The Set: Samurai X: Complete is a collection of ADV Films' releases of the OVA and motion picture, including the director cuts and originals in a new box with their thin pack, barebones, version. The biggest benefit such thin pack releases have had in the past have been the cost savings offered yet a quick glance at the online stores (and even the company website) shows that getting the separate releases, complete with all the extras that came with them, is cheaper than this set. As a result, you'll find that this review will be short and sweet since I refuse to cover old territory in great detail under such circumstances (I mention this up front as a service to the reader). I'll outline the five discs included in the set with links and some brief notes, keeping in mind that there was nothing new added to this set outside of the artwork on the covers: Here goes:

The story is about a young slave named Shinta who has seen better days. His parents died and he was sold into slavery to live a harsh life, a very short one thanks to some killers that attacked his caravan. But for the intervention of a skilled samurai named Hiko, young Shinta would have died and there would have been about 100 less episodes of the series (not to mention the original tale told in Shueisha Jump Comics over a period of years). In any case, the samurai takes the kid in after giving him a fearful name, Rurouni Kenshin, and teaches him the way of the sword. This sets in motion a life of bloody violence that the boy lives as he goes about the countryside trying to use his skills to serve the people rather than the ruling elite that were at odds with one another during the Meiji Era in the mid 1800's, a time of civil war here in the USA too. Japan's struggle with its identity was especially pronounced, the ruling Shogun and corrupted leaders of society trying to forestall the country's advance into the modern age (as they grasped onto their power by any means possible). Kenshin started off as an idealist, finding the shackles of Hiko's guidance to be more than his young mind could appreciate, eventually tempered by the experience of ending so many lives in his efforts, and then the inevitable fact of his life's work catching up to him and his one true love, Tomoe. In the order of the set:

The set is made up of:
1) Trust & Betrayal: "Nineteenth century Japan is a land torn by warfare and rebellion where small bands of soldiers seek to overthrow the tyrannical Tokugawa Shogunate. Enter Kenshin, a young orphan whose fighting skills were honed by the great swordsman Hiko. Though still just a teenager, Kenshin develops a reputation as a skilled assassin. Then, his world is thrown into confusion by the arrival of a mysterious woman named Tomoe, whose kindness shows him a life he didn't know existed. Only Tomoe has secrets that could either help the Kenshin to become a man or destroy everything he holds dear. Kenshin and Tomoe are forced to escape to a small farm in rural Japan after disastrous events in Kyoto. Living as simple farmers, the two begin to learn more about who they really are and settle comfortably into the peaceful country life. But the political conflicts of the outside world begin to encroach on their peaceful existence-a traitor is at work to bring down the rebellion and destroy Kenshin in the process. The fugitive couple is eventually drawn to a terrible but stunning climax." This was originally released as two separate parts to the OVA, looking a lot different than the series but explaining a fair bit of background to it for fans to enjoy.

2) The Motion Picture: where ADV said: "The war against the Tokugawa Shogunate ended years ago. But there are some who are not happy with the outcome. Shigure Takimi watched his friends and family get slashed down in the name of freedom and prosperity. Now he and a band of desperate rebels have sworn to settle one final score. Only one man stands in their way: Rurouni Kenshin. Will the former assassin take up his sword to fight again? When Shigure discovers Kenshin's true identity and his fight becomes a personal vendetta, the young hero will have no choice." This stand alone movie was strictly for fans well versed in the series since it relied so heavily on the viewer knowing the background. Still, it flowed moderately well in that regard and offered up an okay revisit to the characters when it came out years ago.

3) Reflection: "The prolonged and bloody war where Rurouni Kenshin gained his fame as a master assassin has long ended, yet Kenshin has found little peace. He is a wanderer, a lost soul, cursed to seek atonement for his life in the bloody trade of the samurai. His wife Kaoru steadfastly awaits his return, mourning his absence as well as that of their son, Kenji. As her health steadily declines, she holds on to the desperate hope that someday Kenshin will return." This was essentially a capper to the OVA and series where Kenshin was made to reflect on his life and choices, finding that those he held dear could be made to suffer for his acts as a master assassin (the term used was "Hitokiri Batousai" if I remember it correctly). Considering the length of the series and manga release, such an extended episode made sense, even if this one was handled in a bittersweet manner.

