Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin Adds Yuu Aoi, Munetaka Aoki

posted on 2011-08-30 08:30 EDT

Also: Taketo Tanaka (Yahiko Myojin) joins Takeru Satoh (Kenshin), Emi Takei (Kaoru)

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The October issue of Shueisha's Jump Square magazine is announcing on Saturday that Yuu Aoi (pictured right), Munetaka Aoki (pictured below), and Taketo Tanaka have joined next year's live-action film adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin samurai manga. Aoi (Hana and Alice, Honey and Clover) will play Megumi Takani, while Aoki (The Last Message Umizaru, live-action The Girl Who Leapt Through Time) will play Sanosuke Sagara. 11-year-old Tanaka will take on the role of Yahiko Myojin.

22-year-old actor Takeru Satoh (Kamen Rider Den-O, Rookies, Beck, Ryomaden) has already been cast as the title samurai himself, and 17-year-old actress Emi Takei will play the heroine Kaoru Kamiya. Keishi Otomo will direct Satoh, Aoi, and Aoki on this new film, just as he did in last year's NHK historical television series Ryomaden. Warner Brothers Pictures Japan is producing the film, and filming began last month.

Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin Film's Set Photos Posted

posted on 2011-08-31 14:00 EDT

Kamiya Dojo, Kenshin's Sakaba-sword & Sanosuke's Zanba-sword, creator photographed on set

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Hisashi Sasaki, deputy director of the publisher's Shonen Manga group, posted four photographs from the set of the live-action Rurouni Kenshin film on Wednesday. He posted photographs of the Kamiya Dojo (outside and inside), Kenshin's Sakaba-sword and Sanosuke's Zanba-sword on the set, and Rurouni Kenshin manga creator Nobuhiro Watsuki himself watching the set.

The film will open in Japan next year.

More Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin Castmembers Announced

posted on 2011-10-03 19:28 EDT

Kouji Kikkawa, Yosuke Eguchi, Teruyuki Kagawa added to manga adaptation cast list

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Three new castmembers for the 2012 live-action adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin Samurai manga were announced on Tuesday. Keishi Otomo is directing the samurai film starring 22-year-old actor Takeru Satoh (Kamen Rider Den-O, Rookies, Beck, Ryomaden) as the titular character.

The new cast members are:
• Kouji Kikkawa as Jine Udo
• Yosuke Eguchi as Hajime Saito
• Teruyuki Kagawa as Kanryu Takeda

The 17-year-old actress Emi Takei will play the heroine Kaoru Kamiya in next year's film. In August, the The October issue of Shueisha's Jump Square magazine announced Yuu Aoi as Megumi Takani, Munetaka Aoki as Sanosuke Sagara, and Taketo Tanaka as Yahiko Myojin. The film's staff held an open casting call for volunteer extras in the film last July.

The Sankei Sports newspaper reported that the staff aims to release the film internationally and eventually make a series. This will be the first live-action adaptation of the manga. Warner Brothers Pictures Japan is producing the film with its president William Ireton, and shooting began in July. Studio Swan (Paradise Kiss) is in charge of the actual film production. Hisashi Sasaki, deputy director of Shueisha's Shonen Manga group, posted four photographs from the set of the film in August.

Nobuhiro Watsuki's original 1994-1999 manga ran in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine and the resulting 28 compiled books volumes have 50 million copies in print. The manga inspired a television anime series that is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. Viz Media published the manga in North America, and Media Blasters' AnimeWorks label released the television anime.

ADV Films released two later original video anime projects and a film on DVD, and Aniplex is releasing these three titles on Blu-ray Disc this year. in April, Shueisha announced that a new Rurouni Kenshin anime project has been green-lit.

Update: More information added.
Update 2: More cast and background information added.

Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin Film Image Published


posted on 2011-11-30 02:45 EST

Film to open in Japan on August 25

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The January 2012 issue of Jump Square magazine is publishing an image of actor Takeru Satoh as the title character in the live-action Rurouni Kenshin film on Saturday. The film will open throughout Japan on August 25.

More Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin Film Images Released

posted on 2011-12-02 16:40 EST

Film starring Takeru Satoh, Emi Takei to open in Japan on August 25

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The staff for the live-action Rurouni Kenshin film released more images from the film on Friday. The film stars Takeru Satoh as Kenshin Himura and Emi Takei as Kaoru Kamiya. The film will open throughout Japan on August 25.

Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin's Principal Photography Ends

posted on 2011-12-06 23:45 EST


Hisashi Sasaki, deputy director of Shueisha's Shonen Manga group, reported on Wednesday that shooting of the live-action film of Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin manga has ended. A "job well done party" was held on Tuesday night.

Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin Film's Teaser Streamed

posted on 2011-12-16 09:00 EST

Takeru Satoh stars as title samurai in Keishi Otomo, Warners' August 25 film

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On Friday, Warner Brothers Japan began streaming the 40-second teaser trailer for the live-action film adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin manga on its Yahoo! Japan channel.

Keishi Otomo is directing this samurai film starring 22-year-old actor Takeru Satoh (Kamen Rider Den-O, Rookies, Beck, Ryomaden) as the titular character. 17-year-old actress Emi Takei plays the heroine Kaoru Kamiya. Yuu Aoi (Hana and Alice, Honey and Clover) plays Megumi Takani, Munetaka Aoki (The Last Message Umizaru, live-action The Girl Who Leapt Through Time) plays Sanosuke Sagara, and Taketo Tanaka plays Yahiko Myojin. Kouji Kikkawa (Let's Dance With Papa) as Jine Udo, Yosuke Eguchi (Shonan Bakusozoku, Tokyo Love Story) as Hajime Saito, and Teruyuki Kagawa (From Up on Poppy Hill, 20th Century Boys) as Kanryu Takeda round out the cast.

The film will open in Japan on August 25, 2012.

4 More Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin Film Photos Posted

posted on 2012-01-03 23:00 EST

On-set photos show Kenshin, Jin'e in pivotal face-off from August 25 film

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The Eiga.com and Oricon websites posted four more photographs from the live-action film adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin samurai manga on Wednesday.

Eiga.com's photograph (below left) shows musician/actor Kouji Kikkawa (Let's Dance With Papa) as Jin'e Udo, a vagrant hitokiri (manslayer) with an impulsive thirst for blood. Oricon's three photographs (right and below) show Takeru Satoh (Kamen Rider Den-O, Rookies, Beck, Ryomaden) as the title character Kenshin Himura in a pivotal face-off scene with Jin'e Udo. The scene was filmed on location at the Anraku-Ritsu Temple in Otsu City in Shiga Prefecture.

The photographs can be seen in higher resolution on the two websites.

Keishi Otomo is directing this samurai film with actress Emi Takei playing the heroine Kaoru Kamiya. Yuu Aoi (Hana and Alice, Honey and Clover) plays Megumi Takani, Munetaka Aoki (The Last Message Umizaru, live-action The Girl Who Leapt Through Time) plays Sanosuke Sagara, and Taketo Tanaka plays Yahiko Myojin. Yosuke Eguchi (Shonan Bakusozoku, Tokyo Love Story) as Hajime Saito, and Teruyuki Kagawa (From Up On Poppy Hill, 20th Century Boys) as Kanryu Takeda round out the cast.

The film will open in Japan on August 25, 2012.

Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin Film's New Promo Video Posted (Updated)

posted on 2012-03-07 14:38 EST

Takeru Satoh stars as title samurai in Keishi Ōtomo, Warners' August 25 film

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The ZIP! morning television program in Japan aired an exclusive new trailer for the live-action film adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin manga on Wednesday.

Keishi Ōtomo is directing this samurai film starring 22-year-old actor Takeru Satoh (Kamen Rider Den-O, Rookies, Beck, Ryōmaden) as the titular character. 17-year-old actress Emi Takei plays the heroine Kaoru Kamiya. Yuu Aoi (Hana and Alice, Honey and Clover) plays Megumi Takani, Munetaka Aoki (The Last Message Umizaru, live-action The Girl Who Leapt Through Time) plays Sanosuke Sagara, and Taketo Tanaka plays Yahiko Myōjin. Kouji Kikkawa (Let's Dance With Papa) as Jine Udō, Yosuke Eguchi (Shonan Bakusozoku, Tokyo Love Story) as Hajime Saitō, and Teruyuki Kagawa (From Up On Poppy Hill, 20th Century Boys) as Kanryū Takeda round out the cast.

The film will open in Japan on August 25, 2012. Warner Brothers Japan streamed a previous teaser trailer for the film last December.

Update: According to one of the ZIP! hosts, production on four versions of this newest trailer with English, Chinese, French, and Spanish subtitles has been approved.

Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin Film's 2nd Teaser Streamed

posted on 2012-03-12 21:17 EDT

Takeru Satoh stars as title samurai in Keishi Ōtomo, Warner's August 25 film

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The Japanese website Cinema Today began streaming the second teaser trailer for the live-action film adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin manga on Tuesday.

The same footage was previewed on the ZIP! morning television program last Wednesday. According to one of the ZIP! hosts and Cinema Today, production on four versions of this newest trailer with English, Chinese, French, and Spanish subtitles has been approved.

