Rurouni Kenshin: The Final Chapter" announces additional cast members including Issei Takahashi as Kogoro Katsura!

Three additional cast members have been announced for the live-action film "Rurouni Kenshin: The Final / The Beginning," which will be released on April 23 (Friday) and June 4 (Friday), 2021, in two consecutive nationwide roadshows.

⇒The live-action film version of "Rurouni Kenshin: The Final Chapter" will star Masumi Arimura as Tomoe Yukiyo, Kenshin's wife who was killed by Kenshin!

Two consecutive live-action films, "Rurouni Kenshin: The Final" and "Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning," will be released on April 23 (Friday) and June 4 (Friday), 2021.

The "Rurouni Kenshin" series continues to reign supreme as the pinnacle of entertainment that changed the history of Japanese cinema, with "Rurouni Kenshin" released on August 25, 2012, "Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Fire Arc" on August 1, 2014, and "Rurouni Kenshin: The Last Legend" on September 13, 2014. The total number of viewers exceeded 9.8 million. In 2021, the "Rurouni Kenshin" series will finally reach its conclusion.

The powerful, high-speed action and emotional human drama that no one has ever experienced before have excited audiences not only in Japan but also around the world, and the film has been distributed in more than 100 countries worldwide, including North America, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, and other European and Asian countries. The film has been distributed in over 100 countries worldwide, including North America, England, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, and other European and Asian countries.

Rurouni Kenshin: The Final / The Beginning" will be released on April 23 (Friday) and June 4 (Friday), 2021, respectively, for two consecutive national roadshows.

It has already been announced that Mr. Kensuke Nitta will play the role of Enishi, the most fearsome enemy in the history of the series, who is the head of the Shanghai Mafia and knows the mystery of Kenshin's crossed wounds, which is greatly related to the final two films, and that Ms. Masumi Arimura will play Tomoe Yukiyo, the former wife of Kenshin, who holds the key to the mystery of Kenshin's crossed wounds.

New cast members for "Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning" include Issei Takahashi as Kogoro Katsura, Nijiro Murakami as Soji Okita, and Masanobu Ando as Shinsaku Takasugi!
Visuals for each of them have also arrived.

Issei Takahashi as Kogoro Katsura

Nijiro Murakami as Soji Okita

Masanobu Ando as Shinsaku Takasugi

This "Final Chapter" will consist of two parts: "The Final," which is based on the "Hanchu Arc," the last episode of the original story, and depicts the ultimate climax between Kenshin and En, and "The Beginning," which is based on the "Reminiscence Arc," the story in the original story in which Kenshin tells of his past and the mystery of the crossed wounds. The three characters announced this time are those who fought for their lives in the turbulent end of the Edo period and are important characters who are related to Kenshin in "The Beginning," the final installment of the "Rurouni Kenshin" series.

Katsura Kogoro, a samurai from the Choshu Clan, is the inspiration for the creation of "Battousai the Manslayer," played by Takahashi Issei, and Takasugi Shinsaku, a samurai from the Choshu Clan, played by Ando Masanobu, who is also a samurai from the Choshu Clan. The visual of Katsura and Takasugi that has been released this time is the scene where Kenshin is discovered by Katsura and Takasugi, and where Kenshin's destiny is changed drastically.

Also, the visual of Okita Soji, the leader of the Shinsengumi's first squad, played by Murakami Nijiro, is a martial arts fighter who is praised as a genius swordsman at a young age. The visual revealed this time is a scene in which Okita is exchanging swords with Kenshin, glaring at him with a sharp gaze.

The new casting of these warriors, who will either protect or change the times, and fight for their beliefs and their lives, raises expectations for the film even more.

Director Otomo's comments on the cast
Director Otomo said of Ms. Takahashi, "The ephemeral era of the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate is a time when a deadly, glamorous look suits you. Issei is able to find the one and only expression that can only be achieved in this way. Moreover, the depth of his performance is unparalleled. I could feel his detailed feelings for Kenshin in every single gesture of Katsura, who he plays, and at the same time, I thought it would definitely be a strong addition to the film.

