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In the DVD and niche marketing age, there are more ninja flix available than ever before. We have over 120 ninja movies in
the N80 collection on DVD alone, nevermind the vintage stuff on VHS... and our collection isn't all that, either.
If you've never seen an art-house quality ninja film, or a cartoon-inspired FX romp featuring duelling ninja wizards, then
it's time to start combing the internet! To help you along, here's a quick-n-dirty overview of this multi-faceted shinobi
genre.
In the vast canon of ninja films, there are distinct sub-categories, each with their strengths and weaknesses, each with their
own appeal and loyal fan bases. Ninja flicks generally come in one of these nine deadly flavors:
Japanese Historical Dramas
For the most part black & white, of a serious, often grim tone, full of names right out of the history records; Sarutobe Sasuke,
Ishikawa Goemon, Sandayu Momochi, Jube Yagyu etc.... The emphasis here isn't necessarily martial arts, it is the plight of
ninja in a samurai world, the skill of shinobi spys, the tenacity of underdogs given an impossible task. Clever gadgets and
even more clever tactics abound.
RECOMMENDED:
Shinobi-no-mono (nine film series)
Castle of Owls (or its remake Owl's Castle)
Samurai Spy
Seventeen Ninja
Shintaro the Samurai (TV series)
Mythical Magicians and Ninja Wizards
Primarily kids fare during the original 60's Japanese craze, these special effects and sponge-suit-laden romps are often based
on traditional lore and fairy tales, or are speculative fantasy giving magical prowess to real-life historical figures. Typical
powers include control of the weather and elements, flight, mass-hypnosis, shape shifting, and the handy ability to transform
into or summon and control a giant toad.
RECOMMENDED:
Ninjutsu Gozen-Jiai (Torawakamaru the Koga Ninja)
Kagemaru of Iga
The Magic Serpent
Watari the Ninja Boy
Masked Ninja Akakage (60's TV)
Colorful Fantasy Epics
Japan didn't sit back during the 80's craze, as Kadokawa productions and the Japan Action Club went nuts on ninja fare that
borders on science fiction. Outré villains with armies of costumed cronies, mystical energy weapons, shape shifting assassins,
secret scrolls and quests for legendary swords abound. Again, plenty of history mixing with the fantasy, but more emphasis
on martial arts than the strict magic films. Sony Chiba, Henry Sanada and Sue Shiomi are regulars here. These types of flicks
have made a big comeback in the digital age and are now showing influences of the Chinese 'liquid sword' epics.
RECOMMENDED:
Legend of the Eight Samurai
Ninja Wars
Samurai Reincarnation
Zipang
Sakuya: Slayer of Demons
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