Introduction:
When we first heard about Rurouni Kenshin being live adapted and distributed by Warner Brothers,
many fans were skeptical and feared a repeat of the godawful Dragon Ball Z butchery by Hollywood.
However, the entire thing was done in Japan by a Japanese cast and crew with oversight from
mangaka Nobuhiro Watsuki. With that in mind, we breathed a sigh of relief and watched everything
unfold.
many fans were skeptical and feared a repeat of the godawful Dragon Ball Z butchery by Hollywood.
However, the entire thing was done in Japan by a Japanese cast and crew with oversight from
mangaka Nobuhiro Watsuki. With that in mind, we breathed a sigh of relief and watched everything
unfold.
Rurouni Kenshin - Origins:
Pictures of Sato Takeru in Kenshin costume soon flooded the Web and set off an orgasmic frenzy by
the plethora of Kenshin fangirls (myself included). The movie was a huge success and proved that live
adaptations of comics and cartoons don't have to suck, they just do most of the time. The movie's
success also paved the way for the Kyoto Arc to be live adapted.
the plethora of Kenshin fangirls (myself included). The movie was a huge success and proved that live
adaptations of comics and cartoons don't have to suck, they just do most of the time. The movie's
success also paved the way for the Kyoto Arc to be live adapted.
The Good:
So much good! First of all, the music is top notch. It's quite different from the anime and OVAs, but
this is fine, since the movies are a different adaptation. Second, the actors. Everyone is so good in
their role. Sato Takeru is so adorable as our tortured, guilt-ridden little rurouni. Munetaka Aoki is
hilarious as Sanosuke. Takei Emi brings just the right amount of spirit and pluck to Kaoru without
overdoing her as the anime did. Yuu Aoi is every bit the vixen that Megumi is supposed to be. Taketa
Tanaka is a little firebrand and makes Yahiko funny and lovable without being (too) annoying. Yusuke
Eguchi does a pretty good job as Saitou, though he lacks the antenna bangs and is a bit chubby.
this is fine, since the movies are a different adaptation. Second, the actors. Everyone is so good in
their role. Sato Takeru is so adorable as our tortured, guilt-ridden little rurouni. Munetaka Aoki is
hilarious as Sanosuke. Takei Emi brings just the right amount of spirit and pluck to Kaoru without
overdoing her as the anime did. Yuu Aoi is every bit the vixen that Megumi is supposed to be. Taketa
Tanaka is a little firebrand and makes Yahiko funny and lovable without being (too) annoying. Yusuke
Eguchi does a pretty good job as Saitou, though he lacks the antenna bangs and is a bit chubby.
The main bad guys are Takeda Kanryuu and Udo Jinei. Teruyuki Kagawa is over the top hilarious as
Kanryuu and rather reminds me of Jack Nicholson's Joker in the 1990 Batman movie. Udo Jinei is
played by Koji Kikkawa. In canon Jinei is a bit over the top, laughing like a maniac whenever he kills
someone. Kikkawa's interpretation is more subdued, but no less creepy. His singular drive to reawaken
the assassin sleeping inside Kenshin makes him a formidable foe.
The locations are all believable. The outdoor scenes are very beautiful.
The fight scenes were awesome! The outdoor fight at Kanryuu’s estate showed Kenshin and Sano
easily beating down Kanryuu’s samurai as Kanryuu tosses money out the window to try to motivate
the samurai to beat Kenshin and Sano. Not happening!
easily beating down Kanryuu’s samurai as Kanryuu tosses money out the window to try to motivate
the samurai to beat Kenshin and Sano. Not happening!
Kenshin’s fight with Jinei was riveting. Broken up into three rounds, Kenshin is roundly trounced by
Jinei until he’s totally turned back into Battousai, then breaks Jinei’s nose with a Ryu Tsui Sen and
finishes by severing the tendons in his right arm with a So Ryu Sen. Awesome stuff!
Jinei until he’s totally turned back into Battousai, then breaks Jinei’s nose with a Ryu Tsui Sen and
finishes by severing the tendons in his right arm with a So Ryu Sen. Awesome stuff!
This is what you get when you
mess with Battousai’s woman.
The Bad:
Instead of the Hiruma Brothers attempting to take over the dojo, we simply get some random thugs sent
by Kanryuu and Udo Jinei playing the false Battousai. This is forgivable though as the movie couldn't
run too long and most of it was handled intelligently.
by Kanryuu and Udo Jinei playing the false Battousai. This is forgivable though as the movie couldn't
run too long and most of it was handled intelligently.
