Kenshin Finally Finds Rest in Kaoru's Arms.

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.

score 8/10

Vivekmaru45 17 September 2010

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw2311775/