As an itinerant anime and Asian film writer I have been reporting about the theatrical release of various movies for quite a while on this blog and another site in particular. One long-running project has been the Rurouni Kenshin movies which I have been tracking since back in 2011 (on this very blog) and 2012 (like here) and keeping track of the BBFC website I was able to spot that the first would be playing at select theatres in the UK. I was pleased when the first Rurouni Kenshin film appeared in my local cinema back in 2013 and I was soon helping spread the word about Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno when it was released last year. This year it’s all coming to a close with Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends. The day of that film’s release has nearly arrived! It’s so close! It’s released tomorrow on April 17th! I have booked the day off work to savour the experience and possibly re-watch Kyoto Inferno which I now have on DVD!
Here are the UK theatrical release details for the third and final Rurouni Kenshin film…
Rurouni Kenshin The Legend Ends 
Japanese: るろうに剣心 伝説の最期編
Romaji: Rurouni Kenshin: Densetsu no Saigo-hen
Release Date: September 13th, 2014 (Japan)
UK Release Date: April 17th, 2015
Running Time: 134 mins.
Director: Keishi Otomo
Writer: Kiyomi Fujii, Keishi Otomo, (Screenplay), Nobuhiro Watsuki (Original Manga)
Starring: Takeru Satoh, Emi Takei, Yu Aoi, Munetaka Aoki, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Yusuke Iseya, Tatsuya Fujiwara, Kaito Oyagi, Tao Tsuchiya, Maryjun Takahashi, Kazufumi Miyazawa, Masaharu Fukuyama,
Here’s the UK trailer:
This is the finale to the Kyoto arc of the original manga and it comes to an explosive end as Kenshin (Sato) must face off against another elite assassin, Makoto Shishio (Fujiwara), a man who wants to overthrow the newly formed Meiji government by destroying everything with his ironclad and returning Japan to chaos. At the end of the last film Kaoru (Takei) and Kenshin went overboard into a stormy sea and we see that Kenshin is saved by his former mentor, Hiko Seijuro (Fukuyama). In order to stop Shishio in time, Kenshin enlists the help of his old master to train for the ultimate battle between hero and villain in an epic blood-drenched showdown!
The film stars Takeru Sato (Real), Emi Takei (Ai to Makoto), Tatsuya Fujiwara (Battle Royale) and Yu Aoi (Hana and Alice) taking the lead roles with Ryunosuke Kamiki (The Kirishima Thing), Yusuke Iseya (Thirteen Assassins), and Masaharu Fukuyama (Like Father Like Son).
The cinemas confirmed as screening the film are part of the Cineworld chain and it looks like most screening are in the evenings. Here’s the list of cinemas:
Cineworld Glasgow Renfrew St.,
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno and Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends will also screen at Dublin’s Lighthouse cinema as part of a rather excellent-looking Japanese Film Festival (Fuku-chan, Forma, Kwaidan and other excellent titles are on offer!!!) on April 17th and April 18th respectively.
I think it’s great that Warner Bros. are releasing Japanese movies they make in the West and I hope people go and see them so we can continue to get more. I know it’s about supporting the ‘right release’ and I can tell you that the Rurouni Kenshin films are an excellent series of action packed historical epics that have excellent visuals, great soundtracks, fantastic fights, memorable villains, and cool heroes. I have taken friends and family to see the first two as well as a few other Warner Bros. Japan productions and they have enjoyed them all.
Here’s a selection of other Warner Bros. Japan films I have reviewed:
Berserk: Golden Age Arc The Egg of the King
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno
Apart from Tajomaru and Higanjima…
Genkinahito 
I hope you have a great time. I really enjoyed the last movie of the trilogy and I don’t want to spoil anything. 🙂
I am coming up with an analysis of the Kenshin trilogy myself and look forward to what you have to say about the latest movie on your future review. Cheers!
Thanks! Kyoto Inferno will be hard to top but I have faith in the team behind the films to create something epic!
To cast Ryunosuke Kamiki as Soujiro Seta is just perfect. I don’t think there is anyone else who can play the character, plus it is another awesome opportunity to watch Yu Aoi, definitely one of the best Japanese actresses around.
I’m definitely a fan of the two of them. We got a taste of Kamiki in the first film and I am expecting a thrilling showdown between Seta and Kenshin. More Yu Aoi is always a good thing, too! 🙂
This is so exciting!!! It’s finally here and I can’t wait to watch it~~ a bit sad that this will be probably be the last time we have the live action films.
And btw I don’t know if you’re interested but there will be a screening of Au revoir l’ete starring Nikaido Fumi that will play on the 24th at the Horse Hospital. Just a heads up. 🙂
When I wrote that rambly introduction I realised that the Ruroken films had been a part of my writing for the majority of of blogging years. Quite the journey which has culminated in getting to see two excellent films and, like you, I;m excited about this new one – lets make it three excellent films! 😀
Thanks for the news tip. I was aware that Au Revoir L’ete had been picked up for UK distribution but was having a hard time finding out where it would be screened other than ‘London’… I’ll spread the news on that one now. 😀
Hope you’ll enjoy the movie! I don’t know if this movie is already here, but it should have
Thanks 🙂
I think it has been released over there. Here’s a review of the film that might convince you to see it! Visit our HTML tutorial
I’ll probably get my review done some time next month.
It was played in Indonesia Andina 🙂
But ONLY in Blitzmegaplex not in 21Cinema.
Thank you for the link Jason 🙂
Yeaaa finally!! I am happy for you 🙂
Seeing the trailer brings back memory. I love to read your review. My favorite battle is between Kenshin and Aoshi, it was spectacular. I wonder which battle you’ll like more.
I’ll let you know in the review 😉
The DVD/blu-ray is up for pre-order in the UK and I’m going to bite to experience the battles again.
Finally got to see it on Netflix last night.
It looks like they brought the the anime characters to life well.
I own a copy of part 1, never saw part 2 Netflix does not have it.
Ending Spoiler: Kiss her Kenshin! Kiss her you IDIOT!!!
Dang it.
Yeah, male anime/manga heroes… Always unrealistic with their fireballs, teleportation, blood-spurting noses and refusal to kiss the girl!!! Haha