time with modern amenities, be it instant noodles or her bicycle, the people of the past don't loose their minds and think she's a witch or something, as that kind of scenario is often written. When it comes to Inuyasha himself, at the start he's impulsive, aggressive, imature, and petty. As the story progresses, so does he. But they don't constantly draw attention to it. They don't continually show you the contrast between early story and later story versions of his character. His growth occurs a bit more naturally. When he first receives his sword, he can't even employ it's basic function at will. Later on however, he weilds it like it's an extension of his arm, and shows a natural, almost unconscious command over it. His goals and desires change and shift as well, sometimes subtley, and at other times the result of something traumatic and transformative. I'm probably going to exhaust my character limit here soon, but It's just something I think about when it comes to that show. It's certainly a less common type of protagonist. Perhaps you could do a presentation on Inuyasha at some point. This is the first video of yours I stumbled upon while cooking dinner about an hour ago, and I was astounded to check your page and see your current sub count. With a production like this, 150,000 subs would seem criminally low. If your other presentations are anything akin to this one, then I'm sure you'll be one of the greats in due time. You're already doing amazing work, the internet just hasn't caught up to you yet. I wish you well, and am definitely going to be checking out more of your content. Take care bud! ^_^

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks so much for your awesome comment! The sub and sub debate is one I am pretty hands off with. I think people should watch it in whatever version makes them happy or is available to them. But of course, when you watch a sub, you are closer to the original intention. However you never want to discount some great dubs like with Cowboy Bebop or FLCL. I actually talk about the quality of the FLCL dub in that video, so I hope you’ll check out that video. I’d be curious to hear your thoughts. I’m super nostalgic for Inuyasha and it’s dub as I grew up watching it. But I understand where you’re coming from especially since there are some notoriously bad dubs that have come out over the years. But hey, at least we got some fun memes from it! I appreciate your kind words. I hope to see you around the channel again. I’m not an anime tuber only, but I hope I’ll keep making stuff that keeps you interested. Feel free to drop by again anytime!

[@ameyukikaze]

Well put! RK is one of those beautifully unique stories that just stays with you long after you finish it. Tsuiokuhen is great because it can stand apart from the canon story as its own beautiful tragedy.

[@NerdTalkDan]

100% it would be an interesting and great way to bring someone into the genre

[@fernandosantarelli8716]

This in-depth review made so much sense to me. Reminds me of the first time I've watched this ova don't even remember how many years ago but it definitely made me remember the sorrow. This is a brilliant review. Well done for the great job

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thank you so much Fernando! If this video made you want to rewatch this classic or have you a new perspective on it, then I did my job. I’m so happy this could bring back those special memories for you, friend!

[@DavidLee-by5kq]

cant wait for the remake. Hopefully Jinchu arc is animated this time as a non OVA.

[@justineggnn]

Truly a beautiful movie, through the years it has stuck with me. It is everlasting & will never get old, I don't think I'll ever watch something as good as this.

[@braddeicide]

This was the first anime I showed to one of my friends. He was shocked at how good it was and wanted to see more this good. Uh, sorry I started with the best.

[@NerdTalkDan]

You gave your buddy a great intro into the world. I hope he appreciates it lol

[@CarloTheImmortal]

Poor dude all down hill from here. Only the original Berserk anime could hope to come close or equal it imo

[@sirwonkyofthewesternfield2251]

Just wow! I adore this video. This is an anime treasure of mine and your very through analysis added so much that I did not see in my viewings so far. I will definitely reference things from this video when I talk about this show with others from here on out. Like the description of how Tome was the opposite of a sheath was a beautiful interpretation of the narrative. I would love to see more analytical content like this. Keep up the great work. Peace! - Sir Wonky

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks so much for stopping by and your kind words. It’s always great to hear from the Kenshin community that my video helped them appreciate this classic in a new way! If you have any other friends that are in to Rurouni Kenshin I hope you’ll recommend my video. Fear not there are more in depth essays on the way with the next one being another anime classic. Hope you’ll stop by again!

[@akitoartz209]

Its been a year now and rurouni kenshin got rebooted yesssirrrrrr

[@NerdTalkDan]

I just saw the trailer. I wonder what they’re going to do with this.

