You haven't seen this one? It's time to correct that mistake.
Adult animation, first and foremost in form, not in content: this is how you can characterize, if not all of Yoshiaki Kawajiri's works, then certainly Ninja Scroll.
Recently, on the occasion of its 30th anniversary, the film was restored and re-released, where it once again caused a stir.
What Is Ninja Scroll About?
The village of Shimoda is ravaged by a plague. The disease did not come out of nowhere, and ninja from the Koga Clan are sent to investigate. On the very first day, they are almost completely wiped out by unknown people – apparently with paranormal abilities.
Only Kagero survives, and his path crosses that of Jubei, a mercenary willing to fight for a solid fee or for a cause he deems worthy. The encounter will change their lives forever, and without knowing it, they will become embroiled in complex and dangerous political intrigues.
Ninja Scroll Is the Best Work of the Acclaimed Japanese Animator
Ninja Scroll is perhaps the most famous work of Yoshiaki Kawajiri, a legendary director who has not made many films. Almost all of them, however, left a bright mark in the history of Japanese and world animation.
This one is no exception: the director does not shy away from topics that are traditionally considered adult, and there is a lot of nudity in the picture, and even more gore. The focus on them obscures the political squabbles that serve as the engine of events.
In general, there is no plot intrigue: the cards are revealed almost immediately, as are the motives of the conflicting parties, and the very few secrets are saved for the finale, just so as not to leave the viewers without any twists. Ninja Scroll pays much more attention to the how than to the what.
In this respect, the anime does not disappoint: many shots are made with incredible care and attention to detail, and fights even surpass modern action. There are not many battles here, but all of them are memorable: about a dozen characters take part in the conflict, but each of them has something to show and stand out from the rest.
Especially impressive are the eight opponents of Jubei – the Kimon demons, with whom the mercenary has more in common than it seems at first.
Ninja Scroll Doesn't Give You Insane Plot Twists, but Keeps You Glued to the Screen
Despite the obviousness of the moves, the story remains fascinating – mainly due to the interactions between the parties: while Jubei is tracking down the enemies, they are actively plotting – and not always acting directly.
There is also room for an almost detective-like investigation and an intense romance between the main couple: their relationship develops consistently and quite logically against the background of the main events.
30 years later, Ninja Scroll does not seem outdated at all, although the age of the movie can be seen, for example, in the peculiarities of the animation. A lot has changed since then, both technically and in terms of visual means, but this does not detract from the viewing experience. On the contrary, it adds charm.