Search - Rurouni Kenshin - Shadow of the Wolf on DVD

Himura Kenshin takes his sword and wanders the Earth again

Lawrance M. Bernabo | The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota | 11/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Every time I watch the opening credits for "Rurouni Kenshin: Wandering Samurai" in addition to trying to sing along with the original Japanese version of "Freckles" I note the irony that Himura Kenshin has not exactly been doing a lot of wandering in these episodes. So when I suddenly noticed that the title of the series is now "Rurouni Kenshin: Legend of Kyoto" and ironically our hero might be returning to his wandering ways:Episode 28, "Prelude to the Impending Fight: The Shadow of the Wolf Draws Near" begins with a scene from Kenshin's past, showing the Battousai earning his title of man-slayer. One of the recurring elements of the series has been people from Kenshin's past showing up to pick a fight. This time the visitor from the past is Saitou Hajime, A former member of the Shinsengumi and his most formidable opponent form the days of the Revolution. In his first effort to get the Battosai to resurface, Saitou attacks Sanosuke and wounds him the Gatotsu, Saitoh's signature attack. From this calling card Kenshin knows that Saitoh has returned and the question is whether our hero still has the skills to defend himself and his friends. This was actually the final episode of the first season, and since 28 is divisible by 4 you have to appreciate that they did not leave this as a cliffhanger ending to volume 7.Episode 29, "Strongest Opponent From the Past: Merciless Fangs Strike!" has Saito biding his time before he faces Kenshin, allowing another assassin, the bully Akamatsu, to take his turn. Meanwhile Kenshin's friends are catching on that someone is after him. Akamatsu is not really a match for Kenshin, which means it is time for him to come face to face with Saito and for the battle to begin.Episode 30, "The Devil of Vengeance: Makoto Shishio's Plot" continues the fight between Kenshin and Saito, while Kaoru worries she will lose Kenshin to the Battousai. But at the height of the battle a new character arrives and changes everything as "Rurouni Kenshin" takes a dramatic turn towards an even larger story arc.Episode 31, "A Wish Unrequited: Kenshin Departs" is where everything changes as an assassination attempt forces Kenshin to make a fateful decision. The episode ends with a bit of text that had me panicing because I thought that I had reached the end of the series (I watched the end of "Cowboy Bebop" last week, so I would not have been suprised). However, this is only the start of the second season of "Rurouni Kenshin" and the Kyoto story arc. "Shadow of the Wolf" is actually the prelude for this epic story. If you thought "Rurouni Kenshin" was good before, and that should be a given since you have made it to Volume 7, you should be impressed with how they have upped the ante again for Season 2."

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JVB | Vancouver, WA United States | 07/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kenshin is one of the my favorite anime television series. While the animation quality may not stand up against the artwork of OAV works like Cowboy Bebop (which I recommend even more then Kenshin), Rurouni Kenshin has such a great story that it really pulls you in and holds onto you to the last second. The first several DVDs are really more character development (which IS important, don't get me wrong) they focus on the history of the characters surrounding Kenshin, and occasionally throw in a good bit of comedy. But this DVD is where all the exciting stuff kicks off! If you liked the first few DVDs, then you are gunna love this new story arc! Now that we've met the other characters we start to focus on Kenshin himself as his gloomy past comes back to haunt him. This DVD is the start of what is called the Kyoto Arc, from here Kenshin is challenged to face his inner self and deal with his bloody past. I warn you though, if you watch this DVD, you will be crying out for the next one as soon as it ends!"

Twilight in Kyoto

animac | Las Vegas, NV USA | 05/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The only advice I can give is, strap yourself in and pray to the gods that you aren't thrown off!"Shadow of the Wolf" is the first installment of Rurouni Kenshin's second story arc, what many have come to call the Kyoto arc. A remnant of the Revolution, long believed dead, has come back to haunt the world, and Kenshin is the only man alive able to stop him.If you have, up until this point, classified "Rurouni Kenshin" as goofy and light-humored, then you're in for a very rude awakening! From here on out, things become very dark, very, very quickly. Many of the people in my anime club refused to continue watching, because it was so graphic!But it is this segment that defines what Kenshin is about! So, unless you're simply in this for the laughs, you'd better prepare yourselves for one wild ride!"

Start of excitement

Tim Ouellette | Clare, MI United States | 09/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even though I don't own this, but it's the one I'm working on getting, I've been watching this on Cartoon Network, and I have to say, this is the one that starts it all. This DVD starts off Season 2 of 3 and a man from Kenshin's past as a manslayer(if you've seem Samurai X:Trust and Betrayal)comes back to take revenge on him. During the revolution, there was a group of warriors known as the Shinsagumi and in it was Saito. He is a well-skilled man and fights Kenshin in this DVD,which I think is one of the best I've seen thus far, up to episode 56, which is where I am on Cartoon Network. We're also introduced to a new warrior, who is known as Shishio, which is also in Samurai X at the end when he takes over Kenshin's job when he disappears and then is wanted as a killer. Along with him is a well-skilled boy known as Sojiro, which is in episode 54, you'll find out why he's always smiling, and why he's so skilled, because that episode is all about his past. One more thing(which I don't know if it's on here or not, and I don't spoil it for some)but Kenshin does leave Tokyo to go off and fight the fight that might mean he will have to kill. Well, all you Kenshin fans, keep watching and buying, because I will."