Tension: The og relies on its epic score to build the tension of the scene. Fine but the main problem for me was that an action scene should almost always be in one go like the dollars trilogy the action is never cut halfway in the scene this keeps the tension of the scene and lets it build.

The weight of each individual strike: in the original, they show it as a dynamic fight where each strike is a new decision and separate action. This creates a problem as it would mean that as a strategist Kenshin would just be randomly hitting till something works as a spectacle some might enjoy it more but to me it loses its risk factor in the new version Kenshin makes use of a barrage of attacks to get Saito to get used to a rhythm then as Kenshin sees this he then switches and cuts his sword in half.

The direction: in the original it's more pull-backed and the faces are more static it relies on the dynamic movement of the fight. It also relies on colour shifts and the use of flickering which can be used well but in this context, I feel it is intrusive and is too telling and not enough showing.

In the newer version, we can see how Kenshin's and Saito's expression changes throughout the fight by using close-ups on the face. It also uses the battles changing distance to see the emotions running through Kenshin.

Pacing: the original is split into two episodes this is a pro and a con it makes the wound of Kenshin have weight but it also destroys the tension of the fight as if you were not watching them together you would come back and have a different mood that was then set out in episode 29.

In the 2023 version, it keeps it in one scene which allows the tension and emotion of the fight to remain constant.

This is not an objective criticism some may like the spectacle and more easy to follow 90's version but I don't think it captures the emotion of the scene as well as the 2023 version.

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