Rurouni Kenshin is a live action adaptation of one of the most popular Manga and anime in Japan. Created by Nobuhiro Watsuki, directed by Keishi Ōtomo and starring Takeru Satoh and Emi Takei. As in the animation, the film takes place in the Meiji Era and tells the story of Kenshin Himura, a swordsman who became known for his ease in killing in the name of the emperor and who came to be called Hitokiri Battousai. Regretting his bloody past, he decides never to kill again, disappearing after the end of the Bakumatsu era.

Years later, he resurfaces as a wandering Samurai under the name of Himura Kenshin trying to live a peaceful and normal life. However, in order to protect the people he loves, Kenshin returns to his sword, , a special Katana with the blade backwards (Sakabatō) as proof of his oath to never kill again. Over the course of the plot, old enemies reappear seeking revenge, bringing to light a past that Kenshin tried to forget.

Rurouni Kenshin was theatrically released on August 25, 2012, in Japan, grossing over $36 million domestically, over $60 million worldwide as of November 2012 and was licensed for distribution in over 60 countries. It has since had 3 sequels that follow the Manga storyline and 1 prequel, Origins, that tells the tale of Kenshin’s past.

You can watch the trailer of the first movie here: