The Journey Begins|Aug. 25, 2012|Japan|134 Min.|TV-MA
Genre: Action;Adventure;Drama;History
Description: **Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins (2012)**
**Storyline**
Following the Imperialist forces’ victory in the Battle of Toba–Fushimi, a participant known as the Hitokiri Battōsai leaves the battlefield, abandoning his sword. However, the sword is claimed by one of the fallen, Udō Jin-e. A decade later, Saitō Hajime and his fellow officers investigate the murder of an undercover cop, allegedly committed by Battōsai. Saitō, however, suspects Takeda Kanryū, a ruthless businessman.
Meanwhile, the former Battōsai, now calling himself Himura Kenshin, arrives in Tokyo. While wandering the streets, he encounters Kamiya Kaoru, the owner of her late father’s Kendo school. Mistaking Kenshin for the infamous Battōsai, Kaoru attacks him but quickly realizes her error when he reveals he wields a reverse-blade sword.
Elsewhere, Takani Megumi, forced to produce opium for Takeda Kanryū, escapes and seeks refuge with the police after witnessing the deaths of other opium makers. Udō Jin-e, working for Kanryū, hunts her down, slaughtering everyone at the police station. Megumi manages to escape during the chaos.
Kaoru crosses paths with Jin-e, who has been killing under her dojo’s name. Overpowered, she is injured in the confrontation, but Kenshin intervenes and saves her. Jin-e recognizes Kenshin’s true identity as Battōsai before the police arrive, allowing Kenshin and Kaoru to flee. Kaoru takes Kenshin to her dojo for safety. Later, thugs sent by Takeda Kanryū attempt to seize the dojo, but Kenshin defeats them all without killing anyone, just as the police arrive.
Cast director: Keishi Ōtomo
Cast actor: Takeru Satoh, Emi Takei, Koji Kikkawa, Yu Aoi, Munetaka Aoki, Go Ayano, Genki Sudo, Taketo Tanaka, Eiji Okuda, Yosuke Eguchi
Original name: るろうに剣心