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'{{short description|1993 film by Yoshiaki Kawajiri}} {{Infobox film | name = Ninja Scroll | image = Ninja-Scroll-Poster.jpg | caption = Japanese [[film poster]] | native_name = {{Infobox name module | kanji = 獣兵衛忍風帖 | romaji = Jūbē Ninpūchō }} | director = [[Yoshiaki Kawajiri]] | producer = Shigeru Kitayama<br />Masako Fukuyo<br />Kazuhiko Ikeguchi | writer = Yoshiaki Kawajiri | starring = [[Kōichi Yamadera]]<br />[[Emi Shinohara]]<br />[[Takeshi Aono]]<br />[[Daisuke Gōri]]<br />[[Toshihiko Seki]]<br />[[Shūichirō Moriyama]] | music = [[Kaoru Wada]] | cinematography = Hitoshi Yamaguchi | editing = Harutoshi Ogata<br />Yukiko Itō | studio = [[Animate (retailer)|Animate Film]] | distributor = Tokyo Theatres | released = {{film date|1993|6|5}} | runtime = 94 minutes | country = Japan | language = Japanese | budget = }} '''''Ninja Scroll''''' ([[Japanese language|Japanese]]: ''獣兵衛忍風帖'' - [[Hepburn romanization|Hepburn]]: ''Jūbē Ninpūchō'', literally: "Jubei's Ninja Pledge") is a 1993 [[anime|Japanese animated]] ''[[jidaigeki]]-[[Samurai cinema|chanbara]]'' film written and directed by [[Yoshiaki Kawajiri]], starring the voices of [[Kōichi Yamadera]], [[Emi Shinohara]], [[Takeshi Aono]], [[Daisuke Gōri]], [[Toshihiko Seki]] and [[Shūichirō Moriyama]]. The film was a co-production between [[JVC]], [[Toho]] and [[Movic]], with [[Animate (retailer)|Animate]] serving as the animation studio. ''Ninja Scroll'' was theatrically released in Japan on June 5, 1993, and received an English-[[Dubbing (filmmaking)|dubbed]] release in Western countries through [[Manga Entertainment]] in 1995.<ref name="Cast" /> The film takes place in [[History of Japan#Feudal Japan (1185–1868)|feudal Japan]] and follows Kibagami Jubei, a [[mercenary]] swordsman who battles the Eight Devils of Kimon, a team of ninjas with supernatural powers who are intent on overthrowing the [[Tokugawa shogunate]]. During his quest, he is aided by Dakuan, an elderly but crafty government spy, and Kagero, a [[Kōga-ryū|Koga]] [[kunoichi]] whose body is infused with poisonous toxins. ''Ninja Scroll'''s story and style was influenced by the works of novelist [[Futaro Yamada]] and Western [[spy fiction]], with Jubei's character being loosely inspired by the historical figure [[Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi]].<ref name="Blu-ray">{{cite video| title = Ninja Scroll (Booklet - Yoshiaki Kawajiri: In His Own Words)| medium = Blu-ray| publisher = [[Madman Entertainment]]| location =[[Richmond, Victoria|Richmond]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] | date = 1993}}</ref><ref name="ANN Interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2012/sakura-con/4?ann-edition=au|work=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=March 3, 2017|title=Sakura-Con 2012 - Yoshiaki Kawajiri Q&A}}</ref> Praised for its animation and action scenes, ''Ninja Scroll'' is regarded by many as one of the most influential anime films ever made. Alongside ''[[Akira (1988 film)|Akira]]'' and ''[[Ghost in the Shell (1995 film)|Ghost in the Shell]]'', it was responsible for increasing the popularity of adult-oriented anime outside of Japan. The film has been cited by [[The Wachowskis]] as an influence on the ''[[The Matrix (franchise)|Matrix]]'' franchise, and resulted in Kawajiri later contributing to two segments of the anthology film ''[[The Animatrix]]''.<ref name="Matrix Interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.matrixfans.net/the-animatrix/world-record/interview-with-writer-yoshiaki-kawajiri/#sthash.RK0Yh4FF.dpbs|work=MatrixFans.net|accessdate=March 3, 2017|title=Interview with Writer Yoshiaki Kawajiri}}</ref> A televised [[stand-alone sequel]], ''[[Ninja Scroll: The Series]]'', was aired in Japan in 2003. == Plot == <!