Forum - View topicKenshin - Tales of the Meiji
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Shorty22
 Posts: 504 |
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Ok, I've only seen Kenshin on Cartoon Network, thus only through the end of the Kyoto arc. Personally, I felt that it was a pretty good stopping point there. If I hadn't known any better, I would have thought it ended there, especially with the fade-out group sketch at the end.
However, I know that there's a 3rd arc. Tales of the Meiji/Meiji Era/whatever you want to call it. I know it's the anime wandering away from the manga. General opinion seems to say that Kyoto was the best arc, the first arc is good to better enjoy the second arc, and that the Meiji episodes should be ignored. Nevertheless, I was wondering if the Meiji episodes were just 1. bad, 2. bad in comparision to Kyoto, 3. since it wandered from the manga, it's labeled bad, regardless of whether it is or not, 4. mostly bad with a couple bright spots, 5. actually watchable or 6. pretty good if you're not expecting anything specific from them. I was going to heed the general opinion and ignore it, but I found a couple of the later Meiji DVDs for like, $13 each and was wondering if I should at least pick up the last one or not. 
And while I have your attention, I pose the same question about 'Samurai X - The Motion Picture'. Heard it was bad, was going to ignore, found good price, and the rating on the Encyclopedia page says good, so should I pick it up too? Thank you for your help/time. (Also, I know there's been numerous Kenshin topics, and if my question is answered in one, feel free to point me in it's direction... the ones I read all turned into Kyoto=beyond great, Meiji=BAD things without really explaining why, as I recall... but I have a bad memory at times.  )
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Animefreak08
 Posts: 882 Location: Michigan ftw. |
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I would go with number 4. It is ok. |
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Vigilante024
 Posts: 578 Location: back. but not really. |
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well compared to the rest of the series Meiji arc is really bad...and on its own, its mediocre...I enjoyed it mostly for the fluff episodes, while the "serious" episodes were rather lame, the best way for me to describe them...if you're not expecting the same level as the previous arcs and accept it is just bad, it is at least entertaining at parts...
and I enjoyed the movie, which takes place after teh Kyoto arc... |
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C_Brightshadow
 Posts: 81 Location: In a Mod-Starbridge running away from pirates |
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I'd say it's either 2 or 3. Not bad, but not great either. I suggest you take the money for the 3rd arc DVDs and just buy the manga after the Koyto arc.
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beau8th
 Posts: 49 Location: Alamogordo, NM |
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I like Tales of the Meiji, its very good. And I like the Openings. Overall, I like Rurouni Kenshin the Anime and the Manga. It got an Excellant rating. I agree.
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lianncoop
Past ANN Contributor
 Posts: 1705 Location: Indiana |
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There are a few bright spots in the Meiji Arc of Kenshin, but since that's the point where the anime and the manga went their separate ways...the anime really slipped in story quality after Kyoto. Kyoto had a story where you actually cared what happened to the characters; cared what the outcome of the story was. Meiji Arc is basically tons and tons of filler episodes stuck together.
The Christian Arc wasn't too bad, but the last 4 discs of the series (Yutaro Arc and Feng Shui Arc) were terrible. So, I'd say if you want to invest in any of the Meiji portion, get Volumes 16, 17, & 18 (Son of God, Holy War, & Fall From Grace). As for the Samurai X movie...it had its high points and low points. I would classify it as "disappointing, but not bad." If you can find it cheaply, I'd say go ahead and buy it. I guess it just depends on how big of a Kenshin fanatic you are. If you haven't already gotten it, I'd highly recommend getting the Kenshin OAV, Trust & Betrayal (Tsuioku Hen). I personally think that OAV with the Kyoto Arc are the "Kenshin Essentials." |
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Tony K.
 SubscriberModerator  Posts: 12094 Location: Frisco, TX |
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1, 2, 3, 4.
There aren't a lot of anime that I actually dislike, but "Tales of the Meiji" is one of them. In addition to having absolutely nothing to do with the manga beyond Kyoto, a lot of the scenarios are poorly written and drawn out to several points of predictable and contrite storytelling. Kyoto was such a developed and character-driven tale, that if you know what at least is supposed to happen afterwards, then it only makes that much more sense to expect what should've been -- Jinchuu. Aside from seeing one mini-arc that involved some Germans and shinobi looking for this magical healing plant (which was mostly crap in itself,) I can't see any reason to actually buy this "saga" unless you just really want to collect it (like me.) In addition to crappy scenario-writing, aside from Kenshin and his group, the only other people you'll see that were involved in Kyoto and before are: Seijuro Hiko, Misao, Chou (the sword hunter,) and Aoshi. And the most you ever see him (Aoshi) do is drink some tea!  You don't even see Saitou, after knowing fully well that he spoiler[ survived that explosion in Kyoto.]
If you want to see it that badly, at least make sure you've got some easy money to buy it. I actually would recommend you buy it here: http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/dvd.cfm?itemID=MBI020267. I did the math for you, and if you dish $13 a DVD for 8 DVDs (Vol.15-22,) that's $104. If you get it at DDD, it's only $84 with the free shipping. As for the movie, I rated it "very good" in My Anime. I recommend watching it after Kyoto because it has that kind of aura to it. It's not spectacular, but it's a much nicer side story as compared to that "Tales of Meiji" crap. You can get it for a great price here: http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/dvd.cfm?itemID=ADV004421. Good luck! 
