'Rurouni Kenshin 3': May the legend not end here

It felt so good it was bad. 

That's exactly how I felt when the last frame of Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends--a close-up of the beautiful and peaceful face of Kenshin Himura--became black. Could it be the last time I'll see it in big screen?

As the epic conclusion to director Keishi Otomo's trilogy, there's nothing else I and the legion other fans around the globe could ask for. Except for, to hopefully wait for the return of Kenshin, effectively portrayed by actor Takeru Satoh, to big screen.

Takeru Satoh as Kenshin Himura
 (ALL PHOTOS FROM WARNER BROS. PICTURES)

From the first to the third film, the Rurouni Kenshin saga made a genius and breathtaking live-action adaptation of the manga by author and illustrator Nobuhiro Watsuki. 

In Rurouni Kenshin 3, the much-anticipated battle between Kenshin and his nemesis Shishio Makoto (Tatsuya Fujiwara) takes place, as conclusion to the manga's Kyoto Arc. It opens right after the theatrical run of the second installment Kyoto Inferno.

Will the master teach his disciple the ultimate sword style?

RK3 begins with Kenshin being saved by his master Hiko Seijuro (Fukuyama Masaharu) who fortunately founds him on the shore after being separated with Kaoro Kamiya (Emi Takei) in the vast sea.  

With a mission to stop Shishio's evil plan to overrun Japan, Kenshin begs his master to teach him the ultimate style of their sword technique.

But even before he gets to face Shishio, Kenshin must also defeat other tough opponents including Shinomori (Yusuke Iseya) and Sojiro Seta (Ryunosuke Kamiki). The protagonish also gets to deal with a bunch of Tokyo Police for a light break in the overall brutal and bloody film.

Speaking of action, credit and praise must be given to Kenji Tanigaki, who was responsible for it! Working previously for Chinese action star Donnie Yen, he was able to make legit samurai action that Hollywood can never copy.

His vision, coupled with Otomo's, made American contemporary films with samurai themes like The Last Samurai and 47 Rounin amateurish in terms of sword fighting.

Kenshin vs. Sojiro. Can Kenshin match Sojiro's speed?

For me, Tanigaki's work is best seen not in the final battle between Kenshin and Shishio, rather between Kenshin and Sojiro, who is the considered the speediest samurai in Japan. While the two first faced off in RK2, their fight in RK3 was even more jaw-dropping. Sometimes, the moves were just too fast they're hard to follow. 

Another must-watch is the square-off between the Master Hiko and disciple Kenshin. 

With all these said, I'm sure Ruruoni Kenshin producers are so proud of creating a breakthrough in action cinema. In production notes released by Warner Bro. Philippines, it said: "It’s not just the actors doing wire work on the Rurouni Kenshin sets: the cameras are suspended from wires, too. . . The camera moving together with the performers brings a heightened sense of realism to the scene."

It added: "Rurouni Kenshin is an action movie with a unique sense of timing. The secret to this is ‘point of view’, the relationship between the camera and the actors at any particular time.  This makes for tremendously absorbing shots that put the audience right in the thick of the action."

Executive producer Hiroyoshi Koiwai also noted: "In the new films, the action has more of a 'documentary' quality to it in that the actors are doing more of their own stunts."

So sugoi to Takeru and the rest of his co-actors, particularly Munetaka Aoki who plays the role of Sanosuke Sagara, Kenshin's trusted ally. Why? Because in his Manila visit last month, he revealed that he lost a tooth during shooting! 

All his efforts did pay off in the RK3 because he gratefully provided the comedic reliefs just like in the first two movies. I don't know, for some reason, every time he was in a scene, no matter how action-packed it appeared, it would just elicit laughter from the viewers! So that even if I was not supposed to laugh, I would! Hahaha!

Bless you Munetaka Aoki, aka Sanosuke for providing the laughs

Of course, acting wise, one cannot ignore the compassion and dedication Takeru, our Samurai X in the flesh, gave his character. He breathed life into Kenshin and made it his own. 

I would never forget how he described his relationship with the character when he was here in Manila. He said, "Even now that filming is over, I’m still reacting to Kenshin. As I got deeper and deeper into the character, I became more and more attached to him. It’s like he’s a close friend who lives inside of me. He’s a friend that I love, that I want to protect, that I don’t want to let go. That’s how strongly I feel about him.”

For that, domo arigato Takeru-san. You made every fan girls and fan boys' dreams come true. 

