Masaharu Fukuyama Revealed to be Kenshin's Teacher Seijuro Hiko

Actor Masaharu Fukuyama has been revealed via a leak to be the teacher of Kenshin Himura (Takeru Satoh) in the two Rurouni Kenshin films.

The Rurouni Kenshin facebook page adds: "A t-shirt meant as a gift for the Rurouni Kenshin movie staff apparently reveals the name of the much anticipated actor portraying Hiko Seijuro, Kenshin's master, in the live action sequels this year."

Other notable films and TV series under Fukuyama's belt include - Galileo, Suspect X and in adorable twist of events, Doraemon: Nobita and the New Steel Troops: Angel Wings.

Rurounin Kenshin: The Great Kyoto Fire will be shown in Japan August 1.

Maryjun Takahashi for Rurouni Kenshin: The Great Kyoto Fire

While we're all busy gawking at the seemingly fateful transition of the Juppongatana to the big screen, we forgot all about our 'pinoy pride' Maryjun Takahashi (cuz we're filled with Pinoy Pride and all and she looks hot as well...) who plays Komagata Yumi, Shishio Makoto's lover.

The sequel to Rurouni Kenshin aka Rurouni Kenshin: The Great Kyoto Fire will be coming out August 1. Special thanks to fanboyseo reader/ subscriber and a good friend of mine, Humps for the heads up.

Rurouni Kenshin: The Great Kyoto Fire Teases Shishio and the Juppongatana

Seriously does Rurouni Kenshin: The Great Kyoto Fire need more hyping when it's already a hypebeast on it's own? We'll all watch the movie when it comes out regardless of who will be distributing it, so do they still need to whet our appetites? The answer is placed below after this photo...

Shishio Makoto and the Juppongatana

Yes, dammit, the answer is yes!

So for context and to make things SEO friendly (because that's what I do), these is the main members of the Juppongatana, the ruthless criminal organization led by Makoto Shishio (Tatsuya Fujiwara). 

And these guys really did a number on most of the good guys in Samurai X/ Rurouni Kenshin. Anji and Sanosuke's fist fight was my first forray in powdered blood. Seto Sojiro and Kenshin Himura's fight was the most eye-popping and hell even the triple tag fight between Misao, Kaoru and Yoshi was amazing.  

Can't wait to see those fights happen in the big screen. Movie 2 comes out August 1 and movie 3 comes out September 1.

First Look at Shishio for Rurouni Kenshin 2 and 3

Here's what actor Tatsuya Fujiwara will look like as Shishio Makoto for the upcoming second and third Rurouni Kenshin movies. 

This is awesome. Not only does it look realistic it's also very fateful to the source material's look. Although I still can't fathom the idea of a severely burned swordsman being the most brutal killer in Meiji era Japan. Mind boogling. 

Special thanks to Les for the initial heads up.

First Look at Ryunosuke Kamiki as Sōujirōu Seta

Here's Ryunosuke Kamiki as Sōujirōu Seta on the set of the second (and third) Rurouni Kenshin film.

He actually doesn't look like Sojiro. :(

Maybe it's just in the angle?

Takeru Satoh on the Set of the Rurouni Kenshin Sequels

Here's Takeru Satoh, the star of all three Rurouni Kenshin movies, on the set of the third movie which will be called Rurouni Kenshin: Densetsu no Saigo-hen.

Is that his cat? That is so cute! 

By the hoot, second half of the sequels have begun principal photography so we could definitely expect this to be on schedule when it's released Summer of 2014.

Rurouni Kenshin Sequels Just Found their Aoshi and Soujiro

News from Jefusion (god I love Jefusion) - Ruruoni Kenshin 2 has found their Soujirou Seta and Aoshi Shinomori in the form of actors Ryunosuke Kamiki and Yusuke Iseya respectively.

Ryunosuke Kamiki's previous works include Summer Wars (as Kenji Koiso) , Tantei gakuen Q, The Great Yokai War....

