Rurouni Kenshin set to Return!

[Betenoire]

From Jump Square (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-04-18/new-rurouni-kenshin-anime-green-lit) magazine via ANN.

Oh, yes please.

Also the OVAs and Requiem will be released on BD (please, someone sign Trust and Betrayal on BD.

Time to break out the Snoopy dance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUQX2B67KL4).

[Fencedude]

Hmm...this could be good...or not.

I don't know if I'd still enjoy Kenshin, but it sure would be nice to have the Enishi arc animated.

[Betenoire]

I don't know if I'd still enjoy Kenshin, but it sure would be nice to have the Enishi arc animated.

I can't imagine they can possibly come up with anything that was more joyless then Reflection.

[Westlo]

If this gets an FMA Brotherhood style remake it would be sick...

[hissatsu]

All I care about is Tsuioku-hen on BD, and I'll order that as soon as it's up for preorder. The rest, original and remake, I really don't care about at all.

[leongsh]

BD of Tsuiokuhen to be released on 24 Aug 2011 :eek: :sdsmiley: :sdsmiley: :sdsmiley:

I. AM. SO. PREORDERING. IT. :cool:

Hopefully the new Rurouni Kenshin project is for the full proper Jinchuu arc and right up to the end of the manga.

[Damius]

Well, I gonna wait before being happy about it...

[Orihimes_Boyfriend]

Well I personally think this is great. I hope it's more like FMA Brotherhood and is a reboot that follows the manga more closely this time. I never did finish watching the series.

[something]

I liked Kenshin when I saw it (skipped the third part and read the manga instead). Whether I'd like a remake or whatever, I'm not sure, but I'll probably check it out.

[Astrael]

Well I personally think this is great. I hope it's more like FMA Brotherhood and is a reboot that follows the manga more closely this time. I never did finish watching the series.

Kenshin is roughly the same length as FMA in manga form, so I could see them pulling it off in under 70 episodes.

[StudioZEL]

Hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype hype!!!!!

I LOVE RUROUNI KENSHIN!!!

[Hielostar]

I'd be content with either an FMA:B style reboot or fully animating the last manga arc - either way, more Kenshin is a damn good thing. :sdsmiley:

[HitokiriShadow]

Really? Wow. I hope this means they plan to remake the whole show and finally animate that last arc. I was less thrilled with that arc than a lot of people, but it was still pretty good. And I wouldn't mind seeing the rest of the series get re-made either way.

[Westlo]

I want Taku Iwasaki composing the music for this.. and most important of all... NO DEEN!

[something]

Does anyone know how "streamlined" a Rurouni Kenshin Mk II Kai would be? If the original was ~70 episodes about how long would one be that focused only on the manga? I only read the manga from whatever volume started the unanimated material.

Also, anyone have any idea why the sudden revival? Is it some kind of anniversary? Is there a spinoff manga running? It seems very sudden for this franchise to revive.

[Westlo]

Does anyone know how "streamlined" a Rurouni Kenshin Mk II Kai would be? If the original was ~70 episodes about how long would one be that focused only on the manga? I only read the manga from whatever volume started the unanimated material.

The manga was 255 chapters long, I think the Kyoto arc ended @ around chapter 148. Cutting out a lot of filler stuff (like the train ride episode pre Kyoto) and fixing up some pacing... they could probably do it in the same length as FMA Brotherhood.

Also, anyone have any idea why the sudden revival? Is it some kind of anniversary? Is their a spinoff manga running? It seems very sudden for this franchise to revive.

It's the 15th anniversary of the tv series and a PSP game got released earlier this year and had some decent sales. Probably not a reboot but people can hope :(

[HitokiriShadow]

Does anyone know how "streamlined" a Rurouni Kenshin Mk II Kai would be? If the original was ~70 episodes about long long would one be that focused only on the manga? I only read the manga from whatever volume started the unanimated material.


About 10 episodes of the pre-Kyoto arc was filler. The majority of the anime material after the Aoshi/Oniwaban arc was filler until the Kyoto arc started. The Raijuta stuff wasn't, but it was such minimal connection to anything that it could be cut out without losing anything. There's not much they could shave off the Kyoto arc itself though. The only way they could reduce episodes there is if the original anime dragged things out a lot, but I don't think it did outside of maybe one or two instances (like Misao chasing Kenshin for half an episode when they first meet). They might be able to shave off about 3 episodes from that arc but probably not more than that.

The Kyoto arc originally ended at episode 62, a remake could probably have it end around episode 48-50.