Kaoro happy to see Kenshin alive

As how Kenshin and Kaoru will be reunited again in RK3, viewers must have to wait until the later part. But no fuss because they will be rewarded, even if display of affection is very limited. No hug, moreover a kiss, this time. Perhaps this is being true to the Meiji Era when women are still very much reserved. 

Takeru, Munetaka, Emi and the director all joined the Manila-promotional tour of RK2 and 3 last month. 

Ruruoni Kenshin is indeed ending soon. But I am confident that if we fans, clamored for another arc of the manga to be made into movie(s) too, so strong and passionate, producers will heed to our call once more. 

A week before its showing, I was invited to the advance screening of Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends by Warner Bro. Philippines. It officially opens in nationwide cinemas on September 24. 

The epic battle between Kenshin and his evil nemesis, Shishio 

Here are more interesting trivia from the prod notes of back-to-back Kyoto Inferno and The Legend Ends:

• A budget of 3 billion yen. A six-month shoot. A cast of 5,000.
• There were more than 30 locations scattered over 10 different prefectures in Japan, from Yamagata in the north to Kumamoto in the south
• Kenshin alone had over 100 costumes. The changing colors of his costumes play a part in the story, expressing his changing emotional state. He begins at the Kamiya Dojo in red, changing to navy blue as he comes closer to his original "Battosai" killer self, and then to the white of atonement. By the end he is back to his original red.
• Approximately 2,000 logs were used in Shishio's powerful, first appearance. The fiery blast furnace symbolizes Shishio’s gigantic ambition, and the incredible power with which he is prepared to discard everything and advance. 
• "Purgatory," the giant warship, where the story comes to its climax, is a truly enormous set that took five months to plan and build. 120 meters long and 20 meters wide, it is modeled from the largest French, British, and Russian battleships of the time.
• On why show the two-part Kyoto Arc one after the other, executive producer Hiroyoshi Koiwai  explained, "Of course, if the first film hadn't been a success, there would be no second one. But the fact is that even at that point, I wanted to make a sequel. [So] when we started, we realized that there was too much volume in the manga’s ‘Kyoto Inferno’ section to make it into one movie. Since we were following up on a big hit, we thought, 'What the hell, let’s make the sequel into a Part 1 and Part 2.'" 

May director Keish Otomo and producers
team up again for a new Ruruoni Kenshin saga!

Whirlwind, frenzied and gratifying coverage of "#KenshinManila"

Sometimes, it's complicated when your personal likes and professional career come together in one situation. But for a journalist like me, it's just freaking awesome most of the times. 

Take for example my whirlwind, frenzied and gratifying coverage of the "#KenshinManila" events last week. No less than the maker and cast of the live action movie of the popular manga Rurouni Kenshin came here to promote the second and third sequels, Kyoto Inferno and The Legend Ends set to open this month and the next, respectively. 

As the Samurai X himself. PHOTO COURTESY OF WARNER BROS. 

And allow me to confess that I am a fan girl of the movie and Takeru Satoh, who gave a convincing and effective portrayal of the titular character, Kenshin Himura. (Seriously, is this confession even needed, I thought everything was SO obvious already.)

This can be traced from as far as the 90s when the anime, popularly called Samurai X, was shown in the Philippines. I was an elementary student then and it was even dubbed in English. I also loved copy-drawing Kenshin and Kaoru. 

And while I don't remember the story and all the characters too well, everything came back to me when I watched the first Ruruoni Kenshin last year. 

So when Warner Bros. Entertainment officials from Japan and the Philippines announced they are bringing the cast led by Takeru-san himself, I knew by then that I must see him, and his co-stars Emi Takei (Kaoru Kamiya), Munetaka Aoki (Sanosuke Segara) and director Keishi Otomo. 

Here's how the page looks like. 

How to? I will cover as a legit press! :D Self-serving yes, but hey, I already published the story at The Manila Times. 

And fortunately, my editor and co-writer are both supportive. So it was practically very easy for me to do so unlike for others in various media outfits who had many "kaagaw"!  

There were three events for the Rurouni Kenshin guests in their two-day visit. 

First was the Red Carpet Premiere of the Kyoto Inferno held on August 6 at SM Megamall in Pasay City. 

From there, a cult following materialized from different parts of the Philippines. Organizers proved themselves it was the right thing to do when they gave in to the clamor from Filipino fans. 

Though I purposefully missed the actors and the directors in their red carpet walk, I was able to catch them at the cinema where they greeted fans before the film showing. 

There, Takeru-san said that he couldn't believe it was the first time that a Japanese film was actually premiered here. With that, he hoped that Rurouni Kenshin will pave the way for similar events and visits. 

