12 Rin's World/February 2015
points of Kenshin's character along with his fighting ability. These things
were portrayed through actor Takeru Satoh as Kenshin Himura and the
wonderful abilites of the director and screen writer. They even put in the minor
characters that we see in the anime/manga that show up in Kenshin's life through
other characters, such as Tsubame, Tai and Dr Gensai. But we also get flashbacks into
Kenshin's past just as in the series.
In Rurouni Kenshin The Kyoto Fire, the story continues with the appearance of Makoto
Shishio, Kenshin's heir as a manslayer and assassin for the Shogunate. Makoto has returned
and plan to take over the country. The government wants Kenshin's help in getting rid of
Makoto. Kenshin originally wants to refuse to help, especially if it means killing again.
However, once a government official he knows is killed he makes his way to Kyoto, only to see
the suffering of villagers ruled by Makoto Shishio's men. He then have a battle with Sojirou Seta. In this battle Kenshin's sword breaks and he has to find the original maker and get him to make another Reverse Blade sword for him. However, the sword master is dead and his son no longer makes swords but knives. One of the men in Shishio's group goes after the last sword only to find out that it is the Master Reverse Blade sword.
The movie really puts a lot of effort in including not only the epic battle scene of Kenshin's sword breaking but also when he gets the new Reverse Blade sword. Both fights were done incredibly well and believeable situations and movements. Many characters from the anime/manga arc were also included in this segment. I also loved the little humor from the series that was included from time to time. Even the ending was done rather well. It was a nice cliffhanger that led directly to the final movie. But it wasn't so dramatic as to leave you pining for the next movie either.
As for Rurouni Kenshin The Legend Ends, it begins with Kenshin's past as a boy and how he
met his master, Seijuro Hiko. And I must say that Masaharu Fukuyama suits the role as
Seijirou Hiko perfectly. Not just in looks, but also acting ability and also in real-life age.
I don't know if anyone knows this, but he's actually 20 years older than Takeru
Sato. They both are also a part of Amuse Entertainment. But back to the story.
Many feel that the story could have been fine without adding
Kenshin's master to the plot, but it wouldn't have been fine because
Kenshin needed to learn the final technique of the Hiten Mitsurugi
Style and only Seijuro Hiko could teach it to him. But after the
build up of Kenshin's group (as known in the anime series),
they all eventually get back together.
After fighting Aoshio Shinamori on his way to Tokyo
Kenshin is captured and sentenced to death for his crimes
as a manslayer, as threatened by Makoto Shishio, however,
it was only a ploy. On the beach most of the characters
that are part of Makoto Shishio's group are shown. There
isn't highlighted battle scenes but basically at this point
it becomes one long action scene. The battles
included were the ones between Sanosuke and the
monk, Kenshin and Sojirou and of course Makoto
Shishio against Haijime Saito, Sanosuke Sagara,
Aoshi Shinamore and Kenshin. Then Kenshin's
final technique is revealed.
From beginning to end the storyline tried to
include the key battles
that Kenshin goes through and the key characters.
It also includes some of the humor from the
series as well. And the ending, well...I will just let you watch that. I hope you enjoyed my review of the series and the movie summaries of each film. I left out some items because I didn't want to spoil them to much. But I don't think anything could spoil the amount of joy you will get from having such a good series made into a live-action film that was written, directed and acted so well.
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