001 4 Ninja Scroll is an excellent work of anime and cannot be praised too highly , but the new 10th Anniversary DVD edition only offers only a false widescreen - they have merely cut off the top and bottom of the view to give the appearance of widescreen . The DTS sound is not any fuller or crisper than the original fullscreen DVD , merely converted to DTS format . In short , this DVD is not worth upgrading to , and the fullscreen side is the only one worth watching . Save your money if you hope to improve on the original DVD's quality - the new anniversary DVD is actually an insult .
038 4 An excellant and violent love story with great animation . A MUST own DVD . The transfer is excellant , the surround sound is even better on a good system , and the extras are a nice touch . But the reason to own this is story and quality of the animation , even girls will like this one if they give it a chance !
054 4 This was by far one of the greatest Anime's ever produced . It's a must buy . It's the bench mark for all Anime movies . The characters are great and if your into Anime and sword play this is the DVD for you . I'm waiting for the next chapter .
070 4 This is my all time favorite Anime . It has intense action , classic romance and moves at a good pace . Very beautiful anime .
080 4 this is the best . the graphics are cool , the layout is the bomb , the story line is amazing ! i love it ! from beginning to end you are on the edge of your seat !
032 4 Ninja Scroll / 6305014140
* Spoilers *
We first watched Ninja Scroll because we're working our way through the anime section now that we've seen all the Miyazaki movies . I understand that this is a movie tie-in to a popular series but being as always late to the bandwagon , I haven't seen the series and can't comment on that aspect of this movie . Let's get one thing straight - this movie is not for children or for people sensitive to blood or violence . Limbs and body parts are frequently hacked or torn off , and the blood spurts seem on par with a Tarantino film . There's also some graphic sexual content here , with a female ninja almost-raped by an opponent , some frank discussions of sex and sexual orientation , and one snake-themed villainess produces vipers from unusual bodily orifices .
If you're still reading after that content warning , then I will note that this is an extremely interesting film , if the content doesn't turn you off . Ninja Scroll can't seem to decide how important ninjas are seen in the society at large around them - on the one hand , the officers of the army treat them as expendable and disposable , but on the other hand , the techniques that the ninjas ( both good and bad ) have mastered are nothing short of magical , and dangerous deadly magic at that . In no particular order , we have a female so steeped in poison ( by fate or by choice , we don't know ) that her very touch kills ; a man who willingly hosts deadly hornets in his body and uses them as a weapon , as well as a woman who does the same with vipers ; men who can turn their bodies into stone or knit their bodies back together after losing limbs ; and much more . All this makes for some extremely interesting battles , many with surprising or unusual endings .
Which isn't to say that Ninja Scroll is perfect . Like pretty much all anime movies , you have to watch it at least twice just to really understand what's going on . The English dubs and the English subtitles do not match at all , a cardinal sin of anime for those ( like me ) who are partially hearing impaired but not completely deaf , and while the subtitles are usually better dialogue than the dubs , it sometimes seems necessary to have * both * in order to be completely clear about the situation onscreen . Some of the violence seems a bit gratuitous , and at least one major plot ' twist ' is as predictable as the sun rising in the morning . Having said * that * , however , there's quite a lot here that is surprising and unpredictable , and it's very nice to see heroes who behave in a sane and sensible manner , although I have to deduct mental points for having the heroine rapidly descend into hormonal whininess because the writers weren't sure how else to script dialogue for a tortured woman doomed to loneliness .
I have to recommend Ninja Scroll just because it's so fantastical and unusual - I've honestly never seen anything quite like it . I honestly much prefer films with less graphic violence and sexual violence , but if you can get past the graphic content ( and the worst of it seems to be in the first 20 - 30 minutes of the film ) , there's a good chance you'll enjoy it as I did .
002 4 One tradition of Japanese manga and anime is based on the legends of Yagyu Jubei Mitsuyoshi , who was a very real swordsman serving the Tokugawa Shogunate at the beginning of the 17th century . Jubei was known for wandering Japan , sometimes as a spy for the Shogun , and righting injustices with displays of his extraordinary swordsmanship . Kind of a Japanese Knight of the Roundtable .
In ' Ninja Scroll ' , this part is played by Jubei Kibagami , an itinerant ninja . He is drawn into clan politics when he comes to the aid of Kagero , a female ninja in service to the Yamashiro clan . To save Kagero , Jubei must successfully challenge Tessai , an evil ninja ( one of the Eight Devils of Kimon ) with the ability to turn his skin into stone , and the strength to chop walls down . Jubei succeeds , but Tessai swears vengeance , leaving Jubei deeply entangled in a struggle with the Shogun of the Dark .
The third player in this contest is Dakuan , the Shoguns spy . He is a deadly old man who recruits Jubei by giving him a poison that will kill him in a day and a night . Dakuan informs Jubei that Himuro Gemma , an old enemy that Jubei was sure was dead , was still alive , and , in the company of the Devils , was at the center of the plotting . Jubei , Dakuan , and Kagero must defeat the evil ninjas and discover the purpose behind the killing of an entire village .
Kagero is a poison taster , and , as a result , is permeated with deadly toxins . She can never take a lover , because even her kiss would kill . At this point in Japanese history such a woman was an outcaste , having little value in the eyes of her society . Jubei shatters her world when he insists on treating her as an honorable human being , creating a strong emotional tension that plays against the simple samurai action of the main plot .
Production qualities of the film are beautiful , echoing traditional Japanese art forms with a fine sensibility . Line and color are strong . Violence , of course , is present , but is tightly controlled , not dwelt upon . This is one of the best and most representative films of the more conservative Japanese traditions of anime . Worth seeing for its historical status as well as for its outstanding artistic values .
003 4 First , regarding its name : a more accurate translation from the original Japanese would be The Chronicles of Ninja Jubei .
Second , regarding the misogynism in the film : While I understand how it might be interpreted that way , that's not quite true . Kagero is a fascinating character due to the tragedy of her curse . She plays a pivotal role in the story , but most importantly , the ultimate point of the love subplot is that Jubei's sense of honor is so strong and his heart is so pure that he will not use her as just a weapon or an object of lust , the way everyone else has used her . Even at the cost of his life ( you will understand when you see it ) . That's what makes it such a powerful story .
This movie isn't for everyone , but it's an incredible film . It's extremely intense , so sensitive viewers should beware . The animation is beautiful ; the action is intense and intelligently choreographed , not mindless and brutal ; the plot is highly intricate and very well written .
The best anime that I've ever seen , period .
004 4 Ninja Scroll is pretty much the stereotypical fantasy anime movie . Over the top gore , over the top sex and perversion and over the top demons and monsters . But does that mean the movie is bad ? No , it just means that you should probably keep the kids away from this one .
The first thing to realize about Ninja Scroll is that it really is not for the squeamish . Throughout the movie there are gallons of blood , limbs , bodies , a rape scene and also a scene with a snake and a woman ( actually , there are tons of snakes but there is one in particular that will probably surprise you at least a little ) . There really isn't any time when there isn't either nudity or death after the first few minutes in the movie .
If you can stomach the violence and perversition you will find a well animated movie with a good , if standard , plot . The animation is very well done and the action sequences ( and there are a lot ) are easy enough to follow . While I thought some of the character designs were fairly annoying ( especially the snake lady's face ) , they are animated well and individual enough to be able to identify each character with no problem ( even those that you see only twice throughout the movie ) . The plot itself is fairly stock , but it works well in the context . A wandering swordsman is recruited by an old man to fight eight demons as well as a man that swordsman thought he had slain years ago . The two are also joined by a woman swordsman whose body is too toxic to for any intimate contact ( though that is by no means a deterent of her getting naked a few times ) . After the characters are introduced it basically becomes one long drawn out fight with the plot trudging along in the background .
The music in this film is pretty good . Maybe not something you would rush out to buy on a CD later , but it moves the movie along well enough and contributes to the action . The sound fx fit very well and seem to work well with the action on the screen .
In the end I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys a good samurai flick or to anyone who likes tons of bloodletting . Again , though , keep it away from the youngins .
005 4 As far as relatively empty , popcorn action anime is concerned , you always leave the theater ( or your living room ) rather disappointed . Yes , there's huge robots , or ninjas , or whatnot , but unless you are a ( big ) fan of the genre , not every anime movie is really that watchable .
Enter Ninja Scroll .
While sidestepping the usual tenets of anime that every film must have robots or cute schoolgirls , it still deals with something fairly Japanase : the Ninja . And while I'm sure profound dramas exits about how difficult it is to lead the life of a ninja and what not , ' Ninja Scroll ' is not one of these movies .
Playing out like a video game , ' Ninja Scroll ' establishes its introduction ( let's call them ' cut scenes ' ) and within a few minutes brings you into the storyline , which goes like this : Jubei , our hero and protagonist , must fight a menagerie of bad guys , all with cool powers . One has a weapon that splits opponents in half , another houses a beehive in his back , yet another can transport himself through shadows .
Sounds cool , eh ? The animation and pacing live up to their name . . . Ninja Scroll has the possibility of ruining all other anime for you . . .
Granted , it's not as extensive as ' Neon Genesis Evangelion ' ( apparently the apex of anime ) or ' Perfect Blue ' ( another good film from this year ) , but it is damn good nonetheless and a fine first DVD for anyone interested in the genre .
For kids ? There's plenty of gore and blood , and a heap of oversexual content ( including a rape scene ) . . . Wouldn't recommend it for anyone under 13 or younger .
006 4 Ninja Scroll is the work of director Yoshiaki Kawajiri and was released in 1995 . It is the story of Kibagami Jubei , a master-less samurai that wanders feudal Japan and hires his craft and his sword to whoever can pay-or whoever has a decent cause . He one day stumbles on the village of Shimoda , where the whole populace has apparently succumbed to a deadly plague and where a ninja clan has been recently annihilated by a demon . Stopping to rescue the only ninja left alive-a beautiful girl named Kagero-he unwittingly becomes part of a story that mixes shogunate politics , demonic warriors , a cachet of gold large enough to tilt the kingdom on its ear and the return of his most hated foe , Himuro Gemma .
The animation is some of the best I've ever seen . The colors are lush and full . The tone changes constantly and fits the mood perfectly . From the dark corners to the lit fields , the contrast in Ninja Scroll provides it with another layer with which to tell its story . As for the action , well , I wish all animes had action like this . Anyone who's seen Crouching Tiger , Hidden Dragon can tell you that the rooftop scenes are nothing compared to the ones found here . There you had two persons jumping , here whole clans of ninja leap into the air and face off against Jubei . You have some dastardly demons with strange powers-including their leader , Gemma , who cannot die . ( The solution to this problem is both very fitting and very appropriate ) . The sound is also finally given its due . From the thunk of shurikens to the crashing of Tessai's sword through tree and ninja to the flapping of Mushizo's wasps , you can now hear it as beautifully as was recorded . The best scene for sound , though , is the fight between Jubei and Mujuru ( the blind swordsman ) . All of a sudden , the sound Jubei makes becomes very important . The simple rustling of leaves and movement of grass becomes enthralling-because they could all lead to Jubei's demise .
007 4 This review is directed to those who , like myself , are not avid anime fans . I own three anime DVDs : Ghost in the Shell , Akira , and Ninja Scroll , and I enjoy all three . However , Ninja Scroll is far the most enjoyable to watch . But this review is not a comparison of the three .