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 to 700 words only. --> In [[Edo period]]-[[Japan]], the Yamashiro clan mines gold in secret, and sends a shipment to the [[House of Toyotomi|Toyotomi]] Shogun of the Dark as payment for his protection. The Shogun of the Dark intends to use the gold to buy advanced Spanish weaponry and overthrow the current government, the [[Tokugawa Shogunate]]. The ship runs aground onto Mochizuki territory in a storm, and the Eight Devils of Kimon, a ninja team with supernatural powers in the employ of the Yamashiro, kill the people of the nearby village of Shimoda to keep the gold shipment a secret. While investigating the deaths, a Mochizuki [[Kōga-ryū|Koga]] ninja team is massacred by the Devils. The sole survivor, Kagero, is captured by a Devil, Tessai, who molests her. She is rescued by Kibagami Jubei, a [[mercenary]] ex-Yamashiro ninja, who fights and eventually kills Tessai. Dakuan, a Tokugawa spy, [[blackmail]]s Jubei into helping him kill the remaining Devils. To ensure his compliance, Dakuan stabs Jubei with a poisoned [[shuriken]], and promises to give him an antidote once the mission is complete. Jubei learns from Dakuan that the leader of the Devils is Himuro Gemma, the former Yamashiro ninja leader, who had ordered his team's members to kill each other to cover up the location of the goldmine five years earlier. Jubei, who had been forced to kill his comrades to survive, decapitated Gemma in revenge; Gemma survived due to his [[immortality]]. Jubei is attacked by another Devil, Benisato, but he is saved by Kagero; before she can be questioned, Benisato is killed from afar by Yurimaru, Gemma's right-hand man, for failing her mission. Kagero agrees to work alongside Jubei and Dakuan, who informs Jubei that her body is infused with such deadly toxins that anyone who kisses or sleeps with her dies, which was why Jubei could kill Tessai. The trio arrive in Shimoda, where they discover that the villagers died due to their water supply being poisoned, making it appear that they were killed by a plague. Jubei and Kagero fend off attacks from three of the Devils – Mushizo, Zakuro and Utsutsu Mujuro; Jubei succeeds in killing Mushizo and Utsutsu. After finding the beached ship, Kagero deduces that the gold has been taken to Kashima Harbour, where it will be transported to the Shogun of the Dark in another ship. Jubei, Kagero and Dakuan arrive at Kashima, which has been evacuated due to the townspeople's fear of the plague. While Jubei battles another Devil, Shijima, Kagero sends a message to Sakaki Hyobu, the Mochizuki chamberlain, to bring his army to the harbour. She also learns from Dakuan that Jubei's poisoning will only be cured if he copulates with her – the poisons in her body will counteract his. Kagero is captured by Shijima, and Jubei kills him, rescuing her once more. Kagero asks Jubei to sleep with her to cure himself. He decides against it, and upon the arrival of the Shogun of the Dark's envoy in a ship, he leaves to prevent the gold reaching its destination. Kagero arrives to meet Sakaki, but he stabs her, revealing himself to be Gemma in disguise. Enraged, Jubei fights through waves of ninjas, but is nearly killed by Yurimaru. A gunpowder-rigged rat, left as a trap by Zakuro for Yurimaru for rejecting her advances, kills him, allowing Jubei to escape. He finds Kagero; mortally wounded, she admits her love for him and they kiss, curing Jubei's poisoning. Before dying, Kagero gives Jubei her headband. Jubei and Dakuan board the departing ship. On board, Gemma reveals his true intentions to the Shogun of the Dark's envoy (who he kills) – he intends to use the gold to raise a ninja army to terrorize Japan, rather than serve as an ally to the Toyotomi. During an altercation with Zakuro, Jubei and Dakuan set the ship ablaze. As Jubei and Gemma engage in a brutal fight, the gold becomes molten and engulfs Gemma, who sinks to the bottom of the sea. Afterwards, Dakuan thanks Jubei, and expresses admiration for his and Kagero's humanity. Jubei resumes his vagabond lifestyle, with Kagero's headband tied around his sword's hilt. ==Cast== ===Characters=== {{Hatnote|Note: In the English-dubbed and subtitled versions of the film, the characters' family names are always used before their given names (with the exception of Jubei in the English dub) per [[Japanese name|Japanese naming conventions]], which is uncommon for film translations.<ref name="New DVD">{{cite video | title = Ninja Scroll | medium = DVD | publisher = [[Sentai Filmworks]] | location = Houston, Texas | date = 2012 }}</ref>}} * {{Nihongo|'''Kibagami Jubei'''|牙神 獣兵衛|Kibagami Jūbē}}: The main [[protagonist]]; a vagabond ninja who once served the Yamashiro clan and is blackmailed by Dakuan into fighting the Eight Devils of Kimon. A wisecracking, cynical figure with a strong moral sense, his skill and speed with his sword are such that he is able to attack opponents and destroy objects using the winds created by his slashes. The character was inspired by the famed Japanese folk hero [[Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi]], with the creators not making him the actual hero but having the two characters sharing a name.<ref name=Martin>Martin, Theron. [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ninja-scroll/blu-ray "Ninja Scroll Blu-Ray Review"], ''[[Anime News Network]]'', Nov 30, 2012. Retrieved 2016-12-27.</ref> * {{Nihongo|'''Kagero'''|陽炎|Kagerō}}: The [[food taster]] for the Mochizuki clan's Chamberlain, and the only [[kunoichi]] in the clan's [[Kōga-ryū|Koga]] ninja team. Kagero has an immunity to poisons as her body itself is infused with toxins; anyone who sleeps with or even kisses her dies shortly thereafter. She is also able to conjure pollens and flower petals that are mixed with a powerful [[incapacitating agent]]. The character is a homage to [[Futaro Yamada]]'s first novel in the ''Ninpōchō'' series, ''[[The Kouga Ninja Scrolls]]''. * {{Nihongo|'''Dakuan'''|濁庵}}: A shady Tokugawa spy who is also sent to investigate and stop the Eight Demons of Kimon and their employer, the Shogun of the Dark. He is able to elongate his limbs and body, blend in with his surroundings, and can use a staff that allows him to [[Pole vault|vault]] long distances. *{{Nihongo|'''Sakaki Hyobu'''|榊 兵部|Sakaki Hyōbu}}: The Mochizuki clan chamberlain, he sends Kagero and the clan's Koga ninja team to investigate the plague in Shimoda and she sends her reports to him throughout the film. * {{Nihongo|'''Hanza'''|半佐}}: The lord of the Koga ninja team. He is killed by Tessai, and his body is used as a booby trap by Zakuro. ====The Eight Devils of Kimon==== The {{Nihongo|Eight Devils of Kimon|鬼門八人衆|Kimon Hachinin-shū|"Eight People of the Demon Gate"}} are eight demonic ninjas with supernatural powers, seven of which were gathered under Himuro Gemma's leadership after he reincarnated himself from Jubei's ambush, and appear to serve under the Shogun of the Dark. * {{Nihongo|'''Himuro Gemma'''|氷室 弦馬|Himuro Genma}}: The leader of the Eight Devils of Kimon and the last demon to be defeated. Gemma formerly served under the Yamashiro clan and was decapitated by Jubei prior to the film's events, but has acquired immortality by mastering control of his body down to the tiniest bone and blood, allowing him to reconnect any severed body parts, including his head. Gemma can also [[Shapeshifting|shapeshift]] as a side effect of his mastery over his entire body. He cannot be killed due to his immortality, but he is instead encased in molten gold and trapped at the bottom of the sea for eternity. Gemma is [[bisexual]], as he is involved with both Yurimaru and Benisato. * {{Nihongo|'''Tessai'''|鉄斎}}: The first demon to be defeated, he is an incredibly large man who has the ability to turn his skin to stone. He fights with a double-bladed sword, which he can hurl great distances and have it return like a boomerang. He is essentially invulnerable until his skin falls apart as a result of him being poisoned by Kagero while trying to rape her; this allows Jubei to kill him by cutting his fingers, resulting in him being impaled by his own sword due to his inability to catch it. * {{Nihongo|'''Benisato'''|紅里}}: The second demon to be defeated, and the female lover of Gemma. She is a seductive woman who has snake tattoos all over her body that can come to life; she also can summon a larger quantity of snakes to envelop her victims and shed her skin. She is killed by Yurimaru, partially due to her failure to kill Jubei and partially because of Yurimaru's own jealousy towards her for also being one of Gemma's lover. * {{Nihongo|'''Mushizo'''|蟲蔵|Mushizō}}: The third demon to be defeated, he is a hunchbacked warrior who holds a hornet's nest in his back. He wields a two-pronged spear as his primary form of offense whilst controlling the hornets in his back to overwhelm and sting his opponents to death, he can shoot needles from his throat as a surprise attack should they get too close for his comfort. He's killed by Jubei after slicing a piece of wood Mushizo was standing on in half (along with one of his legs) and causing him to fall into the water below, this resulted in the hornets that were still inside his body to freak out and desperately attempt to escape from their hive, leading to Mushizo getting fatally stung to death. * {{Nihongo|'''Utsutsu Mujuro'''|現 夢十郎|Utsutsu Mujūrō}}: The fourth demon to be defeated, he is a blind swordsman who challenges Jubei to a fight to the death in a [[bamboo forest]]. He uses his uncanny hearing abilities to seek out his enemies and can blind them by reflecting light from his sword. He is the only Devil of Kimon without any apparent supernatural powers. He is killed by Jubei due to Kagero's sword (which had been imbedded in one of the trees earlier in the fight and therefore he could not hear) blocking his blow and leaving him wide open for a counter, making it appear to him as if Jubei had somehow managed to defended himself and attack him at the same time. * {{Nihongo|'''Shijima'''|シジマ}}: The fifth demon to be defeated, he has a wide variety of abilities such as merging into the shadows, creating clones of himself, firing a large metallic claw from his hand, and taking control of peoples' minds. He is killed by Jubei during his rescue of Kagero (whom Shijima had hypnotized to try and kill Jubei) when Jubei throws his sword into the shadows just as Shijima attempts to hide in them. * {{Nihongo|'''Yurimaru'''|百合丸}}: The sixth demon to be defeated, he is the right-hand-man and male lover of Gemma. Yurimaru has the ability to generate electricity from his body and, when combining his ability with a steel wire, he bind his targets and electrocute them to death. Zakuro "accidentally" blows him up during his fight with Jubei as revenge for him rejecting her advances. * {{Nihongo|'''Zakuro'''|石榴}}: The seventh demon to be defeated, she has the ability to manipulate gunpowder and plant it inside living organisms as well as dead bodies, turning them into explosive traps. She use to be in love with Yurimaru, but is rejected because he's in love with Gemma, eventually leading to Zakuro exacting her revenge on Yurimaru by blowing him up. She is killed by Dakuan and Jubei on the ship when they ignite the gunpowder in her body with the flames, leading to a large explosion. ===Voice actors=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Characters ! Japanese ! English<br>{{small|([[Toho]]/[[Animaze]]/[[Manga Entertainment|Manga]], 1995)}}<ref name="Cast">{{cite web|url=http://www.crystalacids.com/database/title/488/ninja-scroll/|work=Crystalacids|accessdate=February 27, 2017|title=Ninja Scroll (movie)}}</ref><ref name="Original DVD">{{cite video | title = Ninja Scroll | medium = VHS | publisher = [[Manga Entertainment]] | location = Chicago, Illinois | date = 1995 }}</ref> |- ! '''Kibagami Jubei''' | [[Kōichi Yamadera]] | Dean Wein (Dean Elliot) |- ! '''Kagero''' | [[Emi Shinohara]] | [[Wendee Lee]] (Wendee Day) |- ! '''Dakuan''' | [[Takeshi Aono]] | Stephen Apostolina (Rudy Luzion) |- ! '''Himuro Gemma''' | [[Daisuke Gōri]] | [[Richard Epcar]] (Richard George) |- ! '''Yurimaru''' | [[Toshihiko Seki]] | [[Richard Cansino]] (Richard Hayworth) |- ! '''Sakaki Hyobu''' | [[Shūichirō Moriyama]] | [[Edward Mannix]] (Ed Mannix) |- ! '''Zakuro''' | [[Masako Katsuki]] | Riva Spier {{small|(uncredited)}} |- ! '''Tessai''' | [[Ryūzaburō Ōtomo]] |rowspan="2"| [[Kevin Seymour]]<br>(Jenny Haniver/Dougary Grant) |- ! '''Shijima''' | Akimasa Omori |- ! '''Benisato''' | [[Gara Takashima]] | [[J.C. Henning]] {{small|(uncredited)}} |- ! '''Mushizo''' | [[Reizō Nomoto]] | [[Milton James]] (Richard Barnes) |- ! '''Utsutsu Mujuro''' | [[Norio Wakamoto]] |rowspan="2"| [[Kirk Thornton]] (Spanky Roberts) |- ! '''Hanza''' | [[Katsuji Mori]] |- ! '''Toyotomi Envoy''' | [[Osamu Saka]] | [[Michael Forest]] (Alfred Thor) |- ! '''Genpachi''' | [[Yusaku Yara]] |rowspan="2"| [[Doug Stone]] |- ! '''Doujin''' | [[Ichirō Nagai]] |- ! '''Shinkuro ''' | [[Junichi Sugawara]] |rowspan="2"| [[Milton James]] (Richard Barnes) |- ! '''Carriage Man''' | {{N/A|Unknown}} |- ! '''Villager''' | [[Katsumi Suzuki]] | Marvyn Byrkett (Sonny Byrkett) |- ! '''Sakachi's Daughter''' | {{N/A|Unknown}} | Maureen O'Connell |} Theron Martin from ''[[Anime News Network]]'' wrote that the English voice cast included "a mix of short-timers and those who would become long-term veterans", while the Japanese cast members were "an all-star cast by early 1990s standards".<ref name=Martin/> ==Development== The original conception of this film was that it would be a series of two films, each being 45 minutes.<ref name=Martin/> ==Release== The film was licensed by [[Manga Entertainment]] in Australia and North America until 2012 while its UK subsidiary kept the license and released the movie in a Blu-ray steelbook format in October 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=Manga Entertainment: U.S. Rights to Ninja Scroll Expired|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-05-26/manga-entertainment-u.s-rights-to-ninja-scroll-expired|work=Anime News Network|accessdate=2 September 2012}}</ref> The film has since been re-licensed in North America to [[Section23 Films#Sentai Filmworks|Sentai Filmworks]] who re-released the film on DVD and Blu-ray in December 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sentai Filmworks Adds Penguindrum, Ninja Scroll, Letter Bee|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-09-01/sentai-filmworks-adds-penguindrum-ninja-scroll-film-letter-bee|work=Anime News Network|accessdate=September 2, 2012|date=September 1, 2012}}</ref> It was one of the first Japanese anime movies released in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name=CollinreviewTelegraph>{{cite web|author=Collin, Robbie|author2=Tim Robey|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/9696537/Films-in-brief-The-House-I-Live-In-Starbuck-Lawrence-of-Arabia-Ninja-Scroll.html|title=Films in brief: The House I Live In, Starbuck, Lawrence of Arabia, Ninja Scroll|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=2012-11-22|accessdate=2019-12-05}}</ref> In 1995, the [[British Board of Film Classification|BBFC]] cut the UK version by approximately 52 seconds, removing the sexual assault scene and images of throwing stars. These cuts were waived for the 2004 10th Anniversary release. ''Ninja Scroll'' was released in Australia by Manga UK in 1995 uncut with the MA15+ classification. In 1997 after it was screened on [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]], former Attorney-General [[Philip Ruddock]] controversially appealed the film's original classification and successfully had the classification upgraded to R18+ with no cuts. In January 1998 it broadcast twice on midnights on the new [[Teletoon]] station in Canada along with the [[Macross Plus]] trilogy.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980204020449/http://teletoon.com/adultShw.htm#ANIMÉ |url=http://teletoon.com/adultShw.htm#ANIMÉ |website=Teletoon.com |archive-date=4 February 1998 |title=TELETOON - Adult Shows |quote=Various Animé from Japan<br>Jan 3 & 9 - Ninja Scroll<br>Jan 10 & 16 - Macross Plus I<br>Jan 17 & 23 - Macross Plus II<br> Jan 24 & 30 - Macross Plus III<br>Fri. & Sat.: midnight}}</ref> [[GKIDS]] later announced that it would distribute the film within North America, with a theatrical release scheduled for April 2018. In 2000 when Manga and [[Madman Entertainment]] released ''Ninja Scroll'' on DVD, Madman mistakenly used the UK cut of the film instead of using the uncut Australian version. This was rectified in 2004 when Manga Entertainment released the ''10th Anniversary Special Edition of Ninja Scroll'' into western countries, and both Australia and the UK received ''Ninja Scroll'' uncut and remastered from a PAL VHS source. In [[Canada]] the film was given an 18A rating, while it was released Unrated in the [[United States]]. The film was released on Blu-ray in Japan on May 23, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jubei Ninpucho (Blu-ray) (Japan Version)|url=http://www.yesasia.com/global/jubei-ninpucho-blu-ray-japan-version/1030681444-0-0-0-en/info.html|accessdate=29 January 2013}}</ref> ==Soundtrack== {{Infobox album | name = Ninja Scroll | type = soundtrack | artist = [[Kaoru Wada]] | cover = | caption ={{deletable image-caption|Wednesday, 12 June 2019|PROD}} | alt = | released = December 3, 2003 | recorded = | venue = | studio = | genre = [[Traditional Japanese music|Japanese Modern Classical]]<ref name=Soundtrack /> | length = 45:56 {{small|(CD)}}<br>45:00 {{small|(LP)}} | label = [[ADV Films|ADV Music]] {{small|(2003)}}<br>[[Milan Records]] {{small|(2015)}} | producer = | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = }} {{Album ratings | rev1 = [http://www.soundtrackgeek.com/v2/ Soundtrack Geek] | rev1Score = 69.2/100 [http://www.soundtrackgeek.com/v2/soundtrack-review-ninja-scroll/ link] | rev2 = [http://www.soundtrackdreams.com/ Soundtrack Dreams] | rev2Score = 69/100 [http://www.soundtrackdreams.com/2015/12/soundtrack-review-ninja-scroll-kaoru-wada-2015/ link] }} The film's score was composed by [[Kaoru Wada]]. In the United States, the soundtrack was originally released on [[Compact disc|CD]] in 2003 by [[ADV Films|ADV Music]] under licence from [[Toho]] with the title ''Jubei Ninpucho Ninja Scroll (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soundtrack.net/album/jubei-ninpucho/|title=Jubei Ninpucho (Ninja Scroll) |publisher=Soundtrack.net|accessdate=2017-03-02}}</ref> Following ADV's closure, [[Milan Records]] re-released the album in 2015 on CD and [[digital music]] formats.<ref name=Soundtrack>{{cite web|url=https://milanrecords.com/soundtracks/ninja-scroll-original-music-by-kaoru-wada/|title=Ninja Scroll – original music by Kaoru Wada |publisher=[[Milan Records]]|accessdate=2017-03-02}}</ref> In 2016, Milan also released the album on [[LP record|LP]] with a slightly different track listing and cover art by ''[[Godzilla]]'' artist Yuji Kaida; this release was limited to 500 copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://milanrecords.com/vinyl/ninja-scroll-music-kaoru-wada/|title=Ninja Scroll vinyl – original music by Kaoru Wada |publisher=[[Milan Records]]|accessdate=2017-03-02}}</ref> ===Track listing=== All tracks written by [[Kaoru Wada]] except "To Those Who Face The Wind" and "Somewhere, Faraway, Everyone Is Listening To A Ballad", by Ryouhei Yamanashi (music) and Sho Jitsukawa (lyrics). CD/digital release, 2003/2015: {| width=70% | {{Track listing | collapsed = yes | title1 = Prologue | length1 = 0:47 | title2 = Jubei | length2 = 1:04 | title3 = Eight Warriors of the Demon Clan | length3 = 5:56 | title4 = Blood Wind | length4 = 2:55 | title5 = Kagerou | length5 = 8:21 | title6 = Visions | length6 = 1:10 | title7 = Devil Shadow | length7 = 3:07 | title8 = To Those Who Face the Wind | note8 = feat. Ryouhei Yamanashi | length8 = 4:16 | title9 = Pursuit | length9 = 2:37 | title10 = Devil Swordsman | length10= 0:56 | title11 = Strategy | length11= 2:48 | title12 = Reincarnation | length12= 3:04 | title13 = Struggle to the Death | length13= 3:44 | title14 = Epilogue | length14= 0:57 | title15 = Somewhere, Faraway, Everyone Is Listening to a Ballad | note15 = feat. Ryouhei Yamanashi | length15= 4:14 }} |} LP release, 2016: {| width=70% | {{Track listing | | headline = Side one | collapsed = yes | title1 = Prologue | length1 = 0:47 | title2 = Jubei | length2 = 1:04 | title3 = Eight Warriors of the Demon Clan | length3 = 5:56 | title4 = Blood Wind | length4 = 2:55 | title5 = Kagerou | length5 = 8:21 | title6 = Visions | length6 = 1:10 | title7 = Epilogue | length7= 0:57 }} {{Track listing | headline = Side two | collapsed = yes | title1 = Devil Shadow | length1 = 3:07 | title2 = To Those Who Face the Wind | note2 = feat. Ryouhei Yamanashi | length2 = 4:16 | title3 = Pursuit | length3 = 2:37 | title4 = Strategy | length4= 2:48 | title5 = Reincarnation | length5= 3:04 | title6 = Struggle to the Death | length6= 3:44 | title7 = Somewhere, Faraway, Everyone Is Listening to a Ballad | note7 = feat. Ryouhei Yamanashi | length7= 4:14 }} |} ==Reception== ''Ninja Scroll'' won the Citizen's Award at the 1993 [[Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival]]. On [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has a rating of 93%, based on 14 reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ninja-scroll/|title=Ninja Scroll|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|accessdate=February 16, 2018}}</ref> During the 1990s, ''Ninja Scroll'' was among the most popular anime movies outside Japan, along with such movies as ''[[Akira (1988 film)|Akira]]'' and ''[[Ghost in the Shell (1995 film)|Ghost in the Shell]]''. The North American video release of ''Ninja Scroll'' had sold more than 70,000 copies by May 1996, becoming Manga Entertainment's best-selling title at the time.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] | title=Shelf Talk: Manga Chopping Out Space On Store Shelves For Its Japanimation Releases| author=Fitzpatrick, Eileen | date=May 18, 1996 | page=67 | issn=0006-2510}}</ref> In February 2004, ''[[Cinefantastique]]'' listed the anime as one of the "10 Essential Animations".<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Persons|first1=Dan|title=The Americanization of Anime: 10 Essential Animations|journal=[[Cinefantastique]]|date=February–March 2004|volume=36|issue=1|page=48|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ly0nAQAAIAAJ&dq=editions:0AFLRE736LO1AnqYXhN92VLUi3o6sFT1GgYU-Fw2cLmjwIZk1c7q9_ZE|accessdate=April 28, 2017}}</ref> Martin stated that the "action scenes sizzle with energy and powerful maneuvers unencumbered by tiresome dramatics" and further stated that the plot "mostly exists just to set up conflicts between the protagonists and the Devils of Kimon and allow various characters to show off their colorful ninja techniques".<ref name=Martin/> He concluded that "''Ninja Scroll''{{'}}s story is too thin for it to ever legitimately be considered one of the all-time great anime movies" but considers it to be a classic.<ref name=Martin/> He stated that the dubbed English version, which he stated has "slightly more attitude and some distinctive vocal styling mixed in with an occasional awkward emphasis", is "very faithful" script-wise to the original Japanese version and that it still "holds its own" in 2012.<ref name=Martin/> In 2012 Robbie Collin of ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' ranked it three of five stars, explaining that "Its baroque sadism and sexism hasn’t aged well, but it still packs a visceral kick."<ref name=CollinreviewTelegraph/> == Legacy == ===Anime series=== {{main|Ninja Scroll: The Series}} A Japanese animated television series named ''Ninja Scroll: The Series'' aired in Japan in 2003 and ran for 13 episodes. The series is a [[stand-alone sequel]] to the film; however, many references suggest that it is indeed a continuation. In the series, Jubei gets caught in the middle of a battle between the Kimon clan and the Hiruko clan. He meets up with the Light Maiden Shigure, a young lady whose village was destroyed by the Kimon clan and whom Jubei was charged with delivering a Dragon Stone to. The duo are joined by Tsubute (a young thief) and Dakuan (Tokugawa shogunate spy), and together they try to find out why both the Kimon and the Hiruko clan are after her and why the Dragon Stone she carries is so important to them. The show was directed by [[Tatsuo Satō (director)|Tatsuo Sato]] (''[[Martian Successor Nadesico]]''), with character design done by Takahiro Yoshimatsu (''[[Trigun]]''). ===Sequel=== In August 2008, Madhouse announced that an official sequel was in the works with Kawajiri returning to write and direct.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/13257/ninja-scroll-animated-sequel-planned/|title=''Ninja Scroll'' Animated Sequel Planned|publisher=Bloody Disgusting|date=August 11, 2008|accessdate=June 24, 2018}}</ref> In July 2012, the studio released a teaser trailer for a "three-episode short animation" titled ''Ninja Scroll Burst'', intended to attract investors to the project.<ref name="annupdate">{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-02-28/madhouse-updates-on-planned-ninja-scroll-project|title=Madhouse Updates on Planned ''Ninja Scroll'' Project|work=Anime News Network|date=February 28, 2014|accessdate=June 24, 2018}}</ref> In February 2014, Madhouse CEO Hiroyuki Okada confirmed that Kawajiri had a finished script, tentatively titled ''Ninja Scroll Kocho'', and that production would move ahead as soon as financing had been secured.