4) Trust & Betrayal: Director's Cut: Okay, as a double dip release, this one really didn't do much for me after considering it over the years. It barely changed the previously mentioned version above and even that was an edit of four of the original OVA episodes so your mileage will greatly vary accordingly. I wasn't keen on the non-anamorphic letterboxing used (the material was originally released in full frame so every scene of every minute was chopped a bit to make it "look" like a movie to newbies) and having just watched both versions in this package this week (which were again, both edited), I'd be remiss if I told you it provided anything significantly different than the other version.

5) Reflection: Director's Cut: As above, but with few changes, this one detailed Kenshin's latter years as a go-to type of guy for the government when special circumstances arise. He's still a blood drenched killer in his own eyes and the eyes of many others, putting him at odds with the society that he has helped evolve in a difficult birthing period set about 15 years after the main story but his skills can't be denied and even the honorable folks trying to make society a better place have to acknowledge that Kenshin's skills, as distasteful as they may be, are a quicker, more efficient path to dealing with the issues of the day. On top of that, Kenshin's past comes back one last time to endanger him, the results of which were great the first dozen times I watched the movie but there wasn't much extra on this copy of the movie from the second part of the OVA releases.

Okay, reading between the lines, you'll note my frustration at the boxed set here. I adore the original series (having bought all of them as they came out) and the Ova's and movie added something for me as a fan to revisit and enjoy a last couple of bites from the apple as it is said but the repeated release of the material on DVD in slightly different formats smacks of the worst kind of double dipping. There was nothing new here outside of a new box and cover art with the original extras chopped off. The price is currently MORE than the earlier versions (with extras mind you) and no restoration or other enhancements have been offered. This is where I draw the line at a triple (quadruple?!?) dip and say that you should buy the series first, followed by the original releases that are dirt cheap everywhere, including the company homepage so I'm rating this as a Skip It.

Picture: Samurai X: Complete is one of those cases where the individual discs have different aspect rations and qualities. Reflection (both discs) had a pretty, 1.78:1 ratio anamorphic transfer with relatively few problems. It was the standard bearer for ADV's higher end work for a long time and while since surpassed in terms of quality, is still a worthy looking title for your high end equipment. Trust & Betrayal (both discs) were the chopped up letterbox versions derived from the original full frame release OVA. I originally was unaware of the OVA being edited (when I reviewed the title) but as much as I hate to admit it, forcing the material into a widescreen version is a bad way to go. Lastly, the motion picture disc was another letterboxed release that I have been told was derived from full frame material, while not bad looking, certainly not the best I could have hoped for. In each case, the transfer appeared to be the same as previous releases and while often pretty solid, not as impressive as they were years ago when ADV Films struggled with the new DVD format.

Sound: The Motion Picture and original release of Trust & Betrayal were released with a 2.0 Dolby Digital track in either the original Japanese or an English language dub. Both tracks were well done in the two flicks and the music was fitting as were the sound effects. The other titles offered the traditional original Japanese track in a 2.0 Dolby Digital or an enhanced 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround English language dub; the dub offering a wider headspace, deeper bass, and an enhanced experience on a home theatre set up. There were some minor issues with the voice acting on the dub but in larger part, the audio itself sounded better on the surround tracks; more than I remembered it (I also have better equipment too).

Extras: There were none at all.

Final Thoughts: Samurai X: Complete was a title that I thought would provide something different, special, and value added but when all was said and done; it provided less than previous releases, cost more for it, and the interesting artwork on the box and thin pack covers aside, was not worth the downgrade (you read it right) even for completists. My personal stance obviously colors my perceptions but unless a double/triple/quadruple dip title is substantially cheaper, offered better extras, or is newly remastered to take advantage of better processing techniques that the DVD format has evolved; what is the point of buying a newer version? In fairness, the material is really cool (not just for all the blood either) so I'd get it in conjunction with the series but stick with the value laden extras offered by Charlie Campbell's (the ADV director who was responsible for the show's domestic version) previous outings instead of this one.

If you enjoy anime, take a look at some of the recommendations by DVD Talk's twisted cast of reviewers in their Best Of Anime 2003, Best Of Anime 2004, Best of Anime 2005, and Best of Anime 2006 articles or their regular column Anime Talk.