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Kenshin is a wandering swordsman who wields a 'reverse bladed sword.' He has sworn never to kill again after he ended his assassin career during the Tokugawa War. Himura Kenshin is a vagabond with a dark past and sunny disposition. Not a ronin but a rurouni, he was never a samurai, but an assassin of utmost skill in the Meiji restoration, who in the turning point of the war simply walked away.
Weekly Shonen JumpOriginal runJuly 4, 2014 – September 4, 2014Volumes1 Manga. (2017–present). (1999). (2001)Live-action films. (2012). (2014).
(2014)Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story (: るろうに剣心 -明治剣客 浪 ( ろ ) 漫 ( まん )譚-,: Rurōni Kenshin -Meiji Kenkaku Romantan-), also known sometimes as Samurai X in the TV show, is a Japanese series written and illustrated. The story begins during the 11th year of the in Japan (1878) and follows a former assassin from the, known as Hitokiri Battosai. After his work against the, Hitokiri Battosai disappears to become: a wandering swordsman who protects the people of Japan with a vow never to take another life. Watsuki wrote the series upon his desire to make a different from the other ones that were published at the time, with Kenshin being a former assassin and the story taking a more serious tone as it continued. The manga revolves around themes of, and.The manga initially appeared in 's magazine from April 1994 to September 1999. The complete work consists of 28 volumes, while years later it was reprinted into twenty-two volumes., and adapted the manga into an series which aired in Japan from January 10, 1996 to September 8, 1998. Besides an animated feature film, two series of (OVAs) were also produced.
The first adapted stories from the manga that were not featured in the anime, while the second was a sequel to the manga. Several art and guidebooks for Rurouni Kenshin have been published, and writer Kaoru Shizuka has authored three official which were published by Shueisha.
Many have also been released for the, and consoles. A successful adaptation was released in 2012, with limited international screenings.The manga, as well as the first light novel and first guidebook, has received a complete North American release. Rurouni Kenshin is subtitled ' Wandering Samurai' in some English versions. The TV series was later licensed in North America and released on DVD. The first two seasons aired on the United States as part of the block, while the third season was only featured on. The versions of the OVAs, as well as the film, were originally released as Samurai X in North America, although the original name was included on the later DVD and releases.The Rurouni Kenshin manga has over 72 million copies in circulation as of 2019, making it one of the, while its anime has ranked among the 100 most-watched series in Japan multiple times. The series has received praise from various publications for manga, anime and other media, with both having received a good response on the characters' designs and historical setting.
In 2017, Watsuki began a direct sequel titled in. Main article:Written and illustrated by, the first chapter of Rurouni Kenshin premiered in the 19th issue of on April 25, 1994, and was serialized in the magazine until its 43rd issue on September 21, 1999. The 255 individual chapters were collected and published in 28 volumes by, with the first volume released on September 9, 1994 and the last on November 4, 1999. In July 2006, Shueisha began re-releasing the series in a twenty-two special edition volumes. A single chapter follow up to the series that follows the character of, Yahiko no Sakabatō ( 弥彦の逆刃刀, 'Yahiko's Reversed-Edge Sword'), was originally published in Weekly Shōnen Jump after the conclusion of the series. Left out of the original volumes, it was added as an extra to the final kanzenban release.In December 2011, Shueisha announced Watsuki would be putting his current series, on hold to begin a 'reboot' of Rurouni Kenshin, called Rurouni Kenshin Cinema Version ( るろうに剣心 -キネマ版-, Rurouni Kenshin Cinema-ban), as a tie-in to the live-action movie. The series began in the June 2012 issue of, which was released on May 2, 2012, and ended in the July 2013 issue on June 4, 2013.
The reboot depicts the battles that are featured in the first live-action film. Shueisha released the first tankōbon volume in Japan on September 4, 2012, and the second on July 4, 2013.
