A film adaptation of the Holy Emperor story arc, which primarily depicted the conflict between Kenshiro and Souther. New characters Reina, one of Raoh's army officers who falls in love with him, and her brother Soga, Raoh's advisor, play an important part with much of the plot involving Raoh's relationship with Reina as he conquers the land; most of this portion is new content exclusive to this film. The other side of the story is the retelling of Ken's attempt to save and protect the villagers from Souther's army with the help of Shū. There is also a small subplot of Bart returning to his home.
Acting
Takashi Ukaji's Raoh: terrifying warmth in a mountain of muscle.
Direction
Imamura balances new romance with classic Fist hyperviolence.
Score
Operatic themes that make every punch feel like destiny.
Director
Takahiro Imamura
Hiroshi Abe
Kenshirô (voice)
Takashi Ukaji
Raoh (voice)
Ko Shibasaki
Reina / Narration (voice)
Akio Otsuka
Souther (voice)
Hochu Otsuka
Shu (voice)
Kenyu Horiuchi
Toki (voice)
Unsho Ishizuka
Souga (voice)
Daisuke Namikawa
Bat (voice)
Maaya Sakamoto
Lin (voice)
Miyu Irino
Shiva (voice)
Yuzuru Fujimoto
Yô (voice)
Masuo Amada
Meiô (voice)
Eiji Hanawa
Young Kenshirô (voice)
Shigeru Shibuya
Young Raoh (voice)
Kouki Miyata
Young Souga (voice)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This film adapts the 'Holy Emperor' arc but adds nearly 40 minutes of original content focused on Raoh's generals—an attempt to expand the villain into a tragic hero that the manga never attempted.
Ko Shibasaki was cast as Reina specifically to attract mainstream Japanese audiences; her casting as both character and narrator frames the entire film as her posthumous testimony to Raoh's hidden humanity.
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2006
6.52007
6.52007
6.92008
6.82008
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