Vivekmaru45 This film is a recollection of Kaoru's memories with Kenshin who makes the decision to wander again. Kaoru strongly supports him, promising to welcome him home with a smile and their child Kenji Himura. Kenshin eventually becomes ravaged by an unknown disease that is much like leprosy(the writers have admitted there is no medical explanation for Kenshin's condition). To share his pain, Kaoru convinces Kenshin to infect her with the disease through sexual intercourse. Kenshin then leaves to go assist in the First Sino-Japanese War (primarily over control of Korea) as he had promised the Meiji Government, not fighting and killing, but instead helping people.After the war's end, Sanosuke discovers a very ill Kenshin sometime after he had fallen overboard on a ship. Sanosuke arranges Kenshin's return to Tokyo by boat. Upon arriving, a bed-ridden Kaoru, almost on instinct, gets up to walk outside the dojo on the cherry blossom path, seeing her husband struggling with each step to meet her.The two finally meet, and Kenshin collapses into her arms as he clutches her to him. Kenshin tells Kaoru that he returned for her, and Kaoru quietly greets him with his old name, Shinta, for he had asked it before he left the last time. Soon, they end up beneath a cherry blossom tree, where Kaoru tells him that they will invite everyone for a cherry blossom viewing, and continue to gather in the years to come. With the silence growing stronger, Kaoru realizes that Kenshin has died quietly in her arms. Upon brushing his hair off his left cheek, Kaoru notices Kenshin's scar has faded away, signifying an end to his life of pain and bloodshed and commencement to a life of peace. In the final scene before the credits, she holds his head in her arms and weeps.After the credits finish rolling, there is a scene which shows Kenshin and Kaoru's son, Kenji, walking with a young girl, Chizuru, beneath the cherry blossoms, saying that they will live happily together.In conclusion we feel happy for Kenshin that he has finally find peace at last in Kaoru's arms. In death he has finally freed himself from all of his past crimes. His son can now start the life he himself never had and live as a honorable citizen.8/10 because it is a rather slow story and it is definitely not for children and teenagers. Older couples will find it more to their liking.

Mihai Cososatu This one starts kind of blurry, but if you are familiar with the series and/or manga you will definitely understand it perfectly.In the first part it covers the events that happened after Kaoru met Kenshin and it is all seen through Kaoru's eyes, which was an excellent idea because it let's you feel every last bit of pain happiness and sorrow that she has to endure.In the second part the plot becomes clearer and you can see that this movie returns Kenshin Himura to the original Trust and Betrayal dark and and somewhat sad atmosphere which is perfect for the main character. the story just gets you going as it is very well written and again it makes you feel everything in a genuine way. It is very interesting to see how the characters have evolved since the end of the series and you might even be in for a few surprises, big ones!The end of the movie gives a sad but somehow a relieved end to the story and the wanderings of Kenshin and it makes think about it, I must say that it even made me cry, that's how much of an impact it may have.So, this movie is one of the best to have ever came out of Japan and it may only be second to the first Samurai X movie. Watch and enjoy!

kitkatkookoo This was an excellent film, or OVA as I've seen other people call it. But I have never seen any of this series or anything, so I watched it as a movie and had no knowledge of any of the characters or their backgrounds. At first everything was really confusing, but when I listened carefully to everything that was said and payed really close attention to what was going on, I was able to catch on and understand the plot and most of the characters' motivation. I loved the story, and I was in tears at the end because this was put together so well and I felt like I could feel what the characters were feeling, and everything was so sad and so sweet at the same time. If you haven't seen this yet, I strongly recommend it.

Jessbob I'm a 20 year old guy from Boston, and I actually welled up this OVA ending to one of my favorites series was just so beautifully sad. And no, I'm straight, but the animation is top notch, the music is some of my favorite of all time (I bought the cd 2 years ago [import]), and as a fan of the series it was a fittingly awesome ending to this epic tale. I hope they continue it with the side characters, like Kenji who was extremely cool in his scenes. Oh well enough blabbering from me just know that this recently released DVD is well worth it for fans of the series.