I would like to praise the writer / director of Ninja Scroll for creating such an exciting and artistic work while at the same time retelling the ancient tale of the reluctant hero . The plot was sufficient enough to withstand the weight of the amazing action sequences and fun sexual content . The character development was superb . Jubei ( the hero ) is not portrayed an all-powerful superhero . Instead , we just see a gifted fighter with an immense will to survive .
The action scenes are among the best I have ever seen , with battle choreography that is comparable to that of the best filmakers . The villians are imaginitive and original , not to mention devious . The plot is extremely imaginitive , touching on topics that are not common to the super robots and cute little girls world of Japanese Anime : love triangles , rape , greed , self esteem , and homosexuality . This film was enjoyable from beginning to end , and if you are searching to expand your collection into something new , pick up this DVD . Its pure enjoyment .
011 4 Three movies - - Akira , Ghost In The Shell and Ninja Scroll - - each broke new ground and pushed the genre in the mainstream . Ninja Scroll is the most fun and watchable of these efforts , and despite the fact that it was released in 1996 , continues to be among , if not THE best , in ninja / swordsmanship movies .
This is one of those three-watchers : watch once to get acquainted , twice to fully understand , and three times to get the full effect . You could very well leave impressed after your first viewing , but numerous viewings reveal more and more each time .
Wandering ninja Jubei Kibagami ( based on a popular swordsman of Japanese lore ) is drawn into a battle with the Eight Devils of Kimon , with the beautiful and lethal Kagero on his side , as well as a government agent . Jubei must survive battles with each of the Devils - - a rock-skinned hulk , a blind swordsman , a portable wasp hive , a snake-controller , a re-animator / shadow manipulator , a wire-toting electrecutor , an explosives expert and a resurrectable boss - - all the while attempting to solve a mystery revolving around gold , murdered villagers and a mysterious plague .
The animation is top-notch . It isn't thin and computer-like , as in Ghost in the Shell , but it's as close as you can get to a moving Marvel or Image Comic . Everything is lightning fast and no sounds are wasted : you'll notice every chirping bird or falling leaf with the tension that this film builds . The shots are masterfully beautiful - - a charging Jubei is shown via reflection on the blind swordsman's sword held close to his face - - and the animation is consistent throughout .
Not to confuse what you might have heard - - the violence is extremely graphic , not the sex scenes . The sex scenes are nothing worse than what an R-rated flick might produce , but the violence is up there in the level of Gladiator or Saving Private Ryan , but it's not something that goes throughout the movie so much so that it becomes disgusting .
The English dub is passable , capturing both Jubei's calm confidence as well as Kagero's fire , but like most anime , the Japanese version is the superior . The storyline remains generally the same in either version , although there are some significant , but not plot-disturbing , differences between the English and Japanese versions .
Each Devil is unique and cleverly thought-out , each a challenging fighter . Jubei is an anti-hero , reluctant to join the fight , and scraps his way through battles , using his smarts as well as his steel .
Definitely recommended for older fans , anime fan or not . It has anime's cliche graphic violence and nudity , but its plot , vocal performance and direction are excellent , among the best ever for the genre . Five stars doesn't do it justice .
012 4 Yes this is another samurai anime like Rurouni Kenshin but this time its a feature film instead of a series and its about 10 times as violent , this movie is great for any Kenshin fan , that can handle these situations :
Violence : Lots of violence , probably the most violent anime I have seen even though I heard that Fist of the North Star was much more violent , the violence factor definately gets a solid R rating even though I have never seen violence like this in a real ( non animated ) moviel .
Sex : A small rape scene that isnt anything I would call hentai but still gets a 16 + rating which in Japan is the same thing as an R rating ( yup you only gotta be 16 in Japan to watch the mature stuff , even though all hentai is 18 + in Japan which is the same as NC17 or 18 + rating in U.S .
Nudity : Not too bad , Limited to Breasts and Booty but it shows a few times where the crotch is supposed to be but for some reason it didn't show it , probably to keep this a 16 + / R rating and not to take it in to the hardcore hentai rating since around 50% of the people who watch samurai anime like this are teens ( 13 - 18 ) .
Profanity : Not too much profanity , mostly words like S - - t , B-tch , and maybe the F words a few times but the profanity is around a pg - 13 rating .
Altogether , this anime is sick , disturbing , and to some people a little perverted , so it would probably get a 16 + / R rating ( for adults or older teens ) . I hope this review will help parents decide whether to get this for their teens or for teens to hide this from their parents : - )
013 4 You haven't seen this ? You're kidding right ? I used to show people Akira or something Miyazaki to introduce them to anime . Around 1993 I received a fan-subtitle of Jubai ( Ninja Scroll ) , and fell in love . It's like Akira Kurosawa with mixed with . . . and a bit of the ultra violence . Yeah ! !
The plot and characters are thought out ( at least by anime standards ) . The animation is beautiful . The action is as exciting as anything live action that you'll see . It's a great film to watch over and over again , so you can understand more of the political intrigue that is going on .
The basic story is of a wandering warrior who falls into a situation beyond his control . O.k . , it's not the most original story , but they execute it very well . Just watch the movie . Don't rent it , because you're going to end up buying it anyway .
This movie is really violent , so if that puts you off , this film is not for you . I know animation and non-animation fans who love this film equally . The DVD looks great , and the subtitles are well paced . I can't speak for the English track , because I watch the Japanese version . . . but most dubs are so-so IMO .
014 4 In this epic anime we follow the lone ninja Jubei as he tries to destroy the leader of an evil ninja group . The martial arts animation is incredible , the battles are spectacular . This film includess many classic anime themes . . . martial arts , demons , outrageous powers . . . and it remains fun throughout . It does get graphic at times ( lots of killing , some nudity , sexual situations ) , so this is not at all for kids . But for the mature anime fan this is a must see ! ! !
The only reason I gave 4 stars was because of the compression of the DVD . At times , you could easily see the gradients breaking up into separate colors , almost like stripes . It doesn't really take much away from the movie , but it was there nonetheless . Overall , this DVD is definitly worth seeing .
015 4 Why ? Akira and Ghost in Shell have great animation and action sequences , but leave you kind of cold . Wing of Honneamise has mature philosophy and great art , but may leave you snoring . Dragon Ball Z - Tree of Might has almost as good action sequences as Ninja and you can watch it with the whole family , but it lacks a world-class sophistication . La Blue Girl has the spirit of a serial child molester , and after the shock-value wears off , gets rather depressing . Ninja does everything terrifically well - unforgettable characters , fearsome villains , timeless storyline , amazing animation , and a very satisfying ( yet haunting ) conclusion . Blockbuster video rents it in the animation section , so rent it first if you're still skeptical .
018 4 Well , isn't most anime for grown-ups anyway ? There's some children ones too I guess . For every Tenchi and Pokemon and Ranma 1 / 2 there's Evangelion , Hellsing , Vampire Hunter D and Akira . Yet for some reason , people always think that animated means children based . Well this is one film you should show people that have that mindset , it's gory , it's violent , and yet it's entertaining .
Jubei is basically a wanderer , a mercenary ninja taking odd jobs for money . Kagero and fellow Kogi clan members investigate people caught in what looked like a viral outbreak . While investigating , they find Tessai , a strange guy who can turn his body to stone and throws a heavy blade , in what results in probably the most goriest scene in the film . He captures Kagero and tries to make love to her ( really bad at that too by the way ) , enter Jubei who rescues her .
She takes off and he encounters an old man whose name escapes me oddly enough . He tells him to take a mission which Jubei refuses until he's poisoned by him so he reluctanctly takes it . There , Jubei finds there's a plot to get rid of the Tokugawa Shogunate ( the political party in control of Japan at the time ) and ascend themselves to power .
Not only that , Jubei finds the 8 Demons of Gimon : 8 people with incredibly bizarre abilities . It reminded me of the Metal Gear games recently with enemies and bizarre abilities . In the film , you'll find a woman with control over snakes , a ninja who can disappear into shadow , a blind man with incredible hearing , a man with a hive in his back and the leader , who is capable of reincarnation and regenerating his limbs .
The gore is quite violent with ripped off arms , a man torn into 2 , other men ripped in half and one's head sliding down his own blade . There is nudity also , one woman has a habit of being nude quite a bit , while there's an attempted rape in the beginning and something that looks like anal sex ( or just entering from the back , who knows ) .
This film is definately not for the little kiddies but for the adults ? They just might enjoy themselves .
021 4 If there is one anime movie that many of my friends say is a must-buy , many of them would say Ninja Scroll .
Ninja Scroll follows the adventures of a masterless Ninja named Jubei who teams up with a female ninja named Kagero and sometimes with a lying old man named Dakuan and in their journey they go against an evil team of murderers with their own style of killing and in the end Jubei must battle an enemy from his past who he thought was dead . The movie combines the Feudal Japan with the supernatural .
For one thing , it's not the typical nonsense anime which includes violence , blood , sex , etc . There's actually a deep storyline to this series . Very involving , very bloody but the way it is presented , makes it very good .
Again , the anime is violent . So , if you are faint at heart and can't stand anime like this , stay away from Ninja Scroll .
It's been several years now since I first saw this movie and to see it on DVD is really great . Of course , the Digital 5.1 Surround Sound mix is awesome but for a non-dub fan like myself , I was hoping the Japanese version may have been remastered but it's OK . Manga Entertainment is one of the few companies which puts voice acting as a priority , so I'm proud to say that the English dub + the 5.1 sounds great !
As for the DVD itself , since it's an older anime and an older DVD release , you're not going to find that much in terms of special features . There is a little character info section but that's mainly it ( unless you count trailers ) .
If you like anime series based in the Feudal Japan era and the supernatural , Ninja Scroll ranks up at the top along with Hakkenden and Rurouni Kenshin .
022 4 Few can argue that Ninja Scroll is one of the best anime films to come out of Japan . A lot of people have hyped it up as a masterpiece of epic proportions . Unfortunately , hype is a double edged sword that can either make or break a film's ( i.e . Ghost in the Shell ) mystique and charm to begin with . On the other hand , only an elite few can fit the mold and live up to the expectations . In my opinion , Jubei and his pals have accomplished just that . Ninja Scroll offers what have led millions to join the anime craze to begin with . Action , over the top yet realistic characters , a subtle plot , and a gorefest of monsters and men run rampant in this samurai / ninja flick . The fight scenes and background are top-notch that ooze drama every second . The characters are charming ( although somewhat underdeveloped and badly dubbed ) and interesting enough to give each a specific amount of attention . So with all these compliments , why not give it a perfect score ? Well , it may have lived up to it's hype as an artistic action film piece , but it's a little low on the depth department . It's standard anime style story leaves a little more to be desired . But with a good enough plot , cool enough characters , and tough enough action , Ninja Scroll ends up being a winner in what it was meant to be . An eye catching . . . stunning . . . and fun-filled adventure for the wannabe ninjas all over the world .
023 4 This is story about Jubei , a masterless ninja whose fighting skills are extraordinary . He's a loner , a wanderer . If he feels its a worthy cause , he steps in and renders his fighting services . Enter Kagero , a proud beautiful female ninja belonging to the Koga ninja clan . Her entire team gets slaughtered by an unknown formidable opponent right infront of her and she is taken captive . Jubei enters the scene and saves her , she was in the process of her being sexually abused by the one who just wiped out her entire team . This begins the waves of ninja vs ninja wars . After a non grateful response from Kagero , he simply walks away content , going back to his usual ways . However , Jubei's life as he knew it , changes dramatically from this point on . He is then a target of the Eight Devils of Kimon who is supporting someone who has much bigger plans in the government . It's graphic , bloody , and has strong sexual content ( definitely not for children ) with tons of action . The characters are well developed considering a 94 min . run time . I once had to think of one disk to send to someone who thought anime was for kids so I asked atleast 20 anime fans what one disk should I give for a present . . . all but one said this film . The english dub is good as well as the english soundtrack which is dolby digital 5.1 . surround sound . I also watched it in the original language , which is in stereo . Highly recommended .
