An Evaluation of the Film Rurouni Kenshin

"New eras don't come about because of swords; they're created by the people who wield them" ("Rurouni Kenshin Quotes"). Rurouni Kenshin, created in 2012, is a Japanese film- adaptation of the manga and anime series Rurouni Kenshin. The Rurouni Kenshin live-action movie adaptation captures essence of the anime because iteffectively portrays the villains' desire for Kenshin to become Battosai the manslayer again. In addition, it retains the anime's crucial plot points and captures the romantic love between Karou and Kenshin.

First, the live action movie reveals the villains' desire for the former assassin to become Battosai again. In the live-action movie, Jin'ei, a hypnosis assassin, captures Karou. This makes Kenshin furious and starts a battle against Jin'ei. Even in the anime, Kenshin's eyes appear to be red, which shows signs of anger. As they fight in the movie, Jin'ei cuts Kenshin in shoulder, leaving him unconscious. Then, Jin'ei casts a spell that causes Karou's lungs to be paralyzed. The villain claims that Kenshin has two ways of breaking the spell. As stated in the movie: "(Either she breaks out of it or you kill the caster to shut out the evil aura" (Rurouni Kenshin, live-action).

In episode 7 of the Rurouni Kenshin anime, Jin'ei continuously taunts Kenshin to become the manslayer again and kill him. "Unless you want to kill me, the girl dies" (Rurouni Kenshin, anime). This provokes Kenshin to have a plan to kill Jin'ei. Fortunately, Karou is able to overcome the spell and stop Kenshin from killing Jin'ei. As stated in the movie: "Please don't go back to being a manslayer. Don't kill. Please don't kill!" (Rurouni Kenshin, live-action). Kenshin listens to Karou and stops himself from further attacking his opponent. Throughout the movie, Kenshin was put in many situations where the villains wanted him to kill and become the manslayer. However, the supportive words from his friends and wish for redemption kept him from slaying somebody further.

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Another reason the live action-movie captures the essence of the anime is because it maintains the essence of the series' crucial plots. Although some the scenes appear differently, the film shares the same summary as the anime. For example, the first plot point in the live- action movie is when Kanryu's thugs attempt to take over the dojo of the Kamiya-Kasshin. After revealing himself as the true Battosai manslayer, Kenshin beats down the entire gang without killing a single one.

As the police arrive, they see Kenshin with a sword and later on arrest him. Saito, a police officer and elite samurai of the Tokugawa shogunate, recognizes Kenshin and lets him free. Karou, the assistant teacher of the dojo, explains to Saito that Kenshin saved her from the attack against Kanryuu's henchman. Eventually, the former manslayer joins the dojo to help those in need. Unlike the movie, the anime illustrates the alleged Battosai imposter appearing with his gang. The imposter wants revenge against Karou's father for kicking him out the dojo.

"Because of him, I'm never allowed to use a sword again" (Episode 1). In the second plot point, the opium spree occurs and causes many children to become sick. Magumi, a doctor and former worker of Kanryu, belives the gangster is responsible for the incident. Magumi attempts to kill Kanryu but fails and is held hostage. Kenshin and Sanosuke, a street fighter, defeat Kanryu and saves Magumi. In the anime, there are some parts in the series that did not show in the movie. Nevertheless, the anime is able to support the live-action movie because it contains the series' essential plot points. The movie also serves the main character's purpose in the series as defending the weak without killing anyone.

Finally, the live-action movie signifies the romantic love Kenshin and Karou had in the anime. The enticing incident in the live-action movie was the very moment Kenshin and Karou first meet. Karou mistakes Kenshin as Battosai but later sees his reverse blade sword. Karou states in the movie: "I guess it is impossible to kill with that sword" (Rurouni Kenshin, live-action). When Kanryu's thugs invaded the dojo, Kenshin saves Karou. This moment brought them closer and started a friendship between her and Kenshin. Throughout the anime series, Karou keeps her love for Kenshin a secret.

In episode 32, when Kenshin leaves Kyoto, Karou is depressed about his unexpected departure. "How can he just leave without giving me a reason?" (Rurouni Kenshin, anime). It was not until the end of the film when Karou reveals his love for Kenshin. When Karou is kidnapped by Jin'ei, Kenshin is furious at him for involving Karou in the battle. As Kenshin kills Jin'ei, Karou stops him and is able to break the spell. It is believed that true love broke the spell from Karou's lungs being further paralyzed. Karou's love for Kenshin keeps him from reverting to his old ways as the manslayer.

In conclusion, Rurouni Kenshin contains the true essence of the anime series. It illustrates the villains' desire for Kenshin to become Battosai and retains the anime's crucial plot points. Also, it captures the romantic love between Kenshin and Karou. Some of the scenes in the movie appear before or after in the anime's actual storyline. Still, the movie is able to contain similar main ideas as the anime.

References

1. Rurouni Kenshin. Dir. Kazuhiro Furuhashi. Japan. Fuji TV, 1996. Rurouni Kenshin: The Complete TV Series. Aniplex/Fuji TV/SME Visual Works, 2010. DVD. anime/cartoon.
2. Rurouni Kenshin. Dir. Keishi Ohtomo. Perf. Takeru Satô and Emi Takei. Rurôni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Roman Tan. Japan. C&I Entertainment/Warner Bros, 2012. DVD. live- action movie "Rurouni Kenshin Quotes." AnimeQuotesnet RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2013.

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