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Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin 'The Final' Film's Story to Differ from Manga

Actor Takeru Satoh stated during a stage presentation at the Jump Festa '21 event on Sunday that Rurouni Kenshin Saishūshō The Final, the first of the two 'final chapter' films in the live-action film series based on Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin manga, will have an original story that will differ from the story in the manga. The film will center on the story from the manga's "Jinchū" arc, which features Kenshin's conflict with the mysterious weapons dealer Enishi.

Satoh stated that he was worried whether Watsuki would like the film since it contains an original story, but he read a letter from Watsuki that said he was able to feel fully immersed in the world of the film, so Satoh added he was relieved to hear Watsuki's thoughts on the film.

Rurouni Kenshin Saishūshō The Final, the first of the two films, will open in Japan on April 23 next year, while Rurouni Kenshin Saishūshō The Beginning, the second film, will open on June 4.

The films were originally slated to open on July 3 and August 7 earlier this year, but were delayed to next year due the ongoing new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Riku Ōnishi is the only new cast member among the five main cast members, replacing Kaito Ōyagi as Yahiko Myojin. The returning cast includes Takeru Satoh as Kenshin Himura, Emi Takei as Kaoru Kamiya, Munetaka Aoki as Sanosuke Sagara, and Yū Aoi as Megumi Takani. Yōsuke Eguchi will also return as Hajime Saitō. Yusuke Iseya and Tao Tsuchiya will reprise their roles from the previous film as Aoshi Shinomori and Misao Makimachi, respectively.

Mackenyu will play antagonist Enishi Yukishiro in the films. Enishi operates a black market arms company on the Chinese mainland, and manipulated Shishio through the sale of weapons and a warship to him.

Rurouni Kenshin Saishūshō The Beginning will tell the story of how Kenshin got his cross-shaped scar. Kasumi Arimura will play the character Tomoe Yukishiro in the films. Tomoe was Kenshin's wife during his days as the assassin Battōsai, and her story ties into Kenshin's iconic X-shaped scar. Kenshin and Tomoe's relationship was previously portrayed in the Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal original video anime (OVA) project.

Keishi Ōtomo is returning to direct the films. The rock band ONE OK ROCK will return as the theme song artists.

Sources: Jump Festa '21 Jump Studio livestream, Cinema Today (中山雄一朗)