Kenshin’s relationship with Tomoe is completely altered by the fact that he sees her weeping over
Akira’s body the day after he killed Akira. It’s completely different if he already knows who Tomoe is
when they first meet!
Akira’s body the day after he killed Akira. It’s completely different if he already knows who Tomoe is
when they first meet!
Almost zero interaction between Sanosuke and Megumi. Megumi’s upbraiding of Sano for being stupid
and obnoxious was totally absent and very much missed.
and obnoxious was totally absent and very much missed.
No mention was made of Sanosuke's past with the Sekihoutai, leaving him a bit oafish and one
dimensional. Still lovable though.
dimensional. Still lovable though.
Yahiko was given way too little to do. Although his plucky personality is present, we never get to see
him kick ass and take names with his shinai. The one time he does fight, he’s easily beaten by Kanryuu’s
thugs.
him kick ass and take names with his shinai. The one time he does fight, he’s easily beaten by Kanryuu’s
thugs.
Also, Kaoru was given so little to do that some people wanted to pair Kenshin up with Megumi because
those two seemed to interact more.
those two seemed to interact more.
Saitou’s gatotsu on a chandelier looked pretty silly. XP
I believe I can fly.
The Ugly:
Leaving out Aoshi and the Oniwabanshuu was the movie's biggest mistake, I think. Aoshi was one of
Kenshin's biggest enemies and deserved to have his story intact.
Kenshin's biggest enemies and deserved to have his story intact.
Conclusion:
A very fine adaptation of the manga, which I rate 7/10. Takeru brings Kenshin to life so perfectly that I
would love to marry him, make him dress up as Kenshin and allow me to indulge my prurient Kenshin
fantasies on him for the rest of our lives.
would love to marry him, make him dress up as Kenshin and allow me to indulge my prurient Kenshin
fantasies on him for the rest of our lives.
Kyoto Taikahen
If the first movie was the opening score, Kyoto Taikahen is the crescendo of the symphony. Everything
about this movie was just majestic and epic. Also, of the three movies, this one follows canon the closest.
about this movie was just majestic and epic. Also, of the three movies, this one follows canon the closest.
The Good:
Everyone was able to return to their previous roles (except Yahiko). The first person we see is Eguchi's
Saitou, this time much slimmer and sporting the antenna bangs. Just those two things totally transformed
him into a very believable Saitou. Next, we meet Shishio Makoto (played by Tatsuya Fujiwara), standing
in a sea of flame, looking for all the world like the devil himself. The grand, rolling musical score that
they use for Shishio's introduction is spine tingling.
Saitou, this time much slimmer and sporting the antenna bangs. Just those two things totally transformed
him into a very believable Saitou. Next, we meet Shishio Makoto (played by Tatsuya Fujiwara), standing
in a sea of flame, looking for all the world like the devil himself. The grand, rolling musical score that
they use for Shishio's introduction is spine tingling.
Seeing the Kenshingumi taking in a play together is funny. The play actually turns out to be about
Hitokiri Bakkyusai, a funny sendup of Battousai. The bumbling assassin on stage doesn't get too many
kills, but a lot of laughs. It's really fun to watch Kenshin doing something normal, like laughing at a play,
even if he is indirectly the subject of it.
Hitokiri Bakkyusai, a funny sendup of Battousai. The bumbling assassin on stage doesn't get too many
kills, but a lot of laughs. It's really fun to watch Kenshin doing something normal, like laughing at a play,
even if he is indirectly the subject of it.
Another plus is that we finally get some much needed interaction between Sanosuke and Megumi. It's as
funny as we might imagine. Sanosuke makes an inappropriate or off kilter remark and Megumi pounces
on him for it, calling him "oaf" and "stupid" a few times. Love it!
funny as we might imagine. Sanosuke makes an inappropriate or off kilter remark and Megumi pounces
on him for it, calling him "oaf" and "stupid" a few times. Love it!
Also, Sanosuke is given a bit more depth by showing his disdain for the Meiji government. The way he
crunches defiantly into a tomato right in the face of Kawaji of the police is hilarious and is totally
Sanosuke!
crunches defiantly into a tomato right in the face of Kawaji of the police is hilarious and is totally
Sanosuke!
Other notable highlights are the assassination of Governor Okubo by a frightfully smiling Seta Sojirou
(very well played by Kamiki Ryunosuke). The whole scene was perfectly lifted from the pages of the
manga.
(very well played by Kamiki Ryunosuke). The whole scene was perfectly lifted from the pages of the
manga.
