"Rurouni Kenshin Part II: Kyoto Inferno" is a 2014 Japanese action film directed by Keishi Ōtomo. It is the second installment in the live-action film series based on the popular manga "Rurouni Kenshin" by Nobuhiro Watsuki.
The film stars Takeru Satoh as Kenshin Himura, a former assassin known as Battosai who has vowed to never kill again and uses his skills to protect the innocent.
Released on August 1, 2014, "Kyoto Inferno" follows Kenshin as he faces off against Makoto Shishio (played by Tatsuya Fujiwara), a former assassin like Kenshin who survived being set on fire and now plots to overthrow the Meiji government. Shishio gathers a formidable army and plans to ignite a revolution, starting with Kyoto. Kenshin is called upon by the government to stop Shishio's plans and prevent the country from falling into chaos.
The film was well-received by both critics and audiences for its faithful adaptation of the manga, intense action sequences, and strong performances. The fight choreography and the portrayal of the characters were particularly praised, with Satoh's performance as Kenshin continuing to be a highlight.
"Rurouni Kenshin Part II: Kyoto Inferno" was a commercial success and was followed by the concluding part of the story, "Rurouni Kenshin Part III: The Legend Ends," released later in 2014. The film is part of a larger series that has been credited with reinvigorating the genre of samurai films and bringing the beloved manga and anime series to a wider audience through live-action adaptations.