“Rurouni Kenshin: The Final/The Beginning” takes the ranks 1 and 2 spots at the Japanese box office on the same weekend! In case you didn’t know, those are the two final chapters of the live-action adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki’s “Rurouni Kenshin” manga. Likewise, the first of the final 2 chapters, “Rurouni Kenshin: The Final” takes the top 2 spot. Meanwhile, the second one, “Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning” is placed on top 1.
You can check here the key visual for both of the 2 movies:
For your information, “Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning” started airing in Japan on June 4, 2021. Then, on its first weekend, the movie earned over 508 million yen (around US$4.7 million). In conclusion, it sold over 350, 000 tickets in its first 3 days to become the top-grossing film in Japan on June 5 and 6.
In case you didn’t know, “Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning” is the live-action adaptation of the Samurai X OVA titled, “Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuioku-hen”. It revolves around Kenshin’s story when he was still being called Hitokiri Battousai. Moreover, it also shows how he got the X-mark on his cheek.
Also, if you want to watch the trailer of the movie, just click here.
Furthermore, you can check here the film’s key visual:
Meanwhile, “Rurouni Kenshin: The Final” premiered in Japan on April 23, 2021. Then, on its 7th weekend, the movie earned over 190 million yen (around US$ 1.73 million). Thus, it finally earned a domestic total of 3.4 billion yen (around US$31 million) since the movie’s release date.
In case you missed it, “Rurouni Kenshin: The Final” revolves on the manga’s Jinchū arc. It centers on Kenshin’s conflict with Yukishiro Enishi, the brother of his deceased wife. You can watch the official trailer of the film below:
In addition, you can also check its key visual here:
If you want to watch another trailer of the 2 movies, just click here.
Fun fact: According to the official Twitter account of the film, this is the first time in the history of Japanese cinema that both of the 2 movies in the same series claimed that ranks 1 and 2 spots in the same weekend.
What’s more, you can also check here the movie rankings in Japan for the past weekend:
“Rurouni Kenshin” is originally a Japanese manga series by Nobuhiro Watsuki. Shueisha published it on Weekly Shōnen Jump from April 1994 until September 1999 with a total of 28 volumes.
Moreover, it received an anime adaptation, popularly known as Samurai X. Studio Gallop and Studio Deen were in charge of its production. The TV series aired from January 1996 to September 1998 with a total of 95 episodes. An anime film adaptation of the manga titled, “Rurouni Kenshin: Requiem for the Ishin Patriots” also aired in December 1997.
Furthermore, it also inspired a live-action film that premiered on December 5, 2012. A sequel of the film titled “Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno” premiered August 1, 2014. A third live-action film, “Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends,” followed suit and was released on September 24 of the same year.
Lastly, the two final films of the series aired on April 23 and June 4, which dominated top 1 and 2 spots of the Japanese cinema in the same weekend.
In the final years of the Bakumatsu era lived a legendary assassin known as Hitokiri Battousai. Feared as a merciless killer, he was unmatched throughout the country, but mysteriously disappeared at the peak of the Japanese Revolution. It has been ten peaceful years since then, but the very mention of Battousai still strikes terror into the hearts of war veterans.
Unbeknownst to them, Battousai has abandoned his bloodstained lifestyle in an effort to repent for his sins, now living as Kenshin Himura, a wandering swordsman with a cheerful attitude and a strong will. Vowing never to kill again, Kenshin dedicates himself to protecting the weak. One day, he stumbles across Kaoru Kamiya at her kendo dojo, which is being threatened by an impostor claiming to be Battousai.
After receiving help from Kenshin, Kaoru allows him to stay at the dojo, and so the former assassin temporarily ceases his travels.
Source: Eiga website, Pixiin website, Mantan Web, Film’s official twitter account
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