The live action adaptation of the popular tale of bakumatsu ronin Rurouni Kenshin has been officially confirmed, with actor Takeru Sato cast as in the titular role of Himura Kenshin.
The series originally ran in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from 1994 until 1999, and proved to be a major hit with sales of 50 million over 28 volumes, soon being adapted into a long-running anime series. The franchise’s highpoint was doubtless the generally excellent series of animated movies this in turn spawned.
The live action movie, the first in the franchise, will be directed by Otomo Keishi and produced by Warner Brothers Japan.
The decision to pick Takeru Sato for the lead role was lauded by the original mangaka Watsuki Nobuhiro (who reports that at the start of the project when he asked his wife who would be best for the role, the first name to pass her lips was that of Takeru Sato), hopefully suggesting the movie will meet a better fate than the majority of anime-to-live-action adaptations.
The movie is expected to be released in 2012.
i hope it doesn’t suck -crosses fingers-
A lot of people are mistaking kenshin for a manly character. Within both the anime and manga, while kenshin was amazingly strong he was described as as pretty boy with a thin body build that made him similar to that of a girl. This is why in the manga it states that Kenshin could no longer perform the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu as he got older because it put too much stress on his body.
O think Takeru Sato will do an excellent job of Kenshin, though he just needs to grow his hair out and possibly start taken kendo, iao lessons.
…I guess I we heard is “Oro~” tone voice in Den-O
He better breakdance in this movie.
Wait I thought we learn from our mistakes like tekken,street fighter.
When the Japanese make anime films themselves, they tend to be a lot more faithful like Death Note and 20th Century Boys.