Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno DVD Feature

When I got my copy of the first Rurouni Kenshin movie on DVD, I  have yet to start officially collecting DVDs which explains the non existence of a DVD Feature on the first movie. 

Now that I am looking up at my humble yet growing DVD collection it was really a no-brainer that I would be getting a copy of Kyoto Inferno (the second installment in the trilogy of Rurouni Kenshin movies, based on the manga and anime series by Nobuhiro Watsuki) I did a lot of writing when the movies came out (movie review on Kyoto Inferno here) just because the movie was the realization of my childhood. Which probably explains why I'm still writing about it months after the movie posters have been taken down in he cinemas and now the DVDs of the movie are up on record bar shelves and thus this DVD feature :) 

You probably have heard about the DVD launch which happened last Saturday at Astroplus in the Podium. You can read all about it here. Actually the DVD has already been out for some time now but fans of Takeru Sato who plays the role of the wandering Samurai celebrated the DVD along with the actor's 26th birthday. You can read all about the event here. 

Right after the DVD Launch Paul and I immediately popped the DVD in the player and watched the movie (and here my review begins) since Kyoto Inferno is the first part in a two-part movie which culminates in The Legend Ends. Because of this and since the two movies were released within a month of each other it was like one whole movie instead of two. Which is why watching the DVD got me remembering which scene happened in what movie. Watching it all over again I got to relive all those feelings and emotions I felt when I first watched it on the big screen. 

A definite DVD to buy, whether you are fan of the anime/manga series or a fan of Takeru Sato Kyoto Inferno has it all - jaw dropping fight scenes, bad ass villains and heart breaking life lessons learned. The only thing lacking in the DVD though ? Special Features because there was none - none at all which was a big dissapointment really since the first one had special features they weren't that good but still there were features and as someone who collects DVDs the special features is the icing in the cake, the filling in the donut. Without it it's a movie that can be downloaded or streamed online. I guess this is a call to Warner Bros. I hope that the last movie in the trilogy - The Legend Ends - will have special features. Pretty please? 

Despite it lacking special features I'm still very happy with it (^^x Makes a great part of my DVD Collection! (^^x Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno is now available at Astroplus and Odyssey Stores! 

Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno DVD Launch

Fandoms represent! Fans of Rurouni Kenshin, Takeru Satoh and One Ok Rock gather for the DVD Launch of Ruruoni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno 

We were fortunate enough to have been able to cover the DVD launch of the first Rurouni Kenshin movie back in March of 2013. Now two years later and following a successful screening and box office earnings of the last two installments in the trilogy; we once again find ourselves celebrating the DVD launch of Kyoto Inferno -the second movie in the trilogy. You might want to read my movie review here.

And as if there was a high supply of nostalgia, fans at the launch once again celebrated lead actor Takeru Sato's birthday-just as they did in 2013. I already mentioned this in the blog post in 2013 but I think it's worth mentioning again that I really admire the dedication of the fans from Amusehilippines, Sato Takeru Philippines and One Ok Rock Philippines who work hard in order to gather fellow fans and have fun during events like this DVD launch.

This cutie pie stole the show and she's happy with her Kyoto Inferno DVD. Jin approves :) 

Looking across the fans gathered you can see that they all come from different ages and belong to different demographics, there were fans of the Rurouni Kenshin manga/ anime series (we belong to that category), fans of the actor Sato Takeru and fans of the Japanese Rock band One Ok Rock. It's amusing to see mom's and tita's answer trivia questions during the games. Truly Rurouni Kenshin has transcended generations and is enjoyed by dads, your elder brothers and the younger generation are getting to know him too because of the movies. (^^x 

The DVD launch was like getting to see old friends and making new ones. There was music, games and cake! Yes even cake! As local cosplayer and special guest Jin Joson had the honor of blowing out the candles and cutting the cake :) While fans sang Happy Birthday Takeru. Jin and other local Cosplayers made headlines last year when director Keishi Otomo and the stars of the movie came to Manila for the premiere. It was just right that she also be present during the DVD launch which delighted fans :)

Local Japanese Cover Band Asterysk performed songs from One Ok Rock 

Japanese Rock cover band Astersyk performed songs from One Ok Rock including all songs in the movies and fans sang along to their impressive covers. In case you guys didn't know there have been a couple of One Ok Rock tribute nights where fans gather for a night of One Ok Rock songs from local bands. We were at the last tribute night you can check out the blog post here --> be sure to keep an eye out for the next tribute night :p 

Fans present had fun with the games prepared by Amuse PH, awesome Rurouni Kenshin merchandise such as theatrical posters (drools) and super cool Katana Umbrellas were given away as prizes! Manga and DVDs were also raffled out. 

