(CR) Rurouni Kenshin (new TV series)

[Alchemist007]

It's been a looong time since I've seen the original anime but it seems like Kaoru might be less grouchy this time around?

I think Kenshin himself looks fine, but she her...brighter eyes, brighter skin, darker hair. Quite a changeup.

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[anime fan99]

the biggest different I noticed that Kenshin didn't damage the fake Battōsai sword hand like he did in 90s anime

[Amarantine]

Originally Posted by Frontier

I don't see the point of the remake (other than for the sake of a remake) if they don't finally adapt the Jinchu arc.

Definitely. It's just that after 25 years of neglect (and a couple of mediocre OVAs), us Kenshin fans are kind of traumatized to the point that it's still hard to believe it seems to be finally happening.

Originally Posted by magnumcyclonex

So this is a remake/retelling of the story?

Yes, it's a full remake.

Originally Posted by anime fan99

the biggest different I noticed that Kenshin didn't damage the fake Battōsai sword hand like he did in 90s anime

Yeah, that was significant, but it was hardly the single biggest difference considering the fake Battousai didn't even have an older brother in the 1996 adaptation.

[GDB]

Originally Posted by Frontier

I see they're subscribing to the Urusei Yatsura logic of casting a high profile seiyuu for practically every character, even the bit parts. I didn't realize that was Wataru Takagi though .

As a Conan fan, it's cool to see he's considered high profile since I haven't really paid attention to him outside of his role as... Takagi Wataru.

[Mad Pierrot]

I know this manga like the palm of the hand but I gotta say I was mindblown by the way the anime adapted it this time. It felt like the liveaction where they toned down the humor a lot, making less slaptick than in previous version in favor of more effective talks. The relationship between Kenshin and Kaoru seems more legit too considering they didn't need to overreact every single minute about a joke aimed towards the shonen demography. Same with the violence that was toned down in the 90s. Not a fan of the opening but the ending song fits well.

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by Mad Pierrot

I know this manga like the palm of the hand but I gotta say I was mindblown by the way the anime adapted it this time. It felt like the liveaction where they toned down the humor a lot, making less slaptick than in previous version in favor of more effective talks. The relationship between Kenshin and Kaoru seems more legit too considering they didn't need to overreact every single minute about a joke aimed towards the shonen demography. Same with the violence that was toned down in the 90s. Not a fan of the opening but the ending song fits well.

Agree with every part of that (including the OP and ED).

[Mad Pierrot]

Judging by the preview they are not showing Yamagata's chapter so they are trying to be careful with the four main characters at least. If they keep the momentum with this anime, I'd say it could easily surpass the original.

Spoiler for Yamagata and Katsura:

By the way, about Yamagata I kinda wondered if the discovery of Kenshin's actions in Tokyo by the Government was related with Kogoro Katsura's death who pretty much died in 1877 if I recall. In a flashback, Kenshin says he got the permission to leave the Ishin Shishi by Katsura so the guy probably decided to hide his whereabouts. However, when Saito shows up, it is revealed that the Government always knew what was Kenshin doing

[Dextro]

Originally Posted by Mad Pierrot

I know this manga like the palm of the hand but I gotta say I was mindblown by the way the anime adapted it this time. It felt like the liveaction where they toned down the humor a lot, making less slaptick than in previous version in favor of more effective talks. The relationship between Kenshin and Kaoru seems more legit too considering they didn't need to overreact every single minute about a joke aimed towards the shonen demography. Same with the violence that was toned down in the 90s. Not a fan of the opening but the ending song fits well.

And what a difference that change makes. I ended up this episode finding Kaoru rather endearing while my memories of the old show are mostly of her being incredibly annoying through most of the early parts of the story

[MeoTwister5]

I have to ask... do all subs of this remake also attempt to make a literal translation of Kenshin's speech mannerisms? All the subs I've seen seem to do so.

And yes, I like the fact that the slapstick has been toned down and given its less intrusive place.

Also... who voiced Okita?

[Amarantine]

Originally Posted by Mad Pierrot

I know this manga like the palm of the hand but I gotta say I was mindblown by the way the anime adapted it this time. It felt like the liveaction where they toned down the humor a lot, making less slaptick than in previous version in favor of more effective talks. The relationship between Kenshin and Kaoru seems more legit too considering they didn't need to overreact every single minute about a joke aimed towards the shonen demography. Same with the violence that was toned down in the 90s. Not a fan of the opening but the ending song fits well.

Yeah, the director had mentioned they would be taking that approach in a recent interview. I think they were able to strike a nice balance, where you still had gags like the one about Kenshin's age at the end, but without the excessive slapstick of the first adaptation. I agree with Dextro that this change benefitted Kaoru's character in particular.

