Anime Spotlight: Ninja Scroll
Synopsis- Our story follows a ninja mercenary, Jubei, as he wanders the countryside looking for work. He rescues Kagero, a female ninja working for the Koga Ninjas, after her team is destroyed while investigating a plague in Shimoda village. Kegaro runs off to continue her investigation while Jubei is ambushed by a Tokagawa shogunante spy, Dakuan. Dakuan convinces Jubei to work for him, and they soon run into Kegaro to discover the plague is somehow connected to a group of ninjas called the Devils of Kimon.
Through their battles with the eight Devils of Kimon Kagero wants nothing but to make things even between her and Jubei. Dakuan reveals to her that Jubei has been poisoned and there’s only one antidote that can cure him. An antidote that Kegaro holds. Jubei soon learns that an old foe he thought dead has returned to life as the leader of the Devils of Kimon. His goal through the film is to hunt down his nemesis and end his life for good.
Cast/Crew- This film was brought to us by director Yoshiaki Kawajiri. Who also direct the series X and Vampire Hunter D. Our vagabond, Jubei was voiced by Koichi Yamadera and Bradley Lavelle. Most of Bradley’s work has been in video game voice overs. A few of these are Big Mutha Truckers, X3: Reunion, and Driver. Jubei’s love interest, Kagero, was voiced by Emi Shinohara and Wendee Lee. Wendee Lee voiced Charlotte in Vampire Hunter D and also Tatsuki Arisawa from Bleach. Unfortunately, I can only find the English voice actor for our instigator of the film, Dakuan. He was voiced by Jimmy Theadore. Jimmy has also voiced for El Hazard, Trigun, and Serial Experiments: Lain. Most of the voice actors for this film have had smaller parts in some larger series, but they all flow well together in this film.
Reflection- Ninja Scroll is not my typical cup of tea, and I can’t say I greatly enjoyed it. The story is dark, intense, and a little difficult to follow for the the casual viewer. I tend to like my anime on the light and funny side. I do, occasionally, enjoy something a little more dark, but this just didn’t fit the bill.
I’ve heard nothing but good things about this film, and watched it upon recommendation from multiple people. The story was good, and I’m sure I would enjoy it better after a second viewing. I just couldn’t keep focus on the story. Jubei was a great character. I wasn’t a fan of Kagero though. Her character seemed to never have a focus. She was strong and proud one minute, and a crying little girl the next. She is a woman, though, so that probably explains the mood swings. I would say this is definitely a mans anime. A lot of blood and violence. Very little of anything else
Over all, it’s a good story, the art is typical, and the characters entertaining. I could watch it again, and am actually listening to it in the background while writing this, but I doubt this will ever be part of my collection.
Why you should watch: You enjoy typical hack and slash ninja anime with a decent story.
Why you shouldn’t watch: You’re not a fan of violence and naked boobies, or you prefer a lighter story with more humor.