Rurouni Kenshin: The Final (2021)

Rurouni Kenshin: The Final (2021)

 

6/10

Starring

Takeru Satoh

Emi Takei

Mackenyu Arata

Munetaka Aoki

Yū Aoi

Tao Tsuchiya

Yōsuke Eguchi

 

Directed by Keishi Ōtomo

 

In summary, this movie isn’t as strong as the previous three, though it’s still watchable. I wonder if someone unfamiliar with Tomoe’s story before watching this would find the flashback scenes clear enough. The movie doesn’t fully explain Tomoe’s life, her death, or the changes made compared to the manga, leaving this part of Kenshin’s story a bit fuzzy. It’s only inferred—rather than shown outright—that her death was a mistake and not Kenshin’s intent.

Seven years after the release of the third installment in the Shishio trilogy, Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (2014), we finally get the live adaptation of the final story arc in the Rurouni Kenshin manga series.

Following the end of Kenshin’s battle with Shishio, a new character emerges: Yukishiro Enishi. He’s seeking revenge on Kenshin for the death of his sister, Yukishiro Tomoe. If you’ve only followed the Samurai X anime or the live-action movies, you might not have encountered this character or understood her significance in Kenshin’s life. This arc sheds light on how Kenshin got his iconic scars and the love he had before deciding to leave his life as Battousai behind.

The story takes some liberties compared to the manga, and the movie takes a while to pick up steam. Early on, several scenes feel like they’re dragging out the inevitable. However, as expected, the film showcases impressive martial arts and swordsmanship. The fight scenes deliver the excitement fans have come to anticipate.

Enishi’s quest for revenge stems from Kenshin’s past. Battousai was once in a relationship with Enishi’s sister, Tomoe. Initially, it seemed Tomoe was used as a setup by those targeting Kenshin, but they eventually developed genuine feelings for each other. Tragically, a series of events led to Tomoe’s death, for which Kenshin was responsible.

In the present, Enishi returns to exact revenge, targeting everyone and everything Kenshin loves, even going as far as threatening the Japanese government. His arrival brings carnage, blood, and unrest, as expected from a character fueled by vengeance.

One aspect I appreciated was how the movie avoided wasting time on unnecessary flashbacks, a common Hollywood trope. Instead of scattered flashbacks coincidentally tied to the present, the movie gradually reveals Kenshin’s past as the chaos unfolds. When Kenshin confronts his adversary, the truth about his past and the identity of this new enemy are unveiled seamlessly.

Seven years is a long time to wait for a sequel, and it did dampen my initial excitement going into this film. However, the acting was solid, and, as you’d expect from a Kenshin movie, the sword fights were fast, slick, and left me wishing I could wield a sword like that.

You can catch this movie on Netflix. I’d recommend watching the first three films beforehand to better understand Kenshin and the characters involved.