arkadymac.com was there to cover the Red Carpet Premiere of the Rurouni Kenshin: Tokyo Inferno at SM Megamall last August 6, 2014. What made this simple screening into a once-in-a-lifetime event was the fact that the director and the three main cast were flown in all the way from Japan just so that they can meet and address their Filipino fans who have supported the franchise.
Legions of fans, most of whom watched the original anime series in their youths or have read the manga and novels or have watched the first movie out of curiosity, trooped to the mall’s activity center to try and catch even the faintest glimpse of the Japanese cast when they walk the red carpet from the gate they were supposed to be dropped off, all the way to the stage where everyone was eagerly anticipating them.
Before their arrival, the program for the premiere had already begun with previews of the first of two parts of the sequel, Tokyo Inferno. There was a contest where the audience was given chances to win tickets to the premiere showing by answering the host’s questions which were based on the franchise. Lucky (and knowledgeable) fans got to win tickets for themselves and a companion to watch the movie that same night. Then there was the cosplay show where a handful of select, talented cosplayers impressed the audience with their likenesses to the characters from the movie. Their performance was well-received by an appreciative crowd.
The arrival of the cast at round past five in the afternoon was met with a booming welcome by everyone who were just everywhere at the venue, all eagerly waiting for them to finally come. People were found along and around the red carpet as Takeru Satoh, the actor playing the title role of Kenshin Himura, Emi Takei, the actress playing Kaoru Kamiya, Munetaka Aoki, the actor playing Sanosuke Sagara, and director Keishi Otomo, walked towards the stage, all the while signing autographs, giving interviews, talking to the fans and posing for the cameras.
Their arrival on the stage was met with the cheers and screams of their many fans, all awestruck to see the people who have given life to the many interesting and colorful characters from the franchise to life. The audience went absolutely crazy when the cast addressed them with some Filipino greetings, like “Kumusta,” and “Salamat po.” They were interviewed by the host about their feelings and thoughts on the movie and their expectations of the sequel. They went on to thank their Filipino fans for their support of them and the movie as they invite them to watch the two upcoming movies which were part of the sequel.
After the interview there was the picture-taking for the audience and with the important personages behind the event. They were then whisked away to the back of the stage and to the service stairs en route to the cinema where the premiere was to be held.
The audience and fans eventually dispersed but the excitement still stayed with them as they were glad to have been witness to such a rare event. All were looking forward to the first part of the sequel, Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno, which will be showing in theaters all around the Philippines on August 20, and the second, Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends, to be shown on September 24.
Here is our video coverage of the event:
We would like to thank Sir Dave for his invaluable help in our coverage, and thank you for dropping by. Do visit us again for more features here at arkadymac.com.
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