[Hayate Kurogane]

Color me interested if the new material's going to be handled like the OVAs. If it's more TV-series-like, then I'm out, even if it happens to be animating the Enishi arc. At this point in time, I can't say there was really that much about the TV series that I cared for, other than that it was less awful than the original manga. If I wanted to read a badly-written X-Men comic, I'd... just go read a badly-written X-Men comic, rather than a badly-written X-Men comic masquerading as a Shonen Jump adventure-action series whose schtick happens to be using the Bakamatsu as a framing device. The OVAs with their deadly-serious tone and animation actually gave me something to appreciate, even if it wasn't exactly very Kenshin-like (which in and of itself is kind of a plus).

But that's just me.

[Tenkyoken]

Gimme gimme more, gimme more, gimme more more.

[Draneor]

That it was less awful than the original manga. If I wanted to read a badly-written X-Men comic, I'd... just go read a badly-written X-Men comic, rather than a badly-written X-Men comic masquerading as a Shonen Jump adventure-action series whose schtick happens to be using the Bakamatsu as a framing device.

I cannot fathom what similarity you see between Kenshin and X-Men. But whatever float's your boat, I guess. The manga was written for middle school boys.

[Imlac]

Couldn't they just pick up after Kyoto, when the anime went off the rails into blechsville? I don't know how the manga ends, but does the final arc tie back so significantly that we couldn't re-establish the characters and move into the post-Kyoto world without redoing the whole series?

I don't need to see a retelling of the Kyoto arc, since that's already among my favorite episodes of anime.

[Rhodes]

Well maybe it's the special attacks and stuff... come on some of it is pretty damn silly. It wasnt anywhere as bad as Basilisk. If your gonna ground it into reality then do so or if your gonna go historical fantasy then go all the way... trying to straddle both sides with a foot in each was killed the feel of the show for me.

I enjoyed RK when it was just about a swordsman/samurai trying to fit into the new world of the Meji era. It lost me when it got fantastical...

[Westlo]

Couldn't they just pick up after Kyoto, when the anime went off the rails into blechsville? I don't know how the manga ends, but does the final arc tie back so significantly that we couldn't re-establish the characters and move into the post-Kyoto world without redoing the whole series?

Launching a 26 episode tv series strictly aimed @ fans of a 15 year old anime sounds like a really stupid move business wise. Most RK fans in Jaoan from back than have moved on and trying to get new fans in on the end arc of a long series isn't exactly ideal...

[MelancholicMariya]

I would really love to see a streamlined, Brotherhood-esque Rurouni Kenshin done by a good studio. I hope that's what they're planning because Rurouni Kenshin deserves that treatment.

Also, get rid of those two kids. They were so pointless I don't know why you added them.

[Imlac]

Launching a 26 episode tv series strictly aimed @ fans of a 15 year old anime sounds like a really stupid move business wise. Most RK fans in Jaoan from back than have moved on and trying to get new fans in on the end arc of a long series isn't exactly ideal...

The article doesn't specify the length of the series. And since the original series deviated from the manga long before the end (I think there are several arcs int he manga after the anime stopped following it), they could easily tell those stories instead of just covering old ground.

You're not going to be able to cover much in 26 episodes anyway, if you're trying to do origins for everyone.

But then, modern audiences seem to be so obsessed with origins that we can't have a story that doesn't begin with the characters meeting, so I'm sure that what we'll get is probably just a rehash. With CG. And if it's that, I see no reason to approach this any differently than I would a Hollywood remake.

[HitokiriShadow]

And since the original series deviated from the manga long before the end (I think there are several arcs int he manga after the anime stopped following it), they could easily tell those stories instead of just covering old ground.

There was only one arc after the Kyoto arc. It had several distinct segments, but it was all one arc.

[Hayate Kurogane]

That it was less awful than the original manga. If I wanted to read a badly-written X-Men comic, I'd... just go read a badly-written X-Men comic, rather than a badly-written X-Men comic masquerading as a Shonen Jump adventure-action series whose schtick happens to be using the Bakamatsu as a framing device.

I cannot fathom what similarity you see between Kenshin and X-Men. But whatever float's your boat, I guess. The manga was written for middle school boys.