Another special titled Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story: Chapter 0 ( るろうに剣心 -明治剣客浪漫譚- 第零幕, Rurōni Kenshin -Meiji Kenkaku Roman Tan- Dai Rei-maku), was published in Weekly Shōnen Jump in August 2012 as a prologue to Cinema Version and included in its first volume. In 2014, Watsuki wrote a two-chapter spin-off titled Rurouni Kenshin: Master of Flame ( 炎を統べる -るろうに剣心・裏幕-, Honō wo Suberu -Rurouni Kenshin: Uramaku-) for Jump SQ., which tells how Shishio met Yumi and formed the Juppongatana. It was collected into one volume on October 3, 2014 by Jump Comics.Watsuki and his wife, Kaworu Kurosaki, collaborated on a two chapter spinoff titled Rurouni Kenshin Side Story: The Ex-Con Ashitaro for the ninth anniversary of Jump SQ. It acts as a prologue to the, which began in September 2017 as a sequel to the original manga series.Rurouni Kenshin was licensed for an English language release in North America. The first volume of the series was released on October 7, 2003. Although the first volumes were published on an irregular basis, since volume 7 Viz established a monthly basis due to good sales and consumer demands.
Therefore, the following volumes were published until July 5, 2006, when the final volume was released. Yahiko no Sakabatō was also serialized in English during 2006. In January 2008, Viz began re-releasing the manga in formats called both 'Three-In-One' & 'Viz Big Edition', which is a collection of three volumes in one. The final four-in-one 'Viz Big Edition' ninth volume included the 4th special Yahiko no Sakabatō (Yahiko's Sakabatō), and the extra story Haru ni Sakura (Cherry Blossoms In Spring) chapters. Which, take place after the series.
Viz uses the actual ordering of, with the or before the, within the series to reduce confusion and because Rurouni Kenshin is a historical series. Since then, Japan has released their own three in one (Cinema Version) volume manga comics going from vol.
14 featuring the live–action movie star cast members on the secondary outer slip covers of the Otaku comic books. On May 7, 2012, it was announced in Viz Media's digital manga magazine that the Rurouni Kenshin: Ginmaku Soushihen graphic novel would join its line-up under the title Rurouni Kenshin: Restoration, and would be published monthly starting on May 21. Viz Media released the first volume on June 4, 2013, and the second was published on January 14, 2014. Viz also published Rurouni Kenshin: Master of Flame in the English Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in two parts. Anime series.
See also:The anime, directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi, began airing on Japan's on January 10, 1996 and ended on September 8, 1998. It was produced by and Fuji TV, and was animated from episode 1 to 66 by, whereas the episodes from 67 onwards were animated. The anime only adapts the manga up until the fight with Shishio, from then on it features original material not in the manga. The final episode did not air in Japan, but was a bonus episode for the VHS and DVD releases. Since its premiere in Japan, episodes from the series have been collected in DVDs various times: two DVDs series with both of them featuring four episodes per volume and three DVD boxes.
26 collected DVD volumes were released in Japan.(then under the name later moved to ) created their own English dub of the series, under the name Samurai X, which aired outside North America. In 1999, Sony had tried and failed to market the series in the United States via an existing company. The TV series was again licensed for North America by, who split it up into 'seasons', and released on DVD. It began airing in the US on as a part of the Block on March 17, 2003, but ended at the completion of the 'second season' (episode 62). Some of the show's depictions of obscene language, intense violence, and tobacco and drug usage were subject to heavy editing on Toonami. Episodes 63–95 did not air, but were included in the DVD release. The 'seasons' were released in three premium 'Bento box' DVD boxes on November 18, 2003, March 30, 2004 and July 27, 2004.
They were re-released as 'economy box' sets on November 15, 2005, January 17, 2006 and February 14, 2006. As of November 2018, all three seasons with both the original Japanese audio and the Media Blasters dub (Bang Zoom! Entertainment) are available to stream on.
Animated films Requiem for the Ishin Patriots The series also has a movie called Rurouni Kenshin: The Motion Picture, known in Japan as Ishin Shishi e no Chinkonka ( ―維新志士への鎮魂歌, Requiem for the Ishin Patriots) and originally released in North America as Samurai X: The Motion Picture, which tells a story where Kenshin meets a samurai who was very close to a man Battōsai murdered in the war. The samurai is trying to start a revolution to overthrow the Meiji government. The film was directed by Hatsuki Tsuji and it premiered in Japan on December 20, 1997.
The Japanese DVD was released on August 21, 1998. It has been republished twice in 2000 and 2002, adding new content to the DVD. It was also released on December 7, 2005 on format. In North America, the film was released on DVD on March 27, 2001. The film was released on in North America on October 26, 2011. New Kyoto Arc A new Rurouni Kenshin project was announced in April 2011's.
