Rurouni Kenshin 3 A.K.A. The Legend Ends • るろうに剣心 伝説の最期編 (2014)

RUROUNI KENSHIN 3: THE LEGEND ENDS brings the live-action Rurouni Kenshin saga to a spectacular conclusion as Kenshin Himura faces his greatest challenge yet. Directed by Keishi Ōtomo and starring Takeru Satoh, this 2014 Japanese samurai action film continues directly from Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno, with Makoto Shishio preparing to overthrow the Meiji government and plunge Japan back into chaos.

STORY OVERVIEW

Following the events of Kyoto Inferno, Kenshin must recover from his previous battle and prepare for a final confrontation with Shishio. Shishio has taken Kaoru captive and sets sail aboard his ironclad ship with plans to bring down the Meiji government. Kenshin realizes that defeating this powerful enemy will require him to reach a new level of swordsmanship.

Kenshin seeks out his former master, Seijūrō Hiko, and begins training to learn the final technique of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū. With Shishio's forces gathering for an all-out assault, Kenshin joins forces with his allies for a desperate final battle. The result is a large-scale samurai action finale built around Japanese swordplay, hand-to-hand combat and spectacular action choreography.

MARTIAL ARTS HIGHLIGHTS

Rurouni Kenshin 3: The Legend Ends places swordsmanship at the center of its action, with Kenshin's Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū techniques providing the foundation for some of the film's most memorable battles. The movie combines Japanese sword fighting, samurai combat, hand-to-hand fighting, acrobatic movement and large-scale action choreography. Action director Kenji Tanigaki helped shape the film's elaborate fight sequences.

WHY COLLECTORS PICK IT

Collectors of Japanese martial arts cinema will want The Legend Ends as the concluding chapter of the original live-action Rurouni Kenshin trilogy. Takeru Satoh returns as Kenshin, with Tatsuya Fujiwara as Shishio, Emi Takei as Kaoru and Yūsuke Iseya as Aoshi. The combination of samurai swordplay, dramatic characters and large-scale action makes this an essential title for fans of modern Japanese sword-fighting films.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Released in Japan on September 13, 2014, Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends is the third film in the original live-action trilogy and the concluding half of the two-part Kyoto storyline. The film adapts Nobuhiro Watsuki's bestselling manga and was directed by Keishi Ōtomo, with screenplay credits to Kiyomi Fujii and Ōtomo. The Japanese Film Database lists the theatrical running time at 135 minutes and identifies Kenji Tanigaki as the action director.

• Verified A.K.A.s:
  • Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends – International English title
  • Rurouni Kenshin 3: The Legend Ends – English series/numbered title
  • Rurouni Kenshin Part III: The Legend Ends – Alternate English title
  • るろうに剣心 伝説の最期編 – Original Japanese title
  • Rurouni Kenshin Densetsu no Saigo-hen – Japanese romanization
  • Samurai X: The Legend Ends – DVD packaging/market branding
• Director: Keishi Ōtomo
• Writers: Kiyomi Fujii, Keishi Ōtomo
• Based On: Rurouni Kenshin manga by Nobuhiro Watsuki
• Producer: Satoshi Fukushima
• Action Director: Kenji Tanigaki
• Starring: Takeru Satoh, Emi Takei, Tatsuya Fujiwara, Yūsuke Iseya, Munetaka Aoki, Yū Aoi, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Masaharu Fukuyama, Yōsuke Eguchi
• Country: Japan
• Genre: Martial Arts, Samurai, Action, Adventure, Drama, Historical
• Martial Arts Focus: Japanese Swordplay, Samurai Combat, Kenjutsu, Hand-to-Hand Combat, Acrobatic Action
• Original Language: Japanese
• Release Year: 2014
• Format: DVD
• Edition: Uncut
• Running Time: Approximately 135 Minutes
• Video: NTSC, 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen
• Audio: Japanese
• Subtitles: English
• Publisher: Tung Ah Entertainment
• DVD Label: Samurai X

Carefully researched and prepared for collectors of classic Japanese martial arts, samurai swordplay and Rurouni Kenshin cinema by ClassicKungFuMovies.com.