Kenshin Manga Ending Vs. Samurai X "Reflection" Ending *Spoilers*

[Space Cadet]

Well, this is the topic about which ending do you prefer of Kenshin. Do you like the happy ending that creator Nobuhiro Watsuki gave Kenshin or do you like the dark, sad ending the anime producers gave at the end of the Reflection OVA?

[zmanjz]

Well, this is the topic about which ending do you prefer of Kenshin. Do you like the happy ending that creator Nobuhiro Watsuki gave Kenshin or do you like the dark, sad ending the anime producers gave at the end of the Reflection OVA?


Hmmm, I considered merging this with an old thread, because I know I've talked about how much I hate reflection OVA....

But none of the old ones really "Work" to merge seeing as they're so old, and I never get tired of saying how much I HATE the reflections OVA.

[Carlos]

I know this choice won't be the popular one, but I prefer the Reflection ending. Yeah it's sad, and yeah Kenshin falls to a disease, but it makes sense. If you watch the Trust OVA, you find out that Kenshin's parents fell to some unknown disease. Kenshin inherited the disease and most likely Kenji will have it. I think to atone for the killings that he did before he reformed he had to die. This only confirms it when he does die, his scar disappears. While the manga ending is fine, it kinda left things wide open. I think this is the better ending.

[Grenzer]

I know this choice won't be the popular one, but I prefer the Reflection ending. Yeah it's sad, and yeah Kenshin falls to a disease, but it makes sense. If you watch the Trust OVA, you find out that Kenshin's parents fell to some unknown disease. Kenshin inherited the disease and most likely Kenji will have it. I think to atone for the killings that he did before he reformed he had to die. This only confirms it when he does die, his scar disappears. While the manga ending is fine, it kinda left things wide open. I think this is the better ending.

Wait a moment, if I remember correctly Kenshin's parents died of Cholera, a highly infectious disease that was very common before the creation of antibiotics; it is not inherited. Why did they change that for the OVAs?

[Scirel]

I just got the last volume, and I really like the happy ending, but that is probably because I prefer open endings where events could still take place. It lets your imagination wander while still giving a sense of closure.

also, older yahiko is awesome.

(watsuki even gave an extremely interesting view on what would happen in the future to Kenji and Yahiko, in the last chapter)


Did I mention how cool it is to see the complete 28 volumes on my shelf all together? ^_^;;

Anyways, looking forward to read that extra yahiko sidestory in the september SJ.

[Funkmasta Zeph]

Watsuki wanted a happy ending. And I hate pointless drama tearjerking *cough* Pay it Forward*cough*.
Go Manga.

[Strollymonster]

I think that Kenshin actually dies of syphilis in the OVA...it seems like the symptoms are alike.

Of course, that would beg the question of where he got it...:sweat:

[A.Magik]

That looks more like leprosy.

Anyway, I prefer the manga ending (or the picnic ending). Besides the sad ending, I really have trouble believing Kenshin being such a neglectful father: here is a guy who ended so many lives; then he helps creates one- Kenji. This means a grasp of atonement for the Battosai. Why would he completely abandon someone that probably means so much to him?

A.Magik

[Ryoutarou]

I'm a sucker for happy endings, I like dramatic endings, but the OVA didn't really pull it off.

[Scirel]

That looks more like leprosy.

Anyway, I prefer the manga ending (or the picnic ending). Besides the sad ending, I really have trouble believing Kenshin being such a neglectful father: here is a guy who ended so many lives; then he helps creates one- Kenji. This means a grasp of atonement for the Battosai. Why would he completely abandon someone that probably means so much to him?

A.Magik

It seems it is Kenji's fate to be hateful. At the end of volume 28, Watsuki gives a glimpse of what would have happened in the future. Kenji takes up his dad's old bad habits(and even becoming selfish by the rush of power of Hiten. Yahiko and his son would be the heroes). He never says anything about kenshin leaving again, though. Him leaving would seem to go against everything the manga was leading to.

