Ninja Scroll: The Series
Publisher
MVM
Director
Tatsuo Sato
Production
Madhouse, WOWOW
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
13 eps; 25 mins each
Year
2003
Ninja Scroll volume 3
By otaku_kei
5th Nov 04  [Disclaimer - i have not seen volumes 1 & 2 a the time of reviewing this disc] Now as any of you who post on the forums regularly will know I'm not a particular fan of the Ninja Scroll movie, so I approached this title with a degree of trepidation. Would this show suffer from the same problems that diminished the movie in my opinion? Would I end up disapointed with the series as well as he movie? Well it looks as if the series may have taken the movie as it's source inspiration but completely dispensed with any of the history associated with the film. A completely different tale of Jubei as he journeys across feudal Japan. As the climactic volume of the series these episodes need to bring together the plot into some form of resolution. The Light Maiden, as focus for the struggle between the Kimon and Hijiro clan rivalry, is underused in this volume. She quickly falls into the hands of the Kimon clan despite Jubei and the Hijiro's best efforts to thwart them. This comes across as nothing more than a chance for the series to speed up the plot and bring it to a close as the series run was almost exhausted. But this means that the set-up for the final confrontation with all sides who hold an interest in the resurrection or final destruction of the Lost Dynasty for the big showdown. Cue several set pieces where Jubei slices through the torso and necks of dozens of henchmen, whilst never really getting injured himself. So indefatigable hero, woman of destiny, demon enemies, political intrigue in the Shogunate - actually it does sound quite a bit like the movie! Jubei remains as always calm and unflinching in the face of danger. Just picture Clint Eastwood with a ninja sword rather than a magnum .45! Now whilst this doesn't make for a character who develops and changes across the course of the story he remains an engaging and charismatic lead, because let's face it bad-ass ninja's are cool! The Light Maiden, Shigure is on the otherhand a woefully undeveloped wilting flower of a character. Throughout this volume she continues to pine and moan that she only wants a normal life, and all the while refusing to accept the destiny that both the Kimon and Hijiro clans want her to fulfill. Personally this just comes across as rather weak as she really has no choice but to try to take up arms to defend herself. Yet she is used more as a plot device so that Jubei has a reason to fight the seemingly endless army of ninjas' who insist on throwing themselves upon his sword. Add in generic old priest guy, and young lad just setting out to make his fame and fortune in the world - guess what? He's a thief - what a surprise! In all honesty the secondary characters are paper-thin, dammit even the primary characters are hardly 3-dimensional! Now 5 episodes on this disc, and boy are they action packed! Whilst they are all of a high quality, the best episode is without a doubt the opening one of the volume. This follows a master swordsman of the Hijiro clan as he battles with Jubei praying that our hero will be able to end his cursed existence. This is the only gripping episode on the disc and really left me hopeful for the rest of the disc. The other episodes all return to the main plot of the conflict between the Kimon and Hijiro clans, and whilst this is interesting and the action is top-notch excitement, after the opening episode it just doesn't have the same impact and energy as I think it could have had. The main storyline will most certainly be more gripping if you have seen the first two volumes. All in all this was really enjoyable, whilst the plot may be wafer-thin this was covered up by the great action, great animation and the sheer verve and energy of the show. Really fun show and if I get the chance I'll check out the rest of the series. 8/10
R2 DVD Notes
Features: English 5.1; Japanese 2.0; Storyboard to feature comparison reel; Behind the scenes - English language recording; Creating the cover art; Art Gallery; Textless opening & closing animation; MVM trailers
Release information: 1st November 2004 - OUT NOW
Notes: The animation is great, and the audio tracks perfect even if the English voice acting is a bit bland.
Quite a selection of extras of varying degrees of quality. The cover-art option was pretty poor filming of artist inking in the pencil drawing just of Jubei that adorns the cover. Filmed at double/triple speed it's exactly what you expect from an inker - he is TRACING! The storyboard to feature comparison is of much higher quality running alongside a window of the fight is the storyboard. Interesting to see how much is storyboarded by certