(Read the full review at my review blog, Re(mAAArk)able Reviews! [Link in my profile!]) Kaoru is played by Takei Emi, who has been a miss with me in the past, but she definitely is the perfect choice and even sounds a bit like the seiyuu for Kaoru in the anime. She doesn't get to do much in the film acting-wise until the end, but she does make the girl a bit believable. I have to admit, seeing Yahiko as his actual age and not the bumped up ages we're used to in anime was...awkward. He was my favorite character in the anime, but he's really the kid he's supposed to be in the film. He gets little-to-no screen time, but he definitely steals his scenes, especially when he introduces himself as Kenshin's senpai to the dojo. The stand out, though, is Sannosuke, the kick ass Brawler suddenly brought to life. He is beautifully hilarious and brutish in every scene, and his fights are by far the best edited and best acted throughout the film. He's everything we could have hoped for in the live action adaptation and more. Even my dad, with no knowledge of the anime, glommed onto Sano. He killed it. The whole film was shot beautifully, a mix of perfect lighting and color palettes. Nothing beats the moment when Kenshin first dons his signature red frock and white pants, where the camera teasingly remains on the man's feet before we get a full pan up of Kenshin in all his notable glory. They tried their damnedest to make this movie worth watching for Kenshin fans, and they did a wonderful job. The film runs a little long, but that's explained by the inclusion of plotlines from the prequel to Kenshin, Samurai X--we do get a little information about Kenshin's X-shaped scar (albeit not the most emotional bit) as well as the way he was before he gave up killing. Those scenes were excellent to show Sato Takeru's ability to play every side to a character. He made a name for himself playing side roles in jdrama, but any Kamen Rider fan knows the boy can play just about everything. Admittedly he and Emi are a bit young for their characters' supposed ages, but it works when everyone else is cast accordingly under-age. And of course, a review would not be complete without a nod to the film's theme, "The Beginning" by ONE OK ROCK. I heard the song a few months ago and fell in love. It's a hard rock tune with an astounding amount of English throughout, and it totally fits the mood of the film. "Just give me a reason/To keep my heart beating" blasts out of your speakers and gives you shivers. Sad to say it doesn't appear until the credits of the film, but it wouldn't have fit during any particular moment within the story. Still, definitely pick up the track if you get the chance--you won't regret it. And check out the film, too! It was incredible all around, and as I saw it as a casual Kenshin fan, with a die-hard Kenshin fan and a Kenshin novice, the fact that we all enjoyed it should tell you this movie is really made for everyone. Definitely an A.