Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno movie review

Story:  Sequel to Rurouni Kenshin. Adaptation of the Shishio Makoto story arc.

Review: My expectations regarding the first movie were handled well and I am so looking forward to this. The Shishio Makoto story arc is the greatest story arc in the series(both the manga and anime). This is also where the anime adaptation ended because the 95 episode anime didn't continue the manga after this story arc.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Japan

I like how Shishio Makoto came to life. Tatsuya Fujiwara's injuries and voice projection are as realistic to make him look like the mad arch-enemy of Kenshin Himura. If you know your logic and ethics, you will understand the philosophy of Shishio; "The strong will survive, the weak shall fall."

Shishio's apprentice Sojiro Seta is also also a revelation. They also did a good choice for Ryunosuke Kamiki for the role although I expected him to be a little younger looking. For the sword collector Cho, Ryosuke Miura also played the character right. He does not need to have prosthetic make up to play the part.

For Hoji and Yumi, the likeness was very detailed. Although, I still have to see more scenes of Yumi in the last movie. But I still find her anime/manga self more revealing. Aoshi Shinomure is also a good incarnation for the movie. Everyone will surely looking forward to see Yusuke Iseya to fight. Although, Misao isn't wearing her usual Oniwabanshu outfit like in the manga/anime but Tao Tsuchiya also did justice to the role. Min Tanaka is also a spitting image for Nenji Kawikasaki a.k.a. Okina in the anime series, the guardian of Misao.

The fight scenes are not disappointing since this is a crucial battle of Kenshin and I never thought I would like Aoki Munetaka more as Sanosuke Sagara as he provides the laugh as well as the fists. Fans will not be disappointment when there are tender moments.

There are flashbacks that is also familiar to fans even though it is just quick second. But be sure not to blink in the last scene and join the crowd in cheer. This movie has more intense that will leave fans' hearts beat fast until it end. Even though this is a cliffhanger to the last movie, it will leave you the excitement as you anticipate it.

Screened last August 6 at SM Megamall. Watch out for my feature about Takeroh Sato and Aoki Muneteka in Manila in my next post. For more quality updates and reviews in a geek perspective, follow this blog or like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.