025 4 This movie is not your average ninja movie . Here in the US we think of ninjas as The Karate Kid or that stupid Chris Farley movie . But this is an amazing movie that combines the action , gore , and heartbreak of being a ninja . Jubei ( the protagonist ) faces some cool enemies too . One guy has a bee hive in his back and another had his head chopped off and came back to life . Jubei is to ninja anime what Spike Speigal ( Cowboy Bebop ) was to the anime bounty hunting genre . This movie is soooooooo sweet . Check it out if you haven't already . If you don't , you're missin out . P.S . : I almost cried at the end , and I usually don't cry while watching movies .
026 4 This anime is action packed with flying samurai , ninjas , demons , and creatures of the night . There's a simple story to follow with the right amount of drama and romance ( almost none ) . This DVD is great for any Martial Arts or Anime fans .
027 4 This is the second anime I would recommend buying , the first being ledgendary Ghost In The Shell .
The only weak spots in this film is the plot . It is somewhat predictable and not very original . That said , this film is not about plot , it is about incredibly cool fighting and good vs bad .
The film succseeds perfectly at being a fun , action packed fantasy anime . With superb animetion and INCREDIBLE sound , this is a must have !
That is why it deserves every bit of the 5 stars , dispite a weak ( but not bad ! ) plot .
However , it might not be for good for the kids ; )
030 4 Most reviewers of this film seem to be extreme anime fanatics . I was not . I saw Akira a few years back and counted it among my favorite movies , but hadn't seen any more anime until very recently when I heard that Ninja Scroll was even better . I rented it . . . and within minutes of turning it on , my jaw dropped and stayed there . Artwork . Voice-overs . Story . It all draws you in immediately . This is a very smart piece of work made for adults !
I love Sci-Fi and Fantasy , and have always believed that anime was by far the best way to put it on screen . But unfortunately , when left in the hands of Americans producers concerned only with making money - the movie gets dumbed up so everyone can understand it , and / or made safe and silly so kids will want to see it . Ninja Scroll does not . This is hard-hitting fantasy at its best . It has ninjas . It has demons . It has blood . It has curses . It's sexually explicit . It's not for the timid . It will forever change your opinion of cartoons .
Provided the words ninja or fantasy don't make you roll your eyes - you just can't go wrong with this movie . I haven't seen anything like it since .
031 4 I will not say something amazingly original if I use that if you are going to see one anime in your lifetime see that one phrase . But it fits perfectly .
I've tried to enjoy a lot of anime afterwards but in vain . The genre seems to be mostly unaccessible to a middle-brow Western viewer - it puzzles me , irritates and I push the STOP button long before the credits appear , accompanied by a sweet-voiced Japanese song . Then I tell my son it's all hopeless and I don't wanna see the stuff made by robots for robots any more .
It's strange , because I am not ignorant of the workings of Japanese mind . I've read and enjoyed immensely The Tale Of Genji , The Pillow Book ( see the review ) , Heike monogatari and lots more .
Still the 95% of anime is beyond me .
Ninja Scroll is a classic quest with the fearless hero and the very lovely heroine condemned by fate - the characters you can care about . There is a mystery to solve , the adversaries with a very different fighting style that make all the action scenes captivating . The film overflows with emotion - love in it's gay and straight varieties , the sense of duty , betrayal , resolve , revenge , fierce glee , lust and devotion . The magic is not as weird and outlandish as we are used to expect from Japanese produce .
The graphics are great - I do not want them any better . English language track is 5.1 , but my son and nephew always insist on the Japanese stereo - it provides them with the phrases to memorize and cry out while having their try at the flying kicks .
Yes , there is some gore and sexually explicit scenes but a much more horrible things are readily accessible by pushing a few buttons in the home computer . So I try to minimize the damage by dealing with these scenes jockingly - there is no sense in sitting through them in embarassed stupor , you have to react somehow , to comment . But of course all that is very far from the conventional notion of the family entertainment .
I consider that disc a must-have in any DVD library . But if you plan to love the genre do not waste your time and money on anything else . Just enjoy the illusion there is a lot more great stuff where it came from .
036 4 Ninja Scroll is on the edge of being hentai , lots of gore and sex . It is also very predictable ( Jubei meets a ninja chick , they fall in love , Jubei settles a score with an old rivel . ) even though it's very brutal , it has a good storyline , beautiful art work despite the strange Red / Orange blood . The dialoge is great but occasionally felt forced . I wasn't offended by the sex scenes , but some really wern't neccecary . Despite that , it has a sorta heart-breaking ending . I'd reccomend this to any teenager anime fan , or some kids who are allowed to see R-rated movies .
037 4 Ninja Scroll is one of my all time favorite animes ever . It's got great animation , awesome fight scenes and some totally wicked characters as well .
I gotta admit it , at the time this was released I hadn't seen any other animes that impressed me nearly as much as this one did ( aside from the obvious AKIRA and later on that year GHOST IN THE SHELL ) . The story line is great as well . It keeps you intrigued throughout the entire film and it also has some really good twists and turns .
The fight scenes are amazing ! They're extremely fluid and fast and there are so many really , really good one in this film . I can't say there isn't one I didn't like ( my favorits fight scene , Jubei vs Utsutsu Mojuro , the blind man ) . Now as usual with most Animes , this one is not for younger viewers at all for a few reasons like the incredible amount of violence , nudity , swearing , sexual content and a rape scenes ( involving Kagero , the female Ninja ) . Granted yes the rape scenea really wasn't too bad but still it was there ( but again nothing like LEGEND OF THE OVERFIEND type of rape scene ) .
This is a highly recommended MUST CHECK OUT ! All Anime fans will get into this one , all fantasy and role play lovers will like this one and of course the martial arts fans will drool over this one as well . I also mentioned some other Animes as well that you should check out ( AKIRA , GHOST IN THE SHELL and even LEGEND OF THE OVERFIEND if you're old enough for it because it's really dirty ) . In any case , you'll love NINJA SCROLL I guarantee it !
039 4 This is one of the most well-known anime existing , and for good reason ; this is truly a unique piece of work . You have a vagabond ninja named Jubei Kibigami who is forced to fight the eight devils of Kimone , led by a man whom Jubei had killed once already . Accompanied by Kagero , a woman immune to poison , and Dakuwan , a crackpot from the Tokugawa government , Jubei begins his quest . The artwork and animation are fantastic , and the fight scenes are unique since each devil has a certain ability and a certain weakness as a complement to that ability . The final showdown is the best part of the movie , as it should be . The dubbing is very good too .
On to the bad stuff : the plot can drag at times , even though it usually picks up at just the right time . The uninspired ancient Japanese music melded into the background , and many scenes could definitely have used a cool tune . Gore and all-around oddity are rampant . Worth a watch .
043 4 Ninja Scroll was quite an impressive anime / manga film , I think its one of the best animes I've ever seen and I'll be honest I haven't seen that much other than Vampire Hunter D and Ghost In The Shell among others . The film was set in Feudal Japan and the story involves a lone ninja warrior called Jubie traveling from town to town with a hidden past and there seems to be a plague spreading through out a small village called Shimoda and most of the people are found dead . While on their way to investigate the koga ninja team are slaughtered by a huge sword wielding monster with a body of stone , the huge monster uses his sword to decapitate and hack off the Koga ninjas limbs and rips them apart leaving a rain of blood in what has got to be the goriest scene in the film leaving the only surviving member of the team a female ninja named Kagera .
She soon warns the Koga clan and returns back to the village only to be kidnapped and raped by the monster . Kagera is later saved by Jubei as they continue on their journey , Jubie is also blackmailed by a small old man named Daukuns ? using a poison dart he tells Jubei that he will give him the antidote but only if he helps him defeat the shogun of the dark he also has suspicions that Jubie was the ninja who killed the retainers of the Yashimoto Clan and that Lord Gemma who was previously decapitated is still alive and is the leader of the devils of Kimon and is also working for the shogun of the dark . Ninja Scroll is definitely not kids stuff as some of the fight scenes were quite bloody and it also has some rape scenes , Ninja Scroll is one of those supernatural shogun / ninja period films , the film had some amazing artwork with an emphasis on characters , plot and thrilling action scenes with lots of blood , gore and nudity , Jubie was a very cool character and a bit of a cynic but still likes to help people out kind of like a Character in a spaghetti western . The great thing about this film is that its not complicated like Ghost In The Shell so its perfect for those who haven't seen that much anime ( like myself ) here is some of the highlights you get to see in the film .
- Jubie continuesly head butting Lord Gemma until his face caves in .
- Kagera has poison for blood so whoever sleeps with her dies .
- A weird demon who has a wasp's nest for a back ( don't ask ) .
- A huge monster who drinks blood from a severed limb then has his head split in half and brains fall off ( yes very nice ! ) .
- A deadly female demon who casts of her skin like a snake ( this particular scene was weird and hilarious .
I'm not going to say anymore since I don't want to ruin it , if you enjoy adult anime that has some great action with very smooth and fluid animation then I highly recommend this .
044 4 Normally anime shows would be boring if they just put in shoot-shoot bang-bang , swish-swash , GAAAAH ! for no reason and the story would really suck.But for Ninja Scroll , it's an exception . It's action packed , ultra violent , and it is just plain cool . Not to be sick or anything , but seeing the characters decapitated and all bloody was quite awesome .
Drawbacks well the story is quite dull . Basically it's good against evil battles and that epidemic . Second like every anime DVDs ' it's kind of pricey , $30 - $40 for a 90 minute movie . And sure there's widescreen format but really the price antes up for that ? Nonetheless Ninja Scroll is a great anime if you need some action .
045 4 First off , all the negative reviews seem to based on violence and 5 total minutes of sex and nudity . Also most of the negative reviews that think there is no plot and the story is stupid . These people just were not paying attention and in there explination of what they thought was a plot explained it all wrong . I gave the movie 3 out 5 stars because of the halfhearted effort of vhs transfer to the DVD . You would think with such a highly successful movie they would try to make the DVD with some quality . The only thing good about the DVD is the its is ono DVD and you don't have to deal with the obsolete VHS player . I do recommend the movie and if you don't like animation , excessive violence , and gratuitous sex scenes , don't watch it .
Here is a synopsis of the flick : Do not read if you want to figure the movie out by yourself .
A village has been wiped out by a mysterious plague which is actually a ruse ( a trick ) created by a group of villans called the 8 Devils of Kimone . The devils actually killed the villagers and made it look like a plague to steal gold from a ship that is scheduled to dock at a nearby port . A mafia like clan from a adjacent village sends in a bunch of warriors to inspect the village because they do not believe it is a plague . The warriors get their A $ $ kicked by one of the Devils of Kimone thats skin can become as hard as rock a deflect swords and such . Kagero , the female lead who has been cursed by poisonous skin and has never and can never have contact with anothe human is the only survivor of the clan but is captured by the demon . The demon does fondle Kagero pretty graphically and Jubei the main charcachter , a ninja vagabond ( a nomad / drifter , a person without a home ) traveling the countryside happens upon the situation and eventually defeats the demon .
