One of the best Live Action interpretation of a manga series! Based on the best selling manga by Nobuhiro Watsuki, RUROUNI KENSHIN. The Blockbuster Live Action Remake of the Popular Anime Series is now available on DVD and VCD.
Movie Trailer
Here is a press release about the movie and the DVD/VCD release.
PRESS RELEASE
Rurouni Kenshin
Synopsis:
In 1868, after the end of the Bakumatsu war, the former assassin Kenshin Himura (Takeru Satoh) promises to defend those in need without killing the opponents and wanders through Japan with a sword with inverted blade during the transition of the Samurai Age to the New Age. When Kenshin helps the idealistic Kaoru Kamiya from the gangsters of the powerful opium drug lord Kanryu Takeda who wants her dojo for his production of opium, Kaoru invites Kenshin to stay at her dojo. Meanwhile a man calling himself the “Hitokiri Battousai” (The Man slayer) is murdering police officers and leaving messages attached to their bodies. Kicking off his plans, Kanryu begins to take the lives of innocent people in a bid to acquire the land around Kaoru’s dojo. Unable to turn a blind eye to those who are suffering, Kenshin decides to take action. Faced with the insurmountable odds of facing Kanryu’s 250 man personal guards, Kenshin’s only ally is a brawler named Sanosuke Sagara. Will he be able to protect the people he cares about with only his inverted blade?
Press Notes:
The Best Selling Comic Series Finally Becomes a Live Action Film
Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan
Official Site: http://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/rurouni-kenshin/index.html (Japan)
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| Theatrical poster for RUROUNI KENSHIN. Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © Watsuki Nobuhiro/ Shueisha. ©2012 “Rurouni Kenshin” Production Committee |
A kind smile and a caring heart. A slender build like a young boy and long hair.
But when this man moves to save somebody, his eyes become sharp like no other.
Faster than God, Stronger than Shura, able to take control of a battle against multiple foes.
Yet he has vowed to never take a life, no matter how evil his opponent may be.
Based on the best selling manga by Nobuhiro Watsuki, RUROUNI KENSHIN. The Blockbuster Live Action Remake of the Popular Anime Series is now available on DVD and VCD at ALL Astrovision, Astroplus, Odyssey, O’Music & Video, select SM Record Bar, select National Bookstore & at ALL Video City Outlets Nationwide. Locally distributed by C-Interactive Digital Entertainment. This film has massive awareness through its popularity as an anime and manga, being a live-action adaptation of the anime that founded a huge fanbase in the Philippines since its 22 volume release in 2002 and the more recent manga release in 2010.
“Rurouni Kenshin” premiered in Japanese theaters on August 25 peaking at number one at the box office ahead of “The Avengers”, “Prometheus” and “Madagascar 3 “, with one input stronger year. Turned on by fans of the anime and manga franchise’ most successful and internationally followed, this live-action adaptation is one of the most anticipated Japanese film of the year worldwide after having confirmed the distribution from 66 countries.
January, 1868. The shogun’s forces are defeated by a samurai uprising under a lone swordsman known as “Battousai the Killer”, signalling the birth of a new era. Once legendary for his killing prowess, Battousai becomes a wanderer under the name of Kenshin Himura and vows never to kill again. But things are not so simple: faced with those who wish to return Japan to times of darkness, Kenshin is forced to grapple with what renouncing violence could mean.
RUROUNI KENSHIN grossed over $25 million in Japan, beating PROMETHEUS in the same week of release. It was also selected for the 2012 Japanese Film Festival in Melbourne and Sydney. The first movie to sell out its screenings in both cities, RUROUNI KENSHIN was given bonus screenings which also sold out.
Initially published in Weekly Shonen Jump, the manga Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story made waves as a series like no other, even going on to gain a large female reader base. The manga was originally serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from 1994-1999. Collected in 28 volumes, Rurouni Kenshin has sold over 54 million copies and been published in 23 countries (including a US release from Viz Media). A new manga series,Rurouni Kenshin Restoration, debuted in Shueisha’s Jump Square magazine this past June, with the English translated version currently running in Viz’s digital manga Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha.
