Like many Filipinos, my very first encounter with the samurai named Himura Kenshin involved local channel Studio 23 and a Tagalised dubbing that often led my mother to wonder what on earth I was watching. Back in those days, I was just beginning to expose myself to the adventures of pop culture’s fictional heroes, and Himura Kenshin stood out like a beacon. Even as a child, I admired him for being repentant enough to shed the skin of his fearsome hitokiri persona as Japan ushered in an era of restoration and peace.
When Warner Brothers announced that they would be producing a live-action movie chronicling Kenshin’s heroic journey, I was among the many that rejoiced. It is not an easy task to create a film adaptation of something that is so loved among the members of its fanbase, but director Keishi Otomo and his talented pool of actors delivered beautifully. Fans, both old and new, instantly clamoured for more. And what better way for this talented pool of people to reward its Filipino fans than to bring the film’s actors and director to the Philippines for its Asian premiere?
Warner Brothers Japan and Philippines, in partnership with Ayala Malls, gave Rurouni Kenshin fans the opportunity to see their idols in person by means of a press conference at the Glorietta Activity Center. Fans religiously spent hours standing in line, many of them hoping to catch a glimpse of the actors that brought their favourite characters to life. I will never be able to forget how loud the cheers were for Takeru Satoh when he came onstage to say, “Masaya akong makita kayo. Salamat po.” Munetaka Aoki, with his exuberant charm and infectious energy, quickly followed it up with, “Sanosuke is coming! I am very happy and excited to stand here.” He was quick to ham up his introduction even further, waving and reacting in accordance whenever his fans would try to catch his attention.
Takeru Satoh received quite a number of questions regarding his portrayal of the beloved titular character, to which he would respond to with a gracious humility. As Kenshin is someone he has always revered as his hero, “What would Kenshin do?” became his motto throughout the course of filming. He is also not yet ready to say goodbye to playing Kenshin, but is eager to work with Keishi Otomo again in the near future.
There was a bit of a touching moment when he admitted to not having met anyone who reminded him of Kenshin in the real world, but Munetaka was quick to interject. “Oh! I know someone – this guy over here!” he exclaimed, while gesturing to Takeru as Keishi echoed his sentiments. Munetaka, who admirably tries his very best to address all questions in English, was very proud in being able to play Sanosuke Sagara, Kenshin’s supportive right-hand man. “I lost some of my teeth during filming,” he said cheekily. “But it was cool, because this is Sanosuke. And his role is to support and protect Kenshin.”
The Rurouni Kenshin team has high hopes for the future of Japanese films in the Philippines. “Us being Japanse and us creating a Japanese film, we can show the delicate intricacies of Japanese culture,” said Takeru. “We want people to go beyond that and understand what is distinctly Japanese.” On a touching note, Keishi Otomo was quick to add that they had never expected such a high level of success outside of Japan, and that they would be more than happy to carry over the warmth and the affection of the Filipinos back home.
There are high hopes for them to make a return visit for the final installment, but that would be another story for another time. We fans will be happy to bear witness to it once more.
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The first sequel, Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno opens on August 20, 2014, to be followed one month after by Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends on September 24, 2014.
