What should've happened? - Alternative Endings Forum

Well that's exactly what happens in canon. Ses-EW-Hen is nothing more than a bastard sequel like Anne 3: The Continuing Story, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines and Scarlett. All three of these movies were tacked on to good franchises to milk cash from the name. They were done without the input of the original creator and are regarded as nothing more than add-on filler by the hardcore fans. Many Terminator fans I've read online do not accept T3 as part of the line because James Cameron had nothing to do with it, stating that the story ended with the second movie.

So I choose to think of Ses-EW-Hen as the T3 of RuroKen.

#52 Apr 18th 2006, 5:30pm

In Search of Paradise

Well, Kenshin's 13 years older than Kaoru. So couldn't the same thing be said of them?

I always thought Kenshin was 28 and Kaoru was 18...Wait, no she's 17 -.- Okay, 11 years there too. Bah, well...my smart aqrguement to this is, "They're different!"

#53 Apr 19th 2006, 5:20pm

I always thought Kenshin was 28 and Kaoru was 18...Wait, no she's 17 -.- Okay, 11 years there too. Bah, well...my smart aqrguement to this is, "They're different!"

Technically, he's 29 going on 30. In Japan, up till 1902 a person was considered one year old when they were born. Thus 1878 - 1849 = 30 in that math. Watsuki made Kenshin 28 because he was afraid people would disapprove of his relationship with Kaoru if he used the correct Japanese way of aging people. What is inconsistent is that he used the correct way for everyone EXCEPT Kenshin. Since I believe in consistency, I age Kenshin according to the way everyone else is, thus he's 29 going on 30 and Kaoru is 16 going on 17 when they meet in February.

#54 Apr 19th 2006, 5:26pm

People!! Misao and Soujiro are an alternative pairing!! There's a topic in this forum where you can discuss those pairings! So, if it's not too much of a bother, could you please discuss it there?

Um...sorry if I sounded rude or agressive in any way...

#55 Apr 21st 2006, 4:03am

White Rabbit Tale

Eh, we can get a little off-topic now and again, can't we? And if there's any question to what this forum topic is about, we can always look at the title! ^^

#56 Apr 21st 2006, 3:52pm

I know....that would've been much nicer...it really bugged me to have the super-strong Kenshin , who even the toughest men couldn't beat him, get done in by a stupid disease...*sigh*

#57 Apr 24th 2006, 1:00pm

Just do like I do and disregard Ses-EW-Hen as an AU fanfic that somehow got animated. Great plotline, dialogue, artistry, but zero canonicity to the original story.

I stick with Watsuki-sensei's ending all the way. Kenshin settles down with Kaoru and raises Kenji while every now and then picking up a bokken and kicking ** when the thugs and yakuza dudes get out of line in Downtown Tokyo.

#58 Apr 26th 2006, 9:48am

I'm coming into this conversation rather late...I do not have a big problem with Kenshin dying (aside from being sad to see a good friend go): back in Kyoto arc, Megumi talks to Kaoru about how his body will eventually break down because of the enormous strain on it. So, I could even accept that the mysterious 'disease' is actually that: just his tissues and joints breaking down (I assume that Kenshin is more prone to this than Hiko--who is still around and healthy--because of his small size). But the passing it on mysteriously to Kaoru disturbs me, although when Megumi is talking to Tsubame? (I think), it sounds like it is a physical manifestation of Kaoru's desire to help bear Kenshin's burdens. A bit too metaphysical for me, but not entirely impossible....

The thing I really have a problem with is the complete reversal from the Kyoto arc. When he learns the ougi from Hiko, the final philosophy comes with it: the need to stay alive for those who depend on him and love him, who have died for him in the past. He comes back from training with a calm mind and a determination to be there for his little 'family' of friends and the others who need him. He is able to restrain the 'Hitokiri' tendency that has worried him so. Now, in this OVA, he's back to square one: tormented in mind and feeling a need to wander to atone. I'm sorry, but leaving people that depend on you to help others that you haven't even met yet does not seem like an appropriate way to atone! It just adds to his guilt as he apologizes to Kaoru for being a lousy husband.

Dramatic story, but not rational. Most of the mistakes in storylines I am sure were made due to Sony wanting to capitalize on the Kenshin popularity and pushing faster than the manga went. Instead they shot themselves in the foot, because people lost insterest because of the different feel in the storylines.