The manga was adapted into a 95 episode RUROUNI KENSHIN, aka SAMURAI X, anime series which aired from 1995-1998, the anime feature film RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE MOTION PICTURE and the OAVs RUROUNI KENSHIN: TRUST AND BETRAYAL, RUROUNI KENSHIN: REFLECTION and RUROUNI KENSHIN: NEW KYOTO ARC.
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| Kaoru Kamiya and Kenshin Himura Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © Watsuki Nobuhiro/ Shueisha. © 2012 “Rurouni Kenshin” Production Committee |
To complete this dream project, a wide variety of talented actors and staff have come together to create a super high quality 134 minute film that even the original creator can be proud of. The man in charge of making a faithful big screen adaptation of the original manga is the director of the hit drama RYOMADEN, Keishi Ohtomo. Ohtomo quickly cast RYOMADEN actor Takeru Satoh (MASKED RIDER DEN-O, ROOKIES, GOEMON) in the lead role as Himura Kenshin, with the blessing of the original comic writer/artist Nobuhiro Watsuki. Director Ohtomo proclaimed that, “If we’re making a live action version, the only man fit for the job is him.”
Rounding out the cast are Emi Takei (FOR LOVE’S SAKE), Koji Kikkawa (KAMEN RIDER OOO & W FEATURING SKULL: MOVIE WAR CORE), Yu Aoi (HULA GIRLS, HONEY AND CLOVER), Munetaka Aoki (OPPAI VOLLEYBALL, TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME), Gou Ayano (GANTZ, HELTER SKELTER), Genki Sudo (KAMEN RIDER DOUBLE FOREVER: A TO Z – THE GAIA MEMORIES OF FATE), Eiji Okuda (MILOCRORZE: A LOVE STORY), Yosuke Eguchi (SAMURAI COMMANDO MISSION 1549) and Teruyuki Kagawa (20TH CENTURY BOYS trilogy, KAIJI 2).
An extraordinary comic, a devoted director and a cast ready for anything!
Warner Bros. Japan and foreign sales agent Gaga Corporation are pushing for an international release of RUROUNI KENSHIN, which could launch a live action film series.
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| Takeru Sato as Kenshin Himura Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © Watsuki Nobuhiro/ Shueisha. © 2012 “Rurouni Kenshin” Production Committee |
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
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| A man called Hitokiri Battousai (Kouji Kikkawa) terrorizes the citizens of Tokyo Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © Watsuki Nobuhiro/Shueisha. © 2012 “Rurouni Kenshin” Production Committee |
“I will never kill again.” The legendary assassin who made a promise. Despite vowing to never cut down another man, he could still protect the people he cares about. This is the story of a man wielding a reverse blade — sharpened only on the edge he holds toward himself — a wanderer fighting against the times.
It’s been ten years since the start of the Meiji Era and Japan’s and transition from the Middle Ages to industrialization. Unemployed, having lost the right to wear the sword, and facing guns and cannons, the samurai have gradually disappeared into legend.
In Tokyo, a man calling himself the “Hitokiri Battousai” (The Man slayer) has appeared. Recklessly standing against him is the young woman Kaoru Kamiya and the mysterious man who saves her.
As fate would have it, Kaoru’s savior was actually the assassin who, in the Bakumatsu period, once earned the title Hitokiri Battousai. He has since changed his name to Kenshin Himura, a vagabond devoting his life to protecting others with his reverse blade. He becomes a lodger at Kaoru’s dojo, where she struggles to continue the sword style her father left behind.
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| Kaoru Kamiya (Emi Takei), Yahiko Myojin (Taketo Tanaka), Megumi Takani (Yu Aio) and Kenshin Himura. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © Watsuki Nobuhiro/ Shueisha. © 2012 “Rurouni Kenshin” Production Committee |
The true identity behind the new — and false — Hitokiri Battousai is Jin-e Udo, a bodyguard for the industrialist Kanryu Takeda. Forcing the female doctor Takani Megumi to make opium, Kanryu makes a great deal of money that he uses to purchase weapons to further his goal of trying to control the world.
Police officer Saito Hajime, a former member of the Shinsengumi, catches onto Kanryu’s scheme but is incapable of laying a hand on the man due to his strong political influence. Kicking off his plans, Kanryu begins to take the lives of innocent people in a bid to acquire the land around Kaoru’s dojo.