To be more accurate, I should probably have generalized it to Marvel Comics rather than just the X-Men, but... you've never read any of Watsuki's comments about his own work, have you? I have to give him props for being honest, and having a good sense of humor about his own creative process, and his bizarre determination to somehow keep the Kenshin manga from becoming some sort of parody work of American comics despite his apparent goal to kludge the thing together solely from Marvel Comics characters and a fairly typical Shonen Jump storyline. But I ended up buying the whole thing as Viz was releasing it, so I guess I'm the chump, huh? :sweat:

[Betenoire]

If I wanted to read a badly-written X-Men comic, I'd... just go read a badly-written X-Men comic, rather than a badly-written X-Men comic masquerading as a Shonen Jump adventure-action series whose schtick happens to be using the Bakamatsu as a framing device.

Boy could I share some badly written X-Men comics that would make you crawl back to what you think is a badly written X-Men title masquerading as a Shonen Jump title. The early 00's were not kind to the Children of the Atom at all and the complete cluster that came from Marvel's spaghetti test approach to the family of titles in the hopes of catching a spark-any spark.

Not saying it will make you think Kenshin is good, it will just redefine what you think of as a bottom level in how badly written an X-title can be. :depressed:

[Hayate Kurogane]

If I wanted to read a badly-written X-Men comic, I'd... just go read a badly-written X-Men comic, rather than a badly-written X-Men comic masquerading as a Shonen Jump adventure-action series whose schtick happens to be using the Bakamatsu as a framing device.

Boy could I share some badly written X-Men comics that would make you crawl back to what you think is a badly written X-Men title masquerading as a Shonen Jump title. The early 00's were not kind to the Children of the Atom at all and the complete cluster that came from Marvel's spaghetti test approach to the family of titles in the hopes of catching a spark-any spark.

Not saying it will make you think Kenshin is good, it will just redefine what you think of as a bottom level in how badly written an X-title can be. :depressed:

I've been collecting X-Men comics (and various other Marvel comics, for that matter) since Fatal Attractions in 1993. Believe me, I know what a badly-written X-Men comic can be like, and it hurts. :sweat:

[Imlac]

There was only one arc after the Kyoto arc. It had several distinct segments, but it was all one arc.

I stand corrected. That's still a big chunk of manga, though, with plenty of flashbacks, etc., to give a new take on the characters without simply retelling stories.

[Draneor]

but... you've never read any of Watsuki's comments about his own work, have you?

Nope. I, allegedly, read Kenshin during college from less than official sources which may not have translated any notes from the author. Thanks for explaining your reasoning though.

[treatment]

I like both OVAs. Despite the weak english-dubs (and some questionable subs and edits), I still have the various old ADV releases of it.

Not quite so keen on the "movie", tho.

[MelancholicMariya]

I think the only OVA I liked is the backstory one, about how Kenshin got his scars. That one was really really good.

The rest were kind of eh compared to the original material. The ending, though nice and tragic, wasn't really Kenshin.

[Hayate Kurogane]

but... you've never read any of Watsuki's comments about his own work, have you?

Nope. I, allegedly, read Kenshin during college from less than official sources which may not have translated any notes from the author. Thanks for explaining your reasoning though.

Sorry for being unclear as a result of assuming other folks were familiar with such information.

The bulk of it comes from extra notes and sketch pages that were included in the Japanese tankoubans, and subsequently translated and included in Viz's U.S. release. Watsuki is a self-professed fan of Marvel Comics and the X-Men, which becomes readily apparent after one reads even just a few installments of these author's notes and concept drawings.

I think everyone understands that there aren't always grand, philosophical, life-changing meanings behind characters and plot points in stories. And perhaps Watsuki is simply prone to honesty and a bit of self-deprecation. But when page after page of explanation about this manga deals with the author creating characters based on American comics and video games, sometimes because he couldn't think of anything original and happened to be playing Fatal Fury or watching Evangelion or reading X-Men, it goes beyond interesting explanations and into exasperation about the ridiculousness of it all and wondering how many other manga authors out there could say the same thing about their work, but choose not to and are also more clever about hiding it in the work itself.

I mean, for example, if you're a manga author, and a fan of the character Apocalypse from X-Men, you don't design a character to look exactly like Apocalypse, and furthermore use Apocalypse's extreme Darwinian philosophy to mold characters and character motivations in your story. Unless you've been contracted to do an issue of Marvel's "What If?" series, that is.

