I have watched some of what they've shown on tv plus some episodes that I bought and also have Samurai X: Reflections. (Get to borrow Trust and Betrayal tomorrow ^.^), and I also read volumes 1 + 2 of the manga. There are several elements I like about each.
In the tv show, there is lots of comic elements that make it fun to watch and keep it interesting without wrecking the emotional and action parts to it. (exe: Kenshin getting hit over the head by a hot-tempered Kaoru or knocking over several sumo wrestlers with two barrels of grain on a pole... all from clumsiness) The manga is very much like the tv series, except for the fact that its the original story and tends to veer minutely from the series, or should i say is veered minutely away from.
anywho... then there's Samurai X, which, as I've said, I've only seen the last of. It is much more serious and contains quite a bit more blood/gore. The swordplay also is done quite a bit more realistically, though not so realistic as to make it boring. Yes, Reflections is pretty depressing though... well there's my rambling for the night lol... later dayz