Sorry! ...a little long-winded there...

#59 May 01st 2006, 2:13pm

Sorry! ...a little long-winded there...

#60 May 01st 2006, 2:15pm

Sorry! ...a little long-winded there...

#61 May 01st 2006, 2:22pm

Sorry! ...a little long-winded there...

I agree that Kenshin's body will deteriorate as he gets older. But so does everyone else's. Kenshin's just like Michael Jordan. No matter how great Michael Jordan was, eventually his body started to wear down, resulting in him being unable to do what he'd done earlier in his career, thus he retired. Kenshin is the same way. The only thing Megumi said was that he would be unable to use HMR. She never said that he's going to die or be crippled or anything like that.

As a realist, I certainly believe that Kenshin will have health problems as he gets older. Perhaps slight neurological problems, reduced immunity, arthritis unquestionably. Those are things that he and his family will simply have to deal with. He may end up having to move to the tropics in the winter because winter weather would aggravate his conditions and such. Guam is a nice retirement place, I believe.

Yeah, the idea of Kenshin leaving his family to "atone" is laughable, as is the idea of Kaoru just letting him leave and then allowing him to transmit his disease to her through sexual contact. Give me a break Phony, er Sony.

Well I know what Watsuki's final vision for Kenshin is and it is that I shall honor in all my writing.

#62 May 01st 2006, 2:29pm

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1338552/1/

I know....that would've been much nicer...it really bugged me to have the super-strong Kenshin , who even the toughest men couldn't beat him, get done in by a stupid disease...*sigh*

Here's a fic I like. I think it shows how these strong men might be like when they're old and gray. Actually, it's humor, but I like it way more than Seisohen.

The Sharp Edge by amamiya

I do not have a big problem with Kenshin dying (aside from being sad to see a good friend go): The thing I really have a problem with is the complete reversal from the Kyoto arc. When he learns the ougi from Hiko, the final philosophy comes with it: the need to stay alive for those who depend on him and love him, who have died for him in the past. He comes back from training with a calm mind and a determination to be there for his little 'family' of friends and the others who need him. He is able to restrain the 'Hitokiri' tendency that has worried him so. Now, in this OVA, he's back to square one: tormented in mind and feeling a need to wander to atone.

Exactly. Yes, yes, and yes. Welcome, older woman! Love your wonderful fic!

#63 May 02nd 2006, 5:08pm . Edited May 02nd 2006, 5:14pm

I liked that Sharp Edge fic. That was hilarious. Talk about heaping burning coal's on an enemy's head.

#64 May 03rd 2006, 5:18pm

I just read an interesting story, 5 chapters-complete. I really liked the way she characterized Kenshin and Kaoru, very IC. HOWEVER, the story itself is a crossover with Stargate. But it does give a new view to K/K's continuing life. It's called "Spin Cycle" and is written by Vathara. I have decided that I really like the lists ffnet makes of people who have us on their favorites or alerts list...I go back and read their stuff....

#65 May 04th 2006, 7:56am

Yep, hilarious! XD Both as sharp as ever despite creaking bones and joints. *laugh*

Yeah, that's how I found most of the good Kenshin stuff - following the favorites lists of people whose stories I liked. Calger, Conspirator, hakubaikou, nekotsuki, etc. etc. You may want to try the RK awards, too. That's where I found Oni and some other interesting fics. Hmm, Stargate crossover? I wonder how that'll work. I think I'll take a quick look...

#66 May 04th 2006, 8:28am

RK awards? I've seen various awards mentioned, but I don't know who does them or how, or where to find them.Help, anyone?

#67 May 04th 2006, 3:17pm

Rurouni Kenshin Reader's Choice Awards - I think its actually affiliated with Meijitales since there's a direct link to the awards site.

http://rkrc.meijitales.com/

http://www.meijitales.com/

Oh, and check out their link's page.

http://rkrc.meijitales.com/links.html

The ones I've tried are Hakubaikou's site and Sekihara's Akabeko.

#68 May 04th 2006, 8:44pm . Edited May 04th 2006, 10:27pm

breathingdictionary221

I think that it shouldn't have ended with that whole, "They will be my friends", thing.