[@akitoartz209]

@@NerdTalkDan the studio was LIDEN FILMS

[@thebookreader287]

Ah yes ruruoni kenshin. Ppl need to see this masterpiece once more

[@NerdTalkDan]

Go and spread the gospel of Trust and Betrayal!

[@alexmotts]

They are coming out with a new anime series this year. I think its supposed pick up where it left off. I saw the trailer. But its more of a tease trailer. None the less. The trailer is official

[@darrenparis4742]

This video is insanely well done, you deserve 1m+ subs

[@NerdTalkDan]

Hey Darren! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I’m glad you liked the video. If you know any people or communities which like Kenshin or other anime, it would really help out the channel if you recommended my video! Then one day you and I can celebrate that 1 million subs! Have a good one!

[@marconeves1979]

Marvelous video. Perfect in every way. Like a sakura petal. Subarashii

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks so much for the kind words! I’m glad that you enjoyed it as it was a work of passion from a fan for fans.

[@irurouni]

Interesting. It's interesting how tragedy is sensitised as distinct from comic elements in order to speak of the "ebb and flow" or the "cycle" between them in Reminisce. I think... in Japanese worldview, it is simply taken as a whole and given that life is largely a paradox. In speaking of details, such as style, much of the analysis is effective. Yet this difference in cultural lens added a compartmentalised mentality to the interpretation. Hence, in this analysis video, the individual journey became the highlight. However, from a more holistic perspective, it is about the meaning of life.

[@michaelcolon4162]

This was my first anime as a child, back when anime was hard to find and IDK how i ended up with the OVA’s as well but even as a little kid I new I was watching something special. Really wish they would remake the anime and finish it all the way this time jinchu arc is just as good a kyoto arc in my opinion.

[@NerdTalkDan]

I found it in the growing anime section of my mall’s video store. One of those hip places that sold movies, tv shows, and CDs as well as assorted posters and merch. As for a remake…funny story! There’s a full Rurouni Kenshin anime remake on the way!

[@michaelcolon4162]

@@NerdTalkDan really? Im so hyped right now!

[@NerdTalkDan]

@@michaelcolon4162 yup! Here’s the link to the trailer! It’s not much but it tells us that something is coming our way at least! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHW5dnSjZb2Ina8

[@sidzeller711]

bruh this video is amazing. it's worth a million views imo. kudos to you paying homage to the best anime i've ever watched.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thank you sid. It means the world to hear such kind words. I’m glad it’s resonated with Kenshin fans as much as I hoped. As for the million views, here’s hoping! If you know any Kenshin or anime fans, you know where to send’em lol!

[@mclee6699]

After watching the T&B ova, can no longer see kenshin in that smiling goofy face how much of a pain he has been through in the past.. i like how well you've explained with the color and the facial changes of kenshin in the series overall with the direction of storytelling and transition, totally wasn't aware of it back then when i watched it and before T&B. Thanks for this! Best ova dive in video by far

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! It was a lot of fun to be able to talk about the creative decisions which shape tone and created something as amazing as Truth and Betrayal. If you liked this video, I have a few more that might pique your interest so I hope you’ll stop by again! Have a great day

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! It was a lot of fun to be able to talk about the creative decisions which shape tone and created something as amazing as Truth and Betrayal. If you liked this video, I have a few more that might pique your interest so I hope you’ll stop by again! Have a great day

[@KameSennin4209]

Samurai X is what got me into anime as a whole.

[@kuro-1980]

Hello, thank you for this essay on the Rurouni Kenshin OVA: Trust & Betrayal. My first contact with Rurouni Kenshin came through the manga in the 2000s. Oh, I come from Germany. That's just by the way. I finished the TV series very later after I had read the manga completely. And I was a little disappointed. But the original movie and the OVAs just Trust & Betayal I liked very much. Thank you very much for this wonderfully elaborated video. Many know by now that Watsuki is guilty of a terrible crime. But I separate the work from the author. And the new anime by LIDEN Films, which is currently simulcast in Germany, is supposed to adapt the main manga, so I really hope for a filler-free anime adaptation. So far, 2 courses have been announced. Let's see how much of them will adapt the manga.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Hey @kurokenshin1980 ! Thanks for all your comments and shows of support. I’ve seen the first two episodes so far and am hopeful it’ll be a pretty good adaptation. Whether it goes beyond Kyoto is something we need to see, but let’s just enjoy it as it happens. I hope you’ll stop by the channel again soon! Have a great day.

