HERO’S ISLAND: Teaser Revealed For Keishi Otomo’s New Post-War Mystery Thriller Coming In September!
The movie opens in Japanese cinemas from September 19!
keishi otomo
Streaming Sleepers: All Five RUROUNI KENSHIN Films Are Now Streaming On Netflix
Today is July 4. It is also the start of Independence Day weekend in the U.S., and, it is also high time I posted a Streaming Sleepers piece which I haven’t done in a while, and for this, we turn to Netflix in its recent release of the Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno, and Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends. The streamer was already home to the first installment, 2012’s Rurouni Kenshin which stars Takeru Satoh in the lead. Subscribers also got to check out 2021’s Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, and Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning, and now the streamer is home to all five movies. Set against the backdrop of 1870s Japan, Satoh heads franchise as Himura Kenshin, a wandering samurai whose fearsome reputation re-surfaces amid a spate of killings. Banding together with newfound friends and allies, and armed with a pacifist sense that emboldens his use of a reverse blade, our […]
Japan Cuts XVI Review: In THE LEGEND & BUTTERFLY, Love Is A Subversive Sengoku-Era Battlefield
Indeed, Oda Nobunaga is one of the most well-documented figures in world history. His is a recurring legacy in many a multimedia product in film and TV, and to no one’s surprise is source material rich with potential that filmmakers to this day are curious to adapt stories illustrating his life. Keishi Otomo, the mind behind adapting the biggest manga-inspired franchise of the past decade with Rurouni Kenshin, found a way in fitting fashion with his usual caliber of work alongside The Confidence Man JP trilogy and Parasyte adaptation screenwriter Ryota Kosawa. For this, it becomes a major point of interest as to how anyone interprets history, especially when obscurity befalls one half of the subject matter. Otomo’s 70th anniversary production for Toei, The Legend & Butterfly, makes a daring attempt to christen the genre once more with a peculiar revisit of the late legendary daimyo, born into power and […]
RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE FINAL Roars Online With The Official Trailer
Seven years after searing festival screens and theaters with an explosive trilogy, director Keishi Otomo and actor Takeu Satoh are back to revive the magic twofold this year, firstly with Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, the first of a diptych to bookend the live-action saga based on the hit manga anime IP. A big hit film franchise with its cumulative box office surpassing 12.5 billion yen is finally coming to an end! In 2021, this greatest climax of the series will make history in Japanese cinema! Kenshin’s legend continues and everything about “Rurouni Kenshin” is ultimately disclosed! The Beginning: how Kenshin got his scars. The Final: the stunning series climax. Rurouni Kenshin: Beginning and End in simultaneous release! The story commences here with a retelling of the Jinchu arc, with our titular heroic samurai going toe-to-toe with notorious arms dealer Enishi, played by Mackenyu Arata (Jojo’s Bizzare Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable, […]
NYAFF XIX Review: In Keishi Otomo’s BENEATH THE SHADOW, Matters Of The Heart Lead To A Search For Inescapable Truth
Author Shinsuke Numata’s Akutagawa Prize winning novel, “Eiri”, serves as the basis for Beneath The Shadow, director Keishi Otomo’s first foray into the arthouse genre. With the March 2011 earthquake as the centerpiece of the film’s backdrop, the film stars Go Ayano and Ryuhei Matsuda in a story set within the span of six years and centers on Konno, a newly relocated pharmaceutical company employee who eventually befriends a co-worker named Hiasa. For Konno, whose social life is next to non-existent apart from the usual exchanges at work, his newfound friendship with the enigmatic Hiasa is slightly uneasy, albeit more welcome. Hiasa is much more bold and practical in his approach to dialogue with Konno, who bares a more unassuming and polite air, though the obvious undertaking is yet to arise with Konno already developing feelings for him. A brief moment of passion provides a more concrete test of where […]
RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE FINAL/THE BEGINNING Unsheathes New Teaser For Manga-Based Live-Action Saga Sequel
With baited breath, fans rejoiced when they learned of the return of actor Takeru Satoh as the famed ‘Battousai’ in Keishi Otomo’s newest live-action pivot, Rurouni Kenshin: The Final/The Beginning – a two part saga that ventures into the mystery of our titular reverse-bladed samurai’s scar, and his battles with a nefarious arms trader. On Friday morning, Japan offered the world it’s biggest glimpse yet with a short teaser which you can check out above. The new Kenshin tete-a-tete will open back-to-back on July 3 and August 7, respectively.
RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE LEGEND ENDS Teases An Epic Final Battle In The Official Trailer
The final chapter in the live-action telling of Keishi Otomo’s epic Rurouni Kenshin trilogy comes to a close with the limited U.S. release of Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends. The first two are already rolling out on DVD and Blu-Ray from Funimation Films and you can get those before they release in November. SYNOPSIS: After his confrontation with Shishio ends in defeat, Kenshin Himura awakens at the home of his old Master. With his mind set on revenge, he trains day and night to learn the final technique of his deadly fighting style. While he builds up his strength, Shishio and his army attack the coastline and force the new government to name Kenshin a wanted man. With the world closing in on him, Kenshin will have to look inside himself to find the strength he needs to protect his friends and end Shishio’s reign of terror once and for […]
Otomo Keishi's MUSEUM Finally Lands A Full Trailer
Actor Oguri Shun is well on the way with at least one other live-action manga prospect in Fukuda Yuichi’s Gintama for next year. For now, we turn our attention to his most recent role as a detective on the hunt for a serial killer menacing in a frog mask in Otomo Keishi’s Museum based on Tomoe Ryosuke’s 2013 publication. A body mauled to death by dogs is found and other heinous murders follow. The killer only appears on rainy days and is witnessed wearing a frog mask. A police detective is on the case and to his surprise; he finds out the next target could be his wife and child who had left him 2 weeks ago. The film is currently headed toward a world premiere next month for the 21st Busan International Film Festival Midnight Passion line-up before opening in Japan on November 12. The film’s summer promotional push […]
The Juppongatana Emerge In The New U.S. Trailer For RUROUNI KENSHIN: KYOTO INFERNO
The rollout continues next month Otomo Keishi’s Rurouni Kenshin trilogy continues to pave its way in select theaters North America. Next month will see the limited event debut, Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno on September 12, 13 and 14 and Funimation Films has unveiled the latest trailer for the live-action adaptation which now encompasses our hero’s journey to Kyoto to stop a mad swordsman and his army from pillaging Japan and plunging the country back into darkness. SYNOPSIS: Former assassin Kenshin Himura and his friends are called back into action when a ghost from the past era rises to wreak havoc across Japan. Makoto Shishio, another ex-assassin, was betrayed, burned, and left for dead at the end of the war. Badly scarred—but very much alive—Shishio has put together an army and aims to overthrow the new government—burning anything and killing anyone who stands in his way. After witnessing his brutality firsthand, […]
Otomo's MUSEUM Terrorizes With A New Trailer
Starting this August I’m bent on catching up with the fervor on director Otomo Keishi’s Rurouni Kenshin Trilogy here in the U.S. from Funimation Films. That’s now set on the back of my mind while his latest feat, Museum, is already getting traction with a pair of chilling teasers already online. This week, we now have a first full trailer that immerses you in the sheer terror of living in a city menaced by a bloodthirsty killer in a frog mask. Such is the premise for Tomoe Ryosuke’s 2013 graphic novel of the same name, and while not having ever read the manga, I think it’s safe to say Otomo hits the notes really well for this one. SYNOPSIS: A series of grotesque murder cases takes place on rainy days. Detective Hisashi Sawamura (Shun Oguri) works to catch the murderer like he has done with past cases, but he soon realizes […]
Funimation Films Announces The U.S. Theatrical Release Of The RUROUNI KENSHIN Trilogy
In the past several years, I’ve written all I could about the Rurouni Kenshin film series from director Otomo Keishi. I’ve seen nary a clip nor pirated any of the films even as the film sustained releases in Japan and other parts of Asia and even Europe, and to be honest, it’s been torture. For this and all else, I have but few words to add to the news of Funimation Films’s pick-up of this acclaimed live-action adaptation of the manga coming in August… It’s. About. F*cking. Time!!! FLOWER MOUND, Texas, June 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Funimation Films is proud to announce its acquisition of the “Rurouni Kenshin” live action, samurai film trilogy. The trilogy, distributed by GAGA Corporation, includes “Rurouni Kenshin: Origins” (released as “Rurouni Kenshin” internationally), “Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno” and “Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends.” Funimation has secured the exclusive North American rights to theatrical, home entertainment, […]