I was really hoping Tohru and Yuki would eventually go out. T_T *Crushed dream*

#69 Jul 08th 2006, 11:43am

White Rabbit Tale

0.o??

Maybe you're mistaking this for a Fruits Basket forum?

#70 Jul 08th 2006, 1:19pm

I think that it shouldn't have ended with that whole, "They will be my friends", thing.

I was really hoping Tohru and Yuki would eventually go out. T_T *Crushed dream*

Ehhh? XD This is not a Furuba forum but I agree with you! I wanted a YukiRu ending but Takaya-sensei's ending is also fine as long as Yuki is happy!!! ^_^

Isn't Kenshin so... Kenshin? Yum...!!! *blush* Gomen nasai!

#71 Jul 10th 2006, 9:09pm

zenfry

You know I've only read the manga considering the voice acting has ruined a lot of my favorite manga. Learning they killed off Kenshin in the anime sure as hell doesn't make me like it. However the manga ending wasn't as good as as I thought it could be. First of all, having Sano leaverealy sucked. Also, I think it would have been awsome if Saito would have fought Kenshin, and there's no excuse! They could have easily replaced the meteor story and the preview of that other story, buso renkin I think, with a fight betwwen Saito and Kenshin. Also I think that Megumi and Sano don't even make that good of a pair. And as far as I'm concerened, Misao and Soujuro have as much a chance together as Kenshin and Saito do.

#72 Jul 22nd 2006, 11:06am

Personally, I would have preferred to have Haru ni Sakura or Yahiko no Sakabatou instead of Busou Renkin and Meteor Strike but I think they wantd to give the market a glimpe of Watsuki-sensei's next series.

However, I have no qualms with the ending. Sano and Megumi going their own *separate* ways (they're young and life is like that), Kenshin finding peace, having a family, passing on the Sakabatou. Closure. Yeah, I like it. And somehow I find I *dig* Himura-san with or without his long hair. ^_^

Soujiro has to find himself before he can have any sort of relationship with anyone. For a Misao-Soujiro fix try Gabi-hime's fics (the Rain series, start with Tears and Rain).

Aku, soku, zan. Shinsengumi is shinsengumi. Hitokiri is hitokiri. The justice of the Miburo does not apply to Kenshin anymore. I think that's what Watsuki was going for.

#73 Jul 22nd 2006, 11:52am . Edited Jul 22nd 2006, 11:58am

I would too, but Viz was following the way the Japanese tankobans were released. The Japanese version of 28 also had Meteor Strike and Buso Renkin included in it.

Nor do I, because if Sano and Megumi can leave, they can just as easily come back and get together. It might take Bird Brain that long to realize that he has feelings for her. I love Kenshin having his family and giving the Sakabatou (along with the burdens that go with it) to Yahiko. The short hair, I cannot abide. Thank God for MS Paint!

Misao belongs with Aoshi. There are abundant signs of their blossoming relationship throughout the Kyoto and Jinchuu Arcs. Flourishing flower of love, anyone?

As for Saitou, he had better things to do than fight with an ex-hitokiri who wouldn't kill. To his credit, he gave up on trying to force Kenshin back into his old mindset and moved on to bigger and better things. Skiing in Hokkaido, anyone?

#74 Jul 22nd 2006, 12:13pm

The short hair, I cannot abide. Thank God for MS Paint!

XD I truly empathize! ^_^

I just watched the Kenshin-Saitou fight again last night, and when Kenshin's hair tie broke... ooh-lala yum...

But I swear I still can't watch it in English dub, kills my ears and gives me bad chills up and down my spine.

#75 Jul 22nd 2006, 12:19pm

Yes, indeed. Whenever that hair tie comes undone, FAN SERVICE! I loved how it looked in the manga when it popped off when he fought Raijuta. *drools*

As for the voices, I have to disagree. Normally, I prefer the Japanese version... But a chick as Kenshin's voice? Ugh! XP I watched the first few minutes of the anime in Japanese and was so freaked out by how girly Kenshin sounded, I switched back over to the English.

#76 Jul 22nd 2006, 12:30pm

I honestly didn't even know it was a girl until I looked it up. There are a lot of male anime leads with female Japanese VAs and most of the time I prefer them than the English dub. They have amazing vocal range and the depth of their voice acting is unparalleled. I think only the Ghibli english dubs come close to the excellence of the original Japanese voice actors and that's because they've got enough monetary backing (Disney) to pay for first class VAs.

Kenshin's english voice I truly cannot abide. I am reminded of Scooby-doo whenever he tries to do an English version of Kenshin's 'oro.' Plus there is no 'sesscha', no 'de gozaru', and 'Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu Ryu Kan Sen Tsumuji!' sounds so much better than 'Hiten Mitsurugi Style etc...'

But then again, that's just my personal preference. ^_^ And the never ending debate of sub vs dub is never going to end, ne?

#77 Jul 22nd 2006, 2:31pm . Edited Jul 23rd 2006, 12:17am

I agree with you on the lack of "oros". Hayworth needed to do a lot of work on those. As for the sesshas and the de gozarus, I find those rather annoying, so don't bother with them in my fanfics. If I'm doing a flashback to the manga timeline, I just have him say "this one" instead of sessha. But no way in Hell am I bothering with de gozaro, that it is, etc. Kenshin is super-polite and has an inferiority complex. That much comes across without adding the fancy, archaic speech.

#78 Jul 22nd 2006, 2:51pm

Can his speech really be considered fancy? Archaic, yes, that's why it's super polite. But I don't think it can really be called 'fancy' in the way I think you mean.

'De gozaru' is the archaic form of 'de gozaimasu' which is the polite form of 'desu', usually found at the end of Japanese sentences.

Namae wa Himura Kenshin desu. (My name is Kenshin Himura.)

Or in Kenshin-speak: Namae wa Himura Kenshin de gozaru.

#79 Jul 22nd 2006, 3:40pm

Well, I've always equted polite with fancy. *shrugs* Either way, it's annoying to put to text, so I don't bother with it. I'd like to think he starts to talk in a more or less normal way eventually.

#80 Jul 22nd 2006, 3:50pm

*grin* Whatever works. *wink*

The hardest thing to do is put something you don't like or something you don't know how to work into fanfics. I've seen some authors try to use Japanese words but in such inappropriate places that it doesn't do much for the fic. But then again, there are several who interweave the whole thing beautifully!

#81 Jul 22nd 2006, 4:13pm

zenfry

You know, I watched the first couple episodes of the anime (english), and I liked Kenshin's voice. Altough he doesn't say this one or oro that often.

#82 Jul 22nd 2006, 4:33pm

Yep, it's a personal preference, dub or sub, and an endless debate. My cousins and nieces also prefer the dubbed version. The little ones especially since they aren't able to read fast. ^_^

#83 Jul 22nd 2006, 5:20pm

zenfry

(SPOILERS) I still despise them, how dare they kill off Kenshin.

#84 Jul 22nd 2006, 11:15pm

AmberLeaves

*Gasps*They killed Kenshin!?!?I thought he was asleep!NOOOO...Kenji and Kenshin were supposed to do some father/son bonding!

#85 Aug 15th 2006, 3:00pm

Exactly. How dare they make up their own ending. Seisohen goes against what Watsuki-sensei wanted. And he is the creator of the whole RK universe. Personally, I just try to think of Seisohen as some kind of anime 'fanfic.' Rurouni Kenshin's real ending is Haru ni Sakura.

Haru ni Sakura (Cherry Blossoms in Spring)

http://kenshin.gamesurf.it/index.php?lan=en&pg=52

Yahiko no Sakabatou (Yahiko's Sakabato)

http://kenshin.gamesurf.it/index.php?lan=en&pg=63

#86 Aug 15th 2006, 4:59pm . Edited Aug 15th 2006, 4:59pm

linwe viper emily nolatari

Yeah, Sony's gay to do what they did. It beats me why they didn't use that OVA as an opportunity to try and do some justice to the Jinchuu Arc instead of abbreviating it as they did. They could've at least covered the attacks on the Akabeko, Maekawa Dojo and Chief Uramura and then done the bit with the corpse doll and Rakuninmura. They wouldn't even have had to animate the Rememberance mini-arc since that was done in Tsuiokuhen. Bakatachi...

#87 Aug 15th 2006, 6:01pm

My happy ending?

No K/K.....I never liked that idea...the characters just didn't fit together..at least in my opinion...other than that the story would have been perfect...*tear*...and maybe no Ao/Mi either..that too never made much sense to me...I actually liked Shura 4rm the anime, too bad she didn't appear in the manga, or I would have liked a S/K pairing...