Well, maybe another way to look at it is Watsuki wanted those paychecks, and figured, "oh f*ck it, it's just Shonen Jump, they'll read the damn thing anyway, and I'm out of ideas, so none of those fools is going to care if I base characters on Forge, Morrigan, and Yui Ikari." I could actually get behind that sort of motivation, actually. There's no real evidence that he was bullied into anything by his editor(s), nor any rumors as there are with a number of other manga authors, though maybe that would've helped. He himself knows he overextended, which could have come either as a result of his flightiness in creating characters or his inability to deal properly with his own plotting; for example, he's mentioned on a couple of occasions that he wouldn't have made the Juppongatana the JUppongatana if he could do it all over again, since a few of them ended up being kind of lame and underused.

It's these sorts of reason why I can't get too worked up about any of Watsuki's comments about how much he dislikes the OVAs, as if his own original material was some shining, untouchable example of greatness and the OVAs have destroyed his pure original vision. Fair play to him for defending his work, but it just seems silly in context.

[PsychoGoatee]

Great news!

Gotta say, there's no need to redo the first two arcs with a reboot. It's not really financially feasible, most manga have a hard time getting more than 26 episodes these days, and most classics like Saint Seiya get sequels instead of reboots. This reboot talk is, well, crazy talk.

And I'm with Watsuki, Reflections is just garbage in my book. I do like Trust & Betrayal, though it'd be fun to see those flashbacks in context and in the original style if they animate Jinchuu, like the manga. Which they must!!

Now, bring on the Jinchuu arc baby! That's the holy grail of anime! Yes!!

[Shirou Emiya]

This is very exciting news, though I will probably be waiting for the english dub, and only if the same English VAs from Media Blasters are used again.

[Thomas Alan]

I've had worse news today :)

[MelancholicMariya]

This is very exciting news, though I will probably be waiting for the english dub, and only if the same English VAs from Media Blasters are used again.

That'd be a little difficult, depending on who licenses the series. As much as I like the original dub.

[General Hentai]

Whoa, slow down, folks. Don't make any assumptions, since:

1. It's described as a "project." That's all. Not as a series, not as an OVA, not as a film, not as a commercial for feminine deodorant. We've no idea what they mean by "project."

2. Meaning we've no idea about the content. We could have entirely new material, a story not seen before anywhere, un-animated material yet based on the manga. Hell, at this point it could be a musical featuring operatic tentacle monsters for all we know.

So, it's fine to speculate: Have at it! But don't conclude anything at this point.

[MelancholicMariya]

Whoa, slow down, folks. Don't make any assumptions, since:

1. It's described as a "project." That's all. Not as a series, not as an OVA, not as a film, not as a commercial for feminine deodorant. We've no idea what they mean by "project."

2. Meaning we've no idea about the content. We could have entirely new material, a story not seen before anywhere, un-animated material yet based on the manga. Hell, at this point it could be a musical featuring operatic tentacle monsters for all we know.

So, it's fine to speculate: Have at it! But don't conclude anything at this point.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.co.uk/news/2011-04-18/new-rurouni-kenshin-anime-green-lit

Says anime project here. So I assume it'll be an anime. We're just speculating about content.

[Shirou Emiya]

This is very exciting news, though I will probably be waiting for the english dub, and only if the same English VAs from Media Blasters are used again.

That would be a little difficult, depending on who licenses the series.

As much as I like the original dub.

As long as FUNimation or Media Blasters licenses the new anime, I think that all of the old dub VAs will be re-used.

[EmperorBrandon]

As long as FUNimation or Media Blasters licenses the new anime, I think that all of the old dub VAs will be re-used.

If FUNi gets it, you will have to hope they are willing to outsource to Bang Zoom. Otherwise, there probably will be lots of replacements (they seemingly didn't get Dorothy Fahn for the Trigun movie, for instance, and she was Kaoru in the BZ dub of Kenshin).

[ndm]

And perhaps Watsuki is simply prone to honesty and a bit of self-deprecation.
I'm sure you're correct, but to be fair and having read quite a few authors' comments I've decided that just about all manga-ka seem to go out of their way to be self deprecating. Maybe it's a facet of Japanese culture, but all authors seem to want to say "oh, I'm up to volume X already - I never thought I'd make it this far given my complete lack of talent and rubbish story telling skills". It's like they have a game going based on a reverse sense of pride where the most humble person wins. I find it a bit tiresome at times and far prefer the times authors just chat about what they had for breakfast or talk about their pets.

I'm interested in a new Kenshin series, but honestly I'm not sure what they can animate that I will want to watch. I thought the Kyoto arc was done perfectly the first time and the introduction arc while imperfect was fine. I suppose they could do the final arc properly based on the manga but I have to wonder why they'd bother now fifteen years later. And if they just want to do a gloomy serious story like the Kenshin OVAs which imo took the original source material and turned it into an emo mess I'll pass. I guess I'll have to wait and see what they come up with.

