"Rurouni Kenshin Part III: The Legend Ends" is a 2014 Japanese action film directed by Keishi Ōtomo. It is the third and final installment in the live-action film series based on Nobuhiro Watsuki's popular manga "Rurouni Kenshin."
The movie continues the story from "Rurouni Kenshin Part II: Kyoto Inferno" and stars Takeru Satoh as Kenshin Himura, a former assassin known as Battosai who has vowed never to kill again.
Released on September 13, 2014, "The Legend Ends" concludes the epic confrontation between Kenshin and his formidable adversary, Makoto Shishio, played by Tatsuya Fujiwara. Shishio, a former assassin who survived being burned alive, seeks to overthrow the Meiji government and plunge Japan into chaos. Kenshin, burdened by his past and his oath not to kill, must find a way to defeat Shishio and his army to save the country.
The film was praised for its intense action sequences, character development, and the faithful adaptation of the manga's climactic arc. Takeru Satoh's performance as Kenshin Himura was particularly lauded, as well as Tatsuya Fujiwara's portrayal of the menacing Shishio. The fight choreography, directed by Kenji Tanigaki, received acclaim for its fluidity and realism.
"Rurouni Kenshin Part III: The Legend Ends" was a commercial success, solidifying the trilogy's status as a significant achievement in live-action adaptations of manga. The film's successful blend of action, drama, and historical context helped bring the beloved story to a wider audience, earning it a place among the notable samurai films of contemporary Japanese cinema.