the majority of anime fan would agree this is the most important masterpiece in anime history just like The Shawshank Redemption in movie history.
after years I saw it again,but this time was the english version,and feel so pity for those who can only watch it with english tranlated subtitles,the subs missed so many stuff, it only present like 40% around of originals.
It's funny because I agree with your reference but disagree with your "most important masterpiece in anime history" claim. (as with Shawshank, but I'll explain)
This movie didn't really do anything special to advance anime forward. In fact, it isn't even a movie in Japan. It's an OVA (or OAV). It can be argued that these OVAs spawned similar samurai anime series/OVAs/movies but that's nothing spectacular. What does "most important masterpiece in anime history" mean to me? It means a reference of how something should be done. For example, the art style of Akira or the story telling of Nausicaa. All this shows is how to direct and possibly draw a samurai anime.
Now, likewise with Shawshank, I don't believe that movie exactly advanced the industry but it sure showed how to make an escape movie.
Oh, and I'd just like to note that the Kenshin Tsuiokuhen OVAs are my favorite anime and the Shawshank Redemption is my favorite movie. Just don't think they can be considered "most important", however for sure are masterpieces. :)
The translations (both dub and subtitles) royally screwed some things up. The name Hitokiri Battousai is translated as "the assassin", "the killer" or "the murderer". It means the Man-Slasher who has mastered the art of quickly unsheathing his sword, not just a killer.
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"House. My room. Can't walk. My medal. My father. Father, don't!"
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I guess most westerners don't realize how awesome this movie is; however, this westerner absolutely realizes the power of this movie, or OVA or whatever you want to call it. I don't know if the consensus is that this is the most important anime of all time, but it's one of the most important to me. I guess there was really no point to this reply other than to reassure the OP that there is at least one westerner that understands the the greatness of this anime.
And I almost always watch foreign movies or anime with subtitles, with a few exceptions e.g. Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo. I love the Japanese voice actors in Kenshin.