G. Jacoby | Atlanta, GA United States | 12/29/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This DVD presumably begins the Shimabara arc of Kenshin. It isn't nearly as good as the Kyoto arc (vol. 7 - 14 of the DVDs) which it follows. This isn't to say it's _bad_, however. It was made for TV, and so suffers by comparison with the episodes which came from the manga. It's still far better, in my opinion, than some of filler from the end of the 1st season (vol. 4-6 of the DVDs). Sano, in particular, is fleshed out in some more detail. It would have been better if the producers had waited for the manga so they could have animated the real ending. If you want to see the best of Kenshin, then check out the Kyoto arc. If you already have, and want to see more of Kenshin, Kaoru, Sano, and Misao-chan, you might consider getting this disc."
I dont know what the other reviewers are talking about....
G. Jacoby | 04/05/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I own every Rurouni Kenshin DVD that is out right now and I love them all. It's true that the Kyoto Arc is the best of them all, but that does not mean that this one stinks, its almost as good as Kyoto, and still better than the first 6 DVD's. I have no idea why people are saying that this is not even worth renting, maybe they are talking about something else...If you like Rurouni Kenshin, this is a must own, and just as good as the rest of the episodes, dont let what other people say discourage you from buying what YOU like."
The first half of the Rurouni Kenshin Christian Saga
Lawrance M. Bernabo | The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota | 01/10/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"After a few comic relief episodes the first major story arc for Season Three of "Rurouni Kenshin: Tales of the Meiji" emerges on Volume 16, "Son of God," which offers up episodes 67-70 of the celebrated Japanese anime. Episode 67: "Gleaming Blade of Legends! The Mystic Swordsman Shougo Amakusa" introduces the prophecy written 200 years earlier by a mysterious missionary who sailed to Japan that said "When the river of Christian blood stops" (i.e., the end of the persecution of Christians in Japan) it will be time for vengeance. Specifically, "When the day dies and turn into darkness, the child of God shall appear." Shougo Amakusa believes himself to be a god and his destiny to claim that vengeance for the dead by commanding an army of the faithful and fighting with the Hiten Mitsurugi style.The other three episodes in this collection are: Episode 68: "The Medallion of Destiny: The First Meeting of Sanosuke and Sayo," has Sanosuke becoming embroiled in the religious conflict. Episode 69: "To the Battlefield of Shimabara: The Moment of Decisive Battle" begins the battle between Kenshin and Shougo, the rogue Hiten Mitsurugi master, which concludes with a rather shocking turn of events in Episode 70: "Shock of the Rai Ryu Sen!: Kenshin Sent Into Darkness." The Christian Saga concludes with the next four episodes collected on Volume 17, "Rurouni Kenshin: Holy War."After the epic Kyoto story arc it would be a mistake to try something similarly overblown and that is not what we have here. This story line is more grounded in the history of the Meiji period with regards to the treatment of Christians, and it is certainly interesting to get the Japanese perspective on the issue. I would not qualify this as great, mainly because I think it will take time and distance to reach the peaks of the Kyoto story line again, but it is still very good. Meanwhile, in terms of the DVD extras the history lessons continue with the Linear Notes, where we learn about the Kakure-Krishitan ("hidden" Christians), their leader Shirou Amakusa, and the Shimabar-no-Ran riot. Also, there is a new song about "my heart" for the new end credits, and already I am missing the rain washing away my alibi song."
Ruruouni kenshin son of god
Jenny Shaffer | Lancaster Ohio USA | 11/19/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I loved it. Don;t listen to what others say. This is one of the best tapes to own. I loved the last eposied and you can see some of the romance of kenshin and karou. please you have to see it. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. the fighting was good. I always wanted to see more of the hitten style that kenshin uses and you see it this tape. some say this tape was not good, but i loved it. if you did'nt like it then you don;t know what kenshin stand for and why he will always fight to protect people."
Its not as good as kyoto but...
Donna Simmill | uk | 01/27/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"this series is not as good as the legend of Kyoto but it still holds it own against other anime. granted it is a bit slow in starting but once you get into the story line its hard to turn off, i would recomend this dvd especially to those who like myself love Kenshin :) and first time watchers i feel would enjoy it but not without watching the first 2 series first, the only reaon this gets a bad review is the change of sytyle from kyoto to this, kyoto is much darker and most people i now were expecting a continuation of this and thus were disapointed. but personally its rurouni kenshin how can you not love it?"