[Betenoire]

And if they just want to do a gloomy serious story like the Kenshin OVAs which imo took the original source material and turned it into an emo mess I'll pass. I guess I'll have to wait and see what they come up with.

While Trust and Betrayal had a different look I don't remember the story being radically different than what gets flushed out in the manga.

Reflection on the other hand could have drained all the joy out of Cheer Bear riding on My Little Ponies Happiness Pony as they galloped over a rainbow with a couple of Rainbow Brights Sprites following singing the Monkees "Cheer up Sleepy Jean" and showering the world with delicious ice cream cones.

But the first two work well.

[Shirou Emiya]

As long as FUNimation or Media Blasters licenses the new anime, I think that all of the old dub VAs will be re-used.

If FUNi gets it, you will have to hope they are willing to outsource to Bang Zoom. Otherwise, there probably will be lots of replacements (they seemingly didn't get Dorothy Fahn for the Trigun movie, for instance, and she was Kaoru in the BZ dub of Kenshin).

Media Blasters and Bandai are the only anime licensing companies that have used Bang Zoom! before for their english dubs, right?

[EmperorBrandon]

Media Blasters and Bandai are the only anime licensing companies that have used Bang Zoom! before for their english dubs, right?

ADV has used them on two rare occasions in the past (though not with the Rurouni Kenshin franchise...), and so has CPM (was rare, and they're long dead now), Manga Entertainment (occasionally, and they don't have many titles anyway), and Viz (only very recently).

[Faris Kalin]

This is interesting and could go in a lot of different directions. If I had to put money on something, I'd put it on a Yahiko epilogue OVA. I am excited about it, though.

[treatment]

Media Blasters and Bandai are the only anime licensing companies that have used Bang Zoom! before for their english dubs, right?

ADV has used them on two rare occasions in the past (though not with the Rurouni Kenshin franchise...), and so has CPM (was rare, and they're long dead now), Manga Entertainment (occasionally, and they don't have many titles anyway), and Viz (only very recently).

and the old Geneon-USA.

iirc, they english-dubbed more GUSA-titles than MB-titles.

[EmperorBrandon]

iirc, they english-dubbed more GUSA-titles than MB-titles.

Yeah, hadn't brought up but I was going to mention they were only particularly prolific with Geneon and Bandai, and sort of with MB (earlier on and more recently, though there was a period of time when MB was mostly using NY studios and Arvintel for anime dubs and no Bang Zoom).

[Fencedude]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but aren't we putting the cart just a bit before the horse? By like, an entire continent or so?

[ibby]

I'm interested in this news. Though having not seen the Kenshin TV series, but loved Trust and Betrayal OVA's. I'll wait a little longer to see what format Kenshin will return to, before keeping my hopes up.

[Mazinkaizer]

Rurouni Kenshin is among my all time favorite anime, and will surly enjoy it at anytime weather i re-watch it or if it's a new sequel/prequel. I just hope that they retain all/most of the original seiyuu as that they are also among the reasons i enjoyed the show. Sadly, Saito Hajime (if featured) will have to be re-casted due to the death of the original seiyuu :cry:

[Hayate Kurogane]

And perhaps Watsuki is simply prone to honesty and a bit of self-deprecation.
I'm sure you're correct, but to be fair and having read quite a few authors' comments I've decided that just about all manga-ka seem to go out of their way to be self deprecating. Maybe it's a facet of Japanese culture, but all authors seem to want to say "oh, I'm up to volume X already - I never thought I'd make it this far given my complete lack of talent and rubbish story telling skills". It's like they have a game going based on a reverse sense of pride where the most humble person wins. I find it a bit tiresome at times and far prefer the times authors just chat about what they had for breakfast or talk about their pets.

Good points, and I don't know either if it's simply a cultural thing and/or more of a circumstantial one (i.e., they feel embarrassed about taking credit for their work knowing that their comments will be read and in turn be commented on). What I was trying to get at about Watsuki moreso than others, though, is the degree of explanation and candor with which his notes are generally presented, and the reasons for it.

It could just be that he thought it would be interesting for fans to read about. It's a bit of a stretch to try and think that he was handing out all this information as a way of essentially saying there wasn't that much thought put into it, as an excuse, if it happened to ever decline in popularity; I doubt his editor would have let him get away with it either, certainly not if he were going to be blatant about it.