On the other hand, regarding Mr. Murakami, who plays Soji Okita of the Shinsengumi, he said, "Sansho is small but spicy, and Nijirou-kun's sharp image naturally overlapped with that of Okita. I think he played this fascinating character with a unique mood, including his dream confrontation with Kenshin," he said confidently. The scene in which the real historical figure and Kenshin meet is so convincing that it makes one believe Kenshin was real.

Regarding Mr. Ando, who plays Takasugi, he said, "I was keenly aware that the one-of-a-kind, unique charisma that instantly captivates people's hearts is only possible with Masanobu Ando. The extras in the Kibeitai were instantly uplifted by the sight of him and taken in by his charm. Takasugi's boldness and delicacy, his presence that cannot be summed up in one word, were more than adequately embodied in this film," he said.

The "Rurouni Kenshin" series continues to evolve with quality that exceeds the expectations of audiences, and the leading Japanese film crew pays close attention to every detail. The series is headed for its highest-ever climax with the addition of an even more splendid cast.

Comments from Issei Takahashi, Nijiro Murakami, and Masanobu Ando

The original text is in Japanese only.

Issei Takahashi (Kogoro Katsura) Comment
This is my third film with director Otomo, and I was both grateful and amused to be able to play a role in the Otomo team again.
In playing Katsura, I tried to observe the movement of Kenshin's mind,
I was able to play the role with ease because Mr. Sato was always there as "Kenshin".

Nijiro Murakami (Soji Okita) Comment
I am very happy to be able to play the character of Soji Okita.
I tried my best in the action, while being conscious of the importance of originality.
This "Kenshin" is different from the past because he is the "Battousai the Manslayer,
I was impressed by the different atmosphere of Kenshin and what Ken-kun sees in his eyes.

Masanobu Ando (Shinsaku Takasugi) Comment
I had an image of director Otomo as a unique, energetic and dynamic person.
I wanted to have a session with such a person, so I was honestly happy when I got the offer.

Film information
Rurouni Kenshin The Final/The Beginning
＜Release information
Rurouni Kenshin The Final" will be released on Friday, April 23, 2021.
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final Chapter The Beginning" Friday, June 4, 2021

<Cast
Takeshi Sato
ARIMURA Masumi
Takahashi Issei
Murakami Nijiro
Masanobu Ando
Kazuki Kitamura
Yosuke Eguchi

＜Staff
Director/Screenplay : Keishi Otomo
Music: Naoki Sato Theme Song: ONE OK ROCK
Original Story: Nobuhiro Watsuki "Rurouni Kenshin - Meiji Swordsman Romantic Tan" (Shueisha Jump Comics)
Production: "Rurouni Kenshin The Final/The Beginning" Film Partners
Production Production Production/Distribution: Warner Bros. Pictures Inc.

＜Story: "Rurouni Kenshin: The Final/The Beginning" Production Committee
Himura Kenshin was once feared as the "Battousai the Manslayer," but with the dawn of a new era, he has a reverse-blade sword (Sakabatou) that cannot be cut and leads a peaceful life.
After fighting to the death in an unprecedented battle to stop his worst enemy, Makoto Shizuo, from plotting to overthrow Japan, Kenshin and his friends live peacefully at the Kamiya Dojo.
However, someone suddenly launches an attack on central Tokyo, endangering the lives of Kenshin and his friends.
Who is behind the attack? This leads to the mystery of the crossed wounds that will never disappear, which is greatly related to Kenshin's past, which has never been revealed.
The climax of "Rurouni Kenshin" is the greatest climax in the history of "Rurouni Kenshin," which is depicted through two eras: the turbulent final days of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the new era after the Meiji Restoration. Everything about "Rurouni Kenshin" is here.

Official website: rurouni-kenshin.jp Official Twitter/official Instagram @ruroken_movie #Rurouni Kenshin The Final Chapter

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