Ninja Scroll

Ninja Scroll (1986)

  • 100% of critics liked it
    (6 reviews)

  • 86% of users liked it
    (53,982 ratings)

Removed from the typical futuristic element of most Japanese animated adventures, this 1994 feature takes place in more of a sword-and-sorcery epic set in feudal Japan. Jubei Kipagami, a ninja mercenary, wanders the countryside in search of work. On his travels, he encounters Kagero, a female ninja… More

Play Trailer

Unrated,
Directed By
,
Written By
Yoshiyaki Kawajiri
Genres
Action & Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga
In Theaters
Jun 1, 1995 Wide
Palm Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Anton Bitel, Little White Lies

    There is so much going on here, that the film's total lack of subtext - or, more generously, its pure escapism - only sinks in afterwards. It may be a tale of sound and fury, signifying nothing - but all that demon-whupping sure is fun.

  • Jeffrey M. Anderson, Common Sense Media

    Characters zip through the trees and move quick as a flash; there's a real sense of speed and weight to these scenes.

  • James O'Ehley, Movie Gurus

    Teenage boys beware: this is NOT a date movie . . .

  • Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope

    Ranks high among the classics of Japanese animation.

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Tsubaki S


    If there is a word that resumes quite well this film is action, NS is all about the action. The plot is "101 Action/epic fiction" and curious enough is what makes it work. Kawajiri knows that there is no point in trying to re-invent the genre, so instead he works in crafting… More

  • Greg S


    A ninja-for-hire joins forces with a cursed female ninja and a gnome-like spy to fight against the Eight Devils of the Dark Shogun. Above-average anime adventure/fantasy set in feudal Japan featuring nice artwork, a complicated but coherent plot, and graphic violence and nudity. This… More

  • EightThirty .


    12/09/2010 (ONLINE) If you liked "Ninja Assassin" then you may wanna see this, especially in the "blood and gore" department. This is another "classic" Manga/Anime that blew up the scene back in the days like "Fist of the North Star",… More

  • Drew S


    Violent, sexist and stupid, Ninja Scroll is the sort of movie that gave anime its sordid reputation. The decent action scenes and retrospectively impressive (but now dated) animation keep it from being totally irredeemable, but Ninja Scroll's plot is just about the worst thing… More

  • Phil H


    This was awesome manga, I thought Afro Samurai was good well this is better is every way!! it looks amazing, so smooth and so well drawn despite being almost 17yrs old now!! (1993, has it been that long??) It really is a great piece of art and anime, the voice work is great and better… More

Read all 14 featured audience ratings

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