Throughout the movie , Jubei keeps running into an mysterious sly old man who eventually reveals he is a detective working fo r the local police . The old man tricks Jubei into helping him by poisoning him with a nija star . The old man will give Jubei the cure if he helps hunt down the devils ans if he does not help him , Jubei will die .
Kagero which is also searching for the devils for the revenge of her clan reluctantly joins Jubei and the old man in the quest .
Jubei battles each of the Devils along the way in some pretty intense fight scenes and eventually finds out throught the old man the the leader of the Devils is a cohort from his past ( excuse me for forgetting his name ) in which Jubel fights and chops of his head . The leader who has discovered the majick of reserection and invincibility has come back to steal all of the this gold .
As the adventure continues through the film . Kagero falls in love with Jubei but due to her condition / curse cannot physically show Jubei how she feels kissing or otherwise . Kagero thus does not want to let herself fall for Jubei and attempts to drive him away by being rude and combative .
Time is running out for Jubei and his poison and in a shocking turn of events the old man tell Kagero that she can nullify the effects of Jubei's poison with her own , however , she is skeptical . In teh final battle , Kagero is mortally wounded and while in her final moments has an embrace with Jubei who has also fallen in love with her . Kagero dies and Jubei survives and continues on with his nomadic ways thus ending the film .
046 4 One of the coolest movies of all time has been remastered ! An anime in DTS ? Yea , there are few of them now-a-days . This anime has some of the best voices for Japanese AND English .
Basically we get to see Jubei fight the devils of Kimone . The movie has alot of gore , and alot of innovative monsters . Basically it isn't all hack and slash . The story is about a village wiped out by a plague . In order to investigate the plague , and wandering monk like dude hires Jubei to help him fight the devils . They run into a ninja girl who has a very special secret .
The movie's DTS is awesome ! The picture looks more crisp , and the widescreen aspect only adds to it ! I would reccomend this movie to anyone who hasn't seen it . If you have Ninja Scroll already but are not crazy about it , pass this one up .
Actually though , I have to correct my review . I have noticed slight differences . The full screen and widescreen version are on the same dvd , but the fullscreen gets pixely at times ( very few ) . I would just buy the original movie unless you really like Ninja Scroll . The Widescreen isn't even real widescreen , it is 2 black bars .
Both versions have their flaws . I prefer the newer looking image of widescreen . Still , the fullscreen gives you more movie . Take my advice and only buy this if you are a true ninja scroll fan .
Still , the sound is awesome , and the special eddition of a movie has to mean something doesn't it ? You never hear of them making the special eddition of crappy movies . Again , true ninja scroll fans are a plus for this , others should just check out the original dvd at the store , which is probably MUCH cheaper now .
052 4 I just bought and viewed this 10th anniversary edition and all I can say is . . wow ! The picture has never looked better , the 6.1 DTS has never sounded better . I've seen this movie countless times and they found a way to make me enjoy it even more than I had thought possible . The slipcase is also very smart looking and comes with a couple of neat little extras . . . I should also mention the extras on the dvd itself are pretty nifty too .
This is the movie that made me a big anime fan and still ranks as one of my all time favorites . If you enjoy martial arts action and adventure , I implore you to buy this dvd . . . you won't be dissapointed .
055 4 For anyone who enjoys explosive action without explosions , then this movie is for you . The movie slides forward contiuously in an effortless arc of great animation and story telling . Any armchair student of sword play will thoroughly enjoy this peice of anime . The central character is only that he ties the other characters together . He is the lead but the story is not necessarily about him . Which makes the wandering samurai story so interesting here . You start to really feel for this character because he responds to the plot as a character and not just a plot device . He is reminiscent of the Jedi ( or is it the other way around ) .
The story turns back and forth between fantasy and adventure . The two often go together but all too aften the one lacks the other . Here they form a brilliant symbiosis that sometimes gets my blood pumping and sometimes scares me . It is art because it excites emotions from me . I don't simply lose my self in mindless action but there is reason for every loosing of the blade . It makes me feel . And it entertains .
It is not for everyone . There is sex . There is violence . The sex is cultural I believe in that the Japanese see sex in a much different light than we seem to . It seems that sex is a part of life . And in life there is sex , so if art imitates life then there is sex in art . The violence sereves the place that in animation if it isn't gory the point is missed . I entirely enjoyed this movie because I'm a fan of the genre . But I'm a fan because I saw this movie . But don't take my word for it !
057 4 From proclaimed anime director Yoshiaki Kawajiri who gave us anime like biohunter , wicked city and the new vampire hunter
brings us his masterpiece complete with a nice digital masterd version .
What all can I say if you havn't seen this then you havn't wacthed anime.It's what all other anime wish it was , its what we anime fans try to compare everything to we need to stop , they'll never be another Ninja Scroll
Technically the dvd is a great remasterd version with a great 5.1 . The picture quality is also really good.Thankyou Kawajiri for all the great anime , especially this one !
059 4 Ninja Scroll is , in my opinion , possibly the greatest anime movie created . I know many people who first got into anime by watching this work of art . With it's incredible story-line , the beautiful animation , and a realistic main character it has won many anime lovers hearts . I simply can't stress this enough , you must see this movie . You owe to yourself as an anime fan ( or soon to be anime fan ) .
061 4 Ninja Scroll takes place in feudal japan and is about a war with a masterless ninja whom travels the land ( Jubei ) accompanied by beautiful female ninja whose touch can bring instant death ( Kagero ) and an annoying - - but wise old man ( Dakuan ) . The three encounter various ninja warriors ( 8 in total ) and eventually each is basically killed in really cool ways . . .
Moving on , in comparison to Wrath of the Ninja - - this film is kickass . . . hands down . I had never seen Ninja Scroll before , only Wrath of the Ninja . . . I was really missing something in my life . . . as Wrath of the Ninja was a bit too basic , a bit dark and boring . The beauty of Ninja Scroll is it's colour and direction of animation . . . not to mention the surround sound ( English audio ) . This is followed up by the immense amount of blood and nekkid women . To say the least it's a crowd pleaser .
Moving on to the DVD details , the only thing I noticed in comparison to the VHS ( which I taped in EP ) and the DVD is the detail in the colour blending . Other than that . . . it's just as good . If you're looking for extras . . . there's not much there really . There's brief bios for the characters , a trailer ( in Japanese ) and two commercials for Manga . But if you're a KMFDM fan like I am . . . you'll take interest in the Manga video commercial with crystal clear audio and video . The only drawback to this package is that it's only presented in full screen and not widescreen . That and the disc art sucks . But other than those . . . it's worthy of slapping down 20 to 35 bucks . Especially since it's one of the all-time greatest animes and easy to comprehend .
064 4 If you are looking for a japanese animation film w / o all the sensless death ( although there is quite a bit ) and an actual storyline this is it . It focouses on a wandering ninja Jubei . He is a calm , cool-tempered man who only fights when he has to . The other main character is a female ninja who poisens anyone who sleeps with her . Together they embark on a journey of love , action and suspence . This movie has nudity ( although not excessive ) and a lot of gory violence ( not sensless violence , but when there is , it's gory ) and the best japanese animation I have ever seen . If you want a violent japanimation with an exellent storyline , pick this up immediatly !
066 4 This is a tremendous acheivement in anime . Ranks right up there with Ghost in the Shell , Urotsukidoji : The Perfect Collection , Akira ( when are they gonna release this on DVD ? ) , and Lodoss War .
Superb action . Nicely fleshed characters . Engrossing plot . And wonderul animation .
067 4 I'm a serious anime fan and I've watched lots of anime movies and series and I recommend this movie to anyone who's really an anime fan . People in the US are used to watch Disney-like animation , they think anime is just for kids ( Pokemon , Sailor Moon , etc . . . ) , well it's not , this is serious anime .
068 4 Some years ago , when I had just started watching / collecting anime full-time , my brother picked up Ninja Scroll for me due to the word Ninja in the title . A few years and a ton of videos later , Ninja Scroll still stands as one of my favorites .
This one has it all , the dubbing is quite good , the action is fast-paced and furious , and the main character of Jubei is simply awesome .
Fans of Wrath of the Ninja : The Yotoden Movie will love this one . Even now I still pop it in the VCR for a little excitement fix . . . can't go wrong with this one . Trust me .
073 4 This is a very strong movie which starts out well and keeps the action well paced . The animation is very good , though to my liking when a limb is chopped off you should be able to see bone .
The plot is average . The main problem I have is that the main character , who comes up against super-powered villains , seems to be able to pull off several super-human things himself , such as still being able to pull off something not humanly possible ( not enough strength ) with 8 broken ribs and a broken arm .
But the only annoying thing about this version of the movie is the english dubbing . Please , if you want it to be more clear get the subtitled version instead . The script can't be literally translated in the dub , since it wouldn't fit the lip movements of the characters . This makes for poor dialog exchanges that make no sense .
075 4 Probably one of the best anime's I've ever seen . It is definitely heavy on the sex and violence . Lots of blood and gore . If you mind that , you may not like the anime , but if your the sort of person who likes anime in general , which is frequently on the adult side , this is great stuff .
Spoiler - The guy who said that the water killed the demon ending was stupid didn't know what the hell he was talking about . The demon didn't die , that was the point . It was encased in gold and then plummeted to the bottom of the ocean , and was unable to come back up because it was too heavy . . . . Worse then death basically , since it would be down their forever , theoretically .
079 4 Where the stiff and boring Demon City Shinjuku failed , Ninja Scroll succeeds . A budding and fitting example of mature anime , Ninja Scroll is the kind of movie you should watch without too many expectations .
For the most part , Ninja Scroll manages to get many factors right . The animation is some of best I've ever seen in an anime movie , and the characters , while not perfect , are interesting and likeable . The story , thankfully , isn't another version of a lonely warrior , along with a beautiful woman he's going to lay sometime in the movie , must save the world from a powerful evil before it's too late . Instead , it plays out more like an X-Files episode , where the plot changes unexpectedly from time to time , although the plot twists won't surprise everyone . The amount of action is also satisfying , albeit extremely gory , and several of the evil characters are some of the coolest villians to appear in anime ( although many of them are only seen for about five minutes ) .
But Ninja Scroll does fall short in a few areas . To up the mature rating , several sex scenes are scattered throughout the movie , all are gratuitious , and one in particular is completely unnecessary . Also , the plot , while not stereotypical , does have some pacing and execution problems , and the ending of the movie wasn't particularly satisfying , nor did it make any sense .
All in all , Ninja Scroll as a whole is a movie that is questionable but ultimately satisfying . It is a very mature work of anime , but probably not as mature as Wicked City and Legend of the Overfiend . I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone under 18 or to anyone who hates extreme violence or extreme sexual situations .
083 4 The thing that bothers me the most with Anime from Asia is the sometimes horrible overdubs in English that sound flat and unimaginative . Ninja Scroll ( and Princess Mononoke ) is an exception .
The drawings are as always superb and the story line is as well . This story is about Ninjas in 16th century Japan , but with supernatural powers . REally interesting .
It is very graphic and the language is sometimes very coarse , does make it more ' real ' in some strange way or another .
Really good movie , watch it twice , once in Japanese , once in English and be surprised
084 4 Amazing . . . I won't try to defend this for anything other than an incredibly gruesome , hallucinatory hour-and-a-half animated massacre , but what it does , it does so well . No film will desensitize you to the violent death of your fellow man more effectively than Ninja Scroll .
