Jûbei ninpûchô (1993)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Directors:

Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Kevin Seymour

Writer:

Yoshiaki Kawajiri (writer)

Release Date:

6 December 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Thriller

Plot:

A ninja-for-hire is forced into fighting an old nemesis who is bent on overthrowing the Japanese government. His nemesis is also the leader of a group of demons each with superhuman powers.

Plot Keywords:

Ninja | Demon | Rape | Megalomaniac | Electrocution

Cast

Kôichi Yamadera	...	Jubei Kibagami (voice)
Emi Shinohara	...	Kagero (voice)
Takeshi Aono	...	(voice)
Daisuke Gôri	...	(voice)
Toshihiko Seki	...	Yurimaru (voice)
Shûichirô Moriyama	...	(voice)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Richard Barnes	...	Mushizo Shinkuro (voice)
Sonny Byrkett	...	(voice)
Richard Cansino	...	(voice) (as Richard Hayworth)
Dean Elliott	...	Jubei Kibagami (voice) (as Dean Elliot)
Richard Epcar	...	Lord Himuro Gemma (voice) (as Richard George)
Michael Forest	...	(voice) (as Alfred Thor)
Dougary Grant	...	Tessai (voice)
Bradley Lavelle	...	Jubei Kibagami (voice: English version) (as Brad Lavelle)
Wendee Lee	...	Kagero (as Wendee Day)
Edward Mannix	...	Chamberlain Sakai Hyobo (voice) (as Ed Mannix)
Joan-Carol O'Connell	...	Benisato (voice) (as Jenny Haniver)
Maureen O'Connell	...	Zakuro (voice)
Andrew Philpot	...	Yurimaru (voice: English version)
Anthony Rocissano	...	Utsutsu Mujuro (voice)
Joe Romersa	...	Additional Voices (voice: English version)
Doug Stone	...	Bandit (voice)
Jimmy Theodore	...	Dakuan (voice) (as Rudy Luzion)
Kirk Thornton	...	(voice) (as Spanky Roberts)

Also Known As:

Jubei Ninpocho: The Wind Ninja Chronicles (USA)
Ninja Scroll (USA)

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) (1996) | South Korea:18 | Canada:18+ (TV rating) | Italy:VM14 | Norway:11 | Australia:MA (original rating) | Australia:R (re-rating) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:R (Manitoba) | Finland:K-16 (video premiere) | France:-16 | New Zealand:R16 | South Africa:16 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:Unrated | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Company:

Animaze

Trivia:

The concept of Ninja Scroll arose from the director's fascination with ninjas and the idea of them always trying to trick each other.

Quotes:

Hanza: Kagero, what are you doing here?
Kagero: Hanza, tell me why you have counted me out of this mission.
Hanza: Need I remind you, you have your own mission, don't you Kagero. Don't forget that poison tasting is a very important responsibility.
Kagero: While our lord is away, there is really no need for my expertise. Till he returns I belong with you, a member of your Koga ninja.
Hanza: But it is too dangerous.
Kagero: You might die on this mission. Do you expect me to just sit here and wait? Alone?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Boondocks: Granddad's Fight (#1.4)" (2005)

Ninja Scroll captivates.

You need to see this. Ninja Scroll is a personal favorite of mine and I find many amazing aspects to this animated film.

The story, ninja action and characters are amazing. Jubei and Kigero's tale is more tragic then anything Shakespeare has thought up. The eight devils of Kimon are each interesting in their own way and some are sure to warrant more interest to you then others. By movie's end, you are sure to have felt many emotions as you watched Jubei's tale unfold.

Anyone who wants to write this off as low-class entertainment aimed at a skewed demographic must not have actually bothered to watch the film. This is high class art of the most important sense. A wonderful story with interesting characters and with enough action to fill four other movies. Ninja Scroll takes you on an adventure.

You need to see this. Highest recommendation. Please watch it with Japanese language track/ English subtitles.