Film Rurouni Kenshin
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Nov 24, 2024
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Film: Rurouni Kenshin
Student Name: Robert Asika
Institution: Berkeley College Course Name: Public Speaking
Instructor: Lisa Karakas
Due Date: 11/21/2020
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Film: Rurouni Kenshin
1.
Introduction
What are we willing to sacrifice for our cause? How far are we willing to go? And can we
ever recover from the decisions we made or is change a lie we tell ourselves in an effort to avoid our past mistake? Noble causes such as liberation from an oppressive regime and the dream of a brighter future demand a big sacrifice. That sacrifice often includes human lives, both innocent and guilty.
1860s Japan was a country at war with itself, the Boshin War. A few years prior to the war, Japan was on effective lockdown with the ruling shogun feudal system restricting foreign influence on the country. Those siding with the Meiji Emperor, a class of learned individuals, young noble, and young samurai, wanted Japan to industrialize and modernize. They also strived
to abolish the class system. No more noble. No more samurai. All be equal.
Against the backdrop of this setting, we meet an idealistic young samurai with unparalleled skills, Himura Kenshin. Believing in the hope evangelized by the Meiji group, having suffered the effects of the class system, and wanting the good of the people, Kenshin sells
his soul to the Meiji Emperor. For years he was used as a killing machine carrying out many political assassinations earning him the name, the manslayer. With each kill eating at his soul a piece at a time. Finally, at the end of the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, it was announced that the emperor won beginning the Meiji Restoration era. Kenshin, instead of celebrating, simply abandoned his sword and walked away from the battlefield. Never Kill Again. From that day on, he swore to live a pacifist life, never to take another person’s life again. The film Rurouni Kenshin, the first film in the series of the same name, follows our titular reluctant anti-hero in his
journey following his 10-year isolation following the Boshin War.
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2.
Why should you watch the film?
Rurouni Kenshin
offers a captivating story for three main reasons
1.
A complex well-written main character
2.
Well-choreographed stunning action scenes
3.
Metaphors that represent hidden stories within the story
A.
Complex Well-written Character
Kenshin is one of the most complex characters originating from Japanese literature. His backstory and personality endear him to the audience making up connect with him. However, as opposed to other hero stories, Kenshin has committed some heinous crimes in the pursuit of freedom and revolution, which have led him down the path that he is taken when we meet up with him at the beginning of the story following the war.
Kenshin has two sides to him, the soft-spoken pacifist who has an innocent aura to him and the manslayer persona, whose swing of the sword aims to kill those in its path. During the war, the manslayer was dominant, killing without prejudice. However, as we get to see, each swing of the eats at his conscience. Throughout this period, especially following the killing of the innocent servants, he questions his own actions and how he has become a murder for the cause.
After the war, Kenshin turns the sword that was pointed outwards at others inwards and adopts a reverse-edged sword, and vows to never kill again. Throughout the story, he sticks to this fight and when forced to fight to protect the people around him, the dull edge protects whoever he fights while the sharp edge cuts into him. This is in an effort to control his monstrous
side and atone for his past crimes.
B.
Well-Choreographed Actions Scene
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In the Rurouni Kenshin universe, swords the weapons of choice. Many of the fighters follow the way of the samurai and fight close contact combats. The camera follows the fast action flawlessly and the edits only work to enhance the visuals. However, actions do not simply exist for the sake of existing, they help to emphasize character traits and drive the story forwards.
For example, in the climactic fight between Kenshin and one of his main opponents the hero is pushed towards his breaking point. Throughout the film, Kenshin is able to maintain his composure in all fights and is resolved in his vow not to kill anyone again. The worst injury he has inflicted on his opponents so far was a cut on the face to signify his dominance. However, the character who had impersonated Kenshin’s killing persona places Kenshin in a position where killing is the only solution. It is in this fight that we truly get to see his legendary skills. It not only a physical battle but a battle of will.
In contrast to this fight, through a flashback, we witness Kenshin in his assassin days carrying out a mission and the brutality in which he completed his tasks. In the beginning, we see
servants of a political officer’s household discussing their excitement the wedding of one of their
won comrades. Within warning or provocation, Kenshin shifty and with ruthless power kills the whole party. The groom clings for dear life as he tries hard to get up and fight thinking only of his bride. Every time he rises, Kenshin strikes him down. A final stab through his heart and Kenshin kills the man in cold blood.
C.
Metaphors that represent hidden stories within the story
Films often present stories within a story to enhance the viewership and build a deeper narrative. In Rurouni Kenshin metaphors effectively build layers to the story. It can be seen in how a sword represents a character. How a person represents a group of people. How the story represents society.
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Kenshin’s story is one that can be aligned with the story of post-war Japan. Before the revolution, Kenshin as many within that era were victims of the existing system and fought for a better government that would make Japan better. After the war, Kenshin becomes a Rurouni, a wonder, just as the people are trying to survive as the government undergoes an upheaval.
Kenshin’s swords, sakabato, is a perfect representation of his state of mind. Sakobato is a reverse-edged sword with the sharp side facing the wilder, not the opponent, and represents his dedication to pacifism. If he were to take up arms again, he would be the one to cut and not the other person.
3.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the first entry film into Himura Kenshin’s universe, Rurouni Kenshin, provides an exhilarating cinematic experience. The film has a complex completing character, jaw-dropping and exciting action scenes, and a well-written storyline with metaphors that explore the hidden stories within the movie. Throughout the film, the cost of the revolution haunts our main character. Kenshin's attempts to change and atone for his sins are challenged by those who want to challenge him or use him. His resolve is questioned, and he almost breaks at one point. However, is this change enough considering what he did in the past?