Fate Hangs On His Sword|Aug. 01, 2014|Japan|138 Min.|TV-MA
Genre: Action;Adventure;Drama;Fantasy
Description: “Rurouni Kenshin Part II: Kyoto Inferno,” released in 2014, continues the epic tale of the legendary swordsman Himura Kenshin.
Set in Hyōgo Prefecture, the film follows Saitō Hajime, a Japanese police officer, as he tracks down Shishio Makoto, a rogue warrior betrayed by the government after aiding them in overthrowing the Tokugawa shogunate during the Battle of Toba–Fushimi. Shishio, however, retaliates by slaughtering the police and unveiling his ambition to conquer Japan.
After the events of the first film, Kenshin lives peacefully in the kendo dojo of Kamiya Kaoru alongside his friends Myōjin Yahiko, Sagara Sanosuke, and Takani Megumi. His tranquility is disrupted when a government official, Ōkubo Toshimichi, requests his help to stop Shishio, who is wreaking havoc in Kyoto and its surroundings. Initially reluctant, Kenshin changes his mind after the official is murdered by Seta Sōjirō, Shishio’s loyal follower. Following Kenshin’s departure, a mysterious figure arrives in Tokyo searching for him, leaving a defeated Sanosuke in his wake.
On his journey, Kenshin encounters Makimachi Misao, who tries to steal his sakabato sword. Their meeting is interrupted by a boy who tells them of his family’s tragic fate – murdered by Shishio’s men for exposing their crimes. Kenshin confronts and defeats Shishio’s men, but his true identity as the feared Hitokiri Battōsai is revealed. Summoned to face Shishio, Kenshin engages in a duel with Sōjiro, which results in the destruction of his sakabato. Before leaving, Kenshin urges the villagers, including the orphaned boy, to forsake revenge.
In Kyoto, Misao, inspired by Kenshin’s words, offers him shelter at an inn run by Kashiwazaki Nenji, a retired ninja known as Okina. Once part of the Oniwabanshu, a group of ninjas serving the Tokugawa shogunate, Okina warns Kenshin about Shinomori Aoshi, a former lieutenant who has sworn to kill Japan’s strongest warrior – Kenshin himself.
The film is a gripping blend of action, honor, and revenge, deepening the legend of Rurouni Kenshin as he faces new challenges and formidable foes.
Cast director: Keishi Ōtomo
Cast actor: Takeru Satoh, Emi Takei, Munetaka Aoki, Kaito Oyagi, Yu Aoi, Yosuke Eguchi, Yusuke Iseya, Min Tanaka, Tao Tsuchiya, Ryunosuke Kamiki
Original name: るろうに剣心 京都大火編