The OAV
To be honest, I really didn't like the OAV. Aside from the fact that I don't favor somber settings, especially in an anime, the reason I was never too fond of the OAV is because of the character designs. Yeah, I know some of you found the character design beautiful but I really thought it was ugly. But that's only my opinion. I guess how a person would view the OAV would depend on her tastes. Anyway, as I've said, I thought the chara design was ugly. I felt that they butchered the cute rurouni and the hot Battousai, and the pretty Tomoe. Tomoe was really beautiful in the manga so I was disappointed that she turned out to be like that in the OAV. Okay, I thought she was ugly. :p But if it's any consolation to you, I think that Kaoru is ugly too in the new OAV. I dunno what's up with me but I really don't like those type of character designs.
One thing about the OAV though that I can't deny is the hauntingly beautiful, but sad love story about Kenshin and Tomoe. It was really touching, and I almost cried when Tomoe died. But in the end, after watching it, and reflecting for a little while, I felt relieved that after going through the pain and agony, Kenshin found Kaoru and with her, another shot at happiness.
P.S. I have a stupid question. Are OAV and OVA the same?