Another good thing is Makimachi Misao, delightfully played by Tsuchiya Tao. Unlike in the manga and
anime, Misao had me smiling from the moment she stole Kenshin's sakabatou till she gave Aoshi a
mouthful in the final film. She was bubbly, delightful, yet strong as steel and so very useful in battle.
During the Kyoto Inferno battle, Misao was out there, kicking ass and taking names. If she had been like
that in canon, I would have liked the character a lot more.
anime, Misao had me smiling from the moment she stole Kenshin's sakabatou till she gave Aoshi a
mouthful in the final film. She was bubbly, delightful, yet strong as steel and so very useful in battle.
During the Kyoto Inferno battle, Misao was out there, kicking ass and taking names. If she had been like
that in canon, I would have liked the character a lot more.
Kenshin and Misao work well together in the Shingetsu Village incident. Misao watches over Eiji while
Kenshin proceeds to dispense his justice on Shishio’s men for murdering Eiji’s family.
Kenshin proceeds to dispense his justice on Shishio’s men for murdering Eiji’s family.
Kenshin’s first confrontation with Shishio was very faithful to the manga. The tension between the two
former assassins crackles like electricity and the death glares they give each other are sweet!
former assassins crackles like electricity and the death glares they give each other are sweet!
Kenshin’s match with Sojirou was well choreographed and you really see what a disadvantage a
non-killing vow puts Kenshin at against a swordsman who has no qualms about killing.
non-killing vow puts Kenshin at against a swordsman who has no qualms about killing.
Kenshin's fight with Chou was the highlight of the film for me. Everything was there. Little Iori is
viciously ripped from his parents' arms by Chou, who wants a subject to test Arai Shakku's last sword
on. The fight with Kenshin at the shrine is picture perfect. Although we don't get to see the Hakujin, we
do get treated to the Renbatou and Chou gets a few slashes on Kenshin with the double blade. The big
moment is so perfect. Kenshin's reaction to believing he had broken his vow is simply heartbreaking and
the music that accompanies it is beautiful.
viciously ripped from his parents' arms by Chou, who wants a subject to test Arai Shakku's last sword
on. The fight with Kenshin at the shrine is picture perfect. Although we don't get to see the Hakujin, we
do get treated to the Renbatou and Chou gets a few slashes on Kenshin with the double blade. The big
moment is so perfect. Kenshin's reaction to believing he had broken his vow is simply heartbreaking and
the music that accompanies it is beautiful.
I also thought Kaoru was given better treatment in this movie. In the beginning, we see her in the drill
hall, overseeing her students and shouting out instructions to them. We also get more interaction between
her and Kenshin. Although some might disagree, I liked Kaoru's reaction to Kenshin's departure better in
the movie. In canon of course, Kaoru falls into a depression and mopes around in her futon for three days
until Megumi bitches her out for it. In this version, Kaoru sulks, but more by ignoring the situation with
icy disdain, acting as if Kenshin had never existed at all. Finally, Kaoru gets to kick ass and take names as
well. Wielding a wooden naginata, she takes out several of Shishio's thugs. This is what Kaoru fans have
been waiting for!
hall, overseeing her students and shouting out instructions to them. We also get more interaction between
her and Kenshin. Although some might disagree, I liked Kaoru's reaction to Kenshin's departure better in
the movie. In canon of course, Kaoru falls into a depression and mopes around in her futon for three days
until Megumi bitches her out for it. In this version, Kaoru sulks, but more by ignoring the situation with
icy disdain, acting as if Kenshin had never existed at all. Finally, Kaoru gets to kick ass and take names as
well. Wielding a wooden naginata, she takes out several of Shishio's thugs. This is what Kaoru fans have
been waiting for!
The battle between Aoshi and Okina is awesome. It follows the manga version very closely with Misao
coming in just as Aoshi delivers the final blow to poor Okina. Aoshi then warns Misao off him and walks
away, leaving Misao stricken.
coming in just as Aoshi delivers the final blow to poor Okina. Aoshi then warns Misao off him and walks
away, leaving Misao stricken.
Another plus is that we get to hear Megumi's speech to Kaoru about Kenshin's health, except it's done as
Megumi's motivation for Kaoru to go to Kyoto instead of after the battle with Shishio, but whatever. The
point is, Megumi still gets Kaoru to realize that Kenshin isn't an invincible demigod, but a frail human
being like the rest of us.
Megumi's motivation for Kaoru to go to Kyoto instead of after the battle with Shishio, but whatever. The
point is, Megumi still gets Kaoru to realize that Kenshin isn't an invincible demigod, but a frail human
being like the rest of us.
