Rurouni Kenshin Movies in Order: The Rurouni Kenshin franchise, originally born from Nobuhiro Watsuki’s beloved manga Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story, has captivated fans worldwide with its compelling characters, rich historical setting, and emotional depth.
Set in 1878, during the early Meiji era, the story follows Himura Kenshin—a reformed assassin known as Hitokiri Battōsai—who now lives by a vow never to kill again. His journey of redemption, honor, and atonement resonated so deeply that it inspired multiple adaptations, including a celebrated anime series, original video animations, and, most notably, a successful line of live-action films.
If you’re looking to dive into the cinematic retelling of this legendary saga, understanding the Rurouni Kenshin movies in order is key to fully appreciating the character arcs and historical narrative. These five live-action films, released between 2012 and 2021, not only faithfully adapt the major story arcs from the manga but also bring Kenshin’s world to life with gripping swordplay and emotional storytelling. In this guide, we’ll explore the Rurouni Kenshin movies in order, helping fans old and new navigate the chronology and experience the journey as it was meant to unfold.
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All Rurouni Kenshin in Order to Watch [Chronologically]
1. Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning (2021)
Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning (2021) is the fifth and final installment of the Rurouni Kenshin film series and serves as a prequel, depicting Himura Kenshin’s origins as the assassin “Hitokiri Battōsai”, while exploring his relationship with the woman named Yukishiro Tomoe.
In 1864, the samurai Kenshin Himura was known as the Battosai, a deadly assassin whose skill with a sword had killed more than 100 people in a year. When he saves Tomoe Yukishiro from some thugs at an inn, they slowly start to like each other and end up getting married. This makes Kenshin think that he might give up his sword for love. But those who support the Shogunate won’t make things easy for Kenshin.
2. Rurouni Kenshin: Origins (2012)
In the first installment in the Rurouni Kenshin film series, Rurouni Kenshin: Origins focuses on events that take place during the early Meiji period in Japan, telling the story of a wanderer named Himura Kenshin, formerly known as the assassin Hitokiri Battōsai.
After the Bakumatsu war is over in 1868, the former assassin Kenshin Himura says he will help people in need without killing them. During the change from the samurai age to the New Age, Kenshin walks around Japan with a sword that has a backwards edge. When Kenshin saves the good-hearted Kaoru Kamiya from the gangsters of the powerful opium drug lord Kanryuu Takeda, who wants to use her school to make opium, Kaoru invites Kenshin to stay in the school. But Megumi Takani, a drug chemist, runs away from Kanryuu and hides in the school. Battosai, on the other hand, is killing police officers and putting messages on their bodies. When Kanryuu poisons the people to get the school, Kenshin and Sanosuke Sagara, a street fighter, work together to fight their common enemy.
3. Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (2014)
The second installment in the Rurouni Kenshin film series, Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno is the first of two sequels to the 2012 live-action Rurouni Kenshin film. In the film, Spectacular fight scenes and swordplay capture the spirit of the classic franchise in this thrilling live-action adaptation. In the film, Makoto Shishio (Tatsuya Fujiwara), who is trying to overthrow the Meiji government, faces off against Kenshin Himura (Takeru Satoh). When Kenshin Himura picks up the sword he swore he would never use again, the fate of the country hangs in the balance.
4. Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (2014)
The second installment in the Rurouni Kenshin film series, Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends serves as a direct sequel to Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (2014), taking place immediately after as Kenshin recovers following losing Kaoru at sea. In the film, the legendary ex-assassin Kenshin will have to look inside himself and revisit his roots to find the strength he needs to protect his friends and end Shishio’s reign of terror once and for all.
5. Rurouni Kenshin: The Final (2021)
The fourth installment in the Rurouni Kenshin film series, Rurouni Kenshin: The Final is based on the final arc of the Rurouni Kenshin manga series by Nobuhiro Watsuki, but its story differs from the original. In the film, After the Meiji Restoration, a famous swordsman “Himura Kenshin”, who no longer uses his sword to kill people. Instead, he uses a sword with a dull edge. He tries to live a quiet life with Kaoru, who runs a swordsmanship school in their village. Kenshin’s past comes back to haunt him, destroying his favorite restaurant, the Akabeko Restaurant. There, he finds a piece of paper that says “Jinchuu.”
How many Rurouni Kenshin movies are there?
There is a total of FIVE (5) movies in the Rurouni Kenshin film series.
All Rurouni Kenshin Movies in Order of Release Date
Here is the list of Rurouni Kenshin Films in order, they were released.
Rurouni Kenshin movie order:
1. Rurouni Kenshin: Origins — August 25, 2012
2. Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno — August 1, 2014
3. Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends — September 13, 2014
4. Rurouni Kenshin: The Final — 23 April 2021
5. Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning — 4 June 2021
Note: Change your Netflix region to a country like the United Kingdom and start watching British Netflix, which includes Rurouni Kenshin.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, exploring the Rurouni Kenshin Movies in Order offers fans a captivating journey through the life of Himura Kenshin, from his days as the feared Hitokiri Battosai to his vow of redemption. Rooted in Nobuhiro Watsuki’s iconic manga, the live-action films masterfully adapt key arcs from the original story, blending historical drama with thrilling action and emotional depth. Whether you’re new to the franchise or revisiting it, watching the Rurouni Kenshin Movies in Order provides a rich cinematic experience that honors the spirit of the manga while showcasing Kenshin’s enduring legacy in both anime and live-action formats. For More: Wikipedia.org
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