Director, and the original cast returned after nine years (except who died in 2006; was voiced by ). The project was split into two parts and is a remake of the second arc, the Kyoto arc, with some changes. Part I was released on December 17, 2011 and titled Rurouni Kenshin: New Kyoto Arc: The Cage of Flames ( 焔の獄(ホムラのオリ), Zenpen Homura no Ori), which was selected from a fan suggestion, ran at Tokyo's Cinema Sunshine Ikebukuro theater and Osaka's Cine-Libre Umeda theater for one week only. Part II, Rurouni Kenshin: New Kyoto Arc: The Chirps of Light ( 光の囀(ヒカリのサエズリ), Hikari no Saezuri), was released on June 23, 2012 and ran for three weeks in ten theaters. Announced at 2011 that they were in 'negotiations' for the English language rights to the films. Aniplex released part I on DVD and Blu-ray on March 21, 2012 in Japan, while Part II was released on August 22, 2012. In 2013, North American licensor released both films together on DVD and Blu-ray, editing them into a single movie.
Original video animations. Main articles: andThere are also two Rurouni Kenshin (OVA) series which was trailered at the end of season 3, Tales of the Meiji, to begin the Enishi saga & Ashitaro saga for the next seasonal portions of the TV series (Season 4 & 5). The first of them, collectively known in Japan as Tsuiokuhen ( 追憶編, Remembrance), was released in 1999 as four episodes in Japan, and later edited into a two-hour theatrical film with some new animated sequences (Director's Cut). It is set during the downfall of the and during Kenshin's job as an assassin. Released the series on two VHS or DVD sets in 2000 under their Samurai X name in North America, and the film version in 2003. Released it on Blu-ray in 2011 in North America.The second OVA is, known in Japan as Seisōhen ( 星霜編, Time).
It is composed of two episodes and was later edited into a theatrical film (Director's Cut). The first episode was originally released on December 12, 2001 in Japan and the second on March 20, 2002. It is set both during and after the timeline of the series and tells of Kenshin and Kaoru's later days, much of which is not derived from the manga.
Although Nobuhiro Watsuki had checked the script from the OVA, he gave it disapproval due to its sad ending, and he stated that it is not canon and should not be treated as canonical. It was released in the United States by ADV Films on DVD on March 25, 2003 under their Samurai X name, while the movie edition was released the following year. Aniplex of America released it on Blu-ray in 2011 in North America. Live-action films. Main articles:, andOn June 28, 2011, a live-action film adaptation of Rurouni Kenshin was announced.
Produced by, with actual film production done by Studio Swan, the film was directed by Keishi Ōtomo and stars (of fame) as Kenshin, as Sanosuke Sagara and as Kaoru. The film was released on August 25, 2012 in Japan. In August 2013, it was announced that two sequels were being filmed simultaneously for release in 2014. And adapt the Kyoto arc of the manga. On April 12, 2019, it was announced that two new live-action films will premiere in summer 2020 depicting the Remembrance/Tenchu & Jinchu arcs. Soundtracks. The Japanese title literally means 'Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman, a collection of Romantic Folk Tales.'
'Rurouni' is a word made up by the author by the words 流浪 ( rurō 'wandering') and 浪人 ( 'masterless samurai', literally 'wanderer'), and it is spelled in kanji within the manga 流 ( る ) 浪 ( ろう ) 人 ( に ). A rough translation of the title would be 'Kenshin the Wandering Masterless Samurai.'
. Although the cover date of the 1999 43rd issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump is October 4, 1999, the actual issue release date was September 21, 1999, the same issue where started its serialization.References. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
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(Redirected from Rurouni Kenshin: Densetsu no Saigo-hen)
Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends | |
---|---|
Directed by | Keishi Ōtomo |
Produced by | Satoshi Fukushima |
Written by | Keishi Otomo Kiyomi Fujii |
Based on | Rurouni Kenshin by Nobuhiro Watsuki |
Starring | Takeru Satoh Emi Takei Yūsuke Iseya Munetaka Aoki Yū Aoi Ryunosuke Kamiki Masaharu Fukuyama Yōsuke Eguchi Tatsuya Fujiwara |
Music by | Naoki Satō |
Cinematography | Takuro Ishizaka |
Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures (Japan) |
| |
134 minutes | |
Country | Japan |
Language | Japanese |
Budget | $30 million (shared with Kyoto Inferno)[1] |
Box office | $39.3 million[2] |
Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (Japanese: るろうに剣心 伝説の最期編, Hepburn: Rurouni Kenshin: Densetsu no Saigo-hen) is a 2014 Japanese jidaigekiaction film directed by Keishi Ōtomo and based on the manga series Rurouni Kenshin.[3][4][5][6] The story follows two prior films, Rurouni Kenshin (2012) and Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (2014).
Experience Phantasy Star on the DS for the 1st time! Inspired by the beloved Phantasy Star Online series, Phantasy Star ZERO reinvents the franchise in an original game for the handheld platform. Customizable Avatar and Multiple Story directions; Players can create their own avatar, and affect the storyline along the way with their decisions. Phantasy Star Zero so vaguely represents anything that the Phantasy Star series has established that it may as well have been a fanfiction story written by a bored and lonely teenager. The game is horrendous and an abomination not only for the Nintendo DS, but also a detrimental stain on the name of Sonic Team, Sega, and the Phantasy Star brand. Phantasy star ds rom. Phantasy Star Zero takes place on an alternate Earth 200 years after the Great Blank, a massive war that has reduced the once-prosperous civilization to almost nothing. The sole surviving Humans.
On June 21, 2016, Funimation announced that they acquired the rights to the Rurouni Kenshin live-action trilogy for US distribution.[7] The film was released subtitled in US theaters in October 2016. A home video and video on demand release followed shortly after.
Plans for another sequel were revealed on September 4, 2017. In April 2019, it was announced that two new live-action films will premiere in summer 2020.
Plot[edit]
In a flashback, Hiko Seijūrō finds young Shinta digging graves for bandits and slavers killed in battle. Shinta explains that all people are only bodies after death. Hiko decides to take Shinta as his student and names him 'Kenshin'. Kenshin wakes up at Master Hiko's home, and asks if his friend (Kaoru) was also washed up. He has been unconscious for three days, and master tells him that his friend is most likely dead. Kenshin asks to learn the final Hiten Mitsurugi technique, 'Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki', in order to defeat Shishio Makoto and prevent his onslaught.[8] Hiko agrees, and the two engage in a duel to start his training.
Shishio appears off the Tokyo coast in a large black iron-clad battleship, and demands that the prime minister visit him to discuss the situation. After inviting the ministers to join him for food, one of them loses his temper, and is killed by one of Shishio's men. The prime minister tries to restore order and decorum, but Shishio takes them prisoner when they try to leave - killing all the government men apart from the prime minister. Shishio demands that Battousai be brought to him for the life of the prime minister. Fujita is still searching for Battousai, and is disgusted with the way the government is handling the matter by giving in to blackmail from Shishio.
Yahiko finds a poster demanding 'Battousai' Kenshin be arrested, which he and Sagara realise suggests that Kenshin must still be alive, and they leave for Tokyo and the Kamiya Dojo with Misao to find him and search for Kaoru. A young woman approaches them with a scarf as they are leaving, which Misao recognises as one she bandaged Kaoru with and they rush off. They appear outside a hospital and enter to find Kaoru unconscious and alive.
Kenshin is unable to understand what is missing in himself, and so engages in another duel with Master Hiko. He learns that he had thrown away his will to live during his time as the assassin Battousai, and as he has no intention of coming out alive he will be unable to defeat Shishio. Hiko points out that he has lost his killer instinct with his oath to not kill and his 'ridiculous' sword, after all it is the strong who survive and the weak who die. That night, Hiko says that something is missing in Kenshin, and that he will be given the night to think about it. If he cannot find what it is, he will die tomorrow. Next morning Hiko reveals his final task as Master to Kenshin - without realising what is missing, Kenshin will return to his old ways and so Hiko has to kill Battousai. Kenshin listens as he is told that he cannot learn the secret until he realises that the will to live is paramount; and so he has learned the secret of Amakakeru.