Watch Two Creepy-Ass Teasers For Otomo Keishi's MUSEUM
The set up for director Otomo Keishi’s latest feat falls a bit on the bizzare, which is fairly fitting considering the nature of the story. It’s Museum, an adaptation of Tomoe Ryosuke’s 2013 graphic novel that sees actor Oguri Shun as a detective relentlessly pusuing a serial killer in a frog mask who commits his crimes on rainy nights. The catch, of course, is something much more with the detective now forced to find and protect his family before its too late. I never read the manga, but I think it’s within reason to suggest that a film like Museum may be on course for audience appeal. The most recent teasers suggest something worthwhile for fans of crime and gruesome suspense and I highly advice no beverages if you’re not a fan of spittakes. Check them both out below.
Cineworld Lists Its UK Locations For The Theatrical Release Of RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE LEGEND ENDS
Cinemagoers in the UK will be getting their chances to glance at director Otomo Keishi‘s Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends on April 17 following an official announcement earlier this year. That said, Warner Bros UK has officially noted the Cineworld branches where residents can look up for specific dates and showtimes. Check out the list below. Cineworld Bolton Cineworld Cardiff Cineworld Crawley Cineworld Enfield Cineworld Glasgow Renfrew St. Cineworld Sheffield Cineworld Stevenage Cineworld West India Quay Otomo‘s contribution to this trilogy is noted with high regard among fans of the genre and those familiar with the original manga as one of the best received adaptations by far, and its critical and commercial successes since the finale released last fall speak for themselves. There’s no doubt fans in the UK will have a glamorous time watching this one for sure, even as some distributors in other territories like North America continue […]
[UPDATED] Warner Bros UK Debuts The Official Poster For RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE LEGEND ENDS With A *NEW* Release Date
Director Otomo Keishi‘s contribution to the live-action adaptation of the popular manga franchise, Rurouni Kenshin, has been nothing short of stellar in ths last three years since the first film’s release in 2012. To date, two part finale which released in August and September last year have been explosive box-office hits in the film festivals and through its Japan and the Philippines, with critical acclaim attributed to lead actor Satoh Takeru and the cast, its stylish action and electrifying soundtrack by Japanese music band, ONE OK ROCK. This month, Warner Bros. is ramping up the trilogy’s completion in the forthcoming UK release of the second-half of the final chapter, Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends, and as such, they’ve unveiled a brand new official poster to accomodate fans. March 6 April 17 is the official date of its release! All good things must come to an end and in Keishi Ohtomo’s […]
Watch The UK Trailer For RUROUNI KENSHIN: KYOTO INFERNO
The word is out and the U.K. is readying itself for a dose of explosive samurai sword-clasing action with director Otomo Keishi‘s summer blockbuster success story, Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno. The film is the second of a trilogy as the first of a two part finale following the first film’s release back in 2012, and to much critical and commercial acclaim at that. Actor Satoh Takeru stars in the title role opposite actor Fujiwara Tatsuya, based on the work of manga author Nobuhiro Watsuki, in a tale that now sees Kenshin, a masterless samurai trying to live the quiet life while once vowing never to kill with his sword ever again, facing a newer threat to Japan in the form of the vicious Shishio Makoto and his squadron of anti-government mercs, the Juppongatana. The film was released in Japan back in August, followed by a multi-territorial rollout spanning throughout Asia, […]
RUROUNI KENSHIN Returns To Japanese Film Festival This Year, And Much More!