The Bad:
The Sayonara scene, while still touching, really lacked the charm of the anime's treatment of it. It was
done during the day and there were no fireflies.
done during the day and there were no fireflies.
Due to Taketa Tanaka's growth spurt, Kaito Oyagi replaced him as Yahiko. Unfortunately, Oyagi brought
none of Tanaka's fire and spirit to the role, leaving Yahiko as flat as a pancake.
none of Tanaka's fire and spirit to the role, leaving Yahiko as flat as a pancake.
The rest of the Juppongatana were given very little to do, nothing more than screen dressing really. Also,
Kaoru ends up being kidnapped by Sojirou and held on the Purgatory in order to bait Kenshin into
fighting them there. I really didn't find this necessary.
Kaoru ends up being kidnapped by Sojirou and held on the Purgatory in order to bait Kenshin into
fighting them there. I really didn't find this necessary.
The Ugly:
Due to his being excluded from the first movie, Aoshi's backstory is changed quite a bit. Instead of
hunting Kenshin down due to his four comrades dying at Kanryuu's estate, he hunts Kenshin down simply
because Kenshin was the strongest of the Ishin Shishi, who defeated the Bakufu, who in turn killed
Aoshi's old Oniwabanshuu comrades to prevent them from trying to fight the Meiji government. This
change makes Aoshi seem like a shallow, superficial character who has no good reason to go after
Kenshin.
hunting Kenshin down due to his four comrades dying at Kanryuu's estate, he hunts Kenshin down simply
because Kenshin was the strongest of the Ishin Shishi, who defeated the Bakufu, who in turn killed
Aoshi's old Oniwabanshuu comrades to prevent them from trying to fight the Meiji government. This
change makes Aoshi seem like a shallow, superficial character who has no good reason to go after
Kenshin.
Conclusion:
This one's the best of the three, rating a 9/10.
Densetsu no Saigohen
Kyoto Taikahen was the crescendo of the music. Unfortunately, Densetsu is the trailing ending and is a bit
of a letdown after the perfection of the first two. It's still very good, but compared to what it could have
been, it falls just a little flat.
of a letdown after the perfection of the first two. It's still very good, but compared to what it could have
been, it falls just a little flat.
The Good:
O-Hiko-sama! After initial fears of his exclusion, we see that Kenshin's master is indeed in the movie,
played by Japanese pop culture god Fukuyama Masaharu. With his wizened features and chiseled good
looks, this middle aged man is perfect as Kenshin's middle aged, but still quite young looking, master.
Masha-sama's Hiko isn't the arrogant braggart of canon, but is still imposing, powerful, and has no
trouble putting his errant pupil in his place during Kenshin's retraining.
played by Japanese pop culture god Fukuyama Masaharu. With his wizened features and chiseled good
looks, this middle aged man is perfect as Kenshin's middle aged, but still quite young looking, master.
Masha-sama's Hiko isn't the arrogant braggart of canon, but is still imposing, powerful, and has no
trouble putting his errant pupil in his place during Kenshin's retraining.
Flashbacks to Kenshin's childhood, training under Hiko. There's nothing like watching little Kenshin
getting beaten to a bloody stump to make you smile.
getting beaten to a bloody stump to make you smile.
Misao continues to impress me in this movie. After they return to the Aoiya from Aoshi's fight with
Kenshin, Misao doesn't just start fawning over Aoshi. Instead, she holds him to account for his misdeeds
and gives him an earful, albeit politely. I totally respected Misao for not just forgiving Aoshi right away.
Kenshin, Misao doesn't just start fawning over Aoshi. Instead, she holds him to account for his misdeeds
and gives him an earful, albeit politely. I totally respected Misao for not just forgiving Aoshi right away.
Although it’s short, Saitou nails Usui with an awesome gatotsu!
The end fight with Shishio is also great. Kenshin, Saitou, Sano and Aoshi all tag team against Shishio.
Sanosuke gets to do a lot more than simply be knocked out by Shishio after one punch like in canon.
Also, Shishio isn't shown as totally godlike. He gets knocked around a bit and we can see him being
affected by the four heros' strikes on him, though he still puts up a hell of a fight!
Sanosuke gets to do a lot more than simply be knocked out by Shishio after one punch like in canon.
Also, Shishio isn't shown as totally godlike. He gets knocked around a bit and we can see him being
affected by the four heros' strikes on him, though he still puts up a hell of a fight!