Kaoru awakes from her coma, and as Kenshin concludes his training and is about to depart, Misao arrives with the news. She also tells Kenshin that he has been branded a wanted criminal throughout Japan for his work as Battousai during the Bakumatsu era. Knowing that Shishio intends to take Tokyo next, Kenshin intends to return home by a secret route given to him by the Oniwabanshu at the Aoiya Inn. They discover that Okina has gone on ahead and encountered Aoshi, who was lying in wait for Kenshin on that route. Kenshin and Misao arrive and Kenshin duels with Aoshi, during which Okina dies of his wounds.[9] Back at the Aoiya, Misao tends to Aoshi and convinces him to return to the Oniwabanshu. On Shishio's battleship, Shishio, his partner Yumi, and one of his men Hori, discover that because of Shishio's inability to sweat, he can only fight for fifteen minutes without putting his health at risk.
Kenshin arrives back at the Kamiya Kashin dojo. Megumi, who has been looking after the dojo in Kaoru's absence, welcomes him back, but shortly after his arrival police arrive to apprehend him. Wishing to prevent further violence, he surrenders, and is taken to the Home Ministry head, Ito. Ito explains that he had tried to talk Shishio into abandoning his plan to overthrow the Meiji government, but the negotiations had ended in disaster and Shishio, still bitter about his cruel treatment by the new government (being burned alive), would only leave the government be for the time being if Kenshin were arrested and executed. Otherwise, he intends to attack Tokyo. Kenshin convinces Ito that he can defeat Shishio if Ito helps him. Ito seemingly decides to go through with the execution anyway. Kaoru, Sano and Yahiko return to Tokyo soon after and, to their horror, discover that Kenshin is to be executed the same day. Shishio's men attend the execution to ensure that Ito carries through with the negotiations.
The execution, however, is merely staged, and Kenshin is freed and assisted in defeating the men by Hajime Saito. Sano joins them, and the three are rowed to Shishio's battleship. While searching for Shishio, Kenshin meets Seta Soujiro again and the two rematch. Kenshin comes out victorious, and Soujiro, who originally believed Kenshin to be weak, is crushed and confused. Kenshin finally finds Shishio, Yumi and Hori waiting in the ship's hold. a duel ensues between Kenshin and Shishio, who easily overpowers Kenshin. Saito arrives immediately after, followed by Sano and Aoshi, who followed them from Kyoto, but even the four together are no match for Shishio. Shishio hits his limit and Yumi attempts to shield him from Kenshin while Shishio stabs both of them, killing her. Meanwhile, Ito's men begin firing at the ship, intending to sink it and drown Shishio and Kenshin inside. Shishio condemns Kenshin for helping such a government. Kenshin agrees that the new Meiji government is faulty, but argues that the age of assassins like himself and Shishio is over and that there should be no more violence. He manages to defeat Shishio using Amakakeru, though not physically harming him. Shishio, who has long hit his limit and whose body has become overheated, catches fire and burns to death before the group's eyes.
Saito, Aoshi, Sano and Kenshin escape from the ship before it sinks and are brought back to shore, where Kaoru, Yahiko, Misao and the Home Ministry are waiting. Ito acknowledges Kenshin as Kenshin for the first time and declares Battousai dead, and his men salute the group as heroes. Aoshi and Misao return to Kyoto, and Kaoru, Kenshin, Yahiko and Sano return to the dojo. Kaoru notes the change of season, as well as the end of Kenshin's life as Battousai. Kenshin expresses his desire to continue living at the dojo and to move forward into the new era, and invites Kaoru to move forward with him.
Cast[edit]
Principal cast list as presented on the Funimation Films website in Western name order:[10]
- Takeru Satoh as Kenshin Himura[11]
- Emi Takei as Kaoru Kamiya[11]
- Munetaka Aoki as Sanosuke Sagara[11]
- Yū Aoi as Megumi Takani[11]
- Kaito Oyagi as Yahiko Myojin
- Yusuke Iseya portrays Aoshi Shinomori
- Yōsuke Eguchi as Hajime Saito
- Tatsuya Fujiwara as Makoto Shishio
- Ryunosuke Kamiki as Sojiro Seta
- Maryjun Takahashi as Yumi Komagata
- Tao Tsuchiya as Misao Makimachi
- Min Tanaka as Okina
- Masaharu Fukuyama as Seijuro Hiko
Release[edit]
The DVD was released on January 21, 2015.[12]
The film was released on Blu-ray and DVD by Funimation on January 3, 2017 in North America which includes an English dubbed version of the film. Funimation also gave the film a TV-MA rating.
