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"Set in feudal Japan amidst danger, intrigue and deception, Ninja Scroll tells the story of Jubei, a masterless ninja who travels the land alone, Hiring his services to those with gold....or a worthy cause."
"His fearsome abilities have served him well, but a hideous plot to overthrow the government threatens to end his wandering ways - and possibly his life. When a small village succumbs to a terrible plague, a team of ninja are sent to investigate, and realise that all is not as it seems. Ambushed, they are wiped out by a fearsome man-monster with incredible powers, leaving only one alive - Kagero, a beautiful female ninja, whose touch can bring instant death. Jubei saves her from a fate worse than death, and unwittingly becomes drawn into the web of treachery. He is soon faced with his greatest challenge - an enemy for whom death holds no fear, with the power to destroy Jubei's world."
Director: Yoshiaki Kawajiri Screenplay: Yoshiaki Kawajiri Copyright: Yoshiaki Kawajiri/Mad House/JVC Toho Co. Ltd./Movic Inc. Language Format: English Language Running time: 94 mins Certificate: 18(cut) Label: Manga Video Catalogue no: MANV 1070 Price: £13.99 Release Date: 6th March 1995 Also available as part of the 'Warriors of the East' box set with Fist of the North Star and Sword for Truth (cat. no. MANV 1206) DVD Version: Language Format: Bilingual Japanese/English, optional English Subtitles Running time: 94 mins Certificate: 18(cut) Label: Manga Video Price: £17.99 Release Date: 13th November 2000
Aka Jubei Ninjupo aka Wind Ninja Chronicle. This is a 90 min Cert.18 ninja adventure, full of violence, bloodletting, high adventure, and supernatural feats.
Jubei, a loner, is drawn against his will into moves to counter a plot against the Shogunate government. He is the sole survivor of an attack by a fearsome man-monster on a ninja patrol, and finds himself allied with a beautiful ninja-girl and an aged priest.
There's plenty of action, animated with style, plenty of strange incident, and plenty of plot. The dubbing does it no particular favours, (rather like modifying a stylish vernacular building with cheaper bricks) but asides from that, this is a ripping good swords & sorcery yarn with a strong Japanese flavour. [Geoff Cowie]
Previous Manga releases from Yoshiaki Kawajiri such as Wicked City and Cyber City Oedo have had futuristic setting, but here he takes us to feudal Japan for a change.
The main character is Jubei, a ronin who wanders the land hiring his services. There is quite a good plot, but it pales in significance in the presence of Kawajiri's over the top action scenes and bizzare characters. I would rate this as his best work to date. [Jonathan Weeks]