Of course, one of my favorite scenes was when our smooth little Rurouni gave Kaoru a pretty red maple
leaf. You know what I’m talking about. ;-)
leaf. You know what I’m talking about. ;-)
The Bad:
Kenshin’s mastery of the secret was a bit underwhelming. I didn’t even realize he had performed it until
I’d watched the film a few times.
I’d watched the film a few times.
Kaoru spends the first half of the movie comatose in a hospital, not waking up until after Kenshin has
mastered the secret. She and Kenshin are apart all the way until the end of the movie. A beach reunion
scene was filmed, but then removed from the movie.
mastered the secret. She and Kenshin are apart all the way until the end of the movie. A beach reunion
scene was filmed, but then removed from the movie.
Sanosuke's relationship with Anji was completely excised, leaving their fight on the Purgatory feeling
cheap and superficial.
cheap and superficial.
We get no background on Sojirou, so are left to scratch our heads as to why he loses it after he can't
defeat Kenshin in their second fight. Instead of doing the whole Kenshin as a fugitive subplot, they could
have focused somewhat on Sojirou's background.
defeat Kenshin in their second fight. Instead of doing the whole Kenshin as a fugitive subplot, they could
have focused somewhat on Sojirou's background.
The Ugly:
Aoshi is so far into the path of chaos that he kills Okina, although not directly. I hated Okina dying
because it's in direct contradiction to the manga. The only thing I can guess is that Aoshi was in chaos for
ten years in this timeline, whereas in canon, he was only in chaos for a few months, so he held back a bit
when he struck Okina. In this, there was no holding back.
because it's in direct contradiction to the manga. The only thing I can guess is that Aoshi was in chaos for
ten years in this timeline, whereas in canon, he was only in chaos for a few months, so he held back a bit
when he struck Okina. In this, there was no holding back.
Killing this man is like killing Gandalf!
The Purgatory isn't destroyed, allowing Shishio to set sail and bombard Tokyo. I actually don’t mind this
part. I always thought it sucked that the Purgatory was destroyed in the manga before we got to see what
it could do. However, the subplot that follows is the most idiotic part of the movie!
part. I always thought it sucked that the Purgatory was destroyed in the manga before we got to see what
it could do. However, the subplot that follows is the most idiotic part of the movie!
The Purgatory’s bombing power enables Shishio to force the Meiji government's hand and demand that
they hunt Kenshin down like a criminal. Wanted posters are put up and Kenshin ends up being assaulted
and arrested when he returns to Kamiya Dojo. Why would Shishio want the government to execute
Kenshin? Wouldn't he want to fight Kenshin himself? He expressed desire to twice in the previous movie.
It's a bit of a contradiction.
they hunt Kenshin down like a criminal. Wanted posters are put up and Kenshin ends up being assaulted
and arrested when he returns to Kamiya Dojo. Why would Shishio want the government to execute
Kenshin? Wouldn't he want to fight Kenshin himself? He expressed desire to twice in the previous movie.
It's a bit of a contradiction.
Kenshin’s arrest and conversation with Ito leads to a mock execution on the beach. Houji reads off a list
of the names of Kenshin’s victims from the Revolution. Kaoru and Sanosuke are stuck behind a fence,
watching as this happens. That would have been a good time for Sano to knock down the fence, throw
himself out there and beat the shit out of the government officials and Juppongatana. This whole subplot
felt like a filler episode from the third season of the anime had been somehow wedged into the movie.
of the names of Kenshin’s victims from the Revolution. Kaoru and Sanosuke are stuck behind a fence,
watching as this happens. That would have been a good time for Sano to knock down the fence, throw
himself out there and beat the shit out of the government officials and Juppongatana. This whole subplot
felt like a filler episode from the third season of the anime had been somehow wedged into the movie.
Conclusion:
This movie is the weakest of the three, although still quite good. 6/10
Overall Conclusion:
Overall, I just love these movies. Yes, some changes were made here and there and some things were
excluded that should have been left in, but that’s always the nature of film adaptations. Instead of fretting
over what we didn’t get, I’m grateful for the things we did get. There was such exquisite attention to
detail that I just knew the cast and crew really wanted to do a great job adapting Kenshin, and they did!
excluded that should have been left in, but that’s always the nature of film adaptations. Instead of fretting
over what we didn’t get, I’m grateful for the things we did get. There was such exquisite attention to
detail that I just knew the cast and crew really wanted to do a great job adapting Kenshin, and they did!
Addendum: After I've watched the Jinchuu Arc movies, I'll post my reviews of them here.
