I originally saw the series out of order, and I actually ended up missing the Kyoto arc after Kenshin started his fight against Sojiro. When I got a chance to start watching the show again it was on the filler and it got taken off of Toonami before I saw it. I was only able to track down and read the entire manga series years later when I was in my senior year of high school.

Actually, the only thing I had to complain about the series (besides Kaoru developing chronic damsel syndrome) was that move Kenshin used during his second fight with Enishi. I think it translated to something like Dragon's Roar or something, the one where he sheaths his sword so fast it makes a small sonic boom. That just seemed like a ridiqulously specialized move to me.

Fate Grand Order players will know me as Ryusei-Go.

Yeah, a sonic boom technique meant mainly to incapacitate someone with very good hearing? How convenient! Especially how they suddenly "become equals".

I treat all living things equally. That is to say, I eat all living things

While the fact that it was an actual move may be a bit eh, I didn't find the general idea of it too bad. I figured that he was gonna do something like that anyway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFmGNqji4u0

It's been a while, but I finally got a chance to watch the live-action movie. (LOL Slowpoke) It was... good, I felt. Told its own story, but it was remarkably faithful to the source material. I'm actually re-reading the old chapters to see how it matches up - of note, the fight with Kurogasa is choreographed with directions right out of the manga. More thoughts once I'm done.

EDIT: Okay. Some thoughts:

• Characterisation is spot-on - you don't get much backstory for the secondary characters, unfortunately, but what little we know is pretty much consistent with the manga. Conveniently enough, they throw in flashbacks to Kenshin's past, so obviously there'll be room for the eventual Jinchuu Arc if it ever gets produced.
• Choreography: The fight scenes strike a nice balance between the limits of live-action and the superheroics of the manga. I had a bit of a problem with Saitou's Gatotsu Nishiki, though. The stance was awesome, but the lack of spring in his leap made it look like really bad Wire Fu.
• Deviations from plot: Pragmatic, and a neat way of streamlining the Tokyo Arc. Gein and Inui Banjin were an odd choice for mooks, but no stranger than Aoshi and the Oniwabanshu. Which links to the next bit...

So, I think it's entirely possible that if they do make a trilogy, it's obviously going to be the Kyoto arc in the second and the Jinchuu arc to round off the third. But the one problem I'm thinking of is the demythification (if you will) of the more unbelievable aspects of the series. I'll speculate on how it could possibly go down (potential SPOILER WARNING for both the movie and the manga / anime):

Kyoto Arc

General plot skeleton would be pretty simple: Kenshin gets approached to stop Shishio, initially refuses, Okubo gets assassinated, he heads off, everyone follows him, sword breaks, quest to obtain new sword and secret technique, fight in villain's lair. The trouble comes with streamlining the plot and characters for a 2-hour film. Unlike the Tokyo Arc, which was a series of unconnected events, the Kyoto Arc is one continuous sequence. Furthermore, with the live-action film's tendency to remove the more unrealistic aspects of the manga, several things might have to be changed.

• The Oniwabanshu: Aoshi and the Oniwabanshu weren't at Kanryuu's place, so Aoshi's quest to "lay the title of the strongest" on their graves is going to have to be explained via flashback, only tangentially-related to Kenshin, or both. And in the interests of realism, it looks like Beshimi, Hyottoko, Shikijou and Hannya are probably going to be left out. Aoshi's fate doesn't look too good either, seeing as how his fighting style was already adopted by "Gein" in the movie, but we haven't seen a dual-wielder yet. The Kyoto Oniwabanshu are more suited for the big screen, but again, having Misao assume the title of Okashira could be stretching feasibility, even if it's more symbolic than anything.
• The Juppongatana: Will probably be another case of pragmatism winning over the original canon. The more freakish or politically-incorrect members will probably have to be left out - unfortunately, that would happen to be the entire Aoiya strike force. (Kamatari, Henya, Iwanbou, Fuji, Saizuchi.) Of the remaining ones:
  • Chou is tricky but still feasible; you'd have to put some serious stunt work into getting the most mileage out of his trick swords, though.
  • Usui's character works, but the "cop-killer" aspect pitting him against Saitou may be a bit of a rehash, considering how Gein's already been shown slaughtering police officers ad infinitum.
  • Soujirou as a character would be an interesting contrast, but squeezing his backstory in - seeing as how it's key to the way his fight goes - would be difficult. Having a smiling killer is one thing, but getting us to accept that he suddenly breaks down mid-fight while having reflections to his traumatic childhood is a lot easier to accept (and less cheesy) when you break it down into several chapters instead of trying to do it in the middle of a live-action fight. Also, trying to show that he's faster than Kenshin's battoujutsu is going to be tricky in terms of stuntwork.
  • Anji's a good character to adapt and would be suitable for an opponent for Sanosuke, but the problem is that his Religious Bruiser aspects were already used for the Composite Character of "Inui Banjin" in the movie. (Remember, he prayed for the chicken.) And portraying a Buddhist monk - even a fallen one - as violent might be too controversial for audiences.
  • Houji would be easiest to depict, but he's boring as hell. No, in all seriousness, you could probably replace him with a nameless assistant and new viewers wouldn't notice the difference.
• Shishio... Ah. Full-body burns are a must, and so are the bandages. It's not Shishio without them. However, his techniques will be difficult to depict, as gloves full of dynamite and burning swords might not translate too well into live-action. They could still do the "fire" motif well, given the stage, but it might no longer be reflected in his style. Perhaps they might focus more on his endurance and ability to tank shots from every other fighter in the series?
  • Yumi is a must-have. (I'm just saying that because I want faaaaaanservice.)
• Hiko Seijuurou: Can't do without him.

