Rurouni Kenshin (Japan, 2012)

In 1868, after the end of the Bakumatsu war, the former assassin Kenshin Himura promises to defend those who need without killing and wanders through Japan with a sword with inverted blade during the transition of the samurai age to the New Age. When Kenshin helps the idealistic Kaoru Kamiya from the gangsters of the powerful opium drug lord Kanryuu Takeda that wants her school for his production of opium, Kaoru invites Kenshin to stay in the school. But the drug chemist Megumi escapes from Kanryuu and seeks shelter in the school. Meanwhile the killer Battosai is murdering police officers and leaving messages attached to their bodies. 

Rurouni Kenshin is based on the manga of the same name, so already there's a huge fanbase that's both hyped and worried about this film. However, there's no need to worry any longer, due to how excellent this film is. Thankfully it's made by a proper director who were actually aiming to make a great samurai action film, and not just a shallow adaption of its manga counterpart. 

Genre: Action/Drama/History