So if you guys missed out on this super fun event fear not because The Legend Ends will surely be available on DVD soon and while we all wait for that we can sit back and enjoy Kyoto Inferno on DVD. You can grab your copies at Astroplus for only P550.00 :) DVD feature up on the blog soon!

Click HERE for More Photos! 

Looking Beyond: Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno

"Huli man at magaling, maihahabol din." 

It is never too late to offer anything that is good. 

With this Filipino saying in mind, I am writing this review of mine, of Rurouni Kenshin Kyoto Inferno; despite having all of the Spoiler Free reviews out there or despite having all the movie reviews out there - period. Every since getting the opportunity to view films in special advanced screenings, I have always made it a point to come out with a movie review as soon as possible, I mean isn't that what all bloggers aim for? A movie review after a movie has already been showing for days would be 'mudada' or useless. Especially one that has received so much media coverage as Kyoto Inferno and to think that the first movie would not have even seen the light of day in any cinema in the Philippines, were it not for the continued support of it's avid fans. 

And so I am writing this as an avid fan, I am writing this as that blogger that I was when the first movie came out, I am writing this not just to say that the movie was amazing and you should all see it because every other writer, blogger and movie critique has already said that. 

As the title above says, this piece is geared more to be (or at least I think that it is shaping up to be) an essay of sorts, yes I was the type of student who worked hard on my essays, often burning the midnight oil and forming callouses on my fingers. Yes, kids, during my time (High School) essays were written by hand, with pen, on paper-shocking. 

So with this warning and caution, I proceed with this essay in the hopes that you, oh dear reader will see it with me through the end. 

It is already Sunday as I am writing this, Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno has already been in cinemas every since Wednesday, and of course anyone who has been planning to see it, probably already has and as I have already mentioned this piece is more of an essay so spoilers will be over the place. 

I thought that reviewing Kyoto Inferno which is the first part of a two-movie sequel (the second being Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends, which comes out next month) would be difficult to review as a single entity or movie since it is just one part of a two movie sequel. 

Although not having a 'conclusion' that will let you sleep peacefully at night Kyoto Inferno on it's own stands as a single entity and is filled with overwhelming themes of peace, hope, despair, revenge,that I have understood at some level the meaning behind the movie tag line "Feel the Future" 

The Children, The Children!

There are two scenes in the movie that tugged at my heart strings the same way, I was crying throughout the movie, my husband kept on bonking me at the head every time he would hear me stifle a sniffle, I was crying so much you'd think that I was watching a drama instead of an action movie. 

In these two scenes were so much tears were shed, Kenshin goes out on a limb to save the future- that is it say, children. One, is a young boy whose family is killed as collateral damage in Shishio's own private resort (hot springs) village. Praise to Sato Takeru's portrayal of Kenshin as you can see him transform thoughout the movie, becoming more somber and determined to stop Shishio as he comes face to face with the carnage, violence and death that Shishio's plans have wrought. 

He stops a young boy as he is urged on by his (cowardly) villagers to take revenge on the men that killed his parents, consumed with grief and hate the young boy lets out a cry of anguish as he is about to stab one of the men who killed and hung his family but before the dagger lands, Kenshin stops him in time. He says: "Do not spoil these little hands, soon they will become big hands and you should use them to protect your family-just like your brother did." (I'm just recalling the lines from memory, sorry if it's not exact) that was such a powerful scene for me, as you are watching this you see the violence and you think that what is playing before your eyes is too awful and too unspeakable to be true but then at the back of your mind and deep down in your heart, you know that there are children being beheaded and young children being turned into soldiers. You know that there are still wars in other countries being fought and so many innocent children are caught in the cross fire. 

