Imagine yourself in feudal Japan, near the end of the shogun era, walking along, minding your own business. You think about your wealthy status and how it has brought you prosperity, and then all of a sudden WHAM! You feel a sword pierce your body, and blood is oozing everywhere. A second sword pierces your throat, and you tumble in a world of darkness; what sucks is that you didn't even see who killed you. (*Ahem* Excuse me for being so graphic, I am not usually so.) That's much like the OVA of Kenshin: the first scene of Kenshin can be dubbed as rated R in our country due to the explicit gore that anime is well known for (proud of it!) I might have to warn you. This anime isn't for people with weak stomachs, almost every other scene in the first OVA is filled with Kenshin doing his job as an assassin. Things get deeper and more emotional as the OVA progresses to the other episodes, but be wary, if you're not paying attention you're more likely to get confused by the many flashbacks young Kenshin has. Yes, there are flashbacks so this series has you PAYING ATTENTION. This isn't your typical everyday anime, I can tell you that. If you want cutesy poopsy anime with running rats going "Pikachu!" turn on your television: the show might be running in Spanish, English, French yada yada yada. But if you want a show that is totally dead serious in animation and emotions, check out Kenshin. Besides the gorey situations and constant flashbacks, the series is not all that bad. There is even a hint of a love story between Kenshin and this girl. All of this in mind do not let the upbeat music of Judy and Mary singing in the intro let your guard down, there's hardly anything upbeat in the first episode (music is pretty good though). I'm going to be straight forward, if you're not mature, then this show is definitely not for you. But if you are, and you're also into feudal Japan and samurai, Rurouni Kenshin is one that should be in your video collection. This isn't your everyday Disney folks, sit back and revel in the seriousness, but thank the animators for the VERY few comic relief that comes in. The main themes caution that little children should not be watching this with you.

Pros: Amazing story line tinted with a brief history on the turbulence of the past, it really takes you in. It's not mainstream anime.
Cons: With all that blood and seriousness, don't show it to children younger than 13.

Animation: 5
Music: 3.5
Plot: 5 (I can't stress it enough pay attention or else you'll be watching it three more times to actually get it)
Overall: 4.5