Whatever the reasons, it's like, "once I read it, I can't un-read it," and as a result the Kenshin manga just ends up seeming so lame to me. It's my problem, really, that I can't divorce a decent (well, kind of, but that's another issue) story and characters from the author behind them, so don't let this stop anyone from enjoying the whole thing, be it the manga or any of its animated adaptations. And I've got Peacemaker anyway, which I found to be a more interesting, more likable, more entertaining bit of Bakumatsu-era historical fiction.

I too would rather read about the author's cats or favorite stores or what the weather was like when they were writing their notes. Alternately, I'd take something like Kouta Hirano's notes from Hellsing, which are just so batshit crazy you can't help but love them.

[Shirou Emiya]

Media Blasters and Bandai are the only anime licensing companies that have used Bang Zoom! before for their english dubs, right?

ADV has used them on two rare occasions in the past (though not with the Rurouni Kenshin franchise...), and so has CPM (was rare, and they're long dead now), Manga Entertainment (occasionally, and they don't have many titles anyway), and Viz (only very recently).

Ah, thanks for all that info, didn't know that bandai used them before as well.

[DJChacranajxy]

HOLY SHIT

Kenshin is one of my favorite animes ever. I haven't watched it in quite a long time, but I've been planning to this summer. Can't wait to see what they do here.

Between this and Berserk, it's like the awesome stuff from when I first really got into anime is new and cool again.

[Njr Scrawl]

Spent enough on this already, though I would be happy to have the true/exclusive ending that was only in the 10th anniversary R2 box set.

[Dragon_Shiryu]

Great news!

Gotta say, there's no need to redo the first two arcs with a reboot. It's not really financially feasible, most manga have a hard time getting more than 26 episodes these days, and most classics like Saint Seiya get sequels instead of reboots. This reboot talk is, well, crazy talk.

And I'm with Watsuki, Reflections is just garbage in my book. I do like Trust & Betrayal, though it'd be fun to see those flashbacks in context and in the original style if they animate Jinchuu, like the manga. Which they must!!

Now, bring on the Jinchuu arc baby! That's the holy grail of anime! Yes!!

It would be straight out weird to get the rest of the manga animated, but it wouldn't be the first time. Saint Seiya also got the Hades arc about 13 years after the anime ended leaving out the final manga arc as well.

In the case of Lost Canvas, they could animate a prequel because there is a manga for it, Rurouni Kenshin doesn't have that.

[Mazinkaizer]

I believe that we'll either get a direct sequel featuring all/most of the original cast and probably production team (and please the music composer), which is what i hope for. Or a retelling OVAs/movies for the whole/part of the manga like the Hokuto No Ken New Savior Saga or Zeta Gundam movies, with some re-casts to the characters, which i hope is not the case.

[Serph]

The Manslayer is making a comeback !!! Rouroni Kenshin is awesome hopefully they do a t.v. because season 3 and onwards was aweful they should have ended it at the kyoto arc that would have been a good way to end the series.

[russ869]

The Manslayer is making a comeback !!! Rouroni Kenshin is awesome hopefully they do a t.v. because season 3 and onwards was aweful they should have ended it at the kyoto arc that would have been a good way to end the series.
It could have been a good way to end the series. Except even in the anime the Kyoto arc already ends with foreshadowing of the next arc where Kenshin visits Tomoe's grave before leaving Kyoto. In the TV anime this scene is never explained because they never got to that arc.

[Shirou Emiya]

I just asked Media Blasters on FaceBook whether or not they would be licensing this new series, and this was their reply...

Source: http://www.facebook.com/RyanFurniss/posts/140429749373620

We wanted to but since Aniplex is now taking care of their own releases in the USA I believe they will release it themselves.

I do hope Media Blasters is still able to license the new anime, though Aniplex USA grabbing it is better than Bandai Entertainment or NIS America licensing it, they have been lately not dubbing any of their recent acquisitions.

[Alphanega]

I just asked Media Blasters on FaceBook whether or not they would be licensing this new series, and this was their reply...

Source: http://www.facebook.com/RyanFurniss/posts/140429749373620

We wanted to but since Aniplex is now taking care of their own releases in the USA I believe they will release it themselves.

I do hope Media Blasters is still able to license the new anime, though Aniplex USA grabbing it is better than Bandai Entertainment or NIS America licensing it, they have been lately not dubbing any of their recent acquisitions.

