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[ café reviews ]

Rurouni Kenshin logo

Rurouni Kenshin
(Samurai X)

Episode 26: Shinku no Kaizoku - Hiki Kikareta Kenshin to Kaoru

[ production info ]

Copyright: Fuji Television, Sony Picture
Length: 25 minutes
Rating: Contains Violence, Parental Guidance Suggested
Format: Original Japanese (LD/VHS)

Screenplay: Director: Producers: Character Design: English Version Executive Producer: Translation by:


[ plot summary ]

Kenshin TV LD 8 jacket

The folks in Kamiya Dojo are in dire straights. Money has been extremely tight such that there is little to eat... indeed there is one fish to be shared between Sanosuke, Yahiko, and Kenshin... until Yahiko and Sano start fighting and Ayame and Suzume decide to feed the "leftover" food to a poor cat. After (barely) escaping from an irate Kaoru who was off for a few days practise, Kenshin, Yahiko and Sanou find an easy way to make some money. It appears that one of the local merchants have been having problems with pirates and is offering a fair amount for people to help defend his ships. So, naturally, Kenshin and party decide to board ship and make some money... only not all is as it seems. It appears that Kaoru had much the same idea and had lied to Kenshin and others to keep them from worrying for the time she would be aboard ship.

During a storm, the merchant's ship is attacked by the pirate Shura and party and the fight is joined. Kaoru, being ever headstrong insists on fighting the pirates with Kenshin and is injured in battle, so it's up to Kenshin to defend Kaoru. Only Shura notices Kenshin's excellent fighting ability and decides on a one on one battle...


[ capsule review ]

As a set up episode for this story, this has an interesting beginning. Kenshin's battle and defense of Kaoru, portends what will be an overall interesting development of the relationship (or lack thereof) between Kaoru and Kenshin. More than anything else, this episode is really a set-up for the remaining two episodes in this story. However, what I found most interesting and enjoyable about this episode was the feeling of development of at least feelings between Kenshin and Kaoru.

Interestingly, in this episode, the drawing style changed a bit such that the characters' faces are a bit longer and more pointy than before. I have to admit that the characters look a bit less refined at times and I'm not entirely sure that I like this new style. Still the music is so-so (beyond the intro and end themes which are still all too catchy j-pops) The story in this episode acts as an intro to the following episodes.
- JYN, 98-07-17


[ café rating ]

Original: Subbed: Dubbed:
Story: 3 stars N/A N/A
Direction: 3 stars N/A N/A
Acting: 3 stars N/A N/A
Animation: 3 stars N/A N/A
Music: 3 stars N/A N/A
Translation: N/A N/A N/A
Overall Rating: 3 stars N/A N/A


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