It's ' about ' a wandering killer named Jubei , who in the mood-setting first scene tosses a rice ball into the air , puts an end to the lives of two highway robbers , then catches the ball and continues eating it . What it's really about , though , is the cast of villains , the Seven Devils , who seem like some sort of Jungain archetype of everything a good villian could concievably be . I'd be ruining some of the movie's best moments by listing all of their powers here ; there are certain scenes where one of them reveals him or herself in a moment of unmatched grandueur ; some of the best , though , include a sadistic bisexual lord whose body generates electricity and who runs nearly invisible metal wires across the countryside to zap his enemies , and a ninja who can sink into the shadows as into pools of water , and control the bodies of women in an absolutley disgusting way .
This is giving the stereotypical anime fan just what he wants , and there's a fair helping of sexuality as well . The movie stops just short of being crass , though , and has that uniquely Japanese way of making even the most hideous things somehow beautiful . Hardcore anime fans will not have lived fully until they've seen this ; others , though , could probably benefit from it as well , if only by understanding a good deal of what anime ultraviolence is all about .
085 4 The movie actually has a plot and the story is told masterfully , which is something you don't see very often in most anime movies nowadays . Unfortunately , had it not been for the distasteful sex scenes I'd have given the movie 5 stars , to be frank . Personally I'm not very concerned or offended by gratuitous sex scenes ; however , the scenes involving Kagero at the beginning , then with the Daimyo and his concubine were totally unnecessary , and extremely witless . It kind of degrades the movie as a whole , in my humble opinion . The story was simple enough , Jubei - realizing although Kagero and other characters kept calling him Ninja but he's actually a masterless Samurai , a Ronin - was forced to join a Tokugawa government spy in his investigation to stop the Eight Demons serving the Dark Shogun from stealing a government's ship of gold . On his way he also rescued Kagero , and a love story slowly unfolded between them eventually into the movie , you know the drill here . The fight scenes were top-notch , lots of gore , and over all it was a pretty fast-paced movie . All the fights were over WAY too quickly before we got to see any of the demons really getting to use more of their special power ; in the fight with the snake girl , she even got killed by her own team before she got to make any move ! Besides , I'm not so sure about creative characters here . All the demons , as well as other fighers in Ninja Scroll were undeniably inspired by the popular fighter game series Samurai Showdowns I , II , III , and IV . If any of you had played it you should know what I'm talking about , we'd have the ever-popular blind swordman Ukyo here again , along with the steel-armed Sieger , the buddhist monk Nicotine , a hunched back guy that resembled Gen-an , the game boss himself with his electric attacks ( and also looked and acted a lot like a lady , just like in the game ! ) , the shadow guy from Samurai IV with his retractable metal claw , and of course , our main hero , appropriately being the samurai Haomaru . Of course they've changed all the names of the main characters , but you'll run into a bunch of other secondary characters that had kept their names over from the games , like the ninja Hanzo himself ; unfortunately he died too quickly , like almost all of the other fighters in Ninja Scroll . All in all , I love the story plot , this is not a classic in any means like Spirited Away , but a great movie nonetheless , go rent it !
086 4 Japanese culture is weird if their cultural orientation is beared in mind : how on earth can such animation come out from such a sublime culture ! ?
Well , if you are after some really cult-smelling , seriously plotted and tough film , get this !
1 - Gore is amazing , if you regard it as a necessary ritualistic part for making a film deadly serious , then Ninja Scroll is a must buy ( I felt as if I waswatching some underground movies , though I never did . . .8mm sort of thing I mean )
2 - Music is really supporting the darkness of the frames . . .
3 - It is really a great excitement to discover the special moves of specially designed characters . . . fantastic !
4 - Lovely fighting chareographies have been arranged , think of Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon . .
5 - I wish , they had some time to use the Disney's Shading techniques so that characters were more like 3d designs , they are more like 2d designs ( say , the shirt of a character is blue , and the dark part of it is dark blue , there is no smoothin effect used , no garaud shading I mean ) . . . no problem , I am obsessed with this , so you may skip this assessment !
088 4 Well for me , I first seen it at a friends house . We rented because of the rumour of horrifying gore . I was so addicted to it ( while this was some time ago ! ) I copied the video . Now with its release on Digital Versatile Disc , the movies clarity makes the video that much more intense .
I reccomend this movie to any anime fans , people just getting into anime , or anybody looking for violence in a good story unlike a porno without a good storyline .
The Characters are as real as you and I . Not much more to say here !
The Vilans ( monsters , creatures , whatever ) are more like a fantasy that you wish was real . You wish you were the big rock guy . . . . not going to spoil the movie here !
Overall - - - - - - - - 5 * * * * * + 1 * The Plus One is my personal Signature for an excellent Movie !
089 4 If you want to see what makes a great anime film , you don't have to go beyond Ninja Scroll - It's ultraviolent , fun-to-watch , and inventive movie . Set in Feudal Japan , the film follows the character of Jubei , a masterless ninja for hire , as he finds himself in the middle of a conflict he wants nothing to do with . A mysterious disease has wiped out the town of Shimota . A band of ninjas sets out to investigate reports of a band of men who fled the town shortly before everyone died . As they approach the town , a rock-like creature slices the entire band apart , save for Kagero , a female warrior , whom he captures and rapes . Jubei saves her and finds himself attracted to her . Alas , she cannot be his as she is literally poisonous .
Jubei strikes out on his own again and his approached by Dakuwan , a elderly ninja spy . Dakuwan explains that the rock monster that attacked the ninjas was a Devil of Kimon , of which there are seven more . Dakuwan poisons Jubei and promises to give him the antidote only after he helps Dakuwan find and kill the remaining Devils of Kimon .
The fight scenes are absolutely top-notch . The video's boxcover promises a bloodbath and that's no exaggeration at all . Arterial spray is present in virutally every fight scene . As is the case of most anime I've seen , this isn't for kids . Along with the blood , there's quite a bit of sexual content too . The film's not rated , but it would probably earn an R rating . The screenplay is the work of Yoshiaki Kawajiri , who also directed . He succeeds in bringing a fair amount of emotional backdrop to the story , as these characters have more feelings and motivation than many Hollywood big-budget movies ' characters ever do . This film is highly suggested viewing .
090 4 Ninja scroll is one of the best animation movies that i've seen so far . This is old but as old as it is it still holds up to a lot of new videos thats out now . The fighting scenes , story line , plot , and everything else is on point . This movie starts out with a ninja named jubei who comes across this gang on the bridge who tries to rob him . Jubei plays it cool and kills them all in almost one blow without even breaking a sweat . The funny part was one of the gang members was a miget but was on stilts covered by a robe til jubei cut him down to size . After this he hooks up with a female ninja named kangero . Together they go on a mission to find the monster who is responsible for all the deaths taking over their homeland . All the main enemy's and good guys have some kind of special power . A good example is Jubei with his lightening speed moves and the boss who is able to re-incarnate himself . This is only a sample of whats to really come in this movie . The enemeys that they will come across will leave u speechless and for some . . u might not be able to take some of the scenes . . they should have labeled this ( Parental advisory ) . . . yeah it's that graphic !
In the end this is one anime movie you can't miss . It might be a cartoon . . . but it's more graphic and on point than some motion pictures out now . If you buy any animation film this year . . . . buy this one .
It will keep you on the edge .
get it !
092 4 This review is from :
Ninja Scroll ( DVD )
I first saw this movie playing on the sci fi channel late night . I was lucky enough to catch it in an action scene , and it was a good action scene . The plot is well made , and what i really liked about it was that they made the main character not so powerful , but still kick a * * . Only one complaint , i thought that fight scenes should be longer .
096 4 As a non-anime kinda guy , I never would have expected a movie like this to be so darn good . It's got an entirely different feel than other products of its genre - specifically , a great plot that doesn't require a strong Dungeons and Dragons background to understand .
It's got some really strong thematic elements , such as :
- A reluctant hero
- A femme fetal
- Seemingly impossible odds
- A great finale
Ninja Scroll's strength comes from a solid plot , great character dialog , strong character arcs ( both leads ) and clever directing . Unlike other movies of this genre , this film does not rely entirely on spectacular animation ; in fact , there's a good chance you'll forget your even watching an animation at all .
Still not convinced ? Consider how popular ninjas have become . Buying another movie with the word Ninja in the title could make you more popular . Just a thought .
099 4 This movie doesnt leave the watcher just stranded trying to figure out what is going on . I do say that there is 2 or 3 cheesy parts but other than that a very good anime . Good Story Plot about ninjas , love and death . Can't beat that . Since it is from the early 90 ' s the animation is not going to be a beautiful as Air , or Basalisk but is over-all very good .
This movie does contain nudity and inappropiate situations but I have seen alot worse . Very surprised at the story-line really thought it wasnt going to be all that good .
100 4 This review is from :
Ninja Scroll ( DVD )
The Good Things
* Great fight scenes . Loads of bloody action . Never dull .
* Strong , memorable imagery . Excellent art design and details . The characters look smashing .
* Intruiging , straightforward storyline .
* Characters are awesome . They are very well-developed , very deep , and very immersive .
* The bad guys are awesome too . They have a lot of interesting powers / traits .
The Bad Things
* Very shocking ( at least for the first viewing ) . The violence is extreme ( on the same level as Kill Bill ) , and there are a few graphic sex scenes . Definately not for the squeamish .
Definately one of the best ninja / samurai films ever made ( in anime or otherwise ) . It is a simple story that leaves lots of room for some very deep characters and a lot of awesome fight scenes . The extreme violence and sex may drive some people away , but for those who can stand it , it is quite awesome .
The 10th anniversary edition includes one 30 minute interview session and some information to read . It is in both fullscreen and widescreen ( although I think somebody said that the widescreen side is a fake widescreen , with the top and bottom of the frame cut off ) . Still , the video and sound quality on this disc is excellent . Earlier editions of this film don't appear to have any features .
101 4 The Good Things
* Great fight scenes . Loads of bloody action . Never dull .
* Strong , memorable imagery . Excellent art design and details . The characters look smashing .
* Intruiging , straightforward storyline .
* Characters are awesome . They are very well-developed , very deep , and very immersive .
* The bad guys are awesome too . They have a lot of interesting powers / traits .
The Bad Things
* Very shocking ( at least for the first viewing ) . The violence is extreme ( on the same level as Kill Bill ) , and there are a few graphic sex scenes . Definately not for the squeamish .
Definately one of the best ninja / samurai films ever made ( in anime or otherwise ) . It is a simple story that leaves lots of room for some very deep characters and a lot of awesome fight scenes . The extreme violence and sex may drive some people away , but for those who can stand it , it is quite awesome .
The 10th anniversary edition includes one 30 minute interview session and some information to read . It is in both fullscreen and widescreen ( although I think somebody said that the widescreen side is a fake widescreen , with the top and bottom of the frame cut off ) . Still , the video and sound quality on this disc is excellent . Earlier editions of this film don't appear to have any features .
102 4 Reviews are opinionated . If you are unsure of my opinions validity , read my other reviews ( mostly anime ) to see what I normally like .
That being said , this is probably my favorite anime . 1st one I saw , really raised the bar .
A traveling samuri / ninja accidentally gets caught up with 8 half human / half demon characters when rescuing a ninja girl .
