Way to do everything right on this masterpiece, Japan. For once I don’t need to send angry hate mail across the ocean. Last August the long-awaited live-action movie adaptation of the classic early Meiji period swordsman manga Ruruoni Kenshin (るろうに剣心) was released and proceeded to be even better than everyone dreamed, hoped, and prayed for. It was Da Bomb, that is all. Starring Sato Takeru as the titular Himura Kenshin, the movie dealt with only the first arc from the long-running manga series, when Kenshin goes to Tokyo and meets Kaoru after wandering for ten years after the end of the Bakumatsu war. Jump SQ, the publishing house behind Ruruoni Kenshin, dropped the thrilling bombshell news on its latest weekly shonen magazine that the next two live-action film sequels have been green lit and will be filming simultaneously. What that what? The original director Otomo Keishi is returning as well the main cast, which includes the deliciously perfect and quietly sexy Sato Takeru as both bumbling sweet Kenshin and deadly quiet Hitokiri Battosai. The two sequels will be released within months of each other slated for next year during the Summer of 2014. The second movie will be called The Great Kyoto Fire, which of course deals with the Kyoto arc in the manga with successor Battoasi Shishio Makoto’s plan to overthrow the new Meiji government and instill his new chaotic world order. Playing Shishio Makoto (and likely already getting measured for bandages) is Fujiwara Tatsuya, no stranger to edgy roles after playing the lead in the Battle Royale movies a decade ago and also headlining the Death Note movies. Good choice. The third movie is called The End of the Legend and will deal with Jinchu arc in the manga when Yukishiro Enishi returns after ten years to seek all-hell-breaks-loose revenge on Kenshin for the death of his older sister and Kenshin’s wife Tomoe. Enishi hasn’t been cast yet but it’s a meaty role for sure. Filming is slated to begin in late Summer and wrap up by year end for both movies. I wouldn’t mind if leading lady Takei Emi gets swapped out since she was the sole weak link but I can deal with it if she returns since Kaoru is such a figurehead at times anyways. I seriously CANNOT wait for the next two movies to drop, in the meantime watch a well-made thrilling MV containing all that is epic about the first movie
Fujiwara Tatsuya as Shishio Makoto. Errrr, just imagine him wrapped in bandages, his eyes will speak volumes, plus the sneer.
Ruruoni Kenshin Movie MV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ7G5PvHtrE
Oh, wow! I had no idea! Thanks for the news. I enjoyed the manga and the anime…
Old school. 😉
wish it was ayase haruka played kaoru instead then perfection! or because she may be older..that girl from ouran highschool
Yeah, I’m having trouble imagining Fujiwara as Shishio, but I’ll just cross my fingers and hope it works out.
Hate Takei Emi’s acting 🙁 She ruined every good things she’s so inexplicably fortunate to be in! Would rather someone like Inoue Mao, Gakki, or Shida Mirai to star instead. If it’s cute face you’re after, at least they complement it with acting skills.
This is a reality that I want…
That mv was 8 minutes of pure unadultrated awesome. There are no words…
OMG! I’m so excited for this!! Now I have something to look forward to! =)
Wow the action in the MV is just AWESOME!!! I’ve been meaning to watch this movie but i wanted to first watch the anime &/or read the manga but didn’t get the time fir that.. Yet. But now that I ser this action its sooo thrilling I just wanna watch it now!!
I disagree with you on swapping out Takei Emi. Im not a huge fan of hers either but changing the original cast is always a bad idea. Its not like it has to be an actress YOU like that plays the part. I think she fits the role well and its weird now if anyone else played Kaoru.
Really cant wait!!! And Kira as Shishio Makoto!?!? Badass!
WOW…. I really cant wait… This is indeed epic….
love love this & can’t wait for it.
Oro, this is indeed a treat for 2014. Although summer 2014 seems to be so far out (just getting use to 2013), I am looking forward to the movies with much anticipation.
Best news about Asian cinema I’ve read all year! Thank you!
Heeee… thank you Koala for your recommendation (>o<) i tried to watch this after reading this post 2 hours ago and maaaaaan, this movie is gem!
The mood, the acting, the action… like you said, da bomb! cant wait for Ruruoni Kenshin sequel
YAAAAAY, I was waiting for the news of the sequel since I watched the MV but now we get news of two sequels filming simultaneously!!! This is the perfect news <3
Yeah, best news! Only, I want this now!!!
Thanks for the article.
I know that I am very late, but I recently started reading the manga series. I love it! I watched the first film, which inspired me to begin reading the series. I can’t wait for the rest of the films 🙂
I thought this was a very good movie. All the actors/actresses did an outstanding job, and I hope no one gets replaced. Look forward to the sequels, hope they keep up the “excellentness”!
This is awesome news. I watched the movie Ms. Koala after your post talking about how great it was. You were 110% right so now heating the news of two sequels is just fantastic.
I have been waiting for this. I hope the 2 films will be released not too late in my country next year!!
Awesooome! Does it mean there will be Shinomori Aoshi too? YAAAAY!
I read about this somewhere else already but I can’t believe I missed your post about it too. Also, I can’t believe more people here aren’t squee-ing about this. My general reaction when I read the news was *swooooooon* and then when I recovered I think I might have danced a jig.
So, yes, I’m totally and completely on board and already counting down til next summer. XD
One word, AWESOME!!
Koala, I’m so late for this but I just saw the movie on the big screen for Japan Film Festival here in SF and HOLYOHMYGAWD….so good! And I’m with you, Marry Me, Sato Takeru!!! Boy has the right combination of adorable and sexy that I seriously forgot my name during some of his close-ups. So glad they’re making the sequel!