Keishi Ōtomo’s live-action film adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki’s Rurouni Kenshin manga has been licensed for overseas distribution in over 66 countries. The countries span Europe, Latin America, and Asia and include Germany, Mexico, and Taiwan. In addition, the rights for another 17 countries are under negotiations.
Back in Japan, the film has been seen over 1 million times as of Saturday, the eighth day of its theatrical run which started on August 25. In particular, it was seen 103,447 times on August 29 alone; that day was a weekday, but it was also a “Ladies Day,” the traditional day for discounted prices for female moviegoers. As of Saturday, the film has earned 1,213,540,000 yen (about US$15.49 million).
The film’s stars Takeru Satoh (Kamen Rider Den-O, Rookies, Beck) and Emi Takei (Kyō, Koi o Hajimemasu, For Love’s Sake/Ai to Makoto), along with director Ōtomo, appeared at a surprise onstage greeting at Tokyo’s Shinjuku Piccadilly theater on Sunday to reveal the news. The post-screening event capped off a whirlwind two-day tour of eight cities — Sapporo, Sendai, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, and Tokyo.
Satoh not only expressed his joy at seeing the fan support during this cross-country tour, but also at the announcement of the wide international release plans. “It’s a dream come true.” Takei added that this is the first time she has taken part in such a cross-country theater tour for a hit film, and that she is delighted so many people from grandfathers to children are seeing the film.
Ōtomo noted that he studied abroad, so the news of the widespread overseas plans had special meaning for him personally. The film’s teaser trailer and full trailer (shown below) have already been translated into English, Spanish, French, and Chinese.
Animenewsnetwork, animeanime.jp