Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning

Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKeishi Ōtomo
Screenplay byKeishi Ōtomo
Based onRurouni Kenshin
by Nobuhiro Watsuki
Produced by
  • Hiroyoshi Koiwai
  • Satoshi Fukushima
Starring
CinematographyTakuro Ishizaka
Edited byTsuyoshi Imai
Music byNaoki Satō
Production
company
Distributed by
  • Warner Bros. Pictures (Japan)
  • Netflix (International)
Release date
  • June 4, 2021 (2021-06-04) (Japan)
Running time
137 minutes
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese
Box office$21.3 million

Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning (Japanese: るろうに剣心 最終章 The Beginning, Hepburn: Rurouni Kenshin Saishūshō Za Biginingu) is a 2021 Japanese jidaigeki action film based on the manga series Rurouni Kenshin by Nobuhiro Watsuki. Written and directed by Keishi Ōtomo, it is the fifth and final installment of the Rurouni Kenshin film series and serves as a prequel, depicting Himura Kenshin's origins as the assassin "Hitokiri Battōsai", while exploring his relationship with the woman named Yukishiro Tomoe.

Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning was released on June 4, 2021, by Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. The film was produced simultaneously with Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, which was released two months prior, and features elements that tie into each other.