Lust for Blood....

Photo inset courtesy of link

I just finished downloading a classic Japanese Animation film. It's been quite a while since I haven't replayed it (it's was stored in my recently crashed HD along with other 200+ film titles). I've been trying to revive it unfortunately to no avail. I also recalled having a DVD copy of it but was never returned when it was borrowed (crap, why is it if someone borrows a great movie it tends not to be returned). I just couldn’t withstand the itch of not getting a copy of this timeless classic, a worth of keeping one.

I'm no "Otaku" I but admire Japanese film animation if it is peculiarly created. It was introduced to me back then by a good friend of mine in College. I remembered travelling from North Manila to South Las Pinas just to rent VHS tapes of Japanese Animations. Otaku on the other hand are individuals with overly obsessive interests in manga and animation and I'm no near on that level. My fascination belongs to only few distinguished titles which I consider a classic, animated films with great characters, deep plot and excellent animation. Works that’s I believe transcends time and trends in Japanese culture.

Now on the top of list, "Ninja Scroll".

Just to warn you folks, this animated film is definitely for grown-ups with its gore theme, vivid scenes of naked flesh and streams/fountains of blood.

Feudal days in Japan, a lone Ninja(Jubei) is set  to battle demons, uncover secrets behind his past and try to stay alive in the process.


As a storm breaks, the rogue ninja - Jubei heads for cover, while a mysterious clan gathers in a nearby village. The next day the nearby town appears to be ravaged by an epidemic. The suspicious town chamberlain sends his team of ninjas to investigate only to to be slaughtered by one of the rumored eight devils of "Kimon". One was spared however, a Koga female ninja  named "Kagero"(feudal lords poison taster) simply so a devil can rape her. She was rescued by Jubie by striking the monster’s rock body to his only vulnerability, his eye. 



Photo inset coutesy of link. Jubei in the opening scene
of the movie

Later, they were joined by Ancient government spy "Dakuan" to uncover the secrets and fight the "eight devils of Kimon", But will the heroic trio be able to defeat the devils? Can they solve the mystery of the plague? Will Jubei be able to uncover his past? How will they stop an enemy who seem to have mastered the technique of reincarnation and immortality. And adding to its complexity is the fatal attraction between Jubei and Kagero. Can their love survive the adversities? Sorry guys but for you to conclude I suggest you watch the film and find the answers by yourself.

And why watch the film of this genre? It's a Japanese anime action that delivers on all counts. Often when this genre are created characters development suffers and story plot are compromised. Well I say this one is not. While seem the premise sounds typical, the plot actually has some depth to it, confusing at times but it has enough intriguing schemes and plot twists to keep us viewers interested.

With its topnotch artwork, visuals and superb animation, such realistic style can be rarely seen in anime. The animators keenly paid attention to details and credit to this it was even before the extensive use of CGI. From notable scenes like attacker bees flying, snake controls, swords sparks, the fire back ground and etc. The terrain backgrounds are quite well drawn as well, from detailed bamboo forests, sunsets and hard shadows. 

For the action sequences, it's are superb and well choreographed. The movements are smoothly animated, not a typical hack-a-slash ninja action. Each actions scenes is varied and more interesting than the last. These are backed-up of course by the characterizations made by the writer to the casts extra-ordinary techniques and skills in combat.



Photo courtesy of link. A damsel in distress Kagero after
being rescued by Jubei

The characters developed was not only focused in main players but for the villains as well. With their complex personalities, intriguing back-stories, they were all given a depth unlike other anime films. Notable abilities and supernatural powers i.e a guy who can literally slip into shadows, one can camouflage as tree are quite remarkable scenes.

The voice cover they say is outstanding as well though I don’t really care much if I watch this in "English or Japanese" dubbed as long it has "English" subtitles on it.

Quite unusual though is the film title. "Ninja Scroll". Its has nothing to do with the story plot, there isn't even a scroll in it (unless you consider the messages sent by Kagero though a bird a Ninja Scroll). The messages are hardly significant of what they’re doing. Nonetheless it didn’t lessen my sheer admiration for the film.

If you have watched animation that you want to know or seem wonder if there are some similar to “Ninja Scroll”, pardon me but I couldn’t recall one. This creative movie stands as the pinnacle of its genre. It’s impact and influence is still seen in today's Japanese martial arts anime.

For fanatics of violent ninja anime, Ninja Scroll is as good as it gets, ranks high among the classics of Japanese animation but definitely not for kids

Memorable quote from Dakuan, " To understand people's minds and control them is the secret of the ninja strategy. But only true sympathy can move the human heart. A pompous old ninja like me can't hope to do it".