In yet another scene where Kenshin risks his life to save a baby, he is taunted by his opponent, by asking if he would lay down his life for one child. Kenshin says that "yes- he would, as the children are the future, the future of an era he has fought for". In yet another powerful line in the movie, the sword maker Arai Shakku says that the swords that he create are not for his son's time but for the peace of his child after' (or something to that extent). It had me thinking, what kind of world are we leaving our children and future generations to live in? Is there any real peace even without war? What about the everyday wars and struggles that we face? How do we face them?

History In The Making: Rurouni Kenshin Manila Red Carpet Premiere

I'm proud to say that yesterday we were part of history, as we were among the hundreds of fans who attended the Rurouni Kenshin Red Carpet Procession at the Event Center at SM Megamall. 

Whether they were event pass holders (thank you SM Cinema for not capitalizing on the event) corralled in barricades or fans who waited for hours behind barricades to greet their Idols, or the hundreds more who we're looking on from the floors above-there was a lot of love and enthusiasm for the franchise. 

It was also interesting to note that there was no specific profile for the Rurouni Kenshin fan. The event was not filled with screaming adolescent girls but was instead filled with different people from different ages and from different walks of life-and they were all fans! They were not just curious onlookers pretending to be fans just to see what was going on. 

One thing I failed to include in My Rurouni Kenshin Journey was that I got to meet different generations of Rurouni Kenshin fans. 

The realization dawned on me during the Rurouni Kenshin DVD Launch which was also organized by Sato Takeru Philippines and Amuse Philippines. I got to chat with the fans during the event and discovered that (Gasp!) these guys were still in College and were a good 5-10 years younger than me! 

I found out that they were of course fans of Sato Takeru who was playing Kenshin Himura, while I on the other hand have been a fan of the late 90s anime, which was a good 13 years ago more or less before getting to know (and become a fan of) Takeru Sato. 

It is overwhelming to think how the franchise continues to live on, gathering fans from different generations, allowing Himura's legacy to live on.

 The essence of that legacy manifested itself in that event, so much so that it was palpable and tangible in the air. 

We arrived at the Event Center at 3:30 in the afternoon, due to having had to do errands in the morning. At this time Paul and I haven't had any sleep yet and it was way beyond our sleeping time since we work the night shift. 

The line was already pretty long by the time we arrived and I was pretty bummed out that we weren't going to get good spots but Lady Luck was on our side when one of the members of the Production Team told us we could already enter the event through a side entrance that had no lines! 

So we did get the spot we wanted but the PRESS were actually stationed in front of us and that meant having our view blocked by big a** video cameras and when I say Press this was the PRESS with local stations like ABS-CBN, GMA 7, TV5, there, as well as Rappler, MYX and even HERO TV. So imagine trying to enjoy the program with their humongous video cameras in front of you! 

Paul was telling himself that next time we attend and event like this without PRESS/MEDIA Passes - he was bringing a step ladder!

Once inside the enclosed area for Event Pass holders we pretty much had to wait for more than hour or maybe it was two hours before the program started. 

We were wondering amongst ourselves whether the program would start on time (Japanese time) or start late (Filipino Time) - it ended up being the latter. 

So when the program finally started, our very own Rurouni Kenshin Live Action Cosplay Group awed and impressed the crowd with their costumes and how they acted out their characters. I even saw a post that the Japanese Staff were very impressed as well. I for one was very impressed how they stood for so long during the program. Kudos!

Special shout out to Jin Joson who cosplayed Kenshin! (^^x 

Tickets to the special screening of Kyoto Inferno were given to fans who were able to answer trivia questions from the series. Unfortunately our position was not accessible to the host - so we lucked out of that. I have to admit though that I was impressed that the crowd knew the answers to the questions, it's good to know that there were real fans out there. 

By this time, I had already accepted that we weren't groin to be able to watch the screening of Kyoto Inferno after the event and for those of you who got to read My Rurouni Kenshin Journey blog post you'd know that I tried oh so hard to get passes, even having my heart broken in the process. 

I'm a very optimistic person and I always try my best to look at the bright side of things. 

So even if we weren't able to catch the screening of Kyoto Inferno last night, I just told myself that we weren't in the best physical condition to enjoy the movie since we were about 24 hours awake by that time. It maybe a coping mechanism but at least it helps me get through right? 

Will definitely jump at any chance or opportunity to catch the earliest screening of the movie possible. 

