Ninja Scroll (1993)

 Ninja Scroll (1993)

8/10 

Starring the voices of

Kōichi Yamadera
Emi Shinohara
Takeshi Aono
Daisuke Gōri

Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri

Ninja Scroll is one of the first (if not the first) anime I ever saw as a child. It took an old friend reminding me of its existence for me to recall watching something like this. This is one of those classics that truly lives up to the hype. The story is highly engaging, and the mystery keeps you fully invested before you can piece together what’s going on and why.

This anime is not for kids—it’s strictly adult-focused, featuring nudity, sexual violence, killings, blood, and gore. Created back in 1993, I believe it’s one of the trailblazers that made it easier for other mature-themed anime to follow suit.

The animation is beautifully crafted, and the fight scenes are well-executed without being overly glorified. The plot revolves around a lone ninja, Jubei, and a girl as they take on a group of ninjas known as the Eight Devils of Kimon, each possessing unique supernatural abilities.

The gap in power between the demon ninjas and ordinary humans is immense, but Jubei’s exceptional skills bridge that divide. As expected, the final battle delivers everything you’d hope for in a movie like this.

The story begins with Jubei taking down some men, showcasing his impressive skills. Shortly after, we’re introduced to the Eight Devils of Kimon, who have annihilated an entire town and made it appear as though the townspeople died of the plague. Their powers are extraordinary—some can manipulate corpses, others are invulnerable to weapons, and a few can even alter their surroundings.

Kagero, a female ninja, is part of a clan sent to investigate the town’s destruction. On their way, her entire group is slaughtered, leaving her as the sole survivor. She is captured by one of the Eight Devils, who attempts to rape her but is interrupted when Jubei steps in. After a brief fight, Jubei and Kagero manage to escape, with the demon pursuing them until Jubei ultimately kills him.

Jubei and Kagero go their separate ways, with Kagero reporting the incident to her superiors, who instruct her to continue investigating. Meanwhile, Jubei is approached by an old man who offers him 100 gold pieces to work for him. Jubei declines, but he’s soon attacked by another of the Eight Devils, seeking revenge. The old man saves Jubei but poisons him, forcing Jubei to accept the job to receive the antidote.

The old man’s mission is for Jubei to eliminate the remaining seven Devils while uncovering what truly happened in the town. Along the way, Jubei and Kagero cross paths again, and she joins their group. Together, they battle through the remaining demons to solve the mystery, with Jubei ultimately confronting a ghost from his past.

Ninja Scroll remains one of the best examples of anime or animation, delivering a thrilling combination of action, mystery, and stunning visuals.