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1”; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’)); Post by 映画『るろうに剣心』. The latest and forthcoming releases of the final two-part sequel to the Rurouni Kenshin franchise, Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno and Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends, have become a sprawling event for director Otomo Keishi and the cast while on its current tour in major nearby cities and countries to promote the film; One event is already scheduled for September 3, 2014 at the Shinjuku Picadilly Theater in Japan while other countries, including Taiwan, Indonesia and the Phillipines have planned releases of their own, with other territories still pending. And that’s not all… Fans of Asian-cinema in Australia and New Zealand can expect to be treated with a flurry of up to over forty-five Japanese titles to be screen between now and […]
The New Trailer For RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE LEGEND ENDS Keeps The Flames Burning!
Director Keishi Otomo‘s second installment of the Rurouni Kenshin franchise, Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno, has had a stellar run between its film festival appearance in Montreal for Fantasia 2014, as well as in Japan where it sold over six-hundred thousand tickets on the weekend of August 1, becoming Japan’s biggest weekend opener of the year. The film is just now opening in the Philippines and there is no word yet on further releases if any, but Warner Bros has a new trailer for the forthcoming finale, Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends, which opens in Japan on September 13. The film stars a number of returning cast including Takeru Satoh reprising his role one last time as the titular swordsman, opposite actor Tatsuya Fujiwara who plays Kenshin’s nemesis, Makoto Shishio. Watch the new trailer below, and stay tuned for more info!
RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE LEGEND ENDS Gets A New Poster!
It’s official. Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno is a commercial hit among fans and moviegoers having topped the box office over the past weekend, earning $8.1 million dollars for the first three days, including $2.25 million dollars in ticket sales on August 1, as per Japan’s monthly cinema tradition, Movie Service Day for discounted tickets. Ticket sales also topped that of the first film by 48%, even beating out Gareth Edwards’ colossal epic, Godzilla, in addition to its critical success, lending further credence to director Keishi Otomo in his efforts to bring one of the most memorable manga and anime characters to life. As such, the tradition continues with the forthcoming September 13 release of the epic third installment Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends, with lead actor Satoh Takeru reprising his role. In light of this, we now have the first official poster which you can check out below: Satoh and select […]
Watch The Official Music Video For RUROUNI KENSHIN 2 And 3!
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno, the first of director Keishi Otomo‘s two-part finale to the titular trilogy will finally be out today overseas in Japan long after fans have been glittered with continuous trailers, TV spots and posters. The promotional campaign for the epic live-action manga samurai trilogy that began in 2012, starring Takeru Satoh and Emi Takei, has especially proven positive, thanks in part to the accompanying theme songs, J-pop/rock group, One Ok Rock. Their second and latest theme song for the new franchise installments is titled “Mighty Long Fall”, which is now available in Japan wherever music is sold. In addition, the official video is now online just beneath for your viewing! The final film, Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends opens in Japan on September 13. H/T: Orends Range
Look At This Big Batch Of RUROUNI KENSHIN Sequel Promo Images!
August 1 can’t come fast enough for moviegoers in Japan ahead of the release of director Keishi Otomo‘s new sequels to the 2012 smash hit, Rurouni Kenshin. Several posters, pictures and a few trailers have already gone viral for the upcoming release of Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno and the September 13 release of Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends. However, if that is not enough, the highly anticipated movies are being graced with a ton-and-a-half of promotional artwork, including six new character posters featuring Takeru Satoh reprising his role, along with Emi Takei, Yosuke Eguchi, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Yusuke Iseya and Tatsuya Fujiwara. The images come courtesy the official Facebook page for the sequels, and readers of Comic Book Movie. Click each photo for larger viewing, and stay tuned for more info!
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