Going back to the event, when the guests of honor finally arrived, it was such a big production of having each of them alight from vans being greeted at the door and of course all hell broke loose ad they walked across the red carpet and met fans, signing Rurouni Kenshin memento, pieces of paper or anything that could be signed. 

I'm pretty much torn coz I have a whole lot of Rurouni Kenshin stuff I could have had signed but chose to leave home because of the guidelines that were released for the event; (no selfies, no asking for autographs, etc) so yeah -pretty much torn. 

When the director and cast finally reached the stage (it took some time since they really went out of their way to greet fans and sign autographs. It was so nice to see their own personalities and how they interacted with the audience. 

Director Keishi Otomo was so nice - he even mentioned getting friend requests on Facebook just introduce yourself- he says - are you sure you want to open that can of worms? :P

He encouraged the fans to come and see the film and enjoy. 

And Munetaka Aoiki was just hilarious in person, as he really is Sanosuke Sagara. He got the  crowd cheering: Sano! Sano! And it was just so cute how he was doing his best to speak in English <3 And of course they all spoke some Tagalog words which always brings out cheers from us Pinoys.

Emi Takei was so beautiful and kind, she really went out of her way to sign autographs. It was so cute to know she shared that this was her first time attending a movie premiere outside of Japan and how overwhelmed she was with the response of the people. 

My Rurouni Kenshin Journey

Got this Rurouni Kenshin Movie Poster coz of the blogging I did. :)
January 2013. 

My Rurouni Kenshin Movie Review (2012) here. 

I wouldn't say that I am the biggest Rurouni Kenshin fan (that would be so against Kenshin's principles) but what I know is that I am a true and genuine fan and let me demonstrate that through this essay/blog post - I can't promise that this is going to be a short one just because I have so much to say - okay so let's start with this - I'm 28 now and married; I've been a fan of Rurouni Kenshin since I was in High School and as our High School Batch President likes to remind us that was well over 10 years ago - so I've pretty much been a fan of Rurouni Kenshin for a good 13 years-and still counting! 

I remember watching the series (over and over again) on local TV - first the English dubbed version on Studio 23 then on AXN. Kids this was during a time where online streaming was not possible yet, everyone who wanted to watch a series, actually watched it in front of a TV. 

There have been so many late nights where in my siblings and I would stay up and talk about the latest Rurouni Kenshin episode. We'd make our own Shishio Makato impersonations (really bad ones) and do that scene were he bites Kenshin in the neck :P 

I remember that HBO even showed the first animated movie - and I watched that too. I cried over the OVA on DVD - ugly sobbing crying just because it was so damn heartbreaking.

My first jamming in a band was covering Judy and Mary's Sobakasu - if you are a true Rurouni Kenshin fan you'd know this song. Way back in High School, again about 13 years ago!  

Years may have come to pass but my love and admiration for the wandering samurai has always been there and it's not going anywhere! 

This is me during the DVD launch of Rurouni Kenshin in Odyssey.
Blog post here. March 2013.

When news of a live action movie version hit the Internet I took to the blog and wrote updates on the movie constantly. I wrote a blog post on Kenshin Himura's battle to get to Philippine Shores, practically documented the whole bit and I will go out and say it even if Warner Bros. Philippines were not the official distributor of the first film in the Philippines, they are definitely making it up to all the fans by bring the cast and director here. I mean never in my wildest dreams would I ever think that this would be possible. 

When you say Red Carpet Movie Premiere - you think Hollywood, Singapore but never, ever - Manila but now, scratch all that because we are having our own Rurouni Kenshin Red Carpet Movie Premiere in Manila! Woot! 

Like I said in a post before - this is a testament to the power of the fans, people didn't think that the Rurouni Kenshin movies would ever be shown here, so much so that people were already planning to resort to piracy but behold it has come to be the highest grossing Japanese film in the Philippines. When the first movie came out, lines were long, cinemas were full people had to wait for four hours for the next screening.    

Long story short it was a success story nobody predicted but deep down in the hearts of the fans, we all knew that it would be a big success and with all the buzz the second movie and the Manila premiere are creating and the fact that the actors are gonna be here! This is over the top crazy! 

It is history in the making and I want to be a part of that. 

This is me at the Warner Bros. Rurouni Kenshin display
during Toycon 2014.