It’s been almost 5 years since I’ve found the fire to write commentaries on manganime again. It’s been 18 years since Rurouni Kenshin manga ended, and I was so glad to find that some people (the film makers) found the fire to recreate the series in another medium.
First of all, praises to the music! “Flow of Life” is a brilliant OST and extremely fitting for RK! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW1Ze8IkH6c .
I love the scene in which Himura Kenshin is riding a boat into a new era with this song playing in the background in LA 1 - like an echo of time with life flowing from the past to the present - perfect!
Second, let me come right out and say that although there are A FEW scenes that I believe could have been done better, this is unquestionably the THE best live-action (LA) ever done so far!
Third, let’s comment on the acting:
Kenshin by Takeru Satou: Before the movies came out, I had reservation about the actor who would play Kenshin because of the way he looks. I could not imagine him as Kenshin from just seeing him. But when it comes to acting, I was pleasantly surprised: He doesn’t play Kenshin. He is Kenshin! Yes, his face does not look as gentle as Kenshin’s but he proved that he’s the perfect pick for the role. He even did all the fight scenes himself without stuntmen. I cannot think of another actor who could replace him. “Kenshin” is perfect, from acting to character design!
Kaoru by Emi Takei: The actress looks way prettier than Kaoru. The design is not exactly like Kaoru but still good enough. But her acting leaves something to desire. No, it’s not about her acting skills; it’s about how the film makers decided to portray Kaoru that disappoints me: Kaoru is supposed to be a tomboy, an energetic Kenjutsu instructor - NOT a soft-spoken, gentle, typical girl like the LA wanted her to be.
Seta Soujiro by Ryunosuke Kamiki: Here comes my #1 favorite character in RK! And I had very high expectations for the actor who would play him. But I was disappointed so much by (1) how the film makers chose to adapt this character, and (2) how the actor does not have “the Seta’s smile” (TBH, I found Kamiki’s smile a bit… evil at times, which is not at all like Seta). Seta is supposed to be an innocent-gentle-looking young man with an angelic smile, all the while mysterious and having a lot to hide behind that smile. As one of the chief antagonists (besides Shishio), his disarmingly harmless appearance strikes a jarring juxtaposition with his formidable combat prowess, and this makes for a uniquely interesting character. Sorry to say, the way they designed “Seta” in the LA failed to convey the essence of this character. I feel like the only thing that was done rightly about this character is his sword fights, which are impeccable choreography. If I could pick who would play Seta Soujiro, I would pick Koike Teppei.
Sanosuke by Aoki Munetaka: Loud, energetic and abrasive - that is Sanosuke. Grade A acting! The ONLY thing that disappoints me about this character is his appearance. Of course that real people cannot look exactly like anime characters, but at least they could have done a better job at designing him.
Finally, let’s comment on the movies:
RK LA actually has broken the record of ANY Japanese films ever shown!
The cast was so overwhelmed by passionate fans who came out and greeted them in the Philippines! (I wish I were at such event :D)
RK LA actually has broken the record of ANY Japanese films ever shown!
The cast was so overwhelmed by passionate fans who came out and greeted them in the Philippines! (I wish I were at such event :D)
Choreography is impeccable! I was so impressed when I found out that all the sword fights were NOT sped up or camera tricks, which means that the actors moved with such speeds in real time! When the first RK LA came out, it pretty much set the standard for how LA should be.
LA 1 (The Beginning) is IMO the best out of the 3 movies. The pace is perfect. The script-writer did a great job at blending an entire Arc into one movie.
LA 2 & 3 go a bit too fast with the pace, with too many fights and events unfolding at once that it looks a bit messy at times. I love how the movies take the time to shed light on how “dirty” and weak the Meiji government is throughout the movies. I especially love the ending scene where Kenshin proposes to Kaoru and I wish it hadn't just stopped there!
Now, only IF Seta Soujiro character were done well, these two movies would easily trump the 1st LA. The movies missed the key part of his character; they could have shown short scenes of his past or made him say brief lines that could explain it a little more. It would have been easier to understand his mental breakdown. I know it doesn’t have to be the same as in the anime and that he is a minor character, but his story is important to understand what Kenshin is standing for in a way. At least they could have shown how important Shishio’s beliefs were to him, because at the end it was the only thing that kept him alive and survive.
Rating: 9/10
The best live-action so far!