While Yusuke Iseya was seen in movies like '13 Assassins', Sukiyaki Western Django and the live action Casshern.

Honestly though, I can't wait to see those glorious swordfights. These two characters gave Kenshin Himura a serious amount of beating when they fought. 

Soujiro vs Kenshin

Aoshi vs Kenshin

Oh and new title for the two Rurouni Kenshin movies: The second will be called "Rurouni Kenshin: The Great Kyoto Fire Arc" and the third will be entitled "Rurouni Kenshin: The End of a Legend Arc"

First Promo Video for J-Stars Victory Vs.

Shonen Jump is kicking things up a notch with the release of their first video game entitled J-Stars Victory Vs.

This is a pretty cool game as it pits (in team battle no less) the stars from various mangas that grew popular through Shonen Jump. Included in the list are:

• Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece
• Toriko from the manga of the same name
• Son Goku from Dragon Ball
• Naruto Uzumaki from Naruto
• Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach
• Kenshin Himura from Rurouni Kenshin
• Kankichi Ryotsu from Kochira Katsushika-ku Kamearikouen-mae Hashutsujo
• Gintoki Sakata from Gintama

Oh and it definitely won't be released in America and won't have any English versions thanks to licensing issues for the North. Aaaaand it's available exclusively for the PS3 and the Playstation Vita.

Here's the video:



Damn you Namco Bandai!!!!

Tatsuya Fujiwara Has Been Cast as Shishio Makoto for Rurouni Kenshin Sequels

It's official, actor Tatsuya Fujiwara will be fighting Takeru Satoh for the two sequels for Rurouni Kenshin as the nefarious Shishio Makoto.

If Fujiwara looks awfully familiar to you, that's because he was Shuya Nanahara in the live action adaptation of Battle Royale as well as Light Yagami in the live-action Death Note films.

As for me, I'm not doubting Fujiwara's acting chops, what I'm more worried about is his physical appearance; can he really pull off that whole 'burnt man' in bandage look for the two movies?

Source: [Orends Range]

Two More Rurouni Kenshin Movies Announced for 2014

Jump Square magazine has announced that two more Rurouni Kenshin movies will be coming out for 2014 and it certainly kick things up as both movies will focus on the Kyoto arc.

ANN broke the news and it looks like the entire cast will once again reprise their roles including lead star and Kamen Rider Den-O Takeru Satoh as Kenshin Himura and Emi Takei as Kaoru. 

It's interesting to note that this will also include new cast members; I'm already waiting for news as to who they'd cast as Misao and more importantly the arc's main villain - Shishio Makoto...

There's An Alleged Live Action Lupin III Movie in the Works

Lupin III time once again. According to a report by the Japanese newspaper The Tokyo Sports, casting is well underway for a live-action Lupin III movie with Shun Oguri reportedly holding the role of the master thief.

Aside from Ouri, rumor also has it that the roles of Jigen and Goemon have already been given to Arashi's Sho Sakurai and Satoshi Tsumabuki respectively.

Unfortunately for fanboys, the rumor does not state who Fujiko Mine will be. Although the newspaper dropped several names when they printed this little rumor including Mirei Kiritani, Masami Nagasawa, Anne Watanabe, Airi Taira, Kyoko Fukada, Asami Mizukawa, Tsubasa Honda, Kiko Mizuhara, and Kou Shibasaki.

Now for the sad part, Animenewsnetworth adds that "NTV, the television broadcaster of the Lupin III anime, has not officially announced a live-action Lupin III film." Plus there's also the fact that the casting seems so.... 'fancasted' don't you think?

Regardless, I'm looking forward to see a live-action Lupin III and if Rurouni Kenshin/ Samurai X is a good indication, then maybe it's high time anime and manga series start developing high quality movie adaptations. Oh and before you go, do vote for this little game I'm hatching for Cosplay battle, we have three ladies battling for the right to be called the ULTIMATE Fujiko Cosplayer. Click for the link - HERE

Sources: ANN, Yaraon!