One other plot issue: Saitou is introduced early, and seems to be on better terms with Kenshin compared to the manga. It's hard to picture him disguising his way into the Kamiya dojo and fighting Kenshin almost to the death as in his original entrance, so it might take another character and a new stimulus to trigger off Kenshin's Battousai Mode once more and send him on his quest to Kyoto.

So, how it could go down:

• Unfortunately, we might have to sacrifice Soujirou for Aoshi, because we can't have two one-note emotion characters, and Aoshi would be the better choice in order to ensure some connection between himself and the Kyoto Oniwabanshu.
• Have Aoshi attack the Kamiya dojo looking for Kenshin, forcing him into Battousai mode and breaking his sword, but be driven off before he does any real damage. Then have Okubo assassinated and send Kenshin and company on their way to Kyoto. Also need to remember to show conflict between Shishio and Aoshi.
• Skip the village massacre, have Misao lead Kenshin to Kyoto, and have Saitou show up there. The rest of the crew turns up as well. Sano may or may not learn the Futae no Kiwami, but I'd leave it out due to the sidestory getting in the way.
• They meet the Kyoto Oniwabanshuu and discover Aoshi's origins. Flashback to Aoshi's comrades dying one way or another.
• Fix the sword first (keep Chou if needed), then send Kenshin to learn the succession technique. In the meantime, Aoshi returns and fights Okina as per the manga. Some Saitou backstory, if needed.
• Send Kenshin, Sano and Saitou to infiltrate Shishio's lair. Skip the battleship assault, set Shishio's plot to set Kyoto on fire at the same time as the attack on the Aoiya, and reduce the fights to cutscenes of Kaoru, Misao and the others defending the town. Unfortunately, this means that half the Juppongatana would have to be left out (or possibly retained as cameos).
• The final gauntlet would consist of new opponents for Sano and Saitou - they'd still be nominally Anji and Usui and keeping the same styles, but the backstories might require some alteration. Either that, or they'd just mow down countless mooks along the way.
• Aoshi would fight Kenshin, not as the optional Side Quest, but as The Dragon prior to fighting Shishio, complete with Heel–Face Turn.
• The rest of the Kyoto Arc would carry on the way it did, complete with Saitou's walk Into The Inferno at the end. End movie with triumphant return to Kyoto.

Jinchuu Arc

Even trickier. Can't reuse Gein. Can't reuse Inui Banjin. The other three of the Six Companions are too weird, Wu Heishin is too weaksauce, and his bodyguards are just bland. (Plus hot air balloons and arms merchants are too outlandish.) And Watsuki wasn't content with the way he wrote Kaoru's apparent death. Soooo...

• Enishi attacks places that Kenshin frequents. (Only thing is, blowing up random buildings might be problematic in today's political climate.) The remaining six would have to be new characters, possibly retaining some character design elements from the originals but discarding the stuff that might be too outlandish, like the Arm Cannon. Keep his background as an arms dealer to maintain some relevance.
• When Enishi's identity is revealed, flashback to Kenshin's past as planned.
• It'll be difficult, but let Kaoru's apparent death be a Never Found the Body Disney Death rather than the elaborate corpse scheme (without Gein as the human puppeteer). It's not a cop-out if you chicken out of it from the start, right?
• Saitou's role might have to be reduced, Misao's and Aoshi's even left out altogether. Have them investigate the attacks, but leave them out of the final fight through some contrivance or another.
• Final Enishi - Kenshin fight on the island as per the manga. Keep Wu Heishin, leave out the bodyguards. End movie as per manga.

Meh. Spent too much time thinking about this. I need a new hobby.

edited 16th Apr '13 11:29:52 AM by Pyrite

Not a substitute for a formal medical consultation.

News on the sequels. Apparently, they'll divide the Kyoto arc into two films, and they managed to squeeze in both Soujirou and Aoshi. (Are we ever going to see the Jinchuu arc in some form other than print?)

edited 31st Jul '13 9:19:41 AM by Pyrite

Not a substitute for a formal medical consultation.

,Well, if the Jinchuu are is done, they could do another of Watsuki's plans. I forget if this was his original plan or something he thought of later, but I remember reading that a plan he came up with was to make Enishi a terminator style bad guy. He's the only one (no Six Comrades), and he's pretty much unstoppable, beating everyone he comes across, until the end.

edited 31st Jul '13 10:04:28 AM by tvsgood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFmGNqji4u0

Has the series or one of the two films (the prequel and sequel one) been remastered? If not, what's the best resolution available for them?