#88 Aug 28th 2006, 11:49am

Much as I love Kaoru, I don't really care much who Kenshin ends up with. As long as he's HAPPY I'm happy. It just seems like Kenshin does need Kaoru to be happy so that makes me a K/K fan! I'm with him all the way! Although, when you do think about it, I think they go really well together. ^_^ (Although Shura's also kinda cute! Still prefer Kaoru though.)

What I hate about Seisohen doesn't have anything to do with who Kenshin ends up with. It's more because that single OVA managed to undo everything Kenshin accomplished his entire life.

#89 Aug 28th 2006, 12:42pm

*Gasps*They killed Kenshin!?!?I thought he was asleep!NOOOO...Kenji and Kenshin were supposed to do some father/son bonding!

Hehe. That must've been quite a shock for you, ne? Lol. But yeah; you're right. There should've been some Kenji and Kenshin bonding. *sigh*

Anyway, talk about being a slacker. I posted this topic and I wasn't even bothering to look it up! Gomen-nasai!!

#90 Sep 11th 2006, 8:23am

You know, I watched the first couple episodes of the anime (english), and I liked Kenshin's voice. Altough he doesn't say this one or oro that often.

I saw the whole anime that way. It was fine and everything, but I really wish it had all the oros. They're so kawaii!! (man, I've been watching too much anime; it's seriously starting to rub off.)

#91 Sep 11th 2006, 8:26am

Aw, c'mon, Kaoru and Kenshin are okay together. I think they're such a cute paring. But did you mean Sano and Kaoru? Because that one definitely is better; they both fit like anything!!

#92 Sep 11th 2006, 8:28am

HuntedByTrees

Yeah, I'm new, but I'm a RuroKen nut. There's a shirne to him in my room...

I was ** with the animated ending. The artwork, I could forgive, cause I mean, who wants to see that much cuteness when seeing that much blood and gore (well, I do, but moving on .). But when my precious Kensih was just...KILLED OFF... not only did I cry so my eyes puffed up the next day, but I had to rant and rave at my mom. The manga had a much better ending, since it was HAPPY, like Watsuki-sensei promised. Then they went along and made that stupid movie (I saw it movie form) which made Kenshin out ot be some lazy man and Karou this pitiful woman who lets her husband walk out on her. Oh no, I DON'T think so. That really ticked me off. So I don't count that as hte ending, I count to manga ending the REAL ending.

#93 Jan 23rd 2007, 4:28pm

kyoto-samurai

i rekon the kyoto arc (shishio and the juppongatana) should have been at the end

#94 Jan 24th 2008, 2:09pm

The Blackjack

So, am I the only person who didn't like Jinchu? I found it even weaker than the filler arcs. The period drama that Kenshin had gives way to lazer-weilding giants, mecha-Iwanbous, a dreadlocked commando, and Venom from Spider-Man. Then there were plot devices like the 'Karou Doll'. That, and Einshi was pretty much the least intimadating villian I've read (who beats Kenshin's ultimate attack by DUCKING). It was too bad, because I was completely pumped coming out of the Kyoto arc.

That being said, the OVA wasn't better, but I don't understand the Jinchu love. Should've ended with Shishio.

#95 Aug 10th, 5:47pm

I agree with some of what you say. Some of Enishi's followers (Whale Mouth, Venom and Rambo) were lame. I think Watsuki used up most of his bad guy making talent in the Kyoto Arc and was scraping the bottom of the barrel by the time he started Jinchuu.

I would've had it be just Enishi, Gein and Otowa. Those three could've done most of the damage on their own. Only some minor reworking of the script would need to be done. Perhaps instead of Whale Mouth rampaging in Tokyo, it could have been Gein in his Iwambo 3, tearing up Tokyo, looking for his precious doll.

#96 Aug 10th, 5:53pm

Personally, I like it much more than the filler arcs. Although some of the villains weren't that memorable, Enishi definitely was. Besides, this is the arc where Kenshin reaffirms, once and for all, how he planned to atone. Which is why I despise Seisohen, beautifully made though it was.

The funny episodes of the filler arc were okay but I didn't much like the serious eps. Kenshin was awesome in all though.

#97 Aug 10th, 7:08pm