(From left) Director Otomo Keishi and
actors Takeru Satoh, Emi Takei,
and Munetaka Aoki at the Red Carpet Premiere
of Kyoto Inferno

Munetaka, on the other hand, wore slippers with a suit! Haha! Our newspaper's photographer who was at the red carpet also described him as Mr. Cool Guy. 

Emi spoke softly like a doll (kawaii) and director Otomo-san was all smiles. 

Together, they expressed gratitude for the unexpected and big support from their Filipino fans. 

As for Kyoto Inferno, it was damn good. The fight scenes are more surreal than the first. If you want legit samurai action, this is what you watch. And the way it was ended, one is just too happy that the continuation can be watched not more than a year after but in the following month!

Day 2 of their visit included a cultural activity in the morning at Raffles Residences and a general press conference in the afternoon at the Glorietta Activity Center. Both venues are in Makati City. 

And I became a legit fan for covering the whole-day affair from 10 am to 7 pm! 

The awarding of certificate and
exchange of tokens. Takeru immediately
wore his gift from the Filipinos

In the morning, the Japanese guests were awarded "Cultural Friendship Ambassadors" by the Makati City government, the Japan Foundation, Manila and Warner Bros. Philippines. 

The two parties also exchanged gifts, traditional ikat scarves (TRIVIA: Takeru-san asked to open his gift already. Upon seeing his scarve, he said he loved the color and immediately replaced the scarf he wore with the ikat one. Aww, so thoughtful) for the Japanese and yukatas for the Filipinos. 

They loved this Samurai X jeep!

The highlight came when a photo opportunity was held outside the hotel. Takeru-san, Emi, Munetaka and Otomo-san posed in front of a Samurai-X jeepney. 

Story was, as told to me by a source, they saw the jeep along the road. So amused were the four that they actually called upon it for a photo!

But that was not MY highlight! The story behind this famous (famous talaga, pwede "Liked" lang) photo was that I just finished talking with JFM officials thinking that Takeru went back in his hotel room already. But when I turned around, lo and behold, he was behind me!

Our very reliable photographer took the photo, even without me telling her to do so!
Thanks Melyn Acosta!

I was trying to gesture a handshake, because I know that's the best and closest I could get from him--touch is way more better than a selfie. But instead of a hand, he handed me a small token. A cute keychain memorabilia of the film. AWWW. 

The BEST fan girl moment of my life! Success! I don't know who else were given the same token because I think I lost it for a few minutes. 

The next thing I knew was that he was going back for good in the hotel. My instinct kicked in, and again gestured that I wanted to take a photo of him. I think, he didn't understand at first, but when he did, he gave me the nicest smile. 

My Takeru-exclusive smile. *melts*

After that, I graciously waited for five hours, more I guess, before the actual press conference took place. 

Unfortunately, Ms. Emi was not present there anymore, but the three guys were enough to liven up the yet another big, big crowd!

In my The Manila Times story, I summarized: 

"Satoh, Aoki and Otomo graciously answered a variety of questions from the press, starting off with how they feel about visiting the Philippines.

Satoh replied, “It’s really fun. It’s really beyond my imagination that all of you [the fans] are here. It is very surprising, shocking.”

For his part, Aoki thanked everyone for the great opportunity to present Kyoto Inferno. He promised adoring fans that he will use his “big power” to bring The Legend Ends in September.

Director Otomo, meanwhile, promised to bring his amazing experience in the Philippines back to Japan and share it with his fellowmen.

The three gentlemen further talked about their experience in filming Kyoto Inferno. The director touched on how he and manga creator Nobuhiro Watsuki had “collaborative meetings” before filming. On the other hand, Aoki revealed that fight scenes were so extreme he even lost a tooth.

Takeru said he is honored to be able to portray such a major role, which is now part of his life. “If I’m not sure of my decision making, I would ask, ‘If it was Kenshin, what would he do?’ He’s like a mentor to me, someone I respect and look up to.”

When it was time to bid farewells, the Ruruoni Kenshin said to his admirers, “Thank you very much. It’s my first time to come  here [and] I’m glad I came. I’m now in love with the Philippines.” "

They know how to make their fans happy

We definitely love you back, and we would love it even more to see you again Takeru-san!

Special shout out to my colleagues in the industry, Kat Llemit of Daily Tribute, and Carla Mortel of Manila Standard Today, who were avid fans like me! 

With fangirl buddies Kat and Carla!

Sugoi!

***
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno and Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends will open in nationwide cinemas on August 20 and September 24, respectively.

ALL PHOTOS, OTHERWISE CITED, ARE BY ME.