Ninja Scroll |
 | Summary:Ultra-violent, visually innovative anime actioneer centers around warrior ninja's battle against evil demons. This pleases older fans seeking high-quality anime action. Excellent animation. |
| Title Aka: | Jubei Ninpuuchou |
| Company/Distributors: | JVC;Mad House;Toho Co. Ltd;Movic;Manga Entertainment |
| Year: | 1993 |
| Length: | 94 Minutes |
| Rating: |  |
| Genres: | Action, Martial Arts, Fantasy |
| Format: | Feature Film |
| Content Level: | N/A |
| Comments: |
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Synopsis:
In 16th century feudal Japan, an epidemic breaks out in the vast regions near a small village. When the Kobe ninja clan seeks out to investigate these matters, they are all annihilated by a massive and evil demon named "Tessai". Little do they realize that he is one of eight powerful demons of "Kimon", also known as "The Eight Devils Of Kimon". The only survivor of this devastating struggle is a deadly female warrior named Kagero, whom was attacked by the evil demon Tessai. Kagero is rescued by a masterless wandering mercenary named "Jubei Kibagami", a lone ninja for hire. Though Kagero's past appears to be a mystery to the young ninja warrior, Jubei contains one as equally dark as her's. The leader of the "Eight Devils Of Kimon" is a madman named "Himuro Gemma", Jubei's sworn enemy. Jubei and Kagero soon find themselves entangled in an intrigue of political corruption by the ninja clans, and the deadly struggle with the "Shogun Of The Dark".
Review:
Ninja Scroll is an anime tale you'd expect coming from the ever-present ninja/samurai genre we've come to see in anime quite often. The characters as well as the plot present themselves as the current mess of anime cliches. Jubei is the mercenary ninja hero of anime, along with his The characters in the film themselves are highly noticable in their own right, and very interesting indeed. Kagero is a woman plauged to a haunting past, her whole being has been infected with poison of which she is now immune, Jubei himself is one of the coolest heros in anime to date. The story presents the viewers with not long and complicated scenes of dialouge, but more realistic ones which relate to the film's main plot. However, this is not to imply that other anime films like "Ninja Scroll" fail achieve this. Indeed, Ninja Scroll is meant to be an action-film; it is an action film with a clever story. One so clever in fact, that the plot does not tend to drift into something it's not supposed to be. Instead, Ninja Scroll is excellent in being a high-quality action film with some surprisingly in-depth storyline and characters. Characters which are quite marvelous, and animation which is not something to sneer at. The style of the film is highly impressive. Ninja Scroll contains some of the slickest action-sequences and animation I've ever seen. The most amazing thing about the film is that it manages to utilize various 'kinky-subplots' much seen in anime, twisting them is such a way not to seem ridiculous. This is all welded into a production containing great animation and characters. The result is one of the best ninja-anime films, if not the best. The film does know what it's attempting to accomplish, it presents itself as full entertainment. Though it contains some historical context, the animators succeed in presenting the audience with something which will place them at the edge of their seats, without boring them to death. Which is what I love most about Ninja Scroll. The film doesn't hesitate to let you know exactly where it's going, and it doesn't waste time with flawed increments. Ninja Scroll is not in any sense an anime film for young children. Gradtuitous violence and sexual content make it a film for older teens and adults. Amazingly enough, all the content in the film relate somehow to the plot and the nature of it. The quality of the film is never overshadowed by it's content. This is not the kind of movie I would recommend to younger children, but it is indeed a high-quality film for fans of this type of anime. While the film's content could be viewed by most as over-the-top, this should not ruin the potentially excellent qualities seen in the movie. The love story between Jubei and Kagero is like a tragety in itself, and surprisingly one of the most profound I've seen. The action is incredible, the style of the film is slick, fluid and well-executed. The many good aspects serve to better dignify the impressive action, but it never ceases to overwhelm it. Simply put, it is what makes "Ninja Scroll" such a treat for fans of ninja-style action films. See it now! Definatly one of the best.
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share of flaws. Thin plots often hold ground to an array of action sequences like one's found in animes as such. Indeed, "Ninja scroll is a plot we've seen many times before, and perhaps it has been perfected considerably over the years. But what's incredibly noticable about the film from start to finish is often something to behold. Indeed "Ninja Scroll" is definatly a sub-standard plot, one of redemption, action, war, violence and some historical context to throw into the mix. The film presents itself as a basis for an array of interesting characters, whom all play a role in the story. Most noticable is Jubei, the masterless swordsman. Another is Kagero, as well as the eight devils of kimon. The film begins by introducing the main character, and it wastes no time in presenting the viewer with an in-depth plot. Though it may not be as original as some, Ninja Scroll is a film which is so well executed it's hard to imagine it being any other way. It is a film which is drenched in quality, one which is most noticable from the very beginning and on.