Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal

The main characters, Tomoe (left) and Kenshin (right).

Plot:

During the Japanese revolution, a master swordsman saves a young slave from a bandit raid. Feeling potential in the child, he takes him in and gives him a new name, "Kenshin," and teaches him the Hiten Mitsurugi style. Some time later, he leaves his master and becomes a feared killer named Hitokiri Battousai.

Individual Ratings:

Animation: 9/10

Plot: 10/10

Characters: 9/10

Music: 8/10

Opinions:

This magnificent OVA is the prequel to the widely known Rurouni Kenshin series. It has a much darker undertone, however, and displays fantastic storytelling. When you first watch Trust & Betrayal, you might think that I have scored the animation too high. But if you take a closer look, you'll see that the art is very finely detailed, and a lot of attention was paid to the appearance (also take note that this was made in 1999). If you have seen the original Rurouni Kenshin, this is where you will find out how he got his cross-shaped scar.

Overall Rating:

9/10