Story
Second part to "Samurai X: Trust", "Betrayal" finishes the story of Kenshin Himura and why he came to be a wanderer. This part of the movie also reveals the origin of Kenshin's cross-shaped scar.

Not as violent as "Trust", "Betrayal" focuses more on Kenshin and Tomoe's relationship when they leave Kyoto for Otsu. The story is also much more symbolic; using red dragon flies and white plums to express emotions and conflicts between the two characters.

Packaging
Just as "Trust's" packaging was amazing, so is "Betrayal's". The cover shows Kenshin standing back-to-back with Tomoe with their cottage in Otsu behind them. The same "Samurai X" logo appears and above that is one of the enemies Kenshin faces at the end. The back is the same layout as "Trust", though an explanation of who Kenshin and Tomoe are appears at the top followed by a summary of the story for this DVD and ends with a special features listing and production information. A screen cap of Tatsumi and Kenshin fighting is cut to fit the back casing and lies below the summary. Included within the casing is a slip with the same cover artwork on the front but with Rurouni Kenshin again in kanji and romanji. The back of this slip contains a listing of the trailers along with the episode titles and chapter listings. Below the information are images of the various main characters of "Betrayal". The DVD itself is the same as with "Trust", silver with an "X" marked through and "Samurai X: Betrayal" on one side and "Rurouni Kenshin: Betrayal" on the other. The cover is reversible and easy to do. Just open the casing as much as you can and slide the cover out. The other cover is absolutely perfectly created with Rurouni Kenshin written in both Kanji and Romanji with a picture of Kenshin holding Tomoe and below that image is a small image of Kenshin carrying her away. Behind the title is also Kenshin's swords. A silhouette of Kenshin's eyes covers the middle part of the DVD cover. The back is the same on both covers.

Menus
Screenshots are again present but different as they are shots from the two episodes contained on this DVD. After selecting where you want to go on the menu, a slashing sword goes across the screen before you move to the section you have chosen. The same music plays as in "Trust" and continues on each page of the DVD except for the production notes.

English
The script is again re-written almost completely changing the mood of the story. The characters are fine in performance though do not fit with the character's persona. Rebecca Davis (Tomoe) gives a performance that leaves you feeling as though she had no emotion whatsoever toward anyone, including Kiyosato. Her voicing of Tomoe could have been better if she expressed more sadness and lowered her voice from time to time. The original Japanese music is present, I have to give them that. However, because of the script changes and voices that treat the characters as less dramatic than they should be, the English version of "Betrayal" is below acceptable.

Japanese
As with "Trust", the same pros and cons appear on the Japanese version. The story flows perfectly and the voices and script are absolutely amazing. Junko Iwao (Tomoe) pulls off the expression of sorrow for her first love's death and her growing love for Kenshin magnificently.

Episode 3 takes a different approach to the previous two as the setting takes place during the day, symbolizing the change in lifestyle of Kenshin. He is no longer killing and finds happiness living with Tomoe and working his fields; growing his own food. In episode 4, the setting is between day and night as Kenshin is broken within from the betrayal of Tomoe.

The subtitles were yellow with no border and again appeared where there was no dialogue. I had assumed various possibilities in my "Trust" review on why this occurred, but I have to go with production mishaps in that I can clearly understand some of the dialogue and the subtitles that appear are not what the characters said nor ever said in the first place. Furthermore, the subtitles are incorrect in some instances and the word "Battousai" and the "sama", "san", etc. suffixes are left out.

Extras
Three extras are included on the DVD. The first is the trailer for the movie once again, followed by character introductions for the new main characters in "Betrayal." Finally, the screenwriter includes his opinions on the story in "Screenwriter notes." The trailer is very well done as are the character intros, which include a summary of the character and a clip of who they are. The screenwriter's notes however were incredibly boring to read and absolutely uninformative.

Final Thoughts
If you liked "Trust" you will love "Betrayal." After all the action and seriousness of "Trust," you are given relief in episode 3 of "Betrayal" as you are shown the simple life of Kenshin and Tomoe's faux marriage which later turns into true love. In order to keep you from forgetting who Kenshin was and still is, episode 4 returns to the "Trust" setting in that Kenshin battles to protect Tomoe and discover who he is within and what life he will choose to lead. Combining the drama of Kenshin's relationship with Tomoe and the fighting that he must endure to defeat the Shogunate and help in the Meiji Revolution, "Samurai X: Betrayal" is a DVD that you will enjoy greatly. Later minna!

© Eric.