Based on the manga 『Rurouni Kenshin』. During the turmoil of Edo period’s final years when Meiji Restoration took place, the legendary assassin Kenshin, also known as ‘Battousai,’ fades behind the rising of Japanese new era after the last war. 10 years after that, his determination not to commit murders anymore is shaken by a great challenge of the new era. Despite the risk of remaining a mere remake of a manga series already widely received for its well-made plots, the director tried to avoid a simple entertainment and portray the inner struggles of individuals in making choices within the huge context of their time. It tells us impressively how an era won by violence and massacre perpetuates itself through forced sacrifices and choices of the survivors and how it can violate the dignity of life. Even with the director’s risky choice which could have cost the work’s overall balance, the film stimulates the audience’s imagination with its brilliant music and breathtaking sword fight scenes. (KO Jaeil)