Alternative Title: Samurai X
Director: Keishi Ohtomo
Original Release: 08/25/12 (Japan)
Runtime: 134 min
Cast:
Takeru Sato as Kenshin Himura
Emi Takei as Kamiya Kaoru
Yu Aoi as Takani Megumi
Koji Kikkawa as Udo Jine
Munetaka Aoki as Sanosuke Sagara
Gou Ayano as Gein
Genki Sudo as Banjin Inui
Taketo Tanaka as Yahiko Myojin
Eiji Okuda as Aritomo Yamagata
Yosuke Eguchi as Hajime Saito
Teruyuki Kagawa as Kanryu Takeda
Credits to: asianwiki
About (yesasia):
Battosai (Sato Takeru) was a proud samurai who decided to give up his way of life after fighting in the bloody battle of Toba-Fushima. Ten years later, samurais are now mercenaries working for merchants like Kanryu (Kagawa Teruyuki), who oppress the people for their own gain. When kendo instructor Kaoru tries to stand up to Kanryu, she is saved by Battosai, now a wanderer named Kenshin. After losing his samurai status, Kenshin has renounced killing and is committed to peace. However, in a world filled with opportunists and oppressors like Kanryu, Kenshin will have to learn how to fight back without breaking his vow.
I Say…
Of course, we can’t expect all 90+episodes and OAV’s to be seen in the movie, right? It focused more on the Megumi season, her story.. her opium making. A lot of the movie segments still remained faithful to the anime, as far as my memory is concerned. Although focused on the Megumi period, it didn’t mean less exposure for main heroine Kamiya Kaoru. She still played a vital part in the movie. And the actress, Emi Takei will surely be remembered for this film always.
The other actors were good too, especially the villains, but my favorite villain for this movie would have to be Gou Ayano. He shared a moment with Takeru Sato in that sequence… it’s all for you to find out what it is! Munetaka Aoki gave Sagara Sanosuke a different light… unlike the side kick we’ve known him for in the anime.
All the approbation goes to none other than Takeru Sato for bringing Himura Kenshin to life, putting the audience under nostalgic conditions, remembering the wandering samurai we’ve grown to love. I am certain he worked really hard to mimic Kenshin’s battle stance and the dialect as well! The Hitenmitsurugi-ryu form is as close to how it should be, as I recall… even the way he draws the sakabatou! If you are too familiar with Rurouni Kenshin, you can tell.
I have read from wikipedia that he claims “comedic timing” was the reason for the success of his debut role in Kamen Rider Den-O. Since it’s what he’s good at, he didn’t fail to charm the audience with the exact same thing in this movie. From the original series, Kenshin is a cheerful person when surrounded by the ones he love and wish to protect.
I can say now after watching Takeru Sato in Rurouni Kenshin, that he can adapt to any role he tries to play. I’m sure that more than half of the movie goers who were with me that night do not know him at all, but after this I am certain they’re going to start Google-ing the origin of this actor who just awed them. Soon enough, his “up-and-coming” title will be moving up the next level. Okay, so forgive me for being such a fan, but you can’t blame me if he gets better and better each stint!
The Daydream Believer Show 