Touching but not as memorable >>> by firesenshi (08.07.2001)

It does follow the theme of the original story by Watsuki of courageous men against the new Meiji government. But the character in this story, Shigure Takimi, seems nothing new. His story seems like a mix of Aoshi Shinomori in the TV series, plus that of Yahiko Myojin's background. The movie does not deny that. In fact, Yahiko plays a more prominent role in this movie because of the similarity in the background with Shigure. But that still isn't anything new. I've seen this before in the TV series. In this case, however, it is not unusual to compare the TV series with the movie. Kenshin faced a lot of anti-Meiji antagonists before in the names of Aoshi Shinomori and Makoto Shishio. What then should separate Shigure?

Perhaps because there is a personality in Shigure that is unlike Aoshi or Shishio. For one, Shigure cares for his men. Neither is he totally poker-faced like Aoshi or Shishio because you can see him smile. I guess what lacks here is the impact unlike those other two. Even his confrontation with Kenshin seemed to end all too abruptly. Or maybe I expected too much since there are too many themes of revenge in this genre. Oh well... good story actually. It has everything from revenge to betrayal. You will be surprised at the developments on who the real antagonist is. You will feel a lump in your throat as the story draws to a close. And you will be touched by Shigure. More than anything, it seems this focuses on his story more than Kenshin.