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Two upcoming films from the Rurouni Kenshin live action movie series have been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rurouni Kenshin Saishūshō The Final and Rurouni Kenshin Saishūshō The Beginning were set to be released in Japan on July 3, 2020 and August 7, 2020 respectively, but have now been pushed back sometime between late April and early May next year, 2021.

In a statement released on the film's official website, director Keishi Ōtomo said that post-production work and other preparations for the film were affected by the studio shutdown brought about after Japan declared a state of emergency in response to the spread of COVID-19.

【公開延期のお知らせ】

7月3日(金)・8月7日(金)公開を予定しておりました『#るろうに剣心最終章 The Final／The Beginning』につきまして、新型コロナウイルス感染拡大による国内の事態を受け検討を重ねた結果、公開延期を決定いたしましたのでお知らせします。

-- 映画『るろうに剣心 最終章』公式アカウント (@ruroken_movie) May 27, 2020

公開時期については、2021年GW2部作連続公開を予定しております。
皆様により一層作品を楽しんでいただくため、
新たな公開日に向けて力を尽くしてまいります。#るろうに剣心最終章https://t.co/0xdwFDaY54

-- 映画『るろうに剣心 最終章』公式アカウント (@ruroken_movie) May 27, 2020

Rurouni Kenshin Saishūshō The Final will tell the story behind main character Kenshin Himura's iconic cross-shaped cheek scar. Meanwhile, Rurouni Kenshin Saishūshō The Beginning will tackle Kenshin's clash with black market arms dealer Enishi Yukishiro.

The two movies are the fourth and fifth in the Rurouni Kenshin live action film series based on Nobuhiro Watsuki's best-selling manga series of the same title.

The first movie simply called Rurouni Kenshin was released in 2012. It was followed by Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno and Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends in 2014.

Actor Takeru Satoh will be reprising his lead role as Kenshin Himura for the two movies.

Watch the two films' trailer here:

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