Reflection and the New Kyoto Arc

One OVA tried to end Kenshin’s story without its author; the other brought the original team back to retell Kyoto.

Reflection (Seisō-hen) is a two-episode sequel released December 19, 2001 and March 20, 2002, directed by Furuhashi, written by Reiko Yoshida, animated by Studio Deen. Much of it is not from the manga: Kaoru remembers the series, a compressed Jinchū follows, and an original ending closes Kenshin’s life on a note of sorrow. Watsuki read the script and disapproved: he has said the ending was not his, and that Reflection should not be treated as canon. It remains the franchise’s most argued-over two episodes.

A decade later the tone reversed. The New Kyoto Arc (Shin Kyoto-hen) retold the Kyoto arc in two theatrical parts, The Cage of Flames (December 17, 2011) and The Chirps of Light (June 23, 2012), written by Mari Okada, with Furuhashi, Deen, composer Asakura and most of the original cast returning, nine years on. (Saitō’s voice, Hirotaka Suzuoki, had died in 2006; Ken Narita took the role.)

Rurouni Kenshin Reflection Blu-ray cover, Kaoru and Kenshin — **SEISŌ-HEN**Reflection (Seisō-hen) on Blu-ray: Kaoru and Kenshin under the blossoms. The 2001 OVA's original ending remains the franchise's most argued-over two episodes — its own author disowned it.

TWO KINDS OF SEQUEL

Canon and argument

Reflection’s wager

That a beloved hero’s story should end in diminishment and apology. Many viewers admire its courage; its author did not, and both positions are part of its record.

New Kyoto’s wager

That the Kyoto arc, retold from Misao’s side with the original company reassembled, was the celebration the fifteenth anniversary wanted.

The sound of both

Iwasaki scored Reflection (soundtrack January 23, 2002, eighteen tracks); Asakura returned for New Kyoto, closing the loop with the television sound.

Reflection and the New Kyoto Arc

TWO KINDS OF SEQUEL

THE FIRST WORD