Ninja Scroll

Original title: Jûbê ninpûchô

IMDb RATING

7.8/10

42K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer0:34

Adult Animation Anime Dark Fantasy Samurai Seinen Action Adventure Animation Fantasy Thriller

A vagabond swordsman is aided by a kunoichi and a spy in battling a demonic clan of killers - led by a ghost from his past - who are bent on overthrowing the Tokugawa Shogunate.A vagabond swordsman is aided by a kunoichi and a spy in battling a demonic clan of killers - led by a ghost from his past - who are bent on overthrowing the Tokugawa Shogunate.A vagabond swordsman is aided by a kunoichi and a spy in battling a demonic clan of killers - led by a ghost from his past - who are bent on overthrowing the Tokugawa Shogunate.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.8/10

42K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

4,802

1,568

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win

Kagero
(voice)

Takeshi Aono

Dakuan
(voice)

Osamu Saka

Masked Samurai
(voice)

Daisuke Gôri

Genma Himuro
(voice)

Ichirô Nagai

Doujin
(voice)

Ryûzaburô Ôtomo

Tessai
(voice)

Akimasa Ohmori

Shijima
(voice)
(as Akimasa Ômori)

Gara Takashima

Benisato
(voice)

Katsuji Mori

Hanza
(voice)

Yûsaku Yara

Genpachi
(voice)

Norio Wakamoto

Mujuro Utsutsu
(voice)

Toshihiko Seki

Yurimaru
(voice)

Masako Katsuki

Zakuro
(voice)

Reizô Nomoto

Mushizo
(voice)

Jun'ichi Sugawara

Shinkuro
(voice)
(as Junichi Sugawara)

Katsumi Suzuki

Villager
(voice)

Shûichirô Moriyama

Chamberlain
(voice)

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Storyline

Edit

Did you know

Edit

Trivia
The film is a tribute to the works of Japanese author Fûtarô Yamada, who throughout the sixties wrote many historical novels about ninjas.

Goofs
When Doujin (the leader of the bandits on the bridge) raises his wooden hand to shoot Jubei, the details on the hand that indicate that it is man-made (ie. exposed joints) are missing from the first two shots in which it appears.

Quotes
[Jubei runs to a mortally wounded Kagero]
Jubei: Don't die! Kagero!
Kagero: [weakly] Jubei...
Jubei: I told you to stay there!
Kagero: I owed you a favour... remember, Jubei?
Jubei: [gasps]
Kagero: [tearfully] It was the first time... anyone ever treated me as a woman, and not, not as a ninja warrior who was completely expendable. I knew I would become more attracted to you if we stayed together, but I needed that from you - please forgive me, I'm sorry. You were the only person who didn't care about my poisoned soul! Whether for an antidote, or just from compassion. I wish we could have made love just, just once!
[cries as Jubei embraces her tightly]
Kagero: I was not honest, I was weak. I... needed... you!
Jubei: No... it's not over yet!
[They kiss. Kagero takes off her headband and gives it to Jubei]
Kagero: Oh, Jubei... I'm so glad I met you and I'm, I'm happy... I...
[dies]

Alternate versions
The Norwegian VHS released by Polygram Video in late 90s contained the English dub, was uncut and was rated 18. It was released without subtitles, a practice that was very uncommon in Norway where foreign movies released on VHS were normally subtitled in its native language.

Connections
Featured in Masters of Fantasy: The Anime Filmmakers (1998)

Soundtracks
Somewhere, Faraway, Everyone Is Listening to a Ballad
Composed and performed by Ryôhei Yamanashi
Lyrics by Sho Jitsukawa
Arranged by Hiroshi Shinkawa

User reviews136

Review

Featured review

9/10

A straight shot of mythological action with no room for a chaser.

let me start out by saying i'm not an anime fan. that is to say, i have an interest in the genre, but for me it boils down to the big three; "ghost in the shell", "princess mononoke", and the movie this review is for. i'll have to explain that i'm reviewing this movie after seeing it an estimated 8 times at least, therefor i'm trying to think as if i'm seeing it for the first time. this presents the problem of wanting to rave for this movie, but knowing that it is one that truly gets better the more times you watch it. when the opening scene is over you'll give a sigh at the predictably bad diologue and spoon-fed character development coupled with the cartoon fantasy world. however, you're a fool if you don't stick with this movie. these flaws become faint as your engaged in the simple yet brilliant plot and you begin taking note of a few "wow, that was cool" moments that this movie is littered with. before you're 20 minutes into it your skepticism takes a back seat and you have no choice except to enjoy the ride.

i feel like this is a horrible place to stop the review, but in writing it i've reminded myself of how fun this movie is and i need to go watch it. so in conclusion; if you are looking for a movie that oozes entertainment: violence, sex, love, and intrigue. do not pass this up... really, don't.