Jûbei ninpûchô (1993)

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:

Demon | Ninja | Magic | Decapitation | Dark Hero

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:

Jubei: [after killing Utsutso Mujuro, angry at Kagero for interfering] Haven't you had enough yet? What are you thinking?
Kagero: Why have you become so desperate to die?
Jubei: It's not me who is so desperate to throw my life away to return a favour! You're acting as if your life is worthless or something. Is it true then, that you kill whichever man sleeps with you? By poisoning him?
Kagero: You'll know if you sleep with me.
Kagero: [Jubei embraces Kagero but Kagero backs away] No you fool! Poison is seeped into every part of my being. It's become so strong that even the touch of my lips can kill you instantly. No one can ever touch me. If you dare to, you're dead.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

A straight shot of mythological action with no room for a chaser.

let me start out by saying i'm not an anime fan. that is to say, i have an interest in the genre, but for me it boils down to the big three; "ghost in the shell", "princess mononoke", and the movie this review is for. i'll have to explain that i'm reviewing this movie after seeing it an estimated 8 times at least, therefor i'm trying to think as if i'm seeing it for the first time. this presents the problem of wanting to rave for this movie, but knowing that it is one that truly gets better the more times you watch it. when the opening scene is over you'll give a sigh at the predictably bad diologue and spoon-fed character development coupled with the cartoon fantasy world. however, you're a fool if you don't stick with this movie. these flaws become faint as your engaged in the simple yet brilliant plot and you begin taking note of a few "wow, that was cool" moments that this movie is littered with. before you're 20 minutes into it your skepticism takes a back seat and you have no choice except to enjoy the ride.

i feel like this is a horrible place to stop the review, but in writing it i've reminded myself of how fun this movie is and i need to go watch it. so in conclusion; if you are looking for a movie that oozes entertainment: violence, sex, love, and intrigue. do not pass this up... really, don't.