Reception[edit]
Box office[edit]
The film debuted at the Japanese box office in second place, earning ¥919,479,200.[13] In its fourth weekend, it ranked first and earned ¥177,419,216.[14] It was number-one for four weeks. It was one of the top five films of 2014 at the Japanese box office (below Kyoto Inferno at number three), grossing ¥4.35 billion ($41.06 million) in Japan.[15] Overseas, it grossed ₩16,916,100 ($14,955) in South Korea,[16] and $2,484,963 in other territories,[17] for an international total of $44 million.
Critical reception[edit]
The film received largely positive reviews from critics, once again receiving widespread recognition for its ground-breaking fight choreography and action direction coordinated by Kenji Tanigaki.
Gareth Evans, director of The Raid and The Raid 2, shared high praise for the live-action Rurouni Kenshin trilogy from director Keishi Ōtomo, Studio Swan and WB Japan. Through a series of Tweets and Instagram posts, Evans stated 'Goddamn the action in Rurouni Kenshin is [frick]ing beautiful. Huge tip of the hat to choreographer Kenji Tanigaki' and went on to commend the third act of the film, specifically the final battle between Seta Sōjirō and Himura Kenshin. 'Piled through the trilogy on a flight. Sojiro vs. Kenshin is poss one of the best sword fights I’ve seen. Must buy, must rewatch, must study!' as well as 'Revisiting the Rurouni Kenshin films and f--k me this is such a beautifully complex shot. Pure action cinema, all about the rhythm and energy.' [18]
Roxy Simmons of Eastern Kicks described 'The challenge with adapting any popular media is striking a balance that caters to fans of the source material but also allows the film to stand alone for the average viewer. This film does exactly that. The Legend Ends beautifully ties up the story begun in Kyoto Inferno, the second installment, delivering a fiery climax that melts into the sweetest of endings. — As an adaptation, the film is one that does deviate in places from its source material, though the approval of the manga artist, Nobuhiro Watsuki, is a clear indicator of how well these were done, and fans of the anime and manga will definitely be pleased with the near perfect execution of scenes that are practically lifted off the page. The acting has consistently been good in these Kenshin movies, and the cast delivered solid performances once again. Tatsuya Fujiwara, in particular, was finally able to spread his wings in this, and was fantastic as the antagonist Makoto Shishio, portraying a nuanced version of his character and vulnerabilities that made his end all the more satisfying.' [19]
Lito B. Zulueta of Philippine Daily Inquirer praised the film, declaring that 'The Legend Ends' has 'restored the samurai genre', and goes on to commend various aspects of the film. 'Legend ends in a duel to the death of the two swordsmen. Needless to say, the fight is a spectacle to end all fight spectacles. Directed by Keishi Ohtomo, the Rurouni Kenshin movies are fabulous spectacles that deny itself the usual Hollywood gloss and over-the-top CDG tricks to achieve its epic look and proportion. It instead relies on good old classic filmmaking. The production design and art direction are first-rate. The two-part sequel, for instance, begins and ends in spring, and the production so evokes beautifully the season that viewers may be driven to tearful exaltation. The 'Rurouni' movies are in the tradition of classic Japanese photography. Moreover, the production is driven by a gripping storyline and very compelling characters. For example, Kenshin and Shishio are totally engaging and, in their own terms of twisted motivation and mission, credible characters.' [20]
Derek Elley of Film Business Asia awarded the film an 8 out of 10, praising its 'reflective lead-up to a humdinger finale.' and commended the film's action direction 'the mammoth duel on the villain's iron battleship, staged by action director Kenji Tanigaki in a way that shows a return to his Hong Kong training visible in the first movie in the series. Instead of the bloodless slash-and-bustle sword fights that dominated Kyoto, the finale is more mano a mano, contact fighting, in a virtual arena in the bowels of the battleship. There's also an intriguing hint that there's not that much difference between the villain and his opponents — all are basically dinosaurs from a now-outmoded warrior culture.' [21]
In a mixed review, Clarence Tsui of The Hollywood Reporter criticized the film's two hour length, as well as its expository first act, and choreography, labeling it 'riveting' but the climax of the four against Shishio 'po-faced absurdity.' and goes on to comment 'Characters talk in glib soundbites offering cod philosophy: Himura's mentor and friends harp on about the importance of self-respect, while Shishio — all bandaged up because of the burns he suffered at the hands of his erstwhile government employers — taunts his foes for their warped morals and failure to see that there's profit to be had in fearmongering.' Tsui states later in the review that 'The Legend Ends offers a type of wide-screen, cinematic entertainment that most Japanese film adaptations — of TV series or comics — now lack. The proper way forward — for its producers or its international distributors, is to combine (the more engaging) Kyoto Inferno and (the more socially conscious) The Legend Ends into one, so as to give Rurouni Kenshin — whether it's Watsuki's source material or Otomo's films — a compact, satisfactory finale.'[22]
Music[edit]
One Ok Rock's song 'Heartache' from their album 35xxxv is featured in the film.
