More Rurouni Kenshin sequel news!

And then they were 10. The Juppongatana (Ten Swordsmen) prove to be a formidable foe for Kenshin and his allies in the sequels Rurouni Kenshin: The Great Kyoto Fire and Rurouni Kenshin: The End of a Legend. 

As 2014 is ushered in more and more EXCITING Rurouni Kenshin news have been spreading like wild fire (coughs - Fire! Fire! Fire!) We'll definitely be seeing a lot of those in the two sequels slated to be released in the summer of 2014. 

Just last night specific dates of when the movies will be released have been announced. 

Rurouni Kenshin: The Great Kyoto Fire will premiere in Japan on August 1. 
Rurouni Kenshin: The End of a Legend will premiere in Japan on September 13.

But before we go celebrating remember that the first Rurouni Kenshin movie was also slated for an August date in Japan but was only released in the Philippines in December. This was due to the fact that the local Warner Bros. distributor in the Philippines "did not have the rights" to release Rurouni Kenshin here but Pioneer Films took the reins and were finally able to get the rights in December. You can read more about that in my past blog posts here. 

The first Rurouni Kenshin movie was a surprise success earning $647,922 according to the 2012 Philippine Yearly Box Office, you can refer to it here. That is why I'm sure having the sequels distributed in the Philippines should not be a problem this time around. However, the question is will loyal fans have to wait months like last time? An earlier release date is definitely an effort against piracy and as I have always said if you are a fan you should support the franchise by catching it in cinemas. You cannot compare sitting back in front of a big screen and enjoying a movie from watching it in front of your laptop. 

While the big question of when will the sequels be released in the Philippines have not been answered (we all have to be like a true Samurai and practice the virtue of Patience) we can enjoy all these teasers that are being released online and here are just some of them. 

A 34 second teaser trailer of the sequels, 

aside from Kenshin Himura's lighting fast sword skills we also catch a glimpse of new movie characters Aoshi Shinamori and Shishio Makoto. 

Scourged (literally) Rurouni Kenshin Movie Posters 

As if the excitement to the sequels were not enough, the promotion team for the movies took it to the next level by actually burning old 2012 Rurouni Kenshin movie posters and pasting them on 2014 announcements. You can check out the making of the movie posters here. Just watching the making of these posters have made me admire the patience and creativity of the Japanese even more. I mean instead of just printing a whole new set of posters they actually invested the time, effort and resources to bring a unique flare to the posters by making each one of them special; since each of the posters had to be burnt one at a time. 

Aside from the trailer and the movie posters, photos of new characters both the good, the bad and the ugly have been getting the fans fired up. 

Here are some character stills have been keeping cyberspace a buzz with excitement. 

The Bad and the Ugly. Probably one of the most bad ass villains in manga and anime history, the translation of Shishio Makoto from the animated series to the big screen is without a doubt one of the most anticipated by fans who grew up cowering to this mad man's insane plans of domination and his firm belief in the law of nature: 'The strong shall live and the weak shall perish'. 

His burnt skin covered in bandages has been the stuff of nightmares of fans and probably the costume and design team of the sequels who impressively got the prosthetic and effects of burned skin, making handsome young actor Tatsuya Fujiwara unrecognizable in costume.  

The Bold and the Beautiful. While we see less of her cleavage in her movie version, half Pinay (Yes! She is half Filipina) Maryjun Takahashi will be playing Yumi Komagata, Shishio Makoto's dearly devoted arm candy. I just love her mole in the photo and look at that smile-it has a million secrets. 

Rurouni Kenshin character stills spread online!

Updated! Last December 12, 2013 a photo of actress Tao Tsuchiya as fan favorite and head strong Misao Makamichi went online. I think she's really pretty - look at that face! I just wish she would wear more blue just to complete the association with the character :) Looking forward to her acting chops and stunt skills since Misao's character will be doing a lot of both in the movies! 

Fans should stay tuned since more character posters are scheduled to be unveiled on the official website on December 29! I really hope we start seeing some bad guys in the movie ;)  

Kamiki Ryunosuke as Soujiro Seta

As if the summer of 2014 could not come any closer - new Rurouni Kenshin character stills featuring new characters in the upcoming Kyoto Arc movies have been making its way in cyberspace and across social networking sites for the past days. 

Some fans may say 'Yay!' while others may say 'Nay!' but I definitely give a pat on the back to the costume and design team of the movies for maintaining the same consistency in bringing beloved characters from the series to their flesh and blood counterparts on the big screen. 