And Aniplex USA's recent decision to not dub Blue Exorcist has me worried about what they may do with Kenshin. In such a case I;d almost rather see Viz get their hands on it. Kenshin should be a no-brainer to dub but still...

[Mazinkaizer]

If Aniplex would guarantee the new series's BD release getting the same treatment of the OVAs and Movie then i am all for it. Weather they dub it or not i'll leave it to them to decide.

[Shirou Emiya]

I just asked Media Blasters on FaceBook whether or not they would be licensing this new series, and this was their reply...

Source: http://www.facebook.com/RyanFurniss/posts/140429749373620

We wanted to but since Aniplex is now taking care of their own releases in the USA I believe they will release it themselves.

I do hope Media Blasters is still able to license the new anime, though Aniplex USA grabbing it is better than Bandai Entertainment or NIS America licensing it, they have been lately not dubbing any of their recent acquisitions.

And Aniplex USA's recent decision to not dub Blue Exorcist has me worried about what they may do with Kenshin. In such a case I;d almost rather see Viz get their hands on it. Kenshin should be a no-brainer to dub but still...

I forgot about that crappy decision of theirs, guess we should hope Media Blasters can license it then.

If Aniplex would guarantee the new series's BD release getting the same treatment of the OVAs and Movie then I am all for it.

Whether they dub it or not I'll leave it to them to decide.

You care more about owning the DVDs/BDs then getting an english dub, I assume?

[MelancholicMariya]

I forgot about that crappy decision of theirs, guess we should hope Media Blasters can license it then.

You care more about owning the DVDs/BDs then getting an english dub, I assume?

But don't you think if it doesn't have an English dub anime is entirely worthless? Yet if it does have an English dub it only worth $20/£12 for a complete series at the fucking most?

I don't see your reasoning and right to complain about the lack of an English dub. How is the Japanese version not worth owning and why is it only worth pirating if it only includes the Japanese version with subtitles? Aniplex as a new company has made some incredible decisions for people who love anime, they've given people imports they may not of even dreamed of getting without paying a ton (Baccano! for example, which included both English dub and subtitles) and they released Durarara!! with an English dub before the Japanese DVD run was even finished. How in any sense is that "crappy" or a poor decision on their part? It was the best decision.

You're now getting Blue Exorcist, English subtitled, a month after it's Japanese airing finishes, and that's crap? Anime is Japanese, what is wrong with the Japanese language? I love dubs too, but a show doesn't lose like.. 80% of it's value because it's not in my language and I have to pay money to read it.

I'm sorry I just fail to understand your reasoning.

[Shirou Emiya]

I just don't see the point of buying subtitle only DVDs when I can view those subs legally online.

Anyways, this convo is getting off-topic, so I'm done posting in this thread for now, laters.

[MelancholicMariya]

I just don't see the point of buying subtitle only DVDs when I can view those subs legally/illegally online.

Anyways, this convo is getting off-topic, so I'm done posting in this thread for now, laters.

I can view English dubs illegally and legally online, what's your point? Terrible argument you've got there.

[Mazinkaizer]

If Aniplex would guarantee the new series's BD release getting the same treatment of the OVAs and Movie then I am all for it.

Whether they dub it or not I'll leave it to them to decide.

You care more about owning the DVDs/BDs then getting an english dub, I assume?

The dub isn't my thing, therefore it doesn't affect my decision to buy. Of course i have no issue with having it in a release for more fans to enjoy the show, or re-watch it later with a different audio (like my friend does). Ultimately, if Aniplex doesn't release it in the US at all (which is unlikely) then i'll simply buy the JP release weather they contain sub or not. There is no way i am not owning RK on BD, or settle for watching it online or any of those streaming sites, which isn't my thing too.

[Mazinkaizer]

I am attending an all night Rurouni Kenshin show (ovas and movie) at Sunshine Cinema at Ikebokuro. The producer, and director gave the following annauncment before the screening about the new series.

Shin Kyoto hen, it will be 2 ova (same director)

First OVA is out on December 2011

It will feature all the Original cast except for Saito, who will be voiced by Narita Ken (who joined the guests later).

I saw a picture of the new ova, which showed kenshin and Misao. I guess from the name and picture we can conclude that it will be a remake to Kyoto arc.

I wish if they allowed questions so that I could ask if the release will feature English sub like the ovas and movie bds. But I guess if they sell well oversea then they'll consider it.

I'll post more info if something else was announced during the breaks

Update: I have posted the news at Ann as well who kindly posted the info for all kenshin fans.

