Ninja Scroll (1993)

I’m more interested in the sci-fi anime than the fantasy, but I still found this film to be enjoyable.  For those who are sensitive to such things, this film is a prime example of the use of nudity, explicit sexual scenes, and gory violence in Japanese anime.  But you probably knew that already.

When a suspicious epidemic wipes out an entire village, a neighboring clan sends out a team of ninjas to investigate. B ut they are ambushed, and all except one are killed by a monstrous warrior. T he survivor, ninja woman Kagero, is rescued by Jubei, a wandering ninja who stumbles into much more than he cares for. An enemy clan, whose leader is known as the Dark Shogun, has summoned eight demons to help him overthrow the current government and take control of Japan.  Kagero and Jubei, with information from an old man, must stop the demons and prevent Japan from entering into a civil war.

The relationship between Kagero and Jubei is what makes the film more than just a bloodbath action flick. K agero is cursed with a body of poison- any man who sleeps with her (or gets anywhere near intimate) will be killed. Some of it is probably lost in the English dubbing, but there is a tension between them as they slowly begin to realize feelings for each other. In addition, Jubei has been poisoned by the old man in order to force him to deal with the situation- it turns out the antidote is nothing less than the poison in Kagero’s body.

Aside from their relationship, Kagero and Jubei are confronted with the task of defeating the demons. Some of the demons are hideously grotesque, leading to imagery that is quite stunning while at the same time repulsive and terrifying. The fight scenes are impressively animated, with enough blood spurting to satisfy those who enjoy gratuitous violence. If you’re looking for a mature anime with some good characterizations and a decent storyline, check this one out.

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