The struggle for redemption continues… It’s been quite a while since we last saw Kenshin and Kaoru as the main characters of the franchise. If you’re like me you’ve been wondering about their fates since then, and if they’ve been able to find any kind of reconciliation. Well, I’m pleased to say that this story arc of Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno, despite some serious narrative flaws (for example the rushed and predictable conclusion and the dull and uninspiring villains) is still fun and entertaining.
In the first installment of the Rurouni Kenshin manga/anime series, a mysterious assassin known as Himura Kenshin is fighting for the sake of those who have been wronged by those in positions of power. Now, years after the series first started, Kenshin begins to realize that he may have been wrong about his world, and that he may need to take a different path – a path towards redemption, a path towards a better future.
One of the most gruesome anime of all time, “Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno” is a sequel to the hit series, “Rurouni Kenshin.” Following the events of the original series, two years after, the story begins with the death of the protagonist, Kenshin Himura. For those that have seen the original series, they will be familiar with the different storylines that we see during the series. For those that have not seen the original series, you will be able to see how they parallel and intertwine.
The sequel to the Rurouni Kenshin franchise, a Japanese live-action adaption based on the famous samurai manga series of the same name, is titled ‘Kyoto Inferno.’ For the sequel, Keishi Otomo returns to the director’s chair.
This action film debuted in Japanese theaters in August 2014, followed by a theatrical release in the United States in 2014, a subtitled version in September 2016, and a video on demand release shortly after. ‘Kyoto Inferno’ was filmed in a variety of sites across Japan, including Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagano, Ibaraki, and Kanagawa, with over 5000 extras participating in the production.
Takeru Satoh reprises his role as Kenshin Himura, a deadly contract assassin. This new title continues the protagonist’s journey to redemption and moral dilemma, as he struggles to reconcile his past as a cold-blooded killer with new personal and political circumstances, as well as a transition from the samurai era to a new period with modern social values and structures, as in the first installment.
The narrative of Kyoto Inferno is enhanced by the historical background, as well as how the side stories and increased number of characters are interwoven, allowing the film to effectively portray a more vivid and richer environment in which the events take place.
As previously said, the sequel has a large number of characters that are not adequately presented. This is because it is assumed that viewers have previously seen the 2012 premiere title “Rurouni Kenshin,” or have read the manga series or seen the anime. However, previous knowledge is not required to appreciate this film since there are flashbacks throughout the film that provide bits of the back story.
During the early days of the Meiji Restoration, samurais were considered outdated, and sword-bearing was illegal. The first half of ‘Kyoto Inferno’ is packed with instinctual entertainment coated with a series of intelligent remarks in seemingly awkward situations as lived by the characters during a time when samurais were considered outdated, and sword-bearing was illegal.
Makoto Shishio, portrayed by Tatsuya Fujiwara, is the villain in this chapter, and he is presented in a gripping opening sequence in which the chain-smoking police officer from the previous film, Hajime Saito, still personified by Yosuke Eguchi, confronts him. Shishio, on the other hand, is wrapped in bandages from head to toe, as we discover that he used to hang out with Kenshin’s murder gang. He was, however, stabbed in the back by the reformist administration for which he was murdered, set on fire, and left for dead. But his pitiful state doesn’t stop him from exacting vengeance on the government for their treachery, and an epic battle between his ghostly swordsmen and Saito’s gun-toting deputies follows.
In this film, Kenshin and Kaoru, the lady who gave him refuge in the previous film, spend a lot of time together, gazing deeply into one other’s eyes, debating whether he should accept the government’s offer to defend the people from evil. But much of Kenshin’s time is spent hunting down the final blade produced by Shakkai Arai, a well-known and talented swordsmith who also fashioned Kenshin’s unique, inverted blade, a katana sharpened on the inside to prevent the former hitman from leaking blood. He has sworn off murdering and is attempting to remain rehabilitated, as we all know. Shishio, on the other hand, is determined to force Kenshin to violate his promise, bringing with him a posse of 10 swords, all eager for a piece of the legend. Unfortunately, only one of them is capable of competing against Kenshin.
The choreography is outstanding, fast-paced, without appearing manufactured, little use of CGI, good use of creative techniques, the integration of fighting into the scenes, and the skillful use of camera views and angles enhances the fight sequences, just as it was in the previous film. Add this to Kenshin’s narrative aspect of tension, in which he is attempting to fight for peace and justice while avoiding returning to his former habits as a killing machine. All of these things will keep your heart racing during the action sequences.
The soundtrack is a mash-up of western-style classical and electronica, with a pompous Japanese pop-rock song running through the closing credits. The song was made in this manner on purpose to keep the youthful fans happy and to represent the scenario in Japan at the time, which emphasized concerns of being affected by western cultures.
The actors delivered excellent performances, just like they did in the previous film. Takeru Satu exudes not just the Kenshin aura, but also that of the former Battousai, who is both humorous and deadly. Despite being coated in plaster, Shishio’s brutality was evident, and Ryunosuke Kamiki’s portrayal of his most deadly man, Juppon Katana, was excellent.
This film focuses on bringing up the early Meiji era and making it as realistic as possible in terms of the details. This is particularly true in the case of Kyoto, which is depicted as a bustling metropolis brimming with a mix of traditional and Western cultures. This is further emphasized by the outfits, which include anything from traditional hairstyles to western suits and classic boots, to name a few. All of them pay tribute to the historical context in which the tale takes place.
This regard extends to the depiction of traditional and western homes in architecture. The minister’s house, for example, depicts the pinnacle of western influence on both the inside and outside. The ambassador himself is the exact picture of a sophisticated Japanese guy, complete with an amazing beard and excellent western clothing.
Without a doubt, ‘Kyoto Inferno’ is an engrossing film to see. The plot isn’t complicated. The characters are straightforward and faithful to the manga. The historical element is well-represented. The combat sequences are outstanding. This picture outdid itself as a fan-oriented film, with the screenwriters and director crafting a storyline that doesn’t alienate newcomers to the series. It is unquestionably worthwhile.
Check out our guide if you want to see the Rurouni Kenshin movies in sequence.
SCORE 8/10
One of the most anticipated of the summer, the eagerly awaited “Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno”, based on the popular manga series, came on to the big screen on July 9th. “Rurouni Kenshin” is a franchise of manga and anime that follows an assassin named Kenshin Himura, who fights for good and against evil, and the young man who stands up to a corrupt government and a tyrannical shogunate. In the film which is a retelling of the “Rurouni Kenshin” Kyoto Arc, “Rurouni Kenshin” takes a turn that is quite different from the manga and anime, but still retains the essence of. Read more about rurouni kenshin: the legend ends english and let us know what you think.
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