[@admentlore]

This is one of the best works of anime, art, and music in history.

[@NerdTalkDan]

It was crazy how much talent and vision they had on this project. They could’ve half assed it but they made a classic.

[@admentlore]

@@NerdTalkDan Exactly! Everything was thought out and planned perfectly.

[@juliaranks8150]

Wow, really great job on this. Didn't want it to end.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting Julia! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it. It was a work of love. But as Tsuiokuhen teaches us, all good things must come to and end, but their beauty and effect on us remain. I hope you’ll consider subscribing and checking by out some of my other content which might strike your fancy. Feel free to comment again, I look forward to hearing from you!

[@enomiellanidrac9137]

The Tsuioku Hen OAV was my first introduction to Rurouni Kenshin, I had not watch the anime nor read the manga yet and this made the bittersweet taste even more powerfull. Not knowing of the main story before end and watching this not as a prequel but effectively as a prologue gave the whole serie a level of depth and meaning I don't think I would have found here had I seen this as a flashback. The animation is also incredible for its time, brutally efficient, each move and shot having a sort of incredible clarity and fluidity to it avoiding the use of cut and "instant movement" so comon in other action anime to convey speed or strengh. If I had to make a comparison I would say it's how the first John Wick movie felt against the shaky cam method of the time: you can clearly see the action rather than have multiple editing cut resulting in confusion. And finally the music, the score still give me goosebump to this day, it's just perfection.

[@thewanderingsamurai1150]

Best analysis I have ever seen on Rurouni Kenshin. I really loved that you gave a section to the OST of the series and Trust & Betrayal. Ruroken is my favorite thing and getting to listen to someone who really understands it all was awesome. Thank you for this amazing video.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Hey there Wandering Samurai. Thanks so much for stopping by and your kind words. Kenshin really is a special series. Since you’re clearly a Kenshin fan, you should check out the Kenshin subreddit. It’s a nice little community. I hope you’ll subscribe and stay tuned for some fun stuff coming.

[@thewanderingsamurai1150]

@@NerdTalkDan I’ve been on the subreddit for a long time, and you earned a sub from this video.

[@NerdTalkDan]

@@thewanderingsamurai1150 Thank you, sir. I will now call off the Juppongatana attack.

[@FlymanMS]

Beautiful video, probably the best analysis of the topic. I've watched the OVA countless times and I don't think I'd ever get tired of it. Thank you.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks so much @FlymanMS ! It was a work from a fan for fans, so it means so much that you enjoyed it. I hope you’ll check out some of my other videos and consider subscribing!

[@Tantemify]

a sad story it was. we are all lucky we were not born in that era

[@NerdTalkDan]

It does help us appreciate how good we have it!

[@the8thgate543]

With the OVA’s, in his past he is Battosai manslayer so he had more of a serious personality. While when he turned Rurouni he was more lighthearted

[@NerdTalkDan]

Very true!

[@krow5099]

Rurouni Kenshin will FOREVER BE MY FAVORITE AND THE OVAS ARE WHAT MASTERCLASS ANIME SHOULD LOOK LIKE!!!

[@NerdTalkDan]

They are a remarkable thing. A testimony to what artistic vision and a great crew can produce. I hope you’ll subscribe and join this growing community!

[@krow5099]

@@NerdTalkDan I you got my add but yeah it’s sad today Anime has become so mainstream the effort put into these productions have gone laxed and lazy writing has ruined a lot. Are you going to do Reflections For Rurouni Kenshin that’s the only movie that makes me cry till this day

[@NerdTalkDan]

@@krow5099 thank you! I definitely could do a video on reflections if you’d like. It wouldn’t happen for a bit because I’m all queued up with my next couple of videos. My biggest worry would be that it would just be a negative analysis.

[@krow5099]

@@NerdTalkDan Well I don’t think it would be a negative analysis I mean the way I saw Reflections was that it was more true to the manga and I loved how it went into the effect of how Kenshins family suffered and came understood his intentions especially Kenji who had no connection to his father, but only his legend. To me it made me cry a lot because of Kenshin carrying that burden for so long and him finally resting along Kaoru. Just as well it saw a bittersweet ending on how he was the hand that opened up the world and as he was walking in the street amongst an opened and more modern Japan and as he was sick in the streets they ignored him it showed the flow of time and the death of the Samurai and it’s hierarchies

[@NerdTalkDan]

@@krow5099 Oh for sure. If you love Reflections, I’m glad. I think it’s visually stunning. But if I made a breakdown of it, I would be a little bit more negative because I’m not a fan of it overall. But if anything, I’d love to hear YOUR thoughts on it! Have you ever thought about your own YT channel? It’s honestly a really fun hobby and great way to connect with others who share your interests!

