The live-action Rurouni Kenshin Saishūshō The Final is coming to Netflix.
Announced by Anime News Network, the film is the first of two installments based on the classic Rurouni Kenshin manga, with the second film titled Rurouni Kenshin Saishūshō The Beginning. Fans in the United States and Asia will be able to stream the film on Netflix starting June 18.
After being delayed for nearly a year by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Final hit Japanese theaters in April, ranking #2 in its opening weekend and grossing about 3.451 billion yen (about $31.5 million USD) so far. The film stars Takeru Satoh, reprising his role as Kenshin, the wandering assassin-turned-pacifist.
The Final follows the manga's "Jinchu" arc, the last arc in the series. Featuring an original story, it covers Kenshin's conflict with Enishi, the brother of his first wife. Enishi seeks vengeance for his sister's death, which occurred during Kenshin's time as an assassin. The official Netflix description reads, "In 1879, Kenshin and his allies face their strongest enemy yet: his former brother-in-law Enishi Yukishiro and his minions, who've vowed their revenge."
The second film in the series, The Beginning, focuses on how Kenshin received the infamous x-shaped scar on his face. The film recently opened in Japanese theaters, but Netflix has not yet announced whether it will carry this movie as well.
Rurouni Kenshin creator Nobuhiro Watsuki was convicted and fined ¥200,000 in 2018 for possession of child pornography. While he has remained actively involved in the creation of the franchise's manga and anime, he has no involvement with this entry in the live-action film series aside from a creator credit.
Directed by Keishi Ōtomo, Rurouni Kenshin Saishūshō The Final stars Takeru Satoh, Emi Takei, Mackenyu Arata, Munetaka Aoki, Yū Aoi, Tao Tsuchiya and Yōsuke Eguchi. Released in theaters in Japan on April 23, the film will be available to stream on Netflix starting June 18.
Source: Netflix via Anime News Network
