The movie “Rurouni Kenshin” was created by Nobuhiro Watsuki and serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump (Shueisha) from 1994 to 1999, with a total of 255 episodes. The sequel, “Hokkaido Arc,” is currently being published in Jump+.
The protagonist of this work is Kenshin Himura, who was feared as “Hitokiri Battousai” during the final years of the Edo period. However, after the Meiji Restoration, he vowed not to “Kill” and became a wandering swordsman who helped people. This story has been adapted into a live-action film and various other media.
While there are many films based on manga, many of them ruin the original image with cheap CGI. However, this work retains the essence of the original while being an action period drama.
The difficulty and success of adapting a manga original into a live-action film
Live-action adaptations of manga often end up being failures. For me, who watched both the manga and anime versions of Rurouni Kenshin in real time, it is one of the most important works that colored my childhood. I was worried that the adaptation would destroy the original worldview.
The movie “Rurouni Kenshin” pleasantly surprised us by dispelling those concerns!
Accuracy of character reproduction
First, Ken Sato’s portrayal of Kenshin was exceptionally well-crafted, capturing his carefree demeanor, occasional piercing gaze, and fluid movements in combat with remarkable accuracy. Particularly noteworthy was the contrast between his usual calm, polite manner of speaking and the intense ferocity he displayed as the legendary swordsman Battousai during battles. Sato’s subtle changes in eye expression and facial expressions effectively conveyed this transformation, showcasing the breadth of his acting range.
Additionally, the portrayal of other characters was also noteworthy. Yojiro Eguchi’s portrayal of Saito Hajime perfectly captured his cold gaze and overwhelming presence. It was a level of perfection that was taken directly from the original work. His performance, which conveyed his belief in “悪・即・斬 (Aku Soku Zan) meaning: evil must be cut down” while serving the nation, added further depth to the work.
Furthermore, Takeda Kanryu, portrayed by Shouji Kagawa, stood out for his eccentric performance (he reappears in Volume 6 of the Hokkaido arc). While he is a minor villain in the original work, in the film, his madness and arrogance are emphasized, making him a comical character. Other characters, such as Kamiya Kaoru (played by Saki Takai), Akira Sano (played by Takayuki Aoki), Myojin Yahiko (played by Hideto Tanaka), and Takagi Megumi (played by Yu Aoi), were also portrayed with high-level performances by the cast, each embodying their respective roles to a high standard.
Stage design and worldview construction
The stage design, which is crucial for bringing the original work’s worldview to life in a live-action film, has also played a significant role in the movie’s success. The recreation of the Meiji era setting was genuinely remarkable. The attention to detail was evident in every aspect, from the stage sets and costumes to the props, and the art direction for locations like the Kamiya Dojo faithfully recreated the original work’s worldview.
The atmosphere of the Meiji era, the setting of the work, is also truly remarkable. The attention to detail is evident in everything from the sets and costumes to the props. In particular, the scenes at the Kamiya Dojo are identical to those in the original work. The texture of the wooden buildings and the atmosphere of the tatami mats are truly realistic, and the high quality of the art direction is one of the film’s key attractions. Art director Yohei Taneda’s skills shone through.
The colors and textures of Kenshin’s kimono, Kaoru’s hakama outfit, and Sanosuke’s unique attire are all arranged in a way that is faithful to the original work while being suitable for live-action adaptation. In particular, Kenshin’s reverse-blade sword was magnificent. The shine of the blade and the decoration on the handle show the attention to detail in its creation.
The impressive sword-fighting action is genuinely thrilling.
In terms of direction, Keishi Otomo’s skills were also outstanding. Although he is active in the world of television dramas, he was able to fully demonstrate his abilities on the big screen of a movie. In particular, his camera work was superb, and his use of cuts to express the characters’ emotions was awe-inspiring. In an interview, Takuro Ishizaka, the director of photography for this film, said, It’s really about getting close to the action. That way, even if you get hit during a fight scene, it’s okay.
Another highlight of the film is, of course, the sword fight scenes. While recent action films tend to rely heavily on flashy CG effects, this film delivers on the audience’s expectations with realistic and dynamic sword fights based on actual sword techniques. The sound of swords clashing, the trajectory of the blades, and even the actors’ breathing are all conveyed vividly. The scenes were so powerful that I found myself leaning forward in my seat.
The skill of action director Kenji Tanigaki also shines through. Tanigaki has worked on the “Matrix” series, but the sword fight scenes in this film were particularly outstanding. They were filmed with a sense of speed while still clearly showing each movement.
Lead actor Ken Sato mentioned in an interview that Tanigaki even jumped off while the camera was rolling to capture the scene. It’s an interesting shot, but I think that’s something only Tanigaki could pull off.
Appreciation of the film adaptation that brings out the charm of the original work
“Rurouni Kenshin” is a long-running manga series consisting of 28 volumes (22 volumes in the complete edition). The film, which is approximately two hours long, covers the story from volume 5 of the manga (volume 4 in the complete edition). I felt that it accurately depicted the core elements of the original work, such as Kenshin’s past and his approach to the present, as well as his belief in “not killing.” In particular, the scenes where Kenshin confronts his past brought back the sense of immersion I felt when reading the original work.
However, if I may be so bold as to make a suggestion, I would have liked to see a deeper exploration of the relationship between Kenshin and Kaoru. In the original work, the bond between the two gradually develops over time. Still, in the film, due to time constraints, it felt rushed.
Regarding Aoki Takayuki, who played Sano, I think he effectively conveyed both his boldness and the delicate side he secretly possesses. Especially the process of their friendship developing was heartwarming to watch. That said, I would have liked to see more of Sano’s past episodes on screen. Stories like the Akahōtai incident would likely make for compelling visuals. However, if they were to be fully realized in live-action, it might have made the film too long, so perhaps it was unavoidable.
Highly accomplished live-action adaptation
As a live-action adaptation of a manga, it falls into the category of highly successful works. It was satisfying for fans of the original work, and it is a work that can be thoroughly enjoyed even by those without prior knowledge.
Of course, it is not a perfect work. There were a few points that stood out, such as the lack of depth in character development and the roughness of some of the CG. In particular, the background CG left me feeling that it could have been more naturally rendered in some areas. Nevertheless, even accounting for these flaws, the film’s charm shines through.
Following the massive success of this film in 2012, the highly anticipated sequel, “Kyoto Inferno” and “The Legend Ends,” was released as a two-part series in 2014. This sequel, which adapts the Kyoto arc—one of the most popular parts of the original work—delves deeper into the relationship between Kenshin and Kaoru. Additionally, the appearance of Shishio Makoto, portrayed by Ryūya Fujiwara, helps to fill in the gaps left unexplored in the first film.
Summary: The appeal of “Rurouni Kenshin” that still resonates today
Despite bearing the weight of his past sins, Kenshin’s quest for a new way of life resonates deeply with us in the modern world. This work conveys a message of hope that people can change.
The “Rurouni Kenshin” series was reanimated in 2023 and is currently progressing through the Kyoto Disturbance Arc. The live-action film series is also structured in three parts, covering up to the Kyoto Disturbance Arc. Why not take this opportunity to explore the worlds of both the anime and live-action versions of “Rurouni Kenshin”?
