Surprised by Phl fandom

MANILA, Philippines - Even with the reported $60M global box-office gross of the first Rurouni Kenshin film and the knowledge that it broke records for an Asian film released in the Philippines, the Japanese lead cast and director of the trilogy adaptation of the manga comic of the same title were still caught by surprise at the level of fandom that greeted them at the red-carpet premiere of the sequel Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno at SM Megamall last Wednesday.

They were profuse with their “Salamat po’s” and “Mahal ko kayo’s” throughout the short programs during the red-carpet meet and greet at the ground floor, and at the Cinema 9 for the premiere proper, wherein the stars also told the crowd, peppered with cosplaying fanatics (a.k.a. otaku), that they were huge fans of their characters.  

“When I try to do things, (I think of) what would Kenshin do, given this and that opportunity. I would always refer my decision-making to how Kenshin would decide,” said lead star Takeru Satoh through an interpreter, of his title role in the film that’s based on the manga comic by Nobuhiro Watsuki that has sold more than 5.8 million copies and been translated into more than 20 languages to date. (Most Filipino fans were probably introduced to this manga when a local channel aired the animé series Samurai X.)

Satoh was joined on stage by director Keishi Otomo and co-stars Emi Takei, who plays love interest Kaoru Kamiya, and Munetaka Aoki as the self-appointed sidekick and comic relief Sanosuke. It was their first time to attend a premiere screening outside Japan.

“We put our heart and soul, all of us, into this movie,” said director Otomo. “We hope you enjoy the film as much as we did.”

For manga non-followers or newcomers in the Kenshin universe like yours truly, worry not, as the sequel (R-13, by the way) delivers a story not hard to follow. You’ll learn as much, through the flashbacks and a backstory, that Kenshin, an androgynous-looking samurai whose pronounced X scar on his face is what remains of his legendary exploits as the once much-feared Battosai the Killer, has laid down his sword for a peaceful life. Ten years ago, he was a ruthless-leading figure in the wars during the 19th century that accompanied the fall of the Japan Shogunate and the rise of the new government.

His desire and determination for bloodshed no more is buoyed up by Kaoru and her calming presence; she is a fencing instructor and the owner of a dojo where he lives. Kenshin is content at making use of his famous skills — like his killer speed and precision — at helping others and other things like… doing the laundry.

But his peace of mind and uneventful life are about to end with an evil guy on the rise. He used to be his successor, formerly allied with the new government but betrayed and left for dead by it for a reason, and has retreated into the underworld and is thirsty for revenge. His name is Makoto Shishio (played by Tatsuya Fujiwara) whose menacing aura reeks through his blood-stained, bandage-covered face and body.

Kenshin is ready to say “thanks for the trust, but no thanks” to the new government that tries to enlist his help (because he is the only match for the new enemy, reasons a government minister) but Shishio delivers a taunt and threat of more dreadful things to come, that the beloved hero cannot stay put and do nothing.

And this brings Kenshin to Kyoto, wherein in the manga comic is one of the fan-favorite and most popular story arcs.

The action scenes are breathtaking and were well-applauded every time. It was a delight to be seated among the fans at the premiere, as they screamed at every chance, from the emergence of new allies, like the ninjas and even to the subdued romantic moments between Kenshin and Kauro. Still, much of the sequel’s story shows how much of a conflicted hero Kenshin is, tormented by his past and yet resolute in living the present, reining in his killer instincts and stunning blood-thirsty enemies with back-blade sword rather than annihilating them.

Spoiler alert: When Kenshin gets his first opportunity to fight with Shishio, the latter — no longer seeing the Kenshin of the past — lets a trusted minion deal with him.

Yet, something happens to Kaoru that unleashes in Kenshin the worthy opponent Shishio is looking for. Kenshin’s pursuit of Kaoru leads him to the center of Shishio’s grand scheme of things, where viewers will discover that Shishio’s havoc in Kyoto, is just the beginning.

During the Q&A, Takeru Satoh was asked how much does Kenshin love Kaoru, and he teased, “If you watch the movie, you’ll know.”

This much I can tell: Alas, the epic showdown with Shishio doesn’t happen, at least not yet (because of a “love-suicide,” Shishio laments), but the stage has been set. Plus, an exciting, new character emerges at the end of the movie that drew one of the most deafening cheers from the audience.

The fun part of this trilogy is that we don’t have to wait for a year to know what’s going to happen next. Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends opens on Sept. 24. Meanwhile, Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno hits theaters nationwide on Aug. 20. The Rurouni Kenshin sequels are distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. See you at the movies!