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Sesshoumaru sama
 Posts: 170 Location: Texas, USA |
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IMO, Tales of the Meiji was bad. When I first watched it I was disappointed in it. Some of the filler episodes were ok, but the small story arcs were just horrible. When I found out what was supposed to happen after the Kyoto arc, I did some searching and found some scanlations of the Jinchuu arc (don't ask where to find scanlations). When I read the Jinchuu arc, I was much more pleased with the true ending of this great series. I thought Tsuioku Hen (Samurai X: Trust & Betrayal) was a great animated version of Kenshin's past (which is also told in the manga with little differences). Also the movie was ok, and I think the movie is better than the Meiji stuff. So if you really want to know what happens after Kyoto, then I suggest buying the manga.
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lianncoop
Past ANN Contributor
Posts: 1705 Location: Indiana |
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Dude, Aoshi was "reflecting" or meditating or whatnot. All he could do is drink tea. Though, didn't he make a paper crane too? That would be one step up from tea drinking... |
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Tony K.
Subscriber Moderator Posts: 12094 Location: Frisco, TX |
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Then he should have been in "Samurai X: Reflection" (a.k.a. the crappy and lame attempt at Jinchuu, Seisouhen.)
Also, orogami and tea drinking are pretty lame, given in a span of 33 episodes of filler, that's all they could make him do. If I remember correctly, in the Jinchuu arc, didn't he at least spoiler[ kill one of Enishi's cronies?] That sounds a lot better than meditating within the 3 or 5 episodes you get to see him in. 
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Nagisa
Moderator
 Posts: 6128 Location: Atlanta-ish, Jawjuh |
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spoiler[Aoshi was very active in the Jinchuu Arc. While Kenshin was basically vegetated from seeing what he thought was Kaoru's corpse, Aoshi (along with Yahiko, Misao, and Saitou) were trying to figure out just what really did happen to Kaoru, as well as what Enishi & his gang were up to. During the final confrontation, he also defeated one of the four Chinese bodyguards (Suzaku, the one who could perfectly copy an opponent's moves, if I recall correctly).] Anyway, the three states of the Meiji Arc, using ANN's own user rating system. When compared to its manga alternative, Jinchuu? Worst Ever. When compared to the Kyoto Arc? Awful. On its own, simply as a part of the Rurouni Kenshin franchise? Weak. Like Liann said, it has its moments at first, but it simply does not live up to the rest of the series, and you're better off scrapping any purchasing plans and waiting for the manga to catch up. In some ways, the Jinchuu Arc surpasses even Kyoto. |
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Ssj Rock Lee
 Posts: 101 |
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What Manga volume does the Jinchuu Arc start on?
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Sesshoumaru sama
Posts: 170 Location: Texas, USA |
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I think it starts on volume 17 or 18. |
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Nagisa
Moderator
Posts: 6128 Location: Atlanta-ish, Jawjuh |
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Volume eighteen, chapter 152.
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RedvsBlue
 Posts: 328 Location: snooping through another FF7 walkthrough |
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As you can see from the post's above, it's not a very good part of Kenshin in the least and probably looked on as one of the biggest flops in anime. WAY too much money was put into that stinker.
As for the Jinchuu arc, I pray 24/7 we get it animated. Some say it already has been animated in Seisouhen. This is incorrect. There are enough plot holes you could drive a bus on through. If you truly want to see some of the third season then go for it. I hated alot of it but in the near beginning of the thrid season, you get treated the "Christian Arc" which rivals Gatekeeper's in "unrealistic but still fun as hell" If you are looking to purchase the DVD's of Rurouni Kenshin, you can do it at [url]DeepDiscountDvd.com[/url] because they have the lowest prices for RK *  Plus I just ordered my 3 bento boxset's from them *
As for the Samurai X: The Movie, I didn't enjoy that very much at all. Even less then the Seisouhen. It "tries & fails miserably" at trying to combine the lighthearted comedy of the series with some pretty violent and action-oriented scene's. I just doesn't feel right. You could also pick up the movie at the place I gave the link for up above. I'm not going to buy it I'll give you the lowdown on all of Kenshin since this is turning out to be such a long post *I LOVE Rurouni Kenshin to death*
Anime Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuioku Hen or Samurai X: Trust/Betrayal = Masterpiece Rurouni Kenshin: Seisouhen or Samurai X : Reflection = Bad Rurouni Kenshin: Wandering Samurai *first season* = Okay Rurouni Kenshin: Legend of Kyoto *second season* = Masterpiece Rurouni Kenshin: Tales of Meiji *Third Season* = awful As for the manga, It takes an entirely diffrent turn of events come after the Kyoto arc. Instead of filler, we get ... JINCHUU! *points to name* Jinchuu tells of Enishi Yukishiro and spoiler[ His thirst for revenge of Kenshin for the murder of his sister, Tomoe Yukishiro who was Kenshin's first wife.] It's very enthralling and nearly on par with the Kyoto Arc. It puts some focus into the relationship of Kenshin and Kaoru and fleshes out some of your favorite character's even more. HIGHLY RECOMENDED Well, I'm all out of words. Enjoy your Kenshin! I know I enjoyed mine.[/url]
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