Shinobi: Heart Under Blade (2005)

Star-crossed lovers must fight on opposing sides in a battle that will determine the next Shogun.

Director:

Ten Shimoyama

Writers:

Kenya Hirata, Fûtarô Yamada (novel)

Stars:

Yukie Nakama, Joe Odagiri, Tomoka Kurotani

4 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Yukie Nakama	...	Oboro
Joe Odagiri	...	Kouga Gennosuke
Tomoka Kurotani	...	Kagerou
Erika Sawajiri	...	Hotarubi
Takeshi Masu	...	Muroga Hyouma
Tak Sakaguchi	...	Yashamaru
Mickey Koga	...	Chikuma Koshirou (as Mitsuki Koga)
Shun Itô	...	Mino Nenki
Hôka Kinoshita	...	Kisaragi Saemon
Kenji Miyoshi	...	Kisarigi Saemon
Lily	...	Ogen
Minoru Terada	...	Kouga Danjou
Masaki Nishina	...	Yagyu Jyubei Mitsuyoshi
Osami Nabe	...	Man pulling a wagon
Toshiya Nagasawa	...	Yagyu Munenori

Storyline

After more than four hundred years of war between the Shinobi warriors of the Manjidani Koga and Tsubagakure Iga clans, the Lord Hattori Hanzou decrees that they must live in peace. Both clans live hidden in the woods and mountain without confrontation and without training ninjas in the shadow art of Shinobi. In 1614, the Lord of the Lords is convinced that the clans are dangerous threats for keeping peace in his lands, and his advisor plots a Machiavellian plan to destroy their best warriors in a contest. Meanwhile, the young Iga Oboro and Koga Gennesuke fall in love for each other. When Oboro's grandmother and leader of Iga clan Ogen and Gennesuke's father and leader of the Koga clan Danjo kill each other, Oboro and Gannesuke must lead their warriors in the ultimate battle of the Shinobi clans.

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Plot Keywords:

ninja | love | ninjutsu | feudal japan | female ninja | 

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Taglines:

Fated to love : Destined To Kill.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violent images

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [France] Official site [Japan]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

17 September 2005 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Shinobi: Heart Under Blade

Filming Locations:

Japan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Eisei Gekijo, Nippon Television Network (NTV), Shochiku

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Oboro and Gennosuke are star-crossed lovers in the film though aside from hugs no physical or sexual contact is ever shown between the two, not even a kiss.

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Connections

Version of Basilisk: The Kouga Ninja Scrolls (2005)

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Soundtracks

Heaven
Lyrics by Ayumi Hamasaki
Composed by Kazuhito Kikuchi
Arranged by Yûta Nakano & KZB
Performed by Ayumi Hamasaki

User Reviews

Great Ninja Action Movie

First I should say that I watched the subtitled version of this film but apparently there is an English dub on the North American release. Make no mistake, this IS an action movie. It is not as heavy on plot or characterization as similar films of the genre, and focuses more on matrix-like ninja fighting and great costumes. This is not necessarily a bad thing though as it does these things very well. The special effects are some of the best I've ever seen in a Japanese feature, and the overall cinematography is great. The story is pretty light and you really want to know more about some of the characters who are introduced in a totally classic "Good The Bad and the Ugly" style with their names being displayed on the corner of the screen as they are introduced.

The story centers on a pair of star-crossed lovers from rival ninja clans. The Tokugawa Government has just taken control of Japan and a new era of peace has broken out. To preserve this peace the Shogun decides that the two ninja clans must be destroyed, for their abilities are simply too dangerous and unpredictable. So the Shogun orders the two clans to each pick their five best warriors who will then battle to the death for the favor of the Shogun. Chosen to lead their respective clan's teams are the two unfortunate lovers who thought a new age of peace would allow their love to bloom, as rivalry between their clans was no longer necessary in their view – now in a cruel twist of fate they must battle to the death. This is pretty much where the story ends, and the rest of the film is a cat and mouse game between the two ninja teams as they use their seemingly supernatural abilities against each other. The team members themselves are all very interesting and I found myself wanting to know more about them but was disappointed by the rate in which they are killed off.

Overall the film is well worth watching and is smarter than your average action film, but not by much.