The animation is not of the highest quality , nor is the choreography anything complex . This doesn't count against the creativity and pace of any of the fight scenes .
The gore is moderate and there are a few scenes too sexual for suggested minor viewing .
the story is not incredibly deep , but far from shallow .
104 4 There are reasons why this is on most people's top ten list of best Anime . It's got a good dose of action , great camera work , interesting chracters and plenty of violance & sex thrown in for good measure . This is definately not for kids !
Its about a wandering samurai . Along the way he crossed path with the 8 Devils of Kimon . Each of the devils have their own attributes or special powers . Its kind of like characters in a video game ( why this has not been developed is beyond me ) what with their special moves & weapons .
Those who have seen Animatrix might be familiar with the style & visuals . Specifically the segment entitled Program . It's done by Mad House , the same studio of Ninja Scroll
The first time I watched it was on video . And now this edition comes along . The noticeable difference is in the sound department ( compared to video ) . You get it in full Japanese surround ( also English dubbed ) . You can hear the effect of Tessai's ( he has rock hard skin ) double-blade sword as it boomerangs across the woods . The sounds of plentiful shurikens hitting a tree branch ( like bullets off a machine gun ) . These are some examples of how great it sounds .
The visual department doesn't dissappoint too .
The real Jubei's character bio is included . Yes , he does exist ( which I didn't know until this DVD came along ) . But most of his exploits are stuff of legend & not historically accurate .
My only gripe is the director's interview . I don't think it was professionally executed . While the interview is going on , you can hear noises . . . phones ringing , doors opening & shutting . The Amaerican voice actors ' interview is much better .
But face it , you won't buy the DVD for the bonus features .
Ninja Scroll is a great Anime . If you haven't seen it , it's time you do . If you own it on video , it will be a worthwhile upgrade .
107 4 . . .
There really is nothing new that this movie brings to the table in terms of story . But that's not what makes it special . Yoshiaki-san has found a way to blend two popular genres , action and feudal japan , in the realm of anime . Let's face it , a movie of this graphic a magnitude just wouldn't cut it in live action . Plus , sometimes it's just more fun to watch it animated .
One warning , though . If you are faint of heart of stomach , or have a weak constitution all around , and haven't seen this movie , it is best that you keep it that way . . . . this movie still stands as one of the most violent OAV to ever come out of Japan . Still , if you're feeling up to a little animated mayhem , I definitely suggest giving Ninja Scroll ninety minutes of your life . You shouldn't regret it .
113 4 If anyone has seen the Animatrix short titled Training Program , they are likely to enjoy this movie . There is nothing like adventures in old world , feudal Japan . This anime has ikeable characters and a slew of some really great villains . Jubei , our wandering mercenary ninja , is the lead character role looking for a way in the world and some jobs to earn some money . He also , like most Japanese heroic characters , shows a sense of nobility , in that the one chance he has to save himself , he refuses for the sake of honoring a woman . ( Id tell more but it deals with the plot ) . Only real problem is that it has nudity and some lude sexual scenes , but this isn't intended for review by children . I give it straight 5 stars for intense martial arts action , brilliantly smooth animation , and characters who , despite being slightly underdeveloped , are likeable . Good first anime for anyone who doesnt mind a little animated nudity .
117 4 without a doubt my all time favourite manga movie , in fact probably one of my favourite movies of all time !
Excellent artwork , awesome fight scenes and a wicked plot - i mean what more could you ask for from a manga movie ? If you are only going to ever watch one manga movie in your life time , then this is the one to watch !
119 4 I see that this movie has been reviewed by 295 people and the movie has a star rate of 4 1 / 2 . That explains a lot . This movie wasn't ground breaking , but not everything is . This movie had everything i like about animation : great blood , great fighting scenes , and a great story . I think this movie is great in every way .
This movie is a must see for those who love their movies with lots fighting and blood .
120 4 This was the first Anime that I had ever seen in my life way back in 97 ( what a debut , right ? ) . For a while , it took me a long time to find on that could match it's complete package of great heros , villains , story plot , and animation quality . Since then , the mind has matured in the way of anime , and this one is still near the top . This is one of those movies where if someone has the gall to say that they didn't like it , you'd look at that person funny from that point out .
Look at my title . . . .
122 4 Every once in a while I find myself drawn to a film , that for some odd reason , I like ! Ninja Scroll is a prime example . When it comes to Anime , I'm almost as critical as film itself . I look for a good story , good animation , good directing , good dialogue , and even good violence ! Such films as Perfect Blue and Ghost in the Shell blend all of these things together and form classic Anime . However Ninja Scroll neatly fits in with these films , but may not have all the attributes I prefer . The film has unbelievable action sequences , but for the most part that's it . Yet I'm drawn to this film , as if it had a good , detailed story , and good dialogue . The animation is top of the line , and the films runs smooth . The story is viable , but the main character , Jubei , is relentless when it comes to his foes , not including his just a plain bad ( . . . ) ! The film contains explicit sexual situations , which I could do without , but it doesn't take anything away from the film itself . Overall Ninja Scroll may not have had the makings for a classic Anime film when it started production , but the finished product is the Die Hard of Anime films . Just good old ( . . . ) kicking entertainment .
033 4 This is one of very first full length anime movies i ever saw , and it left a big impression on me . I recently watched it again and thought it would be fun to make a review on here for it .
The story is interesting , and contains some political intrigue , where there are some twists as to who works for who and who IS who . So it makes you think a little bit .
The characters are intersting as well , from Jubei , the central hero , and the old man he meets , too the 8 devils which are confronted with , all having their own fantastic skills and techniques , each using their unique power to try and stop Jubei , a kind of mercenary ninja that isnt exactly all about the money .
Even though the film is over 15 years old , its some of the very best animation i have ever seen in an animated movie . I think it looks even better than a lot of the newer anime films out now that mix A LOT of CGI in the drawing , sense all drawing is practically done totally with the computer now for nearly all films in anime , with the exception of some .
The attention to detail is impressive , and how it flows so well , its just beautiful . This is a true piece of animation . A classic .
Now , i was introduced to the English voice dubbing version of the movie , and always loved the voice actors in this movie . But after viewing it recently , i noticed how out of place some of the language used was , especially for a film based in feudal japan , between the 12th and 19th century . Expressions like . . . piss off ! , for example , though humorous , just isnt the correct terms in this era .
And that is like my biggest dislike , is the dialog used for the english dubbing . Even though i like their voices and their personalities are likable . . . it just comes across as bit silly and ridiculous , citing that as the films weakness . BUT , fortunatly , this DVD is bilingual , coming with the ORIGINAL JAPANESE LANGUAGE DUB ( with english subtitles )
Trust me , the English dub is fun , but the orginal japanese dub with english subtitles is superior . I could take the film more seriously now , and in turn it made the whole experience a lot better . It was like almost watching a entirely new movie . And i usually prefer English Dub over Subs , so i never thought id prefer subs instead .
If the english dub was the actual way the original voice cast and script went , i would of gave this movie 4 stars for the 1990 ' s styled american street talking dialog . And though it isnt that painfully bad lol , its still a weak dubbing , in terms of historically correct speech for that time . I wouldnt of been suprised to hear someone in the movie say blow me or how bout a nuckle sandwhich , wise guy ! ! ! ! ! ? ? ? something retarded like that . Thankfully it isnt that bad . But again , the Subtitled version you can choose from with the orginal japanese voice actors is superior and makes this movie more timeless .
The musical score in this film is great , with a marching main theme thats memorable . And also other parts of the films music is haunting and uses japanese instruments and traditional style . I liked it . Set the mood for something evil and that things werent what they seemed .
The guy who put this film together by the way , Yoshiaki Kawajiri , was the one who brought us Wicked City . And we see similar touches of bizarre horror carried on into this film , the likes of which were in Wicked City . At times Ninja Scroll could very well be taken as a horror film , becouse of the intense depiction of various mutilation and bodily disfiguration and other violence , but it all paints a perfect picture of how it probubly would of been in feudal japan with demons walking the earth . Its quite a dark film , in that respect . But it also has a sense of humor , and even a bit of romance .
All and all , its a classic anime film . And the dvd itself , though others pointed out issues with lack of a true widescreen ( which sucks ) , the special edition version offers an interview with the english voice actors , Dean Elliot ( who voiced Jubei ) and Wendee Lee ( who voices Kagero , the strong willed ninja girl )
Plus theres a image gallery and even an interview with the director , Yoshiaki Kawajiri . Which is a real treat .
The film itself , aside from the bonus features , is worth owning in itself , but the bonus features give this special edition some perks for the viewer . And now you can get this edition very cheap . So if you loved this film , id buy it . Just NEVER pay list price for it . Those days of 30 dollar anime films need to be over and done with .
But ya , Ninja Scroll is a great classic , and thats why its one of my all time favorite anime movies .
009 4 This review is from :
Ninja Scroll ( Dub ) [ VHS ] ( VHS Tape )
In order to tell you how good it is , let me tell you my viewing experience . . .
I had followed anime from the 60 ' s thru the 80 ' s as a kid , and in the 90 ' s I rediscovered it with this movie . When I began my rediscovery I sat thru the beginning of this film with skepticism ( not from hype , just from the cliche it exuded on first appearance ) . I sat thru a 10 minute gore fest of blood and mutilated bodies decimated by mysterious superpowerful ancient ninja in a tribal feud during Japan's unification period 400 years ago . Soon , I was witnessing a dismal rape slowly unfold . . . I gave the movie 2 minutes on my watch and I was ejecting . Suddenly , the whole depressing story which lead me in via a thread of characters each being killed so you follow another until their demise became a story of three lone wolves uniting vicariously to defeat a menacing power which could throw Japan back into the dark ages . The story which almost had me disgusted to the point of rejection turned into an affirmation of man overcoming his past mistakes and failures against all odds . This movie kept me on the edge the whole time . Every character seemed fragile and yet powerful . It makes a moral statement , and in the end covers all the bases of classic literature . On top of this , put in brilliantly directed animation , art and design . Every character is unique and unforgettable . A must for EVERY action film fan or comic book fan . This is definiely one of the finest movies ever made , period . Puts Disney to shame . Very adult , very skillful , very thoughtfully put together . To this day I haven't seen a finer anime movie , and am hard pressed to find many modern movies of this genre that can compete with this cult classic . I rank it up there with Casablanca , M , Red , Citizen Kane and Evil Dead II .
010 4 In order to tell you how good it is , let me tell you my viewing experience . . .
I had followed anime from the 60 ' s thru the 80 ' s as a kid , and in the 90 ' s I rediscovered it with this movie . When I began my rediscovery I sat thru the beginning of this film with skepticism ( not from hype , just from the cliche it exuded on first appearance ) . I sat thru a 10 minute gore fest of blood and mutilated bodies decimated by mysterious superpowerful ancient ninja in a tribal feud during Japan's unification period 400 years ago . Soon , I was witnessing a dismal rape slowly unfold . . . I gave the movie 2 minutes on my watch and I was ejecting . Suddenly , the whole depressing story which lead me in via a thread of characters each being killed so you follow another until their demise became a story of three lone wolves uniting vicariously to defeat a menacing power which could throw Japan back into the dark ages . The story which almost had me disgusted to the point of rejection turned into an affirmation of man overcoming his past mistakes and failures against all odds . This movie kept me on the edge the whole time . Every character seemed fragile and yet powerful . It makes a moral statement , and in the end covers all the bases of classic literature . On top of this , put in brilliantly directed animation , art and design . Every character is unique and unforgettable . A must for EVERY action film fan or comic book fan . This is definiely one of the finest movies ever made , period . Puts Disney to shame . Very adult , very skillful , very thoughtfully put together . To this day I haven't seen a finer anime movie , and am hard pressed to find many modern movies of this genre that can compete with this cult classic . I rank it up there with Casablanca , M , Red , Citizen Kane and Evil Dead II .
