Press Release | Fandom News | “Rurouni Kenshin” Sequels To Be Shown in Philippine Cinemas
3:06 AM
"Rurouni
Kenshin" aka "Samurai X" is one of the old school animes that I super love, though
I was late in watching it. So when Japan decided to make a live-action movie of
it in 2012, I was super excited.
But at
the same time, I had qualms because we feared it will not be good. Blame that
on American movies turning animes and cartoons into live-action movies and the
results were pretty bad (“Dragonball” and “The Last Airbender”, anyone?). But I
was willing to give it a chance. Though at that time, I felt we would watch it through download instead of in the cinemas.
Then SM announced that they will be showing the "Rurouni Kenshin" live-action
movie in in the Philippines months after Japan’s real showing. My boyfriend and
I didn’t think twice and watched it with friends. To make the long story short,
we loved the movie as it was so good and awesome. Plus,
watching it made us feel nostalgic.
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The "Rurouni Kenshin" live-action movie was well-received by the Filipino
audience. It became a box-office hit and was shown in SM cinemas for more than
3 weeks (when it was only supposed to be shown for one week, if I remember
correctly). Fans of the anime loved the movie and were hoping for a sequel. And
true enough, it came true!
The first "Rurouni Kenshin" live-action movie was so well-received by movie-goers that
Warner Brothers Philippines will distribute the two sequels in ALL cinemas this
year! The first sequel, “Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno” will open across the
Philippines on Aug. 20, 2014, to be followed by “Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend
Ends” on Sept. 24, 2014.
In the
recently concluded ToyCon 2014 last June 20-22, 2014 in SM Megamall, Warner
Bros. Japan flew in three authentic costumes from the films and were publicly
displayed. The costumes that I took in the event were the following:
Kenshin
Himura worn by Takeru Satoh
Sanosuke
Sagara worn by Munetaka Aoki
Aoshi
Shinomori worn by Yusuke Iseya
These costumes
were designed by Kazuhiro Sawataishi and contributed significantly to the
films' overall visual impact.
I was
lucky to be in the "Rurouni Kenshin" booth when they removed the Kenshin Himura
costume from the glass case. I didn’t let the opportunity pass and took a
picture with the costume. Thanks to my boyfriend, Marc, for taking these pictures. :D
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| (c) Marc Jacob Ponce de Leon |
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| (c) Marc Jacob Ponce de Leon |
And just
when I thought things couldn't get exciting for the movie
sequels, I find out that three of the stars and the director of the movies will
be coming here for the sequels’ Asian premiere! LOL I got excited over this!
Here is the press release from the Warner Bros. Philippines FB Page:
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"RUROUNI
KENSHIN" STARS, DIRECTOR TO BE IN MANILA FOR THE SEQUELS' ASIAN PREMIERE
MANILA,
July 25, 2014 – Japanese director Keishi Otomo and actors Takeru Satoh, Emi
Takei and Munetaka Aoki are flying to Manila to grace the Asian Premiere of
“Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno,” this was jointly announced today by William
Ireton, President & Representative Director of Warner Entertainment Japan
Inc., and Francis Soliven, General Manager of Warner Bros. Philippines.
The
invitational red carpet premiere is scheduled on Wednesday night, August 6 at
SM Megamall in Mandaluyong. The Japanese talents are also expected to interact
with the media and fans in a public press conference Thursday, August 7 at the
Glorietta Activity Center in Makati.
In making
the announcement, Ireton stated, “We are thrilled to bring director Keishi
Otomo and castmembers Takeru Satoh, Emi Takei and Munetaka Aoki to Manila so
they can personally thank and engage with the loyal fans of `Rurouni Kenshin.'
The Philippines is a very important market for the franchise as proven by the
outstanding box-office success in Manila of the first `Rurouni Kenshin' film in
2013.”
For his
part, Soliven said, “Moviegoers in the Philippines have helped create a wave of
anticipation and excitement for the `Rurouni Kenshin' sequels and the upcoming
talent visit is a much welcome recognition of the fans' ardent support.”
“Kyoto
Inferno” which bows across the Philippines on August 20 is the first of two
sequels to the 2013 blockbuster “Rurouni Kenshin.” The second, titled “The
Legend Ends” opens on September 24.
Based on
the Kyoto arc of the popular manga series written & illustrated by Nobuhiro
Watsuki, the “Rurouni Kenshin” sequels follow the story of Kenshin Himura
(Satoh), a legendary swordsman in the wars accompanying the turbulent fall of
Japan's Shogunate in the 19th century. Once feared as 'Battosai the Killer', he
has adopted a peaceful life since the arrival of the 'new age'.
But
Makoto Shishio (Tatsuya Fujiwara), the 'Shadow Killer' and successor to
Kenshin's position as the deadly assassin, has since then been scheming in the
Kyoto underworld, raising an army of disaffected former samurais with the aim
of overthrowing the new regime.
Agreeing
to a request by the new government to defeat Shishio, Kenshin leaves his
beloved ones in Tokyo and sets out for Kyoto. He and Shishio are a match in
skill and in wits, but their aims are opposite. Can Kenshin preserve the nation
without breaking his vow that he will kill no more...?
The films
also star Emi Takei (Kaoru Kamiya), Kaito Oyagi (Yahiko Myojin), Yu Aoi (Magumi
Takani), Yosuke Eguchi (Hajime Saito), Min Tanaka (Nenji Kashiwazaki), Tao
Tsuchiya (Misao Makimachi), Ryunosuke Kamiki (Soujiro Seta), Maryjun Takahashi
(Yumi Komagata) and Tatsuya Fujiwara (Makoto Shishio).
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| Photo by Jin Joson |
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Oh yes! I
am freaking out now! I desperately want to go to the presscon on August 7, Thursday!
I’ll see if I can go because I don’t want to miss this opportunity to see the "Rurouni
Kenshin" stars.
And I am very
excited for the sequels! The last one will be shown on my
birthday month, so I am really, really excited for it! :D
How about you? Are you excited for the Rurouni Kenshin sequels? Comment your
thoughts below :D
~Hainrihi
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