Rurouni Kenshin—that’s Samurai X to you—set for live action movie
In the late 90s, a local network showed this particular anime every Sunday evening on Philippine free TV. A few years later, an Asian Cable Channel showed it on weekdays.
It was a cartoon I got hooked on because of the fantastic story and awesome protagonist. The star of the show was a red-haired samurai sporting an X on his cheek. His name was Battousai the Slasher who lived during the Tokugawa era in Japan and was considered the best assassin in all of Japan. Later, he mended his ways and swore never to kill again. He eventually lived his life as a wanderer.
Of course, I'm talking about Samurai X or, as purists would call it, Rurouni Kenshin. The anime series began as a manga created by Nobuhiro Watsuki in 1994. In 1996, it became an anime series that ran till 1998.
The anime was a big hit with its mix of action, drama and comedy. It wasn't just a success in Japan, it had a big following all over the world.
3 things to love
Fans of Rurouni Kenshin have reason to rejoice in 2012. A live action movie is set to be released and from the looks of it, three great things stand out.
1. First, the movie boasts of an all-Japanese cast that closely resemble its anime equivalents. People who religiously followed this show don't have to worry about the Dragonball hullabaloo that appeared a few years ago. This time, the people behind this movie seem to be stricter when it comes to how the characters are portrayed.
2. Make noise for a Philippine screening. The studio behind the film. Warner Bros. Japan is making this movie and a company that big should have a distribution arm both in the U.S. and in Asia.
This means that Filipino Rurouni Kenshin fanatics should start making noise right now so the Philippines becomes part of the movie's theatrical run.
3. Sequels galore? It has been said that this isn't just a one-time film. It looks like sequels are slated. Recently, the trailer has gone viral on the web and we got to see snippets of what we can expect. It looks like Kenshin and the crew will go on head to head with the Oni Gang.
Fans seem happy, psyched, and excited for the film. The trailer is shows the characters Kenshin Himura, Kaoru Kamiya, and Sanosuke Segara. Yahiko Myojin or "Yoshi" to the English version fans wasn't shown but Megumi Takani and Saito Hajime appear as well as antagonists Jinei and Takeda.
Snippets showed Kenshin's days as Battousai the Slasher and as a wanderer. High action and sword fighting are awesome but it's the goodness of the Hiten Mitsurugi at the end that brings it all together. With that scene alone, it looks like it's going to be a really, really good movie!
Kenshin Himura will be played by Takeru Sato, Kaoru Kamiya will be played by Emi Takei, and it will be directed by Keishi Otomo. The film is slated to be released on August 25 in Japan this year… and in the Philippines shortly after, we hope.
