Ninja Scroll (1986)

100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
86% of users liked it
(52,079 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 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 whose poisoned blood causes her pale skin to be lethal to the touch. Jubei rescues the woman from Tessai, a creature made of rock. They later find that Tessai is one of the Eight Devils of Kimon, who are involved in a plot to overthrow the Shogun. A story of impossible love between Jubei and Kagero is somewhat interesting, but the true draw of Ninja Scroll is its action sequences. The dazzling swordplay of Japanese live-action samurai movies is not often seen in the animated genre, which tends more towards science fiction; however, this animated work has fight scenes in abundance. Although its content is too strong for children, adult fans of Japanese animation, samurai films, and fantasy should find it enjoyable. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Kevin Seymour, Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Written By: Yoshiyaki Kawajiri
Genres: Action & Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1995 Wide
On DVD: May 19, 1998
Studio: Palm Pictures

Critic Reviews

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.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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
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 a rich and excentric visual background.
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
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 is a 5 star movie if you're a 16 year old boy, but loses a half star with every two years you age until it flattens out (if you're a girl, I assume it starts out flat).
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
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", "Guyver" and stuff like that and it's still a cool as flick to watch for me. The story is cool and I'm always down with the whole "Ninja" thing. Awesome drawings, kick-butt voicing and blood is constantly splattered generously. Although it's quite old it's still better than some the "animated flicks" made these days, even better than some "live action" ones too, but then again that's my opinion. It's been a while since I'd seen this and watching this again was still a great experience, I am glad I found it online because someone burrowed my DVD of this and I haven't seen it since. I might buy another one. Maybe.
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
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 you're liable to see in anything you watch, not necessarily for the content itself but for how seriously it takes everything. Plus, the repeated rape is inexcusable.
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
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 in Japanese with subs, some lovely character design, super sexy female heroine and the imagination on show is top notch, the one thing that I didn't like was it gets alittle too fanciful the further on it goes. I thought it was more of a realistic samurai style but its quite out there haha still great but afew too many unstoppable monsters perhaps. Really enjoyed this :)
Dean M

Incredible wicked cast of characters, extraordinary fight scenes and stunning Japanese anime. I like the ninja hero battling political chicanery, the power of evil, black magic and elegant, ice-hearted villains.
Michael G

I'm not a big fan of anime generally, but this was amazing. Most anime makes my penis soft towards the very ending with a nonsensical lightshow, but I experienced no flacidity with Ninja Scroll.
Bill C

An anime classic. The animation is vey stylized but all the charcaters have great attention to detail, for example the mass of the charactor shift natually almost lile good rotoscoping (animation done by tracing over live action shots) but better. It starts out really good but slows… More
An anime classic. The animation is vey stylized but all the charcaters have great attention to detail, for example the mass of the charactor shift natually almost lile good rotoscoping (animation done by tracing over live action shots) but better. It starts out really good but slows down towards the end. I made a mistake watching this with my sons. The violence is unhinged from the beginning, when it got to the part where the Stone creature knocked out the beautiful ninja Kagero and rippers her clothes off and was licking her, I said boys this movies for Dada only. This movie is brutal in every sense of the word. If it was live action it would be NC-17+. A definite must see for adult anime fans
Marion R

At first I confused as to what the hell was going on, once I got caught up, it was okay.
Jonny C

Great movie. What I love about MANGA movies is that their never shy to include sex or gratuitous violence, and Ninja Scroll is no exception. Its action packed, with great villains, a decent story, and wonderful animation.
Anthony V

One of the greatest animes EVER!
Sean S

Beatifully animated movie, with balletic violence. Good all the way round.
Ashton R

Some of the best animation I have ever seen. Absolutely stunning in every aspect, especially for violence. Probably the most graphic and stomach turning anime I have ever seen, but it's just so beautiful you can't turn away. The English dub is so-so, but it just adds to its… More
Some of the best animation I have ever seen. Absolutely stunning in every aspect, especially for violence. Probably the most graphic and stomach turning anime I have ever seen, but it's just so beautiful you can't turn away. The English dub is so-so, but it just adds to its old school charm. This was actually one of the very first anime that started my Japanese/anime obsession way back when. Should be on every anime/ninja/samurai fan's Must See list.