Ninja ScrollHeroes can appear in the unlikeliest of places, and even chance and fate are apt to join forces when a perfect storm of circumstances forces one to rise up and prevent a nightmare from unfolding. The wandering ninja, Jubei Kibagami, has a reputation for taking odd jobs to defend the needy for a pittance of money, seemingly endangering himself for reasons that elude others. But when he finds himself witness to a monstrous killer preparing to rape the kunoichi (female ninja), Kagero, he intercedes out of pure heroism. And when their fates become intertwined, he also discovers his past rears its head toward unresolved conflicts from before.
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Ninja Scroll is a fantastic and electrifying vision of feudal Japan, a hyperstylized display of brutal swordplay and colorful characters, one where creatures like the "Eight Devils of Kimon" and their unique abilities are accepted, although still exceptional. Animated by the talented Madhouse Studios, the anime is a bold and vivid work, and a hallmark example of the disclaimer which accompanied early "Japanimation" in the 1990s: "for mature audiences only", with its graphic moments of sex and extreme violence. And while not for kids--both a badge of honor for fans and genuine warning for unaware parents--Ninja Scroll presents its content in the context of a world where there are fundamental flaws with the way of things, from how women are regarded to the abuse of power of the government. An acquaintance of mine observed about Kagero--the ninja who has cultivated an immunity to poison as a royal taster--that her unique "talent" for dispatching men who take advantage of her is in effect one of empowerment, evidenced by what happens to her assailant, Tessai, the crag-ridden monstrosity and Jubei's first encounter with the Eight Devils of Kimon. Effectively, his body is poisoned by Kagero in a form of retribution, revenge against the would-be rapist. And although it's true that this is an identified weapon in the already skilled kunoichi's arsenal, it is later revealed to be more of a curse than a blessing, since it denies her the emotional capacity to become attached to another, knowing full well that were she to become involved with someone, it would cruelly take their life. In effect, Kagero represents a blessedly ironic contradiction to the perceptions of anime as works filled with depraved sexuality and rape fantasy, by presenting her as a lethal counterpoint to those who would abuse her in this fashion. And while principally an action film, Ninja Scroll even has feminist undertones in the form of Kagero, who observes the chauvinistic disregard for women by men in her society, such as the audience granted to her by the chamberlain of the Mochizuki clan she works for.
What makes Jubei the right kind of hero for a movie like Ninja Scroll--aside from his skill with a katana--is that he doesn't quite fit in with this cruel and vicious world. His skill is one of necessity, and is devoid of the kind of frills and characteristics of his enemies, all otherwise endowed with seemingly supernatural gimmicks; his only "trick" is to keep his sword on a length of invisible string so that he is never truly disarmed. Jubei carries himself with a kindness which reveals his humanity and moral strength, and is willing to walk into a trap when he knows that it is the right thing to do, such as when he is lured to save Kagero at one point. He also manages to employ humor and dry wit to unbalance his enemies; not so much in a joking fashion, but aware of when his commentary can distract his foes so he may gain the upper hand against his altogether formidable foes. Although Jubei voluntarily intervened on Kagero's behalf, it was done for her benefit, not for the political machinations which her quest made her a part of. It is when Jubei encounters the Tokugawa spy (posing as a monk) named Dakuan that he is drawn into playing a begrudging part in this political dance of death in the shadows. Jubei is coerced by Dakuan into effectively becoming bait to antagonize the Eight Devils of Kimon--working for the enigmatic "Shogun of the Dark", who is ostensibly attempting to spur a new civil war--only because the spy has apparently poisoned the wandering ninja, and claims that he will only provide the cure should he aid him in his mission. It is only after Jubei has discovered that the leader of the Eight Devils of Kimon is revealed to be Genma Himuro--not only a former enemy of Jubei's, but a man he killed--that Jubei is personally vested in the mission, to see justice done to Genma for both his past and current transgressions. In this way, the dynamic of Ninja Scroll is reminiscent of Sam Peckinpah's western, The Wild Bunch, where a manipulative representative of the government presses a former colleague of the antagonist to hunt him down. Although the Mochizuki clan solicits the Koga ninja to investigate the presumed plague afflicting the village, this is revealed to be a front for the Shogun of the Dark to reclaim a bounty of gold which had been shipwrecked nearby; the plague--and subsequent killings of the villagers--are merely a ruse by the Eight Devils of Kimon to secret away the gold before the government is any wiser. All of these displays on behalf of members of the ruling class--from the Shogun of the Dark, the Mochizuki clan, even Dakuan as a representative of the government--portray these figures in power as having little care for people's lives, and are more concerned with stabilizing power and acquiring wealth, a cynical view of a world where freedom is a rarity...something which Jubei embodies, and is more precious as a result.
Recommended for: Fans of a sharp and riveting, action-packed feature, filled with exciting scenes and gorgeous animation. Jubei's confrontations with each of the Eight Devils of Kimon are each a set piece of stylish and clever swordsmanship...real "edge of your seat" stuff.
What makes Jubei the right kind of hero for a movie like Ninja Scroll--aside from his skill with a katana--is that he doesn't quite fit in with this cruel and vicious world. His skill is one of necessity, and is devoid of the kind of frills and characteristics of his enemies, all otherwise endowed with seemingly supernatural gimmicks; his only "trick" is to keep his sword on a length of invisible string so that he is never truly disarmed. Jubei carries himself with a kindness which reveals his humanity and moral strength, and is willing to walk into a trap when he knows that it is the right thing to do, such as when he is lured to save Kagero at one point. He also manages to employ humor and dry wit to unbalance his enemies; not so much in a joking fashion, but aware of when his commentary can distract his foes so he may gain the upper hand against his altogether formidable foes. Although Jubei voluntarily intervened on Kagero's behalf, it was done for her benefit, not for the political machinations which her quest made her a part of. It is when Jubei encounters the Tokugawa spy (posing as a monk) named Dakuan that he is drawn into playing a begrudging part in this political dance of death in the shadows. Jubei is coerced by Dakuan into effectively becoming bait to antagonize the Eight Devils of Kimon--working for the enigmatic "Shogun of the Dark", who is ostensibly attempting to spur a new civil war--only because the spy has apparently poisoned the wandering ninja, and claims that he will only provide the cure should he aid him in his mission. It is only after Jubei has discovered that the leader of the Eight Devils of Kimon is revealed to be Genma Himuro--not only a former enemy of Jubei's, but a man he killed--that Jubei is personally vested in the mission, to see justice done to Genma for both his past and current transgressions. In this way, the dynamic of Ninja Scroll is reminiscent of Sam Peckinpah's western, The Wild Bunch, where a manipulative representative of the government presses a former colleague of the antagonist to hunt him down. Although the Mochizuki clan solicits the Koga ninja to investigate the presumed plague afflicting the village, this is revealed to be a front for the Shogun of the Dark to reclaim a bounty of gold which had been shipwrecked nearby; the plague--and subsequent killings of the villagers--are merely a ruse by the Eight Devils of Kimon to secret away the gold before the government is any wiser. All of these displays on behalf of members of the ruling class--from the Shogun of the Dark, the Mochizuki clan, even Dakuan as a representative of the government--portray these figures in power as having little care for people's lives, and are more concerned with stabilizing power and acquiring wealth, a cynical view of a world where freedom is a rarity...something which Jubei embodies, and is more precious as a result.
Recommended for: Fans of a sharp and riveting, action-packed feature, filled with exciting scenes and gorgeous animation. Jubei's confrontations with each of the Eight Devils of Kimon are each a set piece of stylish and clever swordsmanship...real "edge of your seat" stuff.