If you want to read my review of Samurai X – The Beginning, read this post. In るろうに剣心 最終章, the deadliest swordsman of all time joins the Emperor’s factions in order to end the military dictatorship established by the Shoguns of Japan.
Kenshin Himura (Takeru Sato) was known as Battousai, The Shredder. A master of the Hiten Mitsurugi style, who believes that by the edge of his katana he would be able to bring peace and happiness to the Japanese people.
“I have nothing against you. But for the new age, all of you must die.”
Yukishiro Tomoe (Kasumi Arimura) entered the restaurant alone and began to be harassed by false supporters of the Emperor. Kenshin intervened and, because of that, was ambushed on his way out.
“Blood rain is a cliché in tragic plays. But, you really do make it rain blood.”
Tomoe had a nervous breakdown after watching Battousai’s slashing. Kenshin had no choice but to take her to the inn where he lived and ask the local women for help. Since Tomoe had nowhere else to go, she ended up sticking around.
Samurai X – The Beginning: japanese movie review
In 1864, Japan was opening up to foreign trade and the factions that defended the shogunate and those that wanted to restore the emperor’s power were at war.
In just 6 months, Kenshin Himura had already killed more than 100 men, in favor of the faction that wanted to restore the imperial autocracy.
“No need to ask, Saitou-san. It was Battousai, The Shredder.”
Cold-blooded and emotionless, Kenshin was a true killing machine who smugly believed he would bring something he himself was unaware of, peace and happiness.
“With all the men he’s killed, he still has a pure heart.”
After her health improved, Tomoe started to work and live in the same inn as Kenshin and she didn’t believe in bloodshed for peace.
“Do you intend to go on killing forever?”
Kenshin didn’t want Tomoe around, as he started to fall in love with her. She questioned the factions’ methods and hid that the shogun’s watchman, Akira Kiyosato (Masataka Kubota), responsible for the first cut on kenshin’s face, was her late fiance.
“For times to change, someone must carry a sword. And that someone is me.”
The Shinsengumi was closing in and Katsura-san (Issei Takahashi) instructed Kenshin and Tomoe to pretend to be a couple living on the outskirts of Kyoto until the worst passes.
“Live with me. Being who I am, I don’t know how long it will last. And it’s not meant to be a pretense. It’s real.
For the first time in his life, Kenshin knew happiness and peace. Tomoe fell in love with his enemy and regretted spying on him. But it was already too late and Tatsumi (Kazuki Kitamura) found Kenshin. There was nothing else the Battousai could do but go back to killing.
Samurai X – The Beginning review: shogunate
The first shogun, great General, was Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of Oda Nobunaga’s supporters, who betrayed his promises and used political and military power to fight for the dominance of Japan.
And so began the era known as the Tokugawa Period, or Edo Period. A military dictatorship that lasted in Japan for nearly 300 years. It was a period of strong political and economic isolation, which only ended with the Meiji Restoration.
With the end of the Tokugawa shogunate, the Meiji Period marked the restoration of imperial theocracy, making Japan the first asian nation-state.
Why you should watch Samurai X – The Beginning
I won’t leave Samurai X – The Beginning ending explained or a download link here, but for me this Japanese movie is the best live action of the entire saga.
I liked the anime, but the OVAs that portray this period, when Kenshin was a cold-blooded killer, are great. You should watch them too.
Samurai X – The Beginning trailer
I really feel that you will like this one. So I decided to do this Ichido Shinde Mita review. Go ahead, immerse yourself in the story, the environment and the soundtrack.
And come back later to tell me what you think in the comments. This live action is an adaptation of the OVAs that tell the beginning of Kenshin Himura’s life as Battousai, The Shredder.
Leave a Reply