I have loved Rurouni Kenshin since its orginal manga debut in 1994. The comics, which ran from 1994 to 1999 had a total of 28 volumes, all of which reached worldwide popularity and fan base.
Due to its original story and enticing characters, the manga was turned into anime and animated films, all of which I watched religiously in high school, with adoration and gusto. What can I say, I love Kenshin!
Fast forward to a decade or two, the manga turned anime finally was turned into arguably one of the best live action adaptation the world has ever seen. None of those unrealistic Hollywood adaptations. The Japanese cast and crew did not disappoint.
Now that the final installment of the five films is released now the Philippines, let us recap the awesomeness of all the films by order of course!
Rurouni Kenshin (2012)
The movie begins with the end of the Battle of Toba Fushimi. The famous manslayer Battousai walked away from the only life he had ever known. Sick of killing, fighting and wars, he dedicated ten years of his life being a wonderer. During his travels, he was mistaken as the Battousai who had been going around killing people and desecrating the house of martial arts – Kamiya Dojo. The Dojo master, Kaoru welcomed Kenshin in her home after saving her from an unfortunate event.
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (2014)
Kyoto Inferno tells the story of Shishio Makoto – a powerful swordsman from Kenshin’s past who resurfaced to topple the currently peaceful government. Being the legendary swordsman that he was, and still is, Kenshin was called in by the government to help stop Shishio and his plans of wreck and havoc. In his way to help, he met Misao, a member of the legendary ninja clan that keeps the peace in the area. To anger Kenshin more and bring out the Battousai in him Shishio kidnapped Kaoru.
Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (2014)
The continuation of Kyoto Inferno, the movie opens with Kenshin waking up to an unfamiliar place. After he regained his consciousness and remembered the tragic fate of Kaoru (who happened to survive the fall from the ship), he immediately gets up to find her. He realized that he was saved by his master, the one who taught him everything about sword fighting. Knowing that he still has to defeat Shishio to stop his reign of terror, Kenshin continued to train under his master, eventually learning the greatest technique. With the help of Saito, Aoshi, Sanosuke, Kenshin defeated Shishio.
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final (2021)
The Final is the culmination of all of Kenshin’s battles and past. Although he was already living the peaceful life that he have been wanting for a long time, trouble finds him again in the form of Yukishiro Enishi, the Japanese, ex brother in law of Kenshin who ruled the Shanghai Mafia in order to seek revenge. For many years, he harbored unnecessary anger against Kenshin who killed his sister Yukishiro Tomoe. Kaoru was once again kidnapped by Enishi after an unfair fight at the Kamiya Dojo. Kenshin seeks to find Kaoru and sets to straighten the matter once and for all.
Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning (2021)
This last film is set to be released globally on July 30, 2021 in Netflix. This is perhaps the grandest film in the series since they shot in more than forty locations all over Japan. These locations include: Kyoto, Nara, Shiga, Mie, Hyogo, Kumamoto, Hiroshima, Tochigi, Saitama, Shizuoka, Osaka, and Nagano. They filmed for more than seven months and had 6000 extras.
So.. Are we having a Rurouni Kenshin watch party yet? Invite me! I’ll bring the tissues and popcorn!
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