Unable to turn a blind eye to those who are suffering, Kenshin decides to take action. Faced with the insurmountable odds of facing Kanryu’s 250 man personal guard, Kenshin’s only ally is a brawler named Sanosuke Sagara. Will he be able to protect the people he cares about with only his reverse blade?
CHARACTERS
Kenshin Himura: Takeru Satoh
For five years starting from the age of 14, he was an assassin for the clan aiming to overthrow the Shogunate. After the restoration, he tried to change his way of living but found that one can never truly erase their past. The cross shaped scar on his face is proof of that.
Kaoru Kamiya: Emi Takei
A 17 year old girl protecting her dojo alone. She believes that the sword style her father taught, a blade that allows for others to live, is carried on through Kenshin’s reverse sword style. She seeks to support Kenshin.
Jin-e Udo: Kouji Kikkawa
Like a wolf thirsty for blood, he continued to kill others without end. However after meeting the Battousai and engaging him in life or death battle, he finds true meaning in his life.
Megumi Takani: Yu Aoi
The daughter of a long line of doctors, she becomes Kanryu’s lover in order to survive after her family is killed in battle. She truly regrets assisting him in taking the lives of others.
Sanosuke Sagara: Munetaka Aoki
A brawler who wields a Zanbatou (a type of long sword). While impulsive and quick to get angry, he’s a man who’s overflowing with kindness. It is through his earnest personality that he forms a true friendship with Kenshin.
Hajime Saito: Yousuke Eguchi
Former leader of the 3rd squad of the Shinsengumi. He is now a police officer in the Meiji government. He completely rejects Kenshin’s belief of using the sword to save others without killing.
Kanryu Takeda: Teruyuki Kagawa
An industrialist who believes there’s nothing one can’t buy with money. He has no problems with taking the lives of those he believes to be useless. He’s plotting to create a new empire.
CREDITS
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| Advance poster for RUROUNI KENSHIN Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © Watsuki Nobuhiro/Shueisha. ©2012 “Rurouni Kenshin” Production Committee |
Cast
Kenshin Himura: Takeru Sato
Kaoru Kamiya: Emi Takei
Jin-e Udo: Koji Kikkawa
Megumi Takani: Yu Aoi
Sanosuke Sagara: Munetaka Aoki
Gein: Gou Ayano
Banjin Inui: Genki Sudo
Yahiko Myojin: Taketo Tanaka
Aritomo Yamagata: Eiji Okuda
Hajime Saito: Yosuke Eguchi
Kanryu Takeda: Teruyuki Kagawa
Staff
Director: Keishi Ohtomo
Executive Producer: William Ireton
Producer: Shinzo Matsuhashi
Original Comic: Nobuhiro Watsuki
Screenplay: Kiyomi Fujii and Keishi Ohtomo
Cinematography: Takuro Ishizaka
Production Designer: Sou Hashimoto
Action Director: Kenji Tanigaki
Music: Naoki Sato
Planning and Production: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan, Studio Swan
Theatrical Distribution: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan
© Watsuki Nobuhiro/ Shueisha. © 2012 “Rurouni Kenshin” Production Committee
Release Date: March 20, 2013
Year Of Production: 2012
Aspect Ratio: 16×9 Widescreen
Format: DVD (Region 3, NTSC)
SRP: Php750.00
Number of Discs: 1
Audio tracks: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 134 minutes
Special Features
Making of RUROUNI KENSHIN
Official Trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e02g04fAgg&list=UUzdf1s-i9zzsemlXN8LeTrg&index=3
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| Kenshin Himura and Sanosuke Sagara (Munetaka Aoki) leave their foes scattered in their wake Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © Watsuki Nobuhiro/ Shueisha. © 2012 “Rurouni Kenshin” Production Committee |
“The single best Japanese live-action adaptation i have ever seen” – KOTAKU
Rurouni Kenshin DVD and VCD is now available at all Astrovision, Astroplus, Odyssey, O’Music & Video, select SM Record Bar, select National Bookstore & at all Video City Outlets Nationwide. Locally distributed by C-Interactive Digital Entertainment.
Credits: Press Release including photos provided by C-Interactive
