Ninja Scroll (1993)
"Jûbê ninpûchô" (original title)

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.

Directors:

Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Kevin Seymour

Writer:

Yoshiaki Kawajiri

Stars:

Kôichi Yamadera, Emi Shinohara, Takeshi Aono

Cast

Credited cast:
Kôichi Yamadera	...	Jubei Kibagami (voice)
Emi Shinohara	...	Kagero (voice)
Takeshi Aono	...	Dakuan (voice)
Daisuke Gôri	...	Genma Himuro (voice)
Toshihiko Seki	...	Yurimaru (voice)
Shûichirô Moriyama	...	Sakaki Hyobu (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sonny Byrkett	...	Villager (voice)
Richard Cansino	...	Yurimaru (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)
Milton James	...	Mushizo Shinkuro (voice) (as Richard Barnes)
Bradley Lavelle	...	Jubei Kibagami (voice) (as Brad Lavelle)
Wendee Lee	...	Kagero (as Wendee Day)

Storyline

A Journeyman ninja by name of Jubei stumbles upon a plague, an evil clan of demons, a national crisis, and a beautiful ninja girl.

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Plot Keywords:

ninja | demon | justice | rape | dark heroine | 

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Genres:

Animation | Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Thriller

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese English

Release Date:

6 December 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jubei Ninpocho: The Wind Ninja Chronicles

Company Credits

Production Co:

Animaze, Mad House, Movic

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

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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 ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Somewhere, Faraway, Everyone Is Listening to a Ballad"
Performed by Ryouhei Yamanashi

User Reviews

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.