It focuses on fictional events that take place during the early Meiji era in Japan, telling the story of a countryside wanderer named Himura Kenshin, a former assassin who now offers aid to those in need as atonement for the murders he once committed, as he helps a dojo owner and protects a woman from a ruthless drug lord.

The Sankei Sports newspaper reported that the staff aimed to release the film internationally and eventually make a series.

[6] As the Imperialist forces celebrate their victory in the Battle of Toba–Fushimi, a participant known as the Hitokiri Battōsai walks away from the battlefield, abandoning his sword.

It is claimed by one of the fallen, Udō Jin-e. A decade later, Saitō Hajime and his fellow policemen investigate the murder of an undercover cop supposedly by the hands of the Battōsai.

While roaming its streets, he meets Kamiya Kaoru, the owner of her late father's Kendo school.

Kaoru crosses paths with Jin-e, the actual perpetrator killing under her dojo's style of swordsmanship.

Soon, Saitō recognizes him, briefly fights him when he refuses to help the police because he has vowed not to kill again and then releases him.

Kaoru treats everyone to a sukiyaki dinner at the Akabeko restaurant, only to have the occasion spoiled by Kanryū coming and offering to hire Kenshin, who humbly declines.

This evokes a memory for Kenshin from his years as an assassin when he witnessed a woman mourning a man that he had killed, a sword fight that left a scar on his face.

The next day the people around the dojo fall ill from rat poison contaminating the community wells.

Besting all his men, Kenshin and Sanosuke attack Kanryū's mansion in hopes of rescuing Megumi.

Principal cast list:[7] On June 28, 2011, a live-action film adaptation of Rurouni Kenshin was announced.

[10] During an interview, Satoh said Rurouni Kenshin was one of the first manga he read to the point he would play sword-fights with his friends.

However, the actor expressed pressure in doing the role as a result of having to take part in multiple fighting scenes.

[13] In casting Satoh, Ōtomo said the actor was a good fit for the character, citing their physical similarities.

Watsuki added that when this project was just starting, he and his wife were discussing who should play Kenshin, and decided that Satoh topped the list.

The film was released in North America on December 14 for the LA EigaFest 2012 and was held in conjunction with the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

"[20] Nick Creamer of Anime News Network awarded the film an "A−", stating that "Kenshin: Origins smartly leans on one of the source material's great advantages: the inherently compelling nature of the transition from the Tokugawa to the Meiji era.

Much of the film's thematic and emotional power comes from the poignancy of that transition – more than just a tale of samurai clashes, it presents an argument for both the great and terrible sides of both eras.

"[21] A more negative review came from Variety, with Hong Kong critic Maggie Lee, who criticized the romance as "passionless", the supporting roles as "flat", and writing that "Even though the 134-minute pic perks up whenever there's an action sequence, the story is too pedestrian to engage, and the excitement dips whenever dramatic exposition takes over.

It was announced that Tatsuya Fujiwara was cast in the role of Shishio Makoto on July 2, as was director Keishi Ōtomo's return.

[26] On July 30, it was revealed that Ryunosuke Kamiki and Yūsuke Iseya were cast as Seta Sōjirō and Shinomori Aoshi.

[27] On August 4, 2013, actors Min Tanaka, Kazufumi Miyazawa, Yukiyoshi Ozawa, Maryjun Takahashi and Ryosuke Miura were unveiled as Nenji Kashiwazaki/Okina, Toshimichi Ōkubo, Hirobumi Itō, Yumi Komagata and Chō Sawagejō.

Satoh reprised his role as Kenshin and Ōtomo returned to direct, the films were scheduled for a summer 2020 release.