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REVIEW: Ninja Scroll Blu-Ray


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dtm42



Joined: 05 Feb 2008
Posts: 14084
Location: currently stalking my waifu
PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 12:42 am Reply with quote
So this was the title Key had in mind when he made the hyperviolent thread.

I watched this very soon after becoming a fan and didn't like it much. I wonder if my attitude towards it would change for the better if I re-watched it now, especially on Blu-Ray. Hmm.
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One-Eye



Joined: 08 Mar 2011
Posts: 2267
PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 1:09 am Reply with quote
I remember seeing this a long time ago and the impression it left was what Key mentioned--that the plot was just too thin. The action was ok, and some of the characters were visually striking like Kagero, but it just didn't quite have enough meat on its bones for me. It might satisfy some looking for a nostalgia trip or action junkies looking for something old school though.
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walw6pK4Alo



Joined: 12 Mar 2008
Posts: 9322
PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 1:10 am Reply with quote
Nah, Ninja Scroll isn't Kawajiri's peak in violence, I'd give that to Cyber City OEDO 808 first. Ninja Scroll just gets all of the glory and recognition because it was one of "those" titles, the ones that got talked about the most, that we've assigned to be the big anime of the day. Neither of these are close to the even bloody anime out there. If you're going for pure shock value, Violence Jack and the Devilman OVAs are pretty much the crowning glory of mindless and senseless carnage. For some of the same violence but with pretty art, there's BAOH, by the immortal Araki. You've got killer stalactites in that one.

Many of those titles have received handsome remastered DVDs, but really need some HD to shine. Whereas, I don't think Geist or Genocyber would clean up all that well, OEDO is downright beautiful at times, probably Kawajiri's prettiest work after Bloodlust.

For the film itself, yeah it's cool on first watching, but it's a pretty empty other than the sequencing of the various fights.
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enurtsol



Joined: 01 May 2007
Posts: 14889
PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 1:56 am Reply with quote
Heheheh......... as I mentioned before.............. the anime that used to be the benchmark of who's a newbie anime fan and who is not.............. Laughing
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ElectricDork



Joined: 08 Apr 2010
Posts: 73
PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 6:43 am Reply with quote
I love this film. It's hard to believe I first watched it 18 years ago, when it was almost new, and I think it holds up well even today. The Blu-ray transfer is glorious.

While Ninja Scroll may not be the most gratuitously violent anime, few have done violence with this much style and elegance. In terms of anime action movies, I'd rate this second only to Kawajiri's equally stylish Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.

Also, for an action movie it has a serviceable, perhaps even decent, plot and a genuinely moving (at least I think so) romantic subplot to boot.

And I can't give enough praise to Kaoru Wada's brilliantly atmospheric score. Loved his work on the 3x3 Eyes OVA too.
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casualfan



Joined: 24 Jul 2012
Posts: 333
PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:55 am Reply with quote
It's been awhile since I've seen this show. Loved it back then. For a show that relies on flashy action and gore I think blu-ray treatment is a good move.

Also this is an action anime with added gore and sex. Not really the type that relies on a deep and sophisticated plot.
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jr240483



Joined: 24 Dec 2005
Posts: 4457
Location: New York City,New York,USA
PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 12:25 pm Reply with quote
dtm42 wrote:
So this was the title Key had in mind when he made the hyperviolent thread.

I watched this very soon after becoming a fan and didn't like it much. I wonder if my attitude towards it would change for the better if I re-watched it now, especially on Blu-Ray. Hmm.


Believe me IT DEFINITELY WILL!!

though this and other's ( Vampire Hunter D,Akira, and especially Mad Bull 34 and the old Guyver OVA ) are reasons i got into anime in the 90's cause i was way too annoyed of all the kid friendly US cartoons. While action buffs like me enjoyed it, parental adovcates and others did not. which was why the industry as a whole went to the way of for more teen friendly anime ( eg the Gundam franchise,Bleach and especially DIC's edited version of Sailor Moon and the edited eng dub versions of DBZ & Naruto which was showed a lot during Toonami's afternoon slot )

though most companies are no longer going to the ultraviolence type genere anymore,it is nice that Ninja Scroll got the upgrade.

However i definitely would have been great if Mad Bull 34 was able to get a license again and also get the same treatment too
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DTJB



Joined: 20 Jan 2010
Posts: 671
Location: Dubuque, IA
PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 12:39 pm Reply with quote
Classic anime for various reasons. Maybe not the greatest ever, but I certainly enjoyed it.
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Northlander



Joined: 10 Feb 2009
Posts: 911
PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 1:45 pm Reply with quote
I'm tempted. Ninja Scroll is one of the first anime I ever bought (back in my VHS days.) I picked up the UK Manga Entertainment release on DVD for cheap a couple of years ago, but seeing as this is a rather visually impressive OAV, at least for its time, then having a Bluray version might not be a bad idea.

...if just for the scene where Jubei fights the blind swordsman. That fight was glorious.
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Toriko36



Joined: 09 Nov 2010
Posts: 205
Location: Hoboken, NJ
PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 1:59 pm Reply with quote
I have already pre-ordered this and I cannot wait to watch it.

http://www.deepdiscount.com/bluray/NINJA-SCROLL-814131017321

This is what got me into Anime back in the 90's. I remember a friend showed me a few minutes of this new thing called "Japanimation". After seeing a few minutes, I actually asked him if I could borrow it over the weekend, must of watched it 2-3 times and that was what got me hooked into Anime ever since. I feel that Ninja Scroll, was the title that was the gateway into Anime for many, many fans of today.

Thank you Sentai for providing this and I cannot wait to introduce this title to new fans.
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ikillchicken



Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Posts: 7272
Location: Vancouver
PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 6:20 pm Reply with quote
Theron wrote:
Ninja Scroll's story is too thin for it to ever legitimately be considered one of the all-time great anime movies, but it is a classic well worthy of its jump to Blu-Ray.


Yeah. Pretty much this. Ninja Scroll should not under any circumstances mistake Ninja Scroll for one of the great anime movies of old up there with Ghost in the Shell or Akira. However, it is still a very entertaining movie.

dtm42 wrote:
So this was the title Key had in mind when he made the hyperviolent thread.

I watched this very soon after becoming a fan and didn't like it much. I wonder if my attitude towards it would change for the better if I re-watched it now, especially on Blu-Ray. Hmm.


My two cents: I like Ninja Scroll a whole lot. It really does depend what you like though. It's pretty much grim, ultraviolent action and little else. It's really great grim, ultraviolent action but if this just isn't something you find entertaining then you won't like it. Mind you, I've found that this kind of thing is a bit of an acquired taste (I never liked those kind of shows when I first got into anime) so your opinion could certainly change.
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noigeL



Joined: 14 Feb 2012
Posts: 149
PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:34 pm Reply with quote
dtm42 wrote:
So this was the title Key had in mind when he made the hyperviolent thread.

I watched this very soon after becoming a fan and didn't like it much. I wonder if my attitude towards it would change for the better if I re-watched it now, especially on Blu-Ray. Hmm.


FWIW I watched this very early in my fandom days and disliked it, but I've long since come around on it quite a bit. My BD is in the mail.
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LondinCalling



Joined: 26 Feb 2004
Posts: 122
PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 11:12 pm Reply with quote
Wow animenews rated lower cause of plot. That's laughable.

Anyway, since then things in anime aint got much better. I almost want to call this Ninja Scroll: It's All Downhill From Here edition
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Key
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Joined: 03 Nov 2003
Posts: 18458
Location: Indianapolis, IN (formerly Mimiho Valley)
PostPosted: Sat Dec 01, 2012 12:44 am Reply with quote
LondinCalling wrote:
Anyway, since then things in anime aint got much better. I almost want to call this Ninja Scroll: It's All Downhill From Here edition

I seriously hope you're joking.
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isahackjob



Joined: 01 Jul 2010
Posts: 55
PostPosted: Sat Dec 01, 2012 3:27 am Reply with quote
While the story may not be impressive, this anime made many a anime fan back in the tape trading and block-buster days. That alone makes it important. Also that its one of Kawajiri's more "tame" works is a bonus.
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