019 4 This new edition of NINJA SCROLL was presented in ANARMOPHIC WIDESCREEN for the first time . I like the picture quality . It was improve over the previous version . There are less noise much detail .
But the soundtrack is very disappointing although it was mix with DTS - 6.1ES . The previous version sound much better in term of low end . You can feel the impact the surround effect during the action scene .
On the new track , both the ENGLISH JAPANESE DTS - 6.1ES are mix in a very low level . You can't feel the low end the surround is not very detail .
I still prefer the previous version in the term of sound mix . This is a classic anime . A MUST FOR ALL ANIME FAN .
035 4 I have the original release of this film on dub VHS , sub VHS , DVD all of them on full screen , ( by the way realy bad transfer on the DVD looks exacly like the tapes ) and let me tell you this is one of the greatest anime films in history but now comes the mother of all versions WIDESCREEN ! ! ! DTS Sound ! ! ! I comand you to get this right now if you have one gram of teste for good anime in your body .
Long live Jubei-san
050 4 I viewed this back during my college days in the mid - 90 ' s and let me say that this is one of the crowning achievements in japanamation !
The story centers on a masterless samari named Jubei who is ( more or less ) forced into service by Dakuwon , an agent of the Tokengowa goverment of Japan . Along the way , they battle the 8 Devils of Kimone , led by Jubei's old enemy Himiro Gemma and gain an ally in Kegero . A ninja woman who is blessed with an immunity to poisons but cursed because she can't enjoy any physical intimacy with anyone without killing them . Together , the three must prevent the 8 Devils and their masters , The Shogun Of The Dark from overtaking the government of Japan via a civil war .
Great action , great animation and a lot of plot twists along the way to the firey conclusion at the end . Great viewing but IT IS FOR ADULTS ! In other words parents , DO NOT BUY THIS FOR YOUR KIDS !
082 4 Remember when you used to pick up a comic book and get lost in the ( sometimes guilty ) pleasure of art and violence ? Remember all the compelling , tormented characters ? Ninja Scroll is just like picking up a comic book of twenty years ago .
Gone are the huge eyes , the pretty girl / boy magic tricks , the colorful , flashy outfits . Ninja Scroll is old-school anime . Because of the spouting blood and strange , almost mysoginistic sex / sexual scenes , this is for MATURE ADULTS ONLY . But this is not hentai by any stretch of the imagination . Any sexual scenes are brief , and Ninja Scroll has one of the best love stories / romantic couples EVER . I dare you not to cry , or at least be deeply moved , at the scene toward the end with Jubei and Kagura .
Jubei is a wandering ninja who accidentally gets caught up in a battle between ninja clans . While neither group is good , one is evil . The ninja serving the Shogun of the Dark Lord have some peculiar and nasty tricks up their sleeves . The action in Ninja Scroll happens so fast that second and third viewings are a mandatory delight . Really mesmerizing . The beautiful Kagura transforms from geisha to ninja . Kagura is strong , but very feminine in the Japanese sense . The Japanese voice actor of Jubei is exceptional .
087 4 Yes , I said it one line ago and I'll say it again : NINJA SCROLL is one of the best animated films ( western or not ) ever . I rented this on vague recomendations and loved it so much I had to add it to my collection . It is more enjoyable than most of the other anime films I've seen as well . Usually , my enjoyment of an anime film is somewhat limited since anime flicks tend to be visually appealing but uneven , and alternate pretentous talk involving some sort of shallow atheistic mysticism with outrageous and often inventively gruesome battles between beings of unimaginable power ( Usually in a nightmarish futuristic or Post-Apocalyptic Tokyo ) . Usually , they have disappointingly vague endings , and they are almost always based on a Manga . However , my admiration for the artistry and detail of anime allows me to set aside their typically impenitrable plots and award most of them with a marginal thumbs up . Then I saw NINJA SCROLL , and my opinion of anime changed forever . Hence , it is quite refreshing to see an anime film that dosen't favor a gloomy BLADE RUNNER / MAD MAX setting , but instead is set in medeval japan , and we can ascertain much about it from it's breif but rich canvas which often suggests a world of warfare , political struggles , intrigue , plagues , and terrifyingly powerful devils who toy both directly and indirectly with the lives of humans and there are more than 2 sides in these conflicts .
The hero is Jubei , a lone sword master who is pierless but honorable . He is as skilled as he is tough , not to mention salty and intelligent . However , unlike most other anime protagonists , Jubei has no super powers and is quite mortal , despite his ability to withstand an incredible ammount of punishment . Vulnerability is key for any hero . Jubei reluctantly finds himself blackmailed into working with an old wizard with ulterior motives in the conflict , as well as Kagero , a ninja girl who's body is poisonous ( er . . . I'll just leave this part alone now . )
This isn't a story of Good vs . Evil , either . There is hardly a scene in NINJA SCROLL where everything is as clear as black and white . Even the Devils themselves are given to petty squabbles and machinations and often find ways to dispose of each other . Each enemy is unique and displays some awesome power . One commands wasps from a hive in his back . A cruel humanoid with rock-like skin ( Who seems to have read Beowulf as well ) hurls a double edged sword like a boomerang . Another fiend hides in the shadows and shoots a mechanical barbed claw . Yet despite how powerful these enemies are , they are not invincible .
NINJA SCROLL has an intriguing and complicated plot with well-developed protagonists and villains . The pacing is fast , and unlike other anime , which grab our attention by presenting us with sexuality , NINJA SCROLL does so by using it . And at about the halfway point , an astounding thing happened : I found myself caring about the characters . Even my mom , who hates most anime and anything in a HEAVY METAL vein ( and who has the annoying habbit of walking in during the most disturbing scenes of any animated film ) detested this film at first but found herself liking it as well .
NINJA SCROLL is an absolute must for anyone who is interested in animation , even if you aren't an anime fan .
040 4 Looking for ninja anime , but don't want to sufer through Jubei-chan ? Then get this action packed video . The story follows Jubei Shigakura ( Japan's greatest swords man ) who has gotten in trouble with a group of demons while at the same time doing a favor for an old man , taking revenge on a man he killed and helping a woman named Kageto . The actions scenes ( which feature everything from decapitation to slicing ) are terrific . The designs of the demon are great with each on possessing a different power ( rock , snake , bees , locusts , shadows and electricity ) . There is extreme violence like when the rock demon tears off both arms of a man and drinks the blood from them . The dub is extremely well done at some points and I guess I can't complain . The story is extremely close to the plot of Wicked City , its scary . However , unlike Wicked City , Jubei and Kageto never get it on and the little old guy is way more mature then the one in Wicked City . There are some rather occult themes like that of Wicked City , but they're not frequent . So if your looking for a slightly toned down version of Wicked City , pick this one up and have fun watching it .
069 4 Superior stuff from the director of Demon City Shinjuku and Wicked City ( which is also worth a good viewing ! ) . Exceptional action , style and character design make this one a real winner . This movie gets very graphic at times and is definitely NOT for the kiddies , so anyone thinking this is in Pokemon territory is WAYYYYYYYY off base ! Check this tape out , folks . . . especially if you can get a Japanese subtitled version . The dubbing here is very good , but for my money you just can't beat the original Japanese actors . However , this is my own personal taste . . . if you don't like reading those little words at the bottom of the screen , the English version will do just fine for you , believe me .
091 4 Classic animae ! This is a must have for anyone who enjoys animae , the scenes and art work is fantastic . Story line is solid , and characters are well played . Pay attention the the rating as this is not Inuyasha so not for the kiddies , but older animae fans will enjoy it .
109 4 this movie rocks if you like anime with violence , nudity , and a cool hero then you must have this movie
114 4 This movie is a must have . There is alot of extreme violence and nudity but it adds to the depth of the film . You get really attached to the characters and the story . The main character is about as bad a $ $ as they come , and the heroine isnt the typical weak stupid female who cant do anything . See this movie
065 4 This is an ultra violent Ninja sword fighting beat em up fest , if your a fan of Manga and martial arts , you should check this out , the story is perhaps a little confusing , and as I have stated before in other reviews I HATE dubbed versions , but the dubbed version of Ninja Scroll is passable , they have the voices right and they haven't chewed the plot up . The fighting is ultra fast and furious and extremely dangerous , real ' don't try this at home or else you will lose a limb ' kinda fights , and most fights in this movie people do ! really well designed characters in this movie , and the animation is smoother than a babies behind . A must for Manga action fans .
008 4 This movie is an excellent example of what true Japanese animation should be . There's not a lot of sex in the movie , so if you're looking for that , keep looking . The movie revolves around the basic good versus evil . I really enjoyed the fight scenes , and the character development helps get you into the movie . I would recommend this movie to new and experienced Anime fans .
017 4 Ninja Scroll is by far one of the best anime movies of all times as far as I'm concerned . Violent , well animted , and a decent story line . So if you like violence and a bit of a story this movie is for you . A grusomely awsome movie .
034 4 I can't count myself among those who gush over this tale of a wandering samurai and two companions who take on an evil foe and his demonic minions . The animation is good but not outstanding . The story had me riveted early on as the characters were introduced and their dilemma revealed , but the narrative became quite murky and by the time the climactic shipboard battle occurred , I had lost interest . The demons in this film are quite imaginative .
041 4 I'm not a fan of animation , not unless it has Disney in the title , but I ended up watching this on the late show one night . I left it on , because there was nothing else to watch , but soon found myself engrossed . It turned out to be better than most * live * movie's I've seen . I loved it so much the following day I went in search of it for purchase . Well worth it , I've lent it to other non-anime fans and they've loved it as well .
048 4 I have not seen much anime but this one is definitely very entertaining . 5 stars .
056 4 Everything is top notch : story , animation , artwork , music , fight scenes , everything . If there is any flaw in this movie , I sure as hell can't find it . A definate must have . Probably alot better than whatever you are watching right now .
062 4 Ninja Scroll is the most complete anime I've ever seen . First , it has superior animation . Second , its completely serious tone . No silly , giggling girls who ruin scene after scene . Third , an actual storyline . Ninja Scroll has the depth of plot and emotion that is pretty much non-existant in Japanese anime . I higly recommend this movie to everyone .
063 4 Ninja Scroll has some of the best action around . It is very graphic , almost over the top . It can be a bit confusing at times , and it could have been longer in exposing the 8 devils of their homeland . But for edge-of-your seat action , it doesn't get much better than this . And by the way , stay away from Ninja Resurrection . It's nothing like this one .
071 4 Pretty good plotline and story . It can be a tad confusing at times so you'll have to follow . It was a tad more gory than I originally expected but hey back in those times people weren't exactly clean in battle techniques . Any ways this would probably suit pretty well in a person's anime collection . So just consider this one but don't make it top prioty of video's on your wishlist .
072 4 This is perhaps one of the best japanese animations to date . I have not seen any that come close to the action , dialogue and drama in this video . I would recommend it to anyone who is trying to find good japanese animation .
