Dear Friends, The new anime season is just around the corner! And one that stands above the rest for fans of a certain generation. Running for two consecutive cours and premiering July 7th, the new…
Jun 22, 2023 • Subscribe
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A Brief Exploration Into Why We Watch What We Watch (maybe)
The Rule of Three is, unfortunately, compelling me to follow up on Pontifus’s post about the threefold methods of interpreting a text, and Cuchlann’s post about what a…
Why you shouldn’t trust Kyon and why you have to
Blogger’s note: Yes I did take an extended hiatus. I may explain why someday, but for now, I just want to get back to writing about Haruhi. One…
Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning
On the thematic side of things, Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning tells the story of two broken people, each driven only by their own singular, all-consuming goals.
The Rurouni Kenshin Controversy
Rurouni Kenshin is without a doubt one of the most beloved manga and anime out there. However, behind the scenes lies a dark reality which has permanently marked…
JFF16 - Rurouni Kenshin
るろうに剣心 Keishi Otomo, 2012 Rurouni Kenshin is without a doubt, THE blockbuster of JFF16. The first screening in Sydney…
Megumi, Rurouni Kenshin, Samurai X Recap, Rurouni Kenshin: Review Special
The Return of Rurouni Kenshin
After 27 years, Rurouni Kenshin returns with a new anime adaptation based on Nobuhiro Watsuki’s original manga series. Learn what to expect from the new version, as well…
Review 77: 5 Reasons Why You Should (Maybe) Watch Idol Project
No, not that one That one. Hello world! We at RishRaff Reviews have been brought out of our deep slumber once more, all because of a little OVA…
Why we love watching newer and relevant anime (and why you should watch older anime)
The first answer is simple. It’s easier to find people who are fans of newer and relevant anime. They may be currently airing anime, anime from the early…
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 07
「人斬りふたり」 (Hitokiri Futari) "The Two HitokiriThe Two Hitokiri" This was a crucial part of the story to get right, and this adaptation really did.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 10
「動く理由」 (Ugoku Wake) "A Reason to Act" Structurally speaking, it’s with the Oniwabanshuu that the series starts to take on its final form.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 13
「死闘の果て」 (Shitou no Hate) "Battle's End" Megumi frankly gets a better deal than she deserves here, but that just puts the onus on her to do the right thing with…
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 06
「黒笠」 (Kurogasa) "Black Hat" Kenshin has chosen to make things very difficult for himself.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 20
「明治剣客浪漫譚 第零幕 前」 (Meiji Kenkaku Roman Tan Dai Rei-maku Zenpen) "Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story: Act Zero – Part One" Yes, it’s canon.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 19
「津南と錦絵」 (Tsunan to Nishiki-e) "Tsunan & Nishiki Paintings" There are many different paths Kenshin could have chosen to express his dismay over the state of the world and his role…
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 04
「喧嘩の男・相楽左之助」 (Kenka no Otoko・Sagara Sanosuke) "The Fighter for Hire - Sanosuke Sagara" We’ve now checked off the casting for the main quartet without, in my view, any misfires.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 17
「決着」 (Ketchaku) "Settling the Score" There are so many things that make Kenshin exceptional, but the hard truth is that the most exceptional thing is the number of people he’s…
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 09
「御庭番強襲」 (Oniwaban Kyōshū) "The Oniwabanshu Strike" The Oniwabanshuu arc makes for an interesting acid test.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 23
「牙を剥く狼」 (Kiba o Muku Ookami") "The Wolf's Fang" Ultimately, the real battle here is not between the Battousai and the Shinsengumi captain, but between the Battousai and the Rurouni.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 21
「明治剣客浪漫譚 第零幕 後編」 (Meiji Kenkaku Roman Tan Dai Rei-maku Kouhen) "Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story: Act Zero – Part Two" Apparently Western imports through Yokohama didn't include the Hippocratic Oath.
Filler Free Rurouni Kenshin
Rurouni Kenshin is an anime where 40% of its episodes are filler episodes. I list which episodes are filler content and which ones are part filler and part…
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 05
「そして仲間がまた一人」 (Soshite Nakama ga Mata Ichi-nin) "And Then, Anothe" “The revolution is still ongoing” indeed.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 12
「御頭・四之森蒼紫」 (O-kashira・Shinomori Aoshi) "Okashira - Aoshi Shinomori" I can’t but think of Dylan Thomas as I watch these two rage against the dying of the light.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 15
「その男・雷十太」 (Sono Otoko Raijuuta) "That Man – Raijuta" This was the first episode where I'd say the '23 version flat-out thrashed the '96.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 14
「弥彦の戦い」 (Yahiko no Tatakai) "Yahiko's Battle" He may decline to teach Yahiko (or anyone else) Hiten Mitsurugi-ryuu, but Kenshin is quite serious about teaching him how to be an honorable…
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 16
「理想の男」 (Risou no Otoko) "The Ideal Man" Damn five minute episodes...