Keishi Ōtomo is directing this samurai film with 22-year-old actor Takeru Satoh (Kamen Rider Den-O, Rookies, Beck, Ryōmaden) as the titular character. 17-year-old actress Emi Takei plays the heroine Kaoru Kamiya. Yuu Aoi (Hana and Alice, Honey and Clover) plays Megumi Takani, Munetaka Aoki (The Last Message Umizaru, live-action The Girl Who Leapt Through Time) plays Sanosuke Sagara, and Taketo Tanaka plays Yahiko Myōjin. Kouji Kikkawa (Let's Dance With Papa) as Jine Udō, Yosuke Eguchi (Shonan Bakusozoku, Tokyo Love Story) as Hajime Saitō, and Teruyuki Kagawa (From Up On Poppy Hill, 20th Century Boys) as Kanryū Takeda round out the cast.

The film will open in Japan on August 25. Warner Brothers Japan streamed a previous teaser trailer for the film last December. That earlier teaser received hits from 136 different countries on the film's official site.

Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin Film's Teaser Streamed in 4 Subbed Languages

posted on 2012-03-13 15:10 EDT

2nd teaser streamed with English, Spanish, French, Chinese subtitles

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The official YouTube channel for the live-action film adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin manga began streaming the film's second teaser trailer in four different subtitled languages on Tuesday. The 69-second trailer is available in English, Spanish, French, and Chinese.

The website previously streamed the teaser without subtitles on Monday.

The same footage was previewed on the ZIP! morning television program last Wednesday. One of the ZIP! hosts had said at that time that production on four versions of this newest trailer with English, Chinese, French, and Spanish subtitles had been approved.

Keishi Ōtomo is directing this samurai film with 22-year-old actor Takeru Satoh (Kamen Rider Den-O, Rookies, Beck, Ryōmaden) as the titular character. 17-year-old actress Emi Takei plays the heroine Kaoru Kamiya. Yuu Aoi (Hana and Alice, Honey and Clover) plays Megumi Takani, Munetaka Aoki (The Last Message Umizaru, live-action The Girl Who Leapt Through Time) plays Sanosuke Sagara, and Taketo Tanaka plays Yahiko Myōjin. Kouji Kikkawa (Let's Dance With Papa) as Jine Udō, Yosuke Eguchi (Shonan Bakusozoku, Tokyo Love Story) as Hajime Saitō, and Teruyuki Kagawa (From Up On Poppy Hill, 20th Century Boys) as Kanryū Takeda round out the cast.

The film will open in Japan on August 25. Warner Brothers Japan streamed a previous teaser trailer for the film last December. That earlier teaser received hits from 136 different countries on the film's official site.

Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin's Behind-the-Scenes Video Posted

posted on 2012-04-14 19:50 EDT

Takeru Satoh shows off his moves as title samurai in August 25 film

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Almost five minutes of behind-the-scenes footage from the live-action film adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin manga ran on Japanese television. The video features 22-year-old actor Takeru Satoh (Kamen Rider Den-O, Rookies, Beck, Ryōmaden) practicing his moves as the titular samurai. 17-year-old actress Emi Takei also appears the heroine Kaoru Kamiya.

Yuu Aoi (Hana and Alice, Honey and Clover) plays Megumi Takani, Munetaka Aoki (The Last Message Umizaru, live-action The Girl Who Leapt Through Time) plays Sanosuke Sagara, and Taketo Tanaka plays Yahiko Myōjin. Kouji Kikkawa (Let's Dance With Papa) as Jine Udō, Yosuke Eguchi (Shonan Bakusozoku, Tokyo Love Story) as Hajime Saitō, and Teruyuki Kagawa (From Up On Poppy Hill, 20th Century Boys) as Kanryū Takeda round out the cast.

The film will open in Japan on August 25.

Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin's Theme Performed by ONE OK ROCK

posted on 2012-05-29 03:45 EDT

Japanese rock band wrote "The Beginning" for August 25 film

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Japanese rock band ONE OK ROCK announced on Tuesday that it is contributing its new song "The Beginning" as the theme song for the live-action Rurouni Kenshin film. According to the film's website, ONE OK ROCK wrote the song specifically for the film.

The band's vocalist said that the film's lead actor Takeru Satoh (Kamen Rider Den-O, Rookies, Beck, Ryōmaden) is one of his close friends, and he admitted that making a theme song for a film — which is also the first live-action adaptation of one of Japan's top-class manga — filled him with both excitement and anxiety. Satoh added that listening to ONE OK ROCK's music while filming Kenshin lifted his spirits.

The single for the song will go on sale on August 22, and the film itself will open on August 25.