078 4 I saw Ninja Scroll on a whim several years ago and I was blown away . It was the first anime movie that I ever saw , so I had no idea that animated features could be so impressive . The characters were amazing and diverse . The film had funny instances at times and it was deeply engaging . I was stunned with a new respect for anime .
093 4 I first saw this movie playing on the sci fi channel late night . I was lucky enough to catch it in an action scene , and it was a good action scene . The plot is well made , and what i really liked about it was that they made the main character not so powerful , but still kick a * * . Only one complaint , i thought that fight scenes should be longer .
094 4 Ninja Scroll is by far one of the best anime movies out there . The movie tells the story of a wandering samurai that is forced to take on a mission not only to save his life but stop an apocolypics from happening . The action is supurb with detailed amount of fight scenes . This feature is and will continue to be the best throughout time . I highly recommend getting this movie it is definitely worth the time to watch .
103 4 I love this movie , everything about it is awesome . The fight scenes are cool . This movie has the greatest death scene ever . I wont spoil the surprise to those who have not seen it
108 4 I don't normally like anime but I thought this was a really good movie !
111 4 When the word anime comes to mind , this movie follows right behind . Whether you watch anime or not , this is not only good but worth putting in theatres . If you only see one anime if your life , this should be it . - Casey
115 4 This is an amazing movie , I am a huge fan . I have recently heard that a 10 year anniversary edition will be availible in June . I am looking forward to seeing all the enhancements it will contain . I highly recommend this movie , thought it is a touch violent and definally not aimed at a younger audience . All anime fans I have known have always placed this in , or near there top 5 of all time , and I can agree with that .
077 4 Anyone who has anything bad to say about this is just plain dumb . Too much violence , sex ? blah blah blah , Who ever said anime was for kids ? Only western people would think this way watching bugs bunny and crap , and even then there's violence in american cartoons like blowing characters up and such , they just don't show blood or make it realistic . Anyhow , most western people would not understand the ideas and stories from asia for obvious reasons , they're not asian ! They're raised in a white western culture . Just the same , people in asia wouldn't understand things about western folks . Anyhow , the great thing about anime is they're for mature audiences , these kind of movies , they ain't no Disney so don't be expecting that . Most are beyond the comprehension of younger audiences . But in any case , take it for what it is and that's entertainment . Ninja scroll has nonstop action and excitement . So if you looking for a cool anime to watch this is the ticket .
016 4 Ninja scroll is an epic action adventure anime , full of bloody action , contains mild nudity , definitely not for children . I love the fight scenes of Jubei , i just wish they made it longer so you could really see the skills and potentials of each opponent , but hey it's one and a half hour movie , so it's justified . They could have made it a happy ending . Definitely needs a SEQUEL , anyone ?
042 4 As a anime title this is one of the finest examples of animation centering on the mystique of the ninja . Jubei is a masterless ninja who is hired for profit , however the intervention of several demons controlled by the shogun of the dark make life very unpleasent for him . This film has quality animation as well as good voice actors . Overall it makes a worthy addition to any video collection . If this video appeals then it is recommended that you look at the cyber city oedo 808 collection , which takes the concept of the ninja lifestyle and places it in the context of the future .
060 4 Ninja scroll is a great movie , a pure classic . IT has a great story and a good character history . The main character is the Japanese Legend Jubei Kibagani , who is going up against the 8 devils of Kimon . While traveling while wonderingJubei stumbles upon a woman who is being raped . Jubei teams up with her and an old talented goverment spy , to kill Jubei's nemisses Gemma . And stop a shipment of gold to spain .
074 4 An exhilarating story about deadly ninjas , lightning-fast swordfights and battles with bizarre demons . The violent and sexual scenes in the movie make it suitable only for adult audiences . The devils that the hero , Jubei , fought against all have their unique lethal ability and costume . Each battle is exciting because Jubei always seems to be overmatched by his opponent and so the viewer has to watch each battle to the end . The devil Yurimaru's costume and appearance reminded me very much of the character Kojiro Sasaki in the Musashi Miyamoto trilogy .
121 4 Jubei is a true hero in the classic term . He is dashing and charming and witty and too bad he is an anime ! A lovely , strong heroine , and several really nasty guys round out this wonderful story line . The animation is great and so is the dubbing . One of the first animes I ever watched , and one that helped claim me as a fan . Not exactly what you would want to watch in front of your kids as there a few sexual situations and a bit of nudity and gore . Overall this is a near perfect film and I kept forgetting that it was animated . You feel like everyone in it is real . A must-see , especially for someoen who is not yet an anime fan . This one will suck ya in !
081 4 Ninja Scroll is definitely worth watching - - with subtitles . The English version doesn't do this film justice . If you buy this on DVD , I suggest immediately setting the language to Japanese with subtitles .
The storyline develops slowly at first and requires your attention . This is unique to anime , so if you're the casual watcher of anime , you may have to watch the film twice to catch the plot . Also , like British television , anime has its own unique humor , which is better understood if you can actually understand Japanese .
One item often misunderstood in the states is that cartoons are for kids . One reason why anime is called anime is to differentiate it from cartoons . This film definitely has adult themes , but I wouldn't have a problem with letting someone in 7th grade and beyond watch it .
I would have given this anime 5 stars , but there are so many more deserving films I can think of . My suggestions to any one new to anime is to immediately pick up Akira . The animation is fantastic . Then , I'd suggest some diversity with Slayers , Evangelion , Macross ( sorry , I'm an ole Robotech fan ) , Ranma 1 / 2 . I'd give all these series a 5 .
Enjoy anime !
029 4 The first time I saw this . . . it was an acquisition of my older sister who got it on special ( and not from Amazon ) . There were some pros and cons of watching the movie when about thirteen , the main reason being partly a result of not having noticed that the movie was R-rated and that it also had sexual references . But , happy-go-youngster that I was then , I still plodded on with it ( open-eyed and quickly shushing the machine through the first half-hour - well , it's not exactly something you want to watch with your parents , is it . ) .
However , after a few years of loving Neon Genesis Evangelion and then returning to Tolkien mania with fanfiction , Harry Potter with the release of Book 5 , and a generous gift of the Gundam Wing Series from said same sister , I decided to come back to Ninja Scroll . And whoa ! It was beyond great ! The plot is balanced so nicely with just enough character development to satisfy your cravings whilst also supplying violence in the amount to be perhaps gruesome , but quite necessary to both balance the tension in the plot and also keep me convinced of the storyline ( well , they are devils that Jubei's fighting ) . The characters were all wonderful in that they managed to blend so well to support the plot . My only qualm was that Jubei always seemed to reach near death with coughing up blood and everything , and yet he still managed to get up and walk or climb away from the deathscenes with grace . Maybe the script writer noticed this too , because in Ninja Scroll : The Series ( Vol . 1 ) , they showed him bandaging himself up .
Highly recommended , even for those people who don't like violence or rape scenes . Ninja Scroll needn't be just about violence , nor just about the characters . It's a movie that both groups can enjoy . The graphics are believable ( Kagero's assault is believably drawn ) . And as for the bishounen yaoi fans ? Well - choose it ! Yurimaru is a bit arrogant , but he's full of angst and of course is also quite beautiful ( and hilariously huffy ) !
116 4 Out Look : Jubei an excellent ninja who travels just to find a place to stay and gold . He saves a girl , Kagero and is drawn in to a web of treachery facing dangers only gods should face .
My advice : By the movie to find out more , and you will see one of the greatest animes of all time !
118 4 This is one of the greatest Japanese Animated films of all-time . Just buy this and see .
The devils of Kimon have to be some of the most menacing figures in all of film history . Brilliant story and great action leave you firmly placed on the edge of your seat for the entire picture .
My wife generally hates anime of all kinds ( you should see her face when Dragonball Z comes on . * lol * ) and she was even blown away by this masterpiece .
If you are looking to fill your anime collection , then this film is a must-have . Plus , it looks truly wonderful on DVD . Go , buy it and be happy .
112 4 Great graphics . . . violence . . . nudity / sex . . . damn this film has everything ! ! hehe . . go out and buy it today if you don ; t already have it ! ! It visually represents both historical violence and reality in Japan . Great job MANGA ! ^ _ _ ^
028 4 Its so hard to find good quality anime but ninja scrolls rules . It is in my top ten along with akira , and Ghost in the shell .
098 4 Great Japanese animation , good action scenes with a good story to go with it ( which is rare )
123 4 When I first saw Ninja Scroll , it was on digital cable . The animation was actually pretty good for its time . Anyways , this Manga is about a guy named Jubei . He meets this girl ( whose name I forgot ) and they team up .
She is a ninja whose body is poisoned , therefore she can't have any sexual contact without killing somebody . Jubei is a ninja who appears to be a very excellent and determined fighter . Together , it seems like NOTHING can stop them .
I would not reccomend this movie for anyone under 13 , due to sex and violence . If you can get past that , this is a really excellent Manga . My favorite things about it were the characters , the plotline , and the animation .
076 4 a beautiful crafted work of art , almost Sumi-e in appearance . this movie is not for kids nor the faint of heart as some of its graphic scenes leave NOTHING to the imagination .
still one of the best anime movies of all-time , a must-have for anime lovers .
106 4 Ninja Scroll is on the edge of being hentai , lots of violence , gore , sex , rape , etc . But that dosen't offend me in the slightist ! I'm f * * * ing sick of all that bubblegum anime crap on the market today . I'm looking for something a little more mature . I'm not saying that this is just mindless brutality . . . I'm just saying that this is anime for big kids . The story is not THAT original , but It's not linear in the slightist . The caracter's profiles were well-done . And the animation is superb , despite the blood looked a little vermillion at times . The accuracy to real ancient Japan was very swishy . But this story is fantasy anyway , so It dosen't have to be . The ending was a little depressing , but atleast it dosen't go down that overwalked path of how the protagonist meets a mate , and they live happily ever after . The sex / violence isn't all the hype I claim it to be , It's no worse than an R-rated move . The sex scene were a little unneccecary at some points , but It always adds a little spice to the movie ! The sound quality was well done also , the sound of people screaming when they are being killed was moderatly realistic . A sequal to this movie would sort of ruin the sentimental value of the ending , but I would be interested to see where Jubei moves on to . Anime fans should get this if they can handle the grotesque factors .
WARNING ! ! ! : Small children whom are subjected to this film may be traumatized for life , please view responsably .
The Movie and I really had no interest in it . Then when I was at band rehearsal 2 years later my friend told me about it . He told me to rent it and guarenteed I'd love it . I rented it and he was right ! I then got it for X-Mas and showed it to a bunch of my friends and they loved it . this truly is an adult anime movie . Watch out for a rape scene , a scene that was really unneccessary , more unecessary scenes and alot of gore and language . In my opinion it should be rated R . I hope this was helpful .
105 4 Ninja Scroll is among my favorite anime , so I eagerly awaited this release . I'm pleased with it overall , but there are a few caveats I feel I should share . First , there's only one disc , with the widescreen version on one side and the pan and scan on the other . The widescreen version is actually the pan and scan with a bit off the top and bottom cut off . I guess it's a boon if you have a 16 : 9 screen , but it kind of sucks to lose any of the picture . Second , the remastered version isn't significantly better than the original release . The video's a bit crisper , but nothing on the scale of , say , the most recent Akira DVD release or the Macross Box Sets . If you just want a copy of Ninja Scroll , then get the older release and save yourself some cash . If you're a sucker like me , and you have to own the best possible version of any given film , then I guess you'd better go ahead and order this one . . .