[GWOtaku]

I'm going to be completely blunt: Reflections is garbage.

Yes, it is cinematically and emotionally powerful. When I first saw it, I was moved. However, as a Kenshin story it completely fails. It fits the mood of Trust and Betrayal, but its important to remember that those OVA's were both ripped straight from original manga material. Reflections however does not follow the spirit of the manga or the TV series, and is an "ending" Watsuki never intended.

Kenshin's story is one of redemption, the story of a tormented man who eventually found atonement and happiness. In Reflections however Kenshin never really finds peace despite having supposedly found his "answer," in the Revenge arc, neglecting even his own son trying to help others (he contracts leporsy in the process, he didn't inherit anything). This is tremendously dissatisfying and not in step with what the original story went out of its way to communicate.

Furthermore, even its partial retelling of the Revenge arc falls short. When Kenshin goes to Enishi's island in Volume 27 of the manga all his friends and allies are with him. Kenshin asks them to lend them their strength so he can focus completely on Enishi, which they do. In Reflections however Kenshin goes there all by himself, with not a friend in sight. Its all about Kenshin, as if he's an island onto himself--no! Completely wrong, those friends were completely necessary for Kenshin to find his redemption and make it through his trials. But the OAV ignores that and just keeps the loneliness theme going.

The one shining point is the stuff involving Yahiko and Kenji. But the dynamic is built upon the bad foundation layed down by the rest of the OAV, and it sure doesn't begin to redeem the whole thing.

Bottom line: if you want the real true ending, buy the manga. If you like being depressed and want to support non-canon stuff the original creator had nothing to do with, buy that OAV.

[Space Cadet]

I'm going to be completely blunt: Reflections is garbage.

Talk about harsh.:ack:


Yes, it is cinematically and emotionally powerful. When I first saw it, I was moved.

Doesn't that contradict the first sentence you wrote?


Kenshin's story is one of redemption, the story of a tormented man who eventually found atonement and happiness. In Reflections however Kenshin never really finds peace despite having supposedly found his "answer," in the Revenge arc, neglecting even his own son trying to help others (he contracts leporsy in the process, he didn't inherit anything). This is tremendously dissatisfying and not in step with what the original story went out of its way to communicate.

Well, he does find happiness at the end. Remember he travels back to find Kaoru and he dies a happy man. As for Kenji, it seemed to me in the OVA that he wasn't too fond of his father. Yahiko tells Kenji about his father's condition, and he doesn't seem to care. He's so concentrated on mastering the Hiten-Mitsurugi style, that Yahiko has to put him in his place.


Furthermore, even its partial retelling of the Revenge arc falls short. When Kenshin goes to Enishi's island in Volume 27 of the manga all his friends and allies are with him. Kenshin asks them to lend them their strength so he can focus completely on Enishi, which they do. In Reflections however Kenshin goes there all by himself, with not a friend in sight. Its all about Kenshin, as if he's an island onto himself--no! Completely wrong, those friends were completely necessary for Kenshin to find his redemption and make it through his trials. But the OAV ignores that and just keeps the loneliness theme going.


I agree. I think from the anime producers standpoint, they wanted Kenshin to face Enishi alone, to face his past and come to grips with. Unfortunately, by doing that they took away what you said.


The one shining point is the stuff involving Yahiko and Kenji.

Yeah, I have to agree. Makes you wish they could make a continuation with those two.


Bottom line: if you want the real true ending, buy the manga. If you like being depressed and want to support non-canon stuff the original creator had nothing to do with, buy that OAV.

You don't have to like being depressed to watch Reflections. You can see the ending as bittersweet.

Still, there are only a few anime that can make me tear up and Reflections is one of them.

[GWOtaku]

Doesn't that contradict the first sentence you wrote?

No. I said the narrative was powerful--that doesn't mean I agree with the message.

[cavner]

I've just read the manga ending and have seen reflecton. I would have to side with the manga ending. Reflection skewers both the manga and anime version that seems to distort the core values of the story. I'd recomend the manga any day of the year.