It’s a truly fascinating glimpse into Japanese culture at a time where it was malleable and prone to debate. Both sides believe they are a “correct” ideology, and both philosophies influence how the characters see the world and respond to plot developments. His adversary, Shishio, sees the unstable and weak-willed new government as a ripe opportunity to muscle his way to power. Kenshin is an ex-assassin who has sworn off bloodshed, and aims to atone for his past sins by resolving conflict through nonviolent means. Kyoto Inferno’s protagonist and antagonist embody this opposition perfectly. This was a time where veteran samurai clashed against police under martial law, where assassins clashed with politicians for the right to determine a holistic vision for Japan’s future. Kenshin explores early Meiji Era, a time where the Machiavellian tactics of the Tokugawa shogunate were giving way to a more Western influenced central government. What really struck me about Kyoto Infernal was how elegantly the setting informed the narrative. Related reading: For more information on the period of time, check out Matt C's piece on the Shinsengumi.
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno is the second in the trilogy, but it’s perfectly enjoyable as an entry point to the series – it treads darker territory than the first, building upon the established character and further exploring the source material. Director Keishi Omoto had big shoes to fill with his live-action adaptation of the much loved epic, but thanks to excellent cinematography and a talented cast, the first film was released to acclaim. Telling the story of an ex-assassin who has sworn off violence as he travels across the tumultuous backdrop of the post-Bakumatsu era, the original manga touched upon notions of morality, personal change and Japan’s national identity all while codifying tropes for the wandering hero which would become staples in manga for decades. It’s easy to see why Rurouni Kenshin is so respected among anime and manga fans in Japan. Our next review is the filmic adaptation of an incredible anime and manga series, Rurouni Kenshin. What's more, we want to share the love! We'll be providing two winners with a $10 voucher for Dendy's online streaming platform, Dendy Direct, so you can watch any of the films that interest you after reading the review! Just click the image at the bottom of the review and complete a short, two-question survey to go in the draw (note: competition only open to Australian residents). With this in mind we've partnered with Dendy Cinemas in Australia to review a series of superb and wonderful films from Japan, China, and elsewhere in Asia.
But we also love films, and would love to see more people watching films from Asia, because far too often people miss classic moments in cinema because they weren't from Hollywood.
We love games from Japan and the rest of Asia, of course it's what we do as our bread-and-butter at DDNet.
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