Sequels[edit]
Plans for another sequel had been revealed by Daily.co.jp on September 4, 2017, in connection the main actress Emi Takei's breach of contract due to her marriage with Exile band member Takahiro, as well as her pregnancy. Takei had agreements with up to 10 companies for commercials, including JTB and Yōfuku no Aoyama, and it was reported that her agreement with SSP might be terminated, with her commercial agreements with other companies being affected. Oscar Promotion, Takei's agency, apologized to its clients, and was negotiating penalties for breach of contract. The penalty for her breach of contract could have reached up to 1 billion yen (about US$9.11 million).[23][24] On April 12, 2019, it was announced that two new live-action films will premiere in summer 2020;[25]Rurouni Kenshin Saishūshō The Final will premiere on July 3 and Rurouni Kenshin Saishūshō The Beginning on August 7.[26]
References[edit]
- ^http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2014/08/06/films/film-reviews/rurouni-kenshin-kyoto-taika-hen/
- ^'Japan Box Office 2014'. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2016-07-20.
- ^'Actor: Filming of Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin Sequels Halfway Done'. Anime News Network. 2013-11-09. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
- ^'New Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin Sequel Image Previews Juppongatana'. Anime News Network. January 1, 2014. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- ^'New Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin Sequels' Photos Feature Kenshin vs. Sōjirō'. Anime News Network. January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^るろうに剣心 伝説の最期編(2014). allcinema (in Japanese). Stingray. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ^Ressler, Karen (June 21, 2016). 'Funimation Acquires Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin Films'. Anime News Network. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
- ^'Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin's Photos Reveal More of Shishio's Costume'. Anime News Network. January 20, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^'Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin Sequels' Photos Preview Aoshi vs. Okina Battle'. Anime News Network. February 10, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
- ^https://www.funimationfilms.com/movie/rurouni-kenshin/
- ^ abcd'Takeru Satoh on Set. Rurouni Kenshin Live-Action Movie'. The Shinigami List. January 14, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^'YESASIA: Rurouni Kenshin Kyoto Inferno (blu-ray)(deluxe edition)(Japan import) Blu-Ray -Fujiwara Tatsuya, Otomo Keishi - Japan Movies and Video - Free Shipping - North America Site'. Yesasia. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
- ^'2nd Rurouni Kenshin Sequel Film Earns 919 Million Yen in 1st Weekend'. Anime News Network. September 17, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
- ^'Japanese Box Office, October 4–5'. Anime News Network. October 13, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
- ^'2014'. Eiren. Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
- ^'영화정보'. KOFIC. Korean Film Council. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
- ^'Rurôni Kenshin: Densetsu no saigo-hen (2014)'. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
- ^https://www.instagram.com/p/BHmdEMuDo86/
- ^http://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/rurouni-kenshin-the-legend-ends
- ^http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/172558/rurouni-kenshin-the-legend-ends-restores-samurai-genre
- ^http://www.filmbiz.asia/reviews/rurouni-kenshin-the-legend-ends
- ^http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/rurouni-kenshin-legend-ends-rurouni-740254
- ^https://www.daily.co.jp/gossip/2017/09/04/0010522444.shtml
- ^https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-09-03/newspaper-new-live-action-rurouni-kenshin-film-in-the-works/.120897
- ^Mateo, Alex (April 11, 2019). 'Rurouni Kenshin Gets 'Final' 2 Live-Action Films in Summer 2020'. Anime News Network. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
- ^Sherman, Jennifer (December 19, 2019). 'Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin 'Final Chapter' Films Open in Summer 2020'. Anime News Network. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
External links[edit]
- Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends on IMDb
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rurouni_Kenshin:_The_Legend_Ends&oldid=943334319'
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