[@kingminos1993]

This is everything I could ever have ask for in a video such as this. Nailed it.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks for the kind words King Minos!

[@ashifabedin]

This video is incredibly well analyzed and edited, and on the topic of my favorite anime makes it extra amazing!

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks for the kind words ashif! Are you a big Kenshin fan?

[@TheTickyTickyTicky]

Author : Wrote an amazing story Author : Also a CP enjoyer Trust and betrayal indeed

[@ovenaroundhead2881]

I shouldn’t have laughed at this but 草

[@FayeLawnKrack3d]

Yeah. He betrayed us fans there 😢.

[@ataikonotatsujinplayer2610]

This sucks because the more people find out about this the less people check out the series

[@mookiestewart3776]

Amazing video haven’t watched the ova since high school back in 05 or so…… you’ve earned a sub thanks for bringing back those memories ☺️

[@NerdTalkDan]

One of the best parts about making this video is hearing people’s stories about how the OVA touched their hearts. I hope you’ll give it a rewatch soon. If you so, feel free to comment again about your thoughts after watching it again after so much time!

[@DakkogiRauru23]

I’m not sure if Kenshin in the anime ever struggled with blood-thirst whenever we would revert back to Battoisai. Rather, he was struggling to not rekindle the habit of killing a lot of people to protect the ones he loves. He never enjoys the killing as Battousai, but he is decisive about killing.

[@joelporteza7639]

Rouruni Kenshin by far is the most close to anime live action film I have seen the characters are spot on and the action sequences are outstanding!

[@NerdTalkDan]

Yeah they did a great job with the first movie for sure and the others certainly had some great points as well

[@AndyB1993]

This is really well put together. Editing is amazing. You've earned a new sub!

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks so much Andy B. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you.

[@AndyB1993]

@@NerdTalkDan you earned it.

[@malaklz3075]

Everything in this video is exactly this! Amazing review of an amazing anime

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thank you so much Malak! I’m so happy you enjoyed it. I have some fun stuff coming, so if you enjoy this kind of content I hope you’ll like and subscribe.

[@malaklz3075]

@@NerdTalkDan Again, you eloquently put into words the uniqueness of this anime. I'll never forget the first time I watched it, some ten years ago. It truly made me. I am so happy that this work of art has impacted so many others.

[@synvice7491]

When you mentioned heart of the sword I smiled. Ahh the childhood memories.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Right? It’s such a head trip to listen to all those songs from childhood and kind of flash back for a moment. I mean it’s also just a fun song, but the added nostalgia? Classic.

[@thethirdmiko5396]

The first time I saw this film is back when I was in highschool, I was watching the anime series in our local cable tv that time, then I stumbled upon the OVA (borrowed a CD from a classmate)...it was amazing yet sad as well.. the tone was so different from the anime series... and i loved it until now.

[@ninjathehuskey4373]

The OVA was solid and this break down/analysis complements the Epic, that was the OVA, that much more. Great job Nerd Talk.

[@NerdTalkDan]

Thanks so much for stopping by Ninja! I’m always happy to hear that people think this video helps offer insight into the OVA. It’s a fairly simple story, but how you tell the story helps offer so much depth which I think the creators did well. If you like this kind of content, I hope you’ll stick around by subscribing. I have some good ideas coming soon.

[@ninjathehuskey4373]

@@NerdTalkDan already subbed 🙌 keep the awesome content flowing

[@NerdTalkDan]

@@ninjathehuskey4373 You’re a legend, my friend. Are you a big Kenshin fan?

[@ninjathehuskey4373]

@@NerdTalkDan yep! Huge, it was favourite OVA when I was young. Still loving it 25 years later

[@NerdTalkDan]

@@ninjathehuskey4373 That’s great to hear. I just watched the Final last night and now we have news of a new Kenshin anime series. What a time to be alive lol.