Rurouni Kenshin: Live action adaptation done right.

 

Before I dive into why Rurouni Kenshin succeeds as a live action manga adaptation and is beloved across the fandom, there's a serious topic to deal with. Unfortunately, the creator of the original manga that the movies were based on, Nobuhiro Watsuki, was fined for possession of child pornography back in 2018. The alleged sum of the fine was around 200,000 which is not remotely enough for something so disgusting and vile in my personal opinion. Someone with such a revolting thing should be prevented from ever possessing such things ever again and fined significantly more or serve some jail time. Now, Watsuki wasn't involved much in the adaptation process or the production of the movies beyond some possible screenwriting for the first half of the very first movie and overlooking the following scripts, offering input and ideas when needed. He is likely to have received and still be receiving passive income from them. I apologize for having to divulge this information and condemn Watsuki's actions but please regard the talented cast and crew whom, worked on the movies separately. Now that that's out of the way, let's dive into the movies themselves. 

Back in June 2011, a live adaptation of Rurouni Kenshin was announced and had fans both excited and concerned. The long running franchise had started out as a manga series before becoming a successful anime in the mid 90s and is regarded as a classic. It seemed to be inevitable for a live action movie or series to be made and yet initial talks went nowhere. Talks of a live action movie had faded until the surprise 2011 announcement with Warner Bros Japan backing the project as producers. The actual film production was done by Studio Swan. It was reported that the moviemakers hoped to release the movie internationally and to make a series by Sankei Sports newspaper which is what happened. 

The casting was rather intriguing. Takeru Satoh, famous at the time for his roles in Kamen Rider Den-O, Princess Princess D, Trick: The Movie, Beck and Rookies: Graduation was announced to be starring as the titular character, Himura Kenshin. He was a rather fascinating choice for the role but had the skills necessary as well as the backing of the director Keishi Otomo, producer Shinzo Matsuhashi  and Watsuki himself. Otomo had worked with Satoh previously and deemed him to be a good fit for the role. Matsuhashi stated that Satoh had the look and stature to be a proper Kenshin. Watsuki claimed that he and his wife were having a discussion as to who should play Kenshin and found that Satoh topped the list. Satoh himself would comment on taking on the role, stating that Kenshin was a well known character and that fascinating acting was needed. He wanted to work with the movie's staff to create the Kenshin image whilst staying true to the details and source material. He held a deep respect for the source material and admitted to having read it growing up and his response as well as many of the cast and crew are examples from which Hollyweird narcissists and sycophants could learn from. Along with Satoh, Emi Takei was announced to be portraying Kamiya Kaoru and Munetaka Aoki was portraying Sanosuke Sagara. More names were announced such as Yosuke Eguchi portraying Hajime Saito and thus the cast was full of talented actors. 

Naturally, the movie had all of the ingredients to succeed and it did indeed. Let's look at why the series was so successful. 

Firstly, I want to single out the director, Keishi Otomo. Otomo had a hands on approach to ensure continuity between movies and wrote the screenplays personally alongside Kiyomi Fuji. He truly made the most of the complex story by expertly handling all of it's compelling and endearing characters. Every scene has been directed to a very precise and finite point with the actors knowing where to stand and what to get across. Secondly, the rich world is superbly brought to life and takes place in a compelling period of Japanese history. The time period is the very beginning of the Meiji era, where the age of samurai had all but ended and Japan was shifting to modernise. 

Now, Kenshin's arc throughout the movies could very well initially be seen as the embodiment of Japan's guilt and attempt to atone for it's sins through the wanderer's actions. The former kitokiri Battosai feels a great guilt and shame for every adversary he slew and that he lost a part of his very soul. This is evident after the incident shown in The Beginning where he accidently killed his love and first wife Tomoe and his decision to cast away his blade following the battle of Toba-Fushimi. Later, he chooses to wield a Sakaboto, a reverse blade sword where the sharp edge has been placed to face towards it's wielder. By using the Sakaboto, Kenshin saves those in need whilst never having to take another life. This blade itself is a metaphor for Kenshin's inner dilemma. The sharp edge is a constant reminder that he is capable of taking a live should he fall to that level and threatens to cut him rather than his enemies. This can be said to be emotional pain as well as physical as he doesn't forgive what he has done to Tomoe and the lives taken. It also serves as a metaphor for what violence could do to those who fall to it's temptation. When the sword is broken in the movie Kyoto Inferno, Kenshin's will seems to break with it. It's as if he feels all of the guilt hit him at once. 

Kenshin's arc wouldn't be possible without a suitably talented leading man portraying him. Takeru Satoh brought his A game to the role, portraying all sides of the multi-faceted wanderer excellently. His take on the legendary character gives him an impressive fighting ability, proving to be deadly efficient with any blade he uses. The overwhelming guilt oozes from him whilst there's also a sweet, tender underbelly to his personality that Satoh brought to the table in a way in which not many could. When the time came to bring out the Battosai side of Kenshin, he became vicious and almost completely cold blooded throughout the first half of The Beginning. Along with Satoh, the supporting cast also brought their all and put in memorable performances. For example, Emi Takei brought out the sweet innocence and yet still strong personality out of Kamiya Kaoru. I personally want to single out the performance of Yosuke Eguchi as Hajime Saito. Eguchi made Saito look badass every time he appeared on the screen, whether he was fighting or merely just engaging in dialogue. The image of him with a cig in his mouth whilst getting into a proper sword stance was legendary. Props also have to go to the antagonists with Tatsuya Fujiwara in particular standing out as Makoto Shishio. I had reservations about whether or not the movies could do Shisho justice and yet they nailed it. The striking and cinematic antagonist is almost a mirror to Kenshin and more importantly, an example of what Kenshin could have become. 

Back to Kenshin's arc from guilt ridden wanderer to the man he eventually becomes towards the end of the series, it could be seen as a metaphor for Japan's struggles to come to terms with it's past. Rather than being defeated like Japan in WW2, Kenshin chose to renounce violence and his choice of a less warlike way of living acts as a nice setup to one of the series' core themes. Much like the period in which the movies take place. Transitioning from an age of warriors to a civilised one and the societal changes that must come with it. Kenshin himself must change as he realises that he can only complete his journey and rid himself of the guilt by transforming elements of the past and not eliminating or forgetting it completely. The question of whether violence is an inevitable part of societal change, whether the ways of the past can be used to protect the future and how are constantly examined throughout the series.

The action design is amazing, it makes great use of wirework and shows the speed of characters such as Kenshin without diverging into too much fantasy and unrealism. The action choreography was led by the renowned Kenji Tanigaki, whom worked with the legendary martial artist and actor Donnie Yen on a plethora of movies including the awesome Flash Point and Raging Fire. Tanigaki worked with a stunt team co-ordinated by Takahito Oguchi, the person responsible for the stunts and action of the High&Low Franchise which ironically has had it's high and lows. Both brought their A-game to Rurouni Kenshin making use of chanbara imagery and elaborate choreography. The choreography which proved difficult for Takeru Satoh, showed Kenshin fighting fighting with his whole being, making use of his speed and the environment. 

The camera work and cinematography are equally commendable. During the action sequences, the cameras enhance the dynamism and add layers to the pictures. Also, the camerawork during certain sequences is breath-taking such as the hot air balloon sequence in the Final. The fact that the camera work held up to the same standards throughout the series is miraculous. 

In summary, the movie was made with love. Love for the source material, for the fans, for cinema and everyone whom worked on it put their heart and soul into it.