Channeling Soujiro Seta's boyish charms actor Kamiki Ryunosuke eminates the same charisma as Shishio Makoto's right hand. Now can we see his famous 'poker face' smile?! 

Yusuke Iseya as Aoshi Shinamori

   
I'm still trying to figure out if I'm loving or hating the hair which actor Yusuke Iseya is wearing as Aoshi Shinamori, I guess it would take more than a photo to determine that, seeing how the hair movies in fighting and action sequences would probably be the deciding factor. But aside from the hair, we simply cannot deny Aoshi's signature swagger emanating from that photo. Cue in the ladies' swoons.

Please raise your hand if you're exited to see Aoshi's Kaiten Kenbu or Spiral Sword Dance because I know I am :)   

Min Tanaka as Nenji Kashiwazaki (Okina) 

And can we just get an overwhelming warm and fuzzy 'awwwwww' for actor Min Tanaka's photo as Nenji Kashiwazaki or better known as his old spy name: Okina. I just love his character still and plus points to the super kawaii neko (super cute cat) on his lap! Here's to hoping that the movie will also feature him kicking butt with his steel tonfas. 

These character stills are just getting everyone fired up for the two movies: 

"Rurouni Kenshin: The Great Kyoto Fire" and "Rurouni Kenshin: The End of a Legend" which is scheduled to hit theaters in the summer of 2014 in Japan. 

Speaking of fired up fans are already clamoring for photos or teasers of the ultimate bad guy - Shishio Makato! 

This photo of Takeru Sato as Kenshin Himura on the set of the movie shooting some final scenes has also surfaced. The cast and crew are hard at work at shooting this 'important scene' where we see Kenshin covered in wounds. I can pretty much guess which scene this is and I'm just as stoked and excited as ever! :)

2014 please come sooner!  

Takeru Sato as Kenshin Himura on the set shooting an 'important scene' 

      

  

Rurouni Kenshin Casting news: Misao Makimachi cast!

With all the Rurouni Kenshin casting news here and there and the excitement brought forth as a result of which, a lot of fans may have been wondering - I know I have - Who will be playing Misao? 

I think that Misao's role is a crucial one since aside from Kaoru she is one of the few fan favorite female protagonists. Well we need not wait any further since it has been confirmed that new comer 18 year old Tao Tsuchiya will play the loud and proud female ninja. This is her first action role and she will be appearing in the two live-action Rurouni Kenshin films to be released next Summer. 

Tsuchiya was very impressed with the first Rurouni Kenshin film, she says she would not get out of her seat in the theater. She was so overwhelmed with the first film that is why she auditioned for the sequels. 

Tsuchiya's earlier works include Tokyo Sonata (2008) and the historical action television series Ryomaden. Lead actor Takeru Satoh who will be reprising his role as Kenshin Himura and Yusuke Iseya who will be playing Aoshi Shinamori (Misao's love interest of sorts) also had roles in Ryomaden. Ryomaden was directed by Keishi Otomo, he also directed the first Rurouni Kenshin film and will continue with the helm for the next two sequels. 

Tsuchiya has already started filming mid-July and is doing her own action sequences. She will be back in September to shoot more scenes until the end of 2013. 

She spends time doing laps in the swimming pool, running everyday and doing pilates to train her body and to keep in shape and if you have watched the original series you would know that she would need the training since Misao's role is also a physically demanding one. 

More Rurouni Kenshin Casting news! Find out who will be playing Yumi!

As production of the two Rurouni Kenshin live action movies is ongoing. Casting news on characters are driving fans crazy with anticipation. So here is the latest line up. 

Maryjun Takahasi will be playing the 'woman behind Shishio Makato' the beautiful and seductive Yumi Komagata and she is half Filipino! :) 

Already previously announced, Yusuke Iseya will be playing, Aoshi Shinamori, the head of the Oniwabanshu. I'm hoping that he and Kenshin will still have that amazing fight scene! 

Ryosuke Miura will be playing 'broom head' Sawagejo Cho of the Jupon Katana, one of Shisho's 'Ten Swords' and judging from his pose in the photo - this casting is spot on!   

Yukiyoshi Ozawa will be playing Ito Hirubumi, a Choshu samurai like Kenshin and a four time prime minister of Japan. I don't really remember him from the anime, or what he looks like. Clues anyone? 

Min Tanaka has been cast as the lovable Okina AKA Kashiwazaki Nenji, of the Oniwabanshu I hope they also show his comedic side, I'm also looking forward to him wielding those steel tonfas.