Rurouni Kenshin New Anime Roundup

It has been a busy year. Apart from the remake of Hunter x Hunter after 12 years, another series Rurouni Kenshin (るろうに剣心) has also announced its new Anime project after 15 years when it first was aired in 1996. Written by Nobuhiro Watsuki (和月伸宏), the Manga of the series was first serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump Magazine on September 2nd, 1994, has a total of 255 chapters (28 volumes). As part of the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the series, lots of projects were announced, including OVAs and movie, PSP game and even a live-action movie in 2012. In this post, we gather all the information at hand to present a better understanding while get rid of all the confusions. Hope it answers your questions.

Phase 1: New Anime Project Announced

This is probably the title that most people want to know. The news was first announced on the June issue of Jump Square Magazine back in April. Entitled Shin Kyoto-Hen (新京都編), the new OVA movie which will be premiered in theaters in Japan is a remake (we prefer to call it a new one) of the New Kyoto Arc in the original TV Anime. According to ANN, it will depict the battle of Kenshin Himura and Makoto Shishio and will be told from the point of view of the Oniwabanshuu ninja Miso Makimachi. Most voice cast (Seiyuu) as well as the director will be the same as the old TV series, Animation by Studio Deen. It is a 2-part OVA movie and the first chapter is coming this December, leaving the BD/DVD release date unknown.

Phase 2: Blu-ray Remake

Also according to the Magazine, two OVAs (Tsuioku Hen (追憶編), Seisohen (星霜編)) and a movie (Ishin Shishi no Chinkonka (Requiem), 維新志士への鎮魂歌) of the series got their Blu-ray version. The release date of the titles as below:

Tsuioku Hen (追憶編): August 24, 2011
Seisohen (星霜編): September 21, 2011
Ishin Shishi no Chinkonka (Requiem), 維新志士への鎮魂歌: October 26, 2011
Complete Collection (CD): July 27, 2011

Phase 3: PSP Game Production

Well, this should be called the first phase since it happens early before the new Anime project announcement. A PSP 2D fighting game entitled Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan Saisen (るろうに剣心 -明治剣客浪漫譚-　再閃) was released on March 10 this year, in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the TV Anime series.

Phase 4: Live Action Movie Announced

We should not expect it happen but it was here, confirmed and rolling. The movie (HP) will be premiered in 2012, with Takeru Satoh (佐藤健), a 22 years old actor playing Kenshin. Fans who are following Japanese Drama may get to know him from time to time. To me, not a very good actor but the producer seems to have much high confidence on him. However, being made a movie featuring real people could potentially murder the original Manga or Anime series by not jumping on to someone else’s sword like Kenshin does during the battle between Sanosuke.

Phase Unknown: Now, What’s Next?

Well, it could probably just ends here. But what about a remake of the TV Anime series, a total 95 episodes just like Hunter x Hunter is going to do this October? Excited? Probably not coming true this time.

[Links: Official Website, ANN]