Trailer for the sequel movies

... Holy shit.

Long live Cinematech. FC:0259-0435-4987

Dayum, looks great. So is the Kyoto arc going to be covered in one film or two?

On Rurouni Kenshin filler episodes. Yeah, the Tokyo fillers sucked ass but I gotta admit I liked the Shimabara arc. Everything after that is shit.

"I don't give a rat's ass about going to hell. I guess it's because I feel like I'm already there." -Mugen

@Couchpotato: I probably need to fully watch the arc, but I couldn't watch anymore after the first Kenshin vs Shougo battle. From what I've seen and read, I will agree it was decent, particularly when it was focused on Mayo and Shouzo, but the whole secret Christian Hiten Mitsurugi style practitioner killed it for me as did Shougo's whole "Glorious Heavenly Hiten Mitsurugi Christian Master Race vs Dirty Earth Hiten Mitsurugi Peasants" BS in the first fight.

Shogo Amakusa is a historical reference like everything. He is just Shiro Tokisada Amakusa given a sword.

Oh I know it's supposed some kind of reference to Shirou Amakusa, but I still couldn't stomach it. Maybe if he had practiced a different style, I would have been a little more receptive.

edited 3rd May '14 12:38:23 PM by AkoSiKuya23

I guess what made the Shimabara arc watchable for me was due to playing a Samurai genre game with references to Shimabara (and trip to it) in Onimusha Dawn of Dreams. Also there's Samurai Champloo Japanese Christian in the plot central arcs.

EDIT:

The trailer that made me fall in love with the Shimabara arc:

edited 4th May '14 6:12:12 AM by Couchpotato20

"I don't give a rat's ass about going to hell. I guess it's because I feel like I'm already there." -Mugen

Storm Knight: Two movies. No news on filming the Jinchuu arc as far as I know. (And yes, it looks awesome.)

Not a substitute for a formal medical consultation.

@ trailer posted by Ako Si Kuya 23

My god that looks badass.

"I don't give a rat's ass about going to hell. I guess it's because I feel like I'm already there." -Mugen

@Couchpotato 20: I won't deny that the Shimabara arc trailer made it look cool, especially with 1/3 Junjou no Kanjou playing.

And I don't mind Japanese Christian characters as part of the Filler arc (me liking Sayo and Shouzo is proof of that). What I do mind is when they try to retcon part of the story to fit them in, shill his strength like crazy (I remember a lot of dialogue trying to compare him with Shishio), and act like an Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy about the mastery of his style.

edited 14th Jun '14 1:15:30 PM by AkoSiKuya23

Prequel manga story on Shishio and gang to be made.

Uh…Whoo?

"Curry killed the pussy hoping that I could kill the hate in you" - Curry, D. "TABOO | TA13OO." TA13OO, PH, 2018

I can kinda see why they want to do that. The next movie is going to be Kyoto arc so it's going to coincide with the movie. Plus, Shishio and Juppongatana were the most popular villains in the series and I can see potential in seeing how the Juppongatana were formed.

Not getting anime adaptation really killed Jinchu arc. The story's quality significantly improved from Kyoto arc. Shishio & the gang gets all kinds of story updates while Enishi & co are remembered only by manga reader.

Though the Jinchuu arc is the RK's high note, I think the ensemble of the Kyoto arc are a bit more memorable than the ones in the Jinchuu arc. The only villains in the last act that really stick with you are Enishi himself, and Dr. Gein.

"Curry killed the pussy hoping that I could kill the hate in you" - Curry, D. "TABOO | TA13OO." TA13OO, PH, 2018

I always found that one creepy miner who looked like Venom pretty memorable, same with the guy with a cannon arm.

Fate Grand Order players will know me as Ryusei-Go.

Yup. Almost all of Juppongatana have fleshed out characters, specially Sojiro, Anji & even Fuji. While most of the guys in Jinchu arc only feels like they're made to be Enishi's lackey, even that Apocalypse ripoff who got most screentime amongst Enishi's group. While I consider Shishio one of the most badass guy of the series alongside Kenshin & Saito, I still think Enishi is overall better villain as a character as well as how much he made an impact on Kenshin personally. He & his arc deserves as much recognition as Shishio.

Enishi is what makes the Jinchuu arc. He does have a sad backstory, but when you get right down to it, he's a despicable mess. It's just interesting to see him slowly unravel as the story goes on; all building up to him eventually owning up to his mistakes, and going on the same journey for an answer that Kenshin went through. Shishio was amazingly badass, but he was fairly static (nothing wrong with that, he does his job great).

And props to RK for escalating the villains by making things more and more personal for Kenshin, rather than giving them a bigger stick.

edited 16th Jun '14 10:17:25 PM by mrsunshinesprinkles

"Curry killed the pussy hoping that I could kill the hate in you" - Curry, D. "TABOO | TA13OO." TA13OO, PH, 2018