But I'm more excited about the lack of censorship (which makes sense since this version airs at 1 AM in Japan), as it means that this time we'll probably see certain particularly violent scenes that were entirely cut from the 1996 adaptation.

Originally Posted by MeoTwister5

Also... who voiced Okita?

You made me go check and wow, that was Soichiro Hoshi, can't believe I missed it! Add another minor character with a high profile seiyuu to the list. Interestingly, just like Kenshin, he was voiced by a female seiyuu in the original anime, but they also went with a male seiyuu for him this time.

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by MeoTwister5

I have to ask... do all subs of this remake also attempt to make a literal translation of Kenshin's speech mannerisms? All the subs I've seen seem to do so.

And yes, I like the fact that the slapstick has been toned down and given its less intrusive place.

Also... who voiced Okita?

The great Hoshi Souichirou.

[MeoTwister5]

Hah no wonder I thought I heard Persona 5's Goro Akechi a little bit from that.

[zztop]

Originally Posted by Mad Pierrot

I know this manga like the palm of the hand but I gotta say I was mindblown by the way the anime adapted it this time. It felt like the liveaction where they toned down the humor a lot, making less slaptick than in previous version in favor of more effective talks. The relationship between Kenshin and Kaoru seems more legit too considering they didn't need to overreact every single minute about a joke aimed towards the shonen demography. Same with the violence that was toned down in the 90s. Not a fan of the opening but the ending song fits well.

Speaking of the liveaction version, would it be OK for me to discuss how the director and his team did their take on the source manga (characters, setting locations, costuming, etc.) and get opinions if they got it right/wrong/otherwise?

For example,

Spoiler for liveaction clothing:

Kenshin doesn't start out in his trademark red and white hakama in the liveaction. Instead he spends the 1st half in nondescript beige travelstained hakama, only receiving the red and white one as a thank you present from Kaoru later. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...qL4sg&usqp=CAU

[Magin]

I'll just say, I thought it was excellent. Great animation, a lot more faithful to the source...

And then the point that a lot of folks don't like: yes, the original OP Freckles IS iconic, but I like this new OP as well. Probably because it gave me some Samurai Champloo vibes, and you're kidding yourself if you don't think Samurai Champloo isn't almost legendary at this point.

I haven't kept up with seasonal anime in a loooooooooong, loooooooooong time... but for RK, I think I'm going to do it. It also helps that I know the story, so no need to worry about unknown overly-dramatic cliffhangers making me become anxious.

[zeross87]

the only part i was disapointed in (appart for the OP) is combat animation still being glorified still shots. i hope more important combat will be fully animated.

[Blaat]

Originally Posted by zztop

For example,

Spoiler for liveaction clothing:

Kenshin doesn't start out in his trademark red and white hakama in the liveaction. Instead he spends the 1st half in nondescript beige travelstained hakama, only receiving the red and white one as a thank you present from Kaoru later. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...qL4sg&usqp=CAU

I like this change and I've heard lots positives about the live action movies, might have to check them out one day.

[Alchemist007]

Originally Posted by Amarantine

Yeah, the director had mentioned they would be taking that approach in a recent interview. I think they were able to strike a nice balance, where you still had gags like the one about Kenshin's age at the end, but without the excessive slapstick of the first adaptation. I agree with Dextro that this change benefitted Kaoru's character in particular.

Must be why I like this characterization of Kaoru more already. Will need more eps to confirm though.

[ChronoReverse]

Originally Posted by Mad Pierrot

I know this manga like the palm of the hand but I gotta say I was mindblown by the way the anime adapted it this time. It felt like the liveaction where they toned down the humor a lot, making less slaptick than in previous version in favor of more effective talks. The relationship between Kenshin and Kaoru seems more legit too considering they didn't need to overreact every single minute about a joke aimed towards the shonen demography. Same with the violence that was toned down in the 90s. Not a fan of the opening but the ending song fits well.

This is how I feel about it too. It takes the opportunity to discard some of the cruft and I think it'll be a lot less grating to a modern audience.

I didn't even realize it at first until the segment in the middle where Kaoru apologizes, then Kenshin checks her temperature. I'm pretty sure the old school gag would be a beating but here it's just a "hey!" and then more effective communication. I love it.

[cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by AP24

Remakes are often more faithful to the source material

Not really surprising. Original runs have to space with fillers to keep pace with the manga adaption. With the manga completed they can just adapt the content in a remake

[Alchemist007]

Originally Posted by cyberdemon

Not really surprising. Original runs have to space with fillers to keep pace with the manga adaption. With the manga completed they can just adapt the content in a remake

If only they made anime of sources that are either complete or almost complete, we wouldn't need 'brotherhoods.'