<ref name="annupdate" /> He also divulged that the studio was experiencing difficulty finding investors due to the fact that the original film was "not a big hit in Japan".<ref name="annupdate" /> As of 2019, the project remains in limbo. In North America, the ''[[Ninja Resurrection]]'' anime films were marketed as sequels to ''Ninja Scroll'', but were actually based on an [[Makai Tensho|unrelated story]] and created by a different animation studio. The only similarity shared by the films is a lead character with the given name "Jubei". ===Comics=== In September 2006, [[WildStorm]] launched a 12-issue ''Ninja Scroll'' comic-book series written by [[J. Torres]], which follows the further adventures of Jubei.<ref>{{cite web | author=Goldstein, Hilary | date=August 24, 2006 | title=''Ninja Scroll'' Continues | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/24/ninja-scroll-continues | website=[[IGN]] | accessdate=August 4, 2013}}</ref> ===Live-action adaptation=== In October 2008, it was reported that [[Warner Bros.]] had acquired the rights to develop a live-action adaptation of ''Ninja Scroll'', with [[Leonardo DiCaprio]]'s [[Appian Way Productions]], [[Madhouse (company)|Madhouse]], and Japanese producer Jungo Maruta also involved in the project.<ref name="cswarner">{{cite news | url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=50000 | title=Warner Bros. Acquires ''Ninja Scroll'' | work=ComingSoon.net | publisher=[[CraveOnline]] | date=October 26, 2008 | accessdate=April 12, 2010 }}</ref> Screenwriter [[Alex Tse]], who co-wrote the 2009 film ''[[Watchmen (film)|Watchmen]]'', was hired to write the screenplay.<ref name="cswarner" /> In April 2009, it was reported that DiCaprio would act as producer, and was considering casting the Japanese boy band [[SMAP]] in the lead roles.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-06/paper/dicaprio-considers-smap-for-ninja-scroll-film|title=DiCaprio Considers SMAP for ''Ninja Scroll'' Film|work=Anime News Network|date=April 6, 2009|accessdate=February 29, 2012}}</ref> In October 2015, ''[[Dracula Untold]]'' director [[Gary Shore]] revealed he had once been attached to direct the film, releasing a [[proof of concept]] trailer he had produced with [[motion capture]] by [[David Leitch (director)|87Eleven]] and animation by The Third Floor.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2015-10-30/live-action-ninja-scroll-proof-of-concept-video-shows-what-might-have-been/.94838|title=Live-Action ''Ninja Scroll'' Proof of Concept Video Shows What Might Have Been|work=Anime News Network|date=October 30, 2015|accessdate=June 24, 2018}}</ref> As of 2018, the production remains in [[development hell]]. ==References == {{more citations needed|date=December 2012}} {{reflist}} ==External links== {{Portal|Anime and manga|1990s}} {{wikiquote}} * {{Official website|http://www.madhouse.co.jp/works/1994-1993/works_movie_jyubei.html}} {{in lang|ja}} *{{ann|anime|485}} *{{IMDb title|0107692}} {{Yoshiaki Kawajiri}} {{Madhouse}} [[Category:1993 films]] [[Category:1993 anime films]] [[Category:1990s spy films]] [[Category:Bisexuality-related films]] [[Category:Fantasy adventure films]] [[Category:Fantasy anime and manga]] [[Category:Films about terrorism in Asia]] [[Category:Films adapted into comics]] [[Category:Films adapted into television shows]] [[Category:Films directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri]] [[Category:Films set in feudal Japan]] [[Category:Horror anime and manga]] [[Category:Fiction about immortality]] [[Category:Japanese-language films]] [[Category:1990s fantasy films]] [[Category:Japanese films]] [[Category:Japanese animated fantasy films]] [[Category:Japanese animated horror films]] [[Category:Japanese LGBT-related films]] [[Category:Madhouse (company)]] [[Category:Martial arts fantasy films]] [[Category:Martial arts horror films]] [[Category:Ninja in anime and manga]] [[Category:Ninja films]] [[Category:Rape and revenge films]] [[Category:Samurai in anime and manga]] [[Category:Sentai Filmworks]] [[Category:LGBT-related animated films]] [[Category:Films scored by Kaoru Wada]] [[Category:1993 LGBT-related films]]'