[something]

The producer, and director gave the following annauncment before the screening about the new series.
Shin Kyoto hen, it will be 2 ova (same director)
First OVA is out on December 2011
Mmm, just two episodes? Not super exciting. I'll probably end up watching it but eh.

[Damius]

The producer, and director gave the following annauncment before the screening about the new series.

Shin Kyoto hen, it will be 2 ova (same director)

First OVA is out on December 2011


That short? I would have hope for more...

[StudioZEL]

Epic troll is epic. Man, they got our hopes up for this? >_<

[FUNiOP]

Yeah, that's a lot worse than I had hoped for. If it was anything like Trust & Betrayal, of course, I'd be more than happy, but I don't see this being like that, since it will probably follow the manga pretty faithfully, and Trust & Betrayal goes for a completely different style than the manga. At least this way, Aniplex may do one of their simultaneous Blu-ray releases, in which case I would definitely get it. At least it would be easier to deal with buying at a premium price than something longer, like I was expecting.

[MelancholicMariya]

I'm going to take a guess and say it won't just be two OVA's. I feel like this is going to be 2 OVA's for this arc and it'll continue in parts like "Certain Arc part 1 of 3" if you know what I'm saying.

[Mazinkaizer]

I'm going to take a guess and say it won't just be two OVA's. I feel like this is going to be 2 OVA's for this arc and it'll continue in parts like "Certain Arc part 1 of 3" if you know what I'm saying.

Well I think that is possible if the the redone arc do well then they might continue it (Enishi's arc) using the same format.

[Faris Kalin]

Wow, that is a really disappointing announcement. Although, I guess there could be more to it, but right now, I'm not impressed.

[Njr Scrawl]

That it was less awful than the original manga. If I wanted to read a badly-written X-Men comic, I'd... just go read a badly-written X-Men comic, rather than a badly-written X-Men comic masquerading as a Shonen Jump adventure-action series whose schtick happens to be using the Bakamatsu as a framing device.

I cannot fathom what similarity you see between Kenshin and X-Men. But whatever float's your boat, I guess. The manga was written for middle school boys.

Kenshin's writer was influenced by western superhero comics, & the groups Kenshin fights &/or allies with seem like westen groups of superheroes with Japanese flavour - some characters are freakier than others.

What matters to me most, is they will be using the same seiyuus as TV, movie, OVAs had. Shame about Saito's seiyuu, but Kenshin & Kaoru will sound the same.

[Mazinkaizer]

It can't be helped about Saito Hajime since Hirotaka Suzoke passed away. Though his last performance was in the PS2 action game (2006), which the producer also confirmed. These audio files were also used for the psp fighting game.

Well at least Ken Narita got in touch with Suzoke before his death and they spoke about the latter's role of Saito. That what Narita said during the talk show.

[russ869]

If it was anything like Trust & Betrayal, of course, I'd be more than happy, but I don't see this being like that, since it will probably follow the manga pretty faithfully, and Trust & Betrayal goes for a completely different style than the manga.
You never know... They could go for something different. But just judging by the promo art it doesn't quite seem like it. Doing parts of the Kyoto arc in a serious samurai flick style like Trust & Betrayal would certainly be amazing though. A pre-imoliation Shishio does appear briefly at the end of Trust & Betrayal, although he's almost entirely off-screen and isn't identified as him. In the manga it is revealed that it was in fact Shishio who killed the traitor Iizuka for the Choshu rebels, as he was the direct replacement killer for the Ishin Shishi once Kenshin retired from the assassination business..

[russ869]

That it was less awful than the original manga. If I wanted to read a badly-written X-Men comic, I'd... just go read a badly-written X-Men comic, rather than a badly-written X-Men comic masquerading as a Shonen Jump adventure-action series whose schtick happens to be using the Bakamatsu as a framing device.

I cannot fathom what similarity you see between Kenshin and X-Men. But whatever float's your boat, I guess. The manga was written for middle school boys.

Kenshin's writer was influenced by western superhero comics, & the groups Kenshin fights &/or allies with seem like westen groups of superheroes with Japanese flavour - some characters are freakier than others.

What matters to me most, is they will be using the same seiyuus as TV, movie, OVAs had. Shame about Saito's seiyuu, but Kenshin & Kaoru will sound the same.
Yeah, Nobuhiro Watsuki has himself said that many of his characters in Kenshin were inspired by X-men.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Rurouni_Kenshin_characters