‘Rurouni Kenshin: The Final’: The Curtain Call to One of the Best Live Action Anime Adaptations

Seven Years. Seven grueling years. That’s how long it took for ‘Rurouni Kenshin: The Final’ to come out. I have to give it to the creators of the live-action franchise. They focused on stories that highlight what Kenshin’s life is all about. The latest film in the Samurai X franchise highlights that as well. This movie series is one of the best anime adaptations to come out, and it really shows.

The story begins after the events of ‘Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends’. With Shishio gone, what’s life like in Japan? As soon as you thought that Kenshin and Kaoru will have a peaceful life, an element from Kenshin’s past shows up which explains why Kenshin is so daft in expressing his feelings towards Kaoru. Behind that smile, Kenshin has always been a tragic hero,and this further highlighted in ‘Rurouni Kenshin: The Final’. There’s never a dull moment for the former Battosai, and his former life as a killer haunts him in this movie.

Aside from Kenshin and Kaoru, we have a lot of returning characters but not all of them get to see the end of the film. As this is further down the line in Japanese history, there are a lot more technological improvements particularly in the existence of firearms which are now more prevalent. In spite of this, we get to see just how legendary Kenshin’s skills are even though he continues to use his reverse-blade sword. Reformed from Kenshin’s life as Battosai, he continues to honor his promise to not kill people even though this code is really put to the test amidst the deadly past that haunts him. Truly, his entire moral code is tested in the film as he continously comes to blows not just with his adversaries, but also with mistakes made in his past life as Battosai.

Kenshin not only wrestles with his moral code, but he also grapples with his feelings towards Kaoru. His desensitized feelings towards Kaoru are further explained if not justified by his previous romantic relationship. Kenshin struggles to come to grips with his past failure, and this curtails his decision-making on what he needs to do. Thankfully, he is able to resolve this inner conflict in time to the benefit of his friends, and the current Japanese status quo he swore to protect. This leads to an action-packed conclusion that puts into display why this Rurouni Kenshin franchise is one of the best anime adaptations ever created.

Having said that, ‘Rorouni Kenshin: The Final’ is a story about moving on from the past. Everybody deserves to be happy, and that includes our tragic hero, Kenshin Himura. This film, allows for Kenshin and the rest of the characters to move into a Japanese future of peace in the new regime. Here we see that the internal struggles are self-inflicted, and hamper one’s perception of an individual’s surroundings. As shown in the film, once these internal demons are overcome, the present and future become more of a blessing than a burden. True, there are some differences between the original anime and this film, but I see no problem with giving Kenshin the ending he deserves.

All in all, ‘Rorouni Kenshin: The Final’ does not skip a beat, and continues the tradition of providing beautiful storytelling coupled with exhilirating action scenes that its predecessors in the movie franchise provided. I’m sad to see it all end, but if this is how it ends, then it is a fitting ending to this film series.

‘Rurouni Kenshin: The Final’ is now streaming on Netflix.

My Top Five Summer Anime of 2020

Summer has come and gone in Japan, but the shows go on. And though we are in fall season, I still have time to present to you my top five anime. So, here they are…

Number 5 is GIBIATE. This makes the list because it’s produced by Yoshitako Amano. The same Yoshitako Amano responsible for the Final Fantasy video game initial character designs. The same Yoshitako Amano who worked with Neil Gaiman on the Dream Hunters graphic novel. This is a zombie apocalypse anime, but instead of zombies there’s a virus that turns every human infected into different monsters. Add in a displaced in time samurai (Sensui Kanzaki) and shinobi (Kenroku Sanada) who both help a young scientist(Kathleen Funada); and you have the makings of a gritty post-apocalyptic anime.

I’ll be honest though, the mix of computer generated animation with traditional anime is not the best. The story is also a bit cliche, and the characters are very stereotypical. However, I find myself waiting on the next episode no matter how seriously cheesy the dialogue is. Maybe it’s the opening theme. Maybe it’s the overly serious tone that makes it downright funny sometimes. It’s enough to keep me entertained, and barely makes my list.

Number four is THE GOD OF HIGH SCHOOL. This caught my eye, and it’s based on a Korean webtoon written and illustrated by Yongje Park. The stage is set for the best high school student martial artist to be crowned ‘The God of High School’. Mori Jin, Dawei Han and Mira Yoo each have their reasons for entering this competition. The prize? The winner gets to have any wish they want. However, amidst the backdrop of this martial arts tournament is a conspiracy that involves world domination.

The series is an all-out brawl, and the storytelling is fast-paced. As the story progresses, we get an look at the backgrounds of each fighter participating, and their motivation for winning. It has enough intrigue to move the plot forward, and the fight scenes are top-notch. If you’re into martial arts anime, give this series a try.

Number three is FIRE FORCE. One of two returning anime on my list, this continues the story of the first season. Shinra Kusakabe and the rest of Special Fire Force Company 8 further their investigation into the Evangelist and human combustion. In their search, they uncover a secret that burns into the origins of the Great Cataclysm 250 years ago. What they find out brings into question some well-established beliefs, and slowly uncovers the mystery of Amaterasu.

Otherwise known as Enen No Shouboutai, this is one of the better shonen anime that came out in the last year, and I’m not surprised it got renewed for a second season. The mystery and intrigue remind me a lot of Full Metal Alchemist, but that’s not to say that Fire Force is its equal. Fire Force has its own voice, and it can be sometimes goofy (the first episode comes to mind). It still has a very interesting story, fighting choreography, and animation. It would’ve been number two on my list if not for….

…DECA-DENCE. This anime is my runner-up for the summer. This is another post-apocalyptic anime which involve monsters called Gadoll. The Gadoll bring humanity to the brink of extinction, and survivors struggle to fight of these monsters in a mobile fortress called Deca-dence. Natsume, a tanker girl who dreams of becoming a gear (a warrior who fight off the Gadoll) learns from one of the best gears in history, Kaburagi. These two protagonists strive to liberate humanity from the Gadoll threat, and…something else.

Look, I can’t tell you a lot about this series because it will ruin the surprise. At first you might think this is an Attack on Titan rip-off…it isn’t. It might even remind you of certain isekai…it does, well, sort of. All I can tell you is you’re in for a twist, and several turns if you invest yourself in watching this anime. It’s an anime about changing the system from within. It’s an anime about everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, being important in order for the community to succeed. It’s an anime about second chances in life. All those reasons would’ve put this anime at the top of my list, if not for…well…

You really didn’t think Re: Zero wouldn’t be on my list, let alone be number one. I mean, I wrote about it here on how it was one of the most anticipated anime of the year. That along with the ‘Made in Abyss’ third movie are the two most highly anticipated anime of the year. Yeah, Subaru is a wimpy crybaby. Yes, Emilia can be annoyingly frail (I’d rather go for Rem so sue me!). But this is THE anime that everyone was waiting patiently to return. It came highly heralded, and hasn’t disappointed. I have a soft spot for weak protagonists who develop from rock bottom like this shield hero guy.

But, Subaru and the entire series is all about learning from your mistakes. What would you do to make things right? What would it take for you to give up? Here’s the appeal for me: Subaru never gives up. He tries and tries (even if he dies) until he gets it right. The anime is beautiful. The death scenes are brutal. The message is inspiring. And that’s why ‘Re: Zero—Starting Life in Another World’ wins my top spot as the best Japanese summer anime of 2020.