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 18
「左之助と錦絵」 (Sanosuke to Nishiki-e) "Sanosuke & Nishiki Paintings" Most of the events depicted in the series were instigated be people scarred in one way or another by the Boshin War.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 11
「壮烈の般若・創痍の式尉」 (Souretsu no Hannya・Sōi no Shikijōu) "Savage Han'nya - Honorable Shikijou" One thing that can be said about Rurouni Kenshin is that it gets increasingly unconventional as it progresses.
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 22
「蘇る狼」 (Yomigaeru Ookami) "Resurrection of the Wolf" In many ways, this is the moment when Rurouni Kenshin really begins.
Why Mawaru Penguindrum makes sense – when it shouldn’t
In many ways Mawaru Penguindrum defies attempts to make sense of its plot details, but it doesn’t care. It wants you to cry alongside its cast.
UNDER NINJA: Don’t Ask Questions (They Won’t be Answered Either Way)
There’s nothing more certain than this: I will fail in attempting to describe and review UNDER NINJA. The anime defies explanation, just as it defies expectations. Not once…
Why It Works: Here’s Why You Should Be Excited for Josee, the Tiger and the Fish!
Welp, the title kinda covers it, right? BONES’ upcoming film Josee looks phenomenal in basically every regard, so it was a no-brainer to write a rundown of its…
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final (2021) review
“Ohtomo’s does not only preserve the essence of Watsuki’s narrative but delivers this essence with necessary emotionality and adorns it with many breathtaking sword-fighting moments that neit…
Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning Film Review
My review of Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning is now up over on Anime News Network.
Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning (2021) review
“Ohtome succeeds in giving Himura’s bloody and tragic coming-into-being its rich and engaging emotional texture.”
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final Film Review
My review of Rurouni Kenshin: The Final is now up over on Anime News Network.
The INSANE Story Of Rurouni Kenshin
Check Out AdamandEve.com. Use code BONSAI for 50% Off 1 Item + Free Shipping in the US & Canada + Free Rush Processing *some exclusions apply* Rurouni Kenshin is…
Why Does Anyone Care About That New Rurouni Kenshin Anime?
I like how amongst all the debate regarding its creator and the manga’s legacy and such, no one seems to be questioning whether it’s actually going to be…
Why You Shouldn’t Worry About Anime Becoming Mainstream
Ae you worried anime is too mainstream? Well I hope this post can put your mind at ease!
Why I won’t watch Kaguya Season 2
I drop a lot of shows. Recently, this is to a point where I drop almost everything that I watch seasonally. So I can’t do a weekly review…
Is This Still Rurouni Kenshin?
The first 1,000 people to use the link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare https://skl.sh/bonsaipop08231 Rurouni Kenshin is a classic manga and anime beloved by many.…
Rurouni Kenshin 2023 – 24 (End)
「明治十一年五月十四日」 (Meiji Jūichinen Gogatsu Jūyokka) "Meiji 11, May 14th" Rurouni Kenshin really begins from here, and one can’t judge this version of the series until it has a chance to…
Rurouni Kenshin (2023) First Cour: The Elephant and the Room
In 2017, the author of the original manga, Nobuhiro Watsuki was convicted of very serious crimes, ones whose names I don’t want on this blog. While he was…
Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal- A Transcendent Adaptation
For my 50th post, I felt it appropriate to discuss something special, and having recently bought my favourite anime of all time on DVD now seemed like an…
Why Fanservice Shouldn’t Stop You From Watching Harukana Receive
Fanservice isn’t that bad, trust me!
Rurouni Kenshin: Reflections- A Fractured Reflection
While the talents of Fukuhashi and Iwasaki shine through, the haphazard structure and priorities of Rurouni Kenshin: Reflections has the series end on a largely sour and unsatisfying…
"(We Played It) For You!"
My evening seeing MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS perform live in Manchester!
Why YOU SHOULD Watch Clannad
Anime shorts in 1 minute #shorts #short #clannadafterstory #clannad #anime #anime #cute #animereview #animerecomendation
Why YOU Should Watch Durarara!!
Durarara!! is a 2010 anime from Aniplex, and probably one of the best anime to recommend. That's because Durarara!! (DRRR) has something for everyone; wild and crazy action,…
Why YOU SHOULD Watch Helck
Anime shorts in 1 minute #shorts #short #helck #anime #shounen #animereview #animerecomendation #shounenanime
Why We Aspire to Be Good People
"There are no benefits to being a good person." Truly one of the most interesting tweets of the last 4 weeks! Now is the perfect time to rant…