I assume the Kyoto Arc will be divided into two parts movies. And judging by the titles, I have a feeling they will not be filming the Jinchuu Arc. It's a shame and yet... even if they film it, it probably would not satisfy me.
The movie as it stands alone is almost flawless if you just want a short story with flashy, epic action scenes. Even for the majority of the original RK fans, the film is a special gift and meets many expectations. But to be honest, for me, I just can't be satisfied even if I sincerely appreciate it. No matter how much people rave about it, I can't like it as much as I would like. Maybe it's because I love the anime and manga too much so that it's impossible for me to love the movie as 2-3 hours is just too short for me. It's not that I disapprove or disagree with the acclaim and high reviews it received from critics and fans though. After all, the more popular the movies are, the higher the chances of the fandom being revived again. Which, obviously, the movie is actually considered an immense success. Even if I cannot rave about it I have to admit it benefits the overall franchise. I can predict with the second and third movies, Sato's popularity will also continue to soar and more attention will be brought to RK in general. Then perhaps, this would also mean... maybe the Jinchuu Arc will be animated one day if the creators realize they can milk some more money out of it. DBkai was reanimated and I hear Sailor Moon is also being reanimated from scratch. The filler episodes are cut out so they can remain truer and more faithful to the manga. If this is the trend, I hope I can look towards the day where RK will receive the same treatment one day. Even if it's another 10-20 years, I think I will still look forward to it.... Thinking about this... makes me sentimental lol. The fact that the Jinchuu Arc was never animated always left me an empty feeling of incompleteness.. and it's been almost ten years since I became a fan. It hurts. Hahaha. So much that I have to do a marathon with the anime and manga. Even fanfics. Something I don't appreciate enough.
About the movie again though, I have to say -- like everyone has said -- Sato Takeru is just perfect as Kenshin. I can't imagine anyone else playing the part. Kaoru, Sanosuke, Yahiko... everyone did their parts well but... its like Sato is the only real one carrying the whole show. I don't know if we should praise his immense charisma or criticize the others for being miscast, not having enough presence, the screenwriter or someone/something. Then again, it's not really something to complain about since Kenshin/Sato IS the main character.. it's just... I imagine the other making stronger impressions on me as well. :/ When I fell in love with RK, I fell in love with the other characters as well not just Kenshin...Heck, I even fell in love with the villains ! ... Then again, the fact that the voice actor for Shishio was the same guy who voiced Spike's character in Cowboy Bebop was probably one of the reasons why I find Shishio sexy. 55555 RK and DBZ are probably the only anime where I prefer English dubs over Japanese ones....... About the movie again.... Character development was what was lacking for me.... There is not enough buildup or depth for any friendship or relationship to develop in the movie imho.... Something they have to work on for the Kyoto Arc since Kenshin and Kaoru's bond will be an important element to the story. No matter how scant and subtle it was it needs to be translated. Even if it's just a two minute scene where all they do is exchange simple words, their moments were profound. This is what impressed me about the whole franchise. It is a shounen genre targeted at young male readers, but like Watsuki said, he was surprised he had many female fans. Romance was not even a subplot in the story but for the little parts it had it was intricately interwoven with other bigger, major themes of redemption, repentance, responsibility, right, wrong.... So the romance was not cheesy, cringe-worthy, or over-the-top since it is after all not a shojo or even josei genre. If they don't work on this much of the feelings and emotions will appear forced to me... It won't do the original characters justice. Kaoru is basically Kenshin's catalyst and anchor, his reason for not reverting back to the battousai. Somehow, this bit that I just typed reminds me of Cloud and Tifa's relationship as described by Nojima... or was it Nomura... *chuckles* I was even imagining, if there was ever to be live action of FF7, Sato would make a perfect Cloud. He just needs to go blond.
Despite my complaint though, I have a promising feeling that the second and third movies will surpass the first part. We'll be meeting Shishio, Soujiro...and they'll be fighting and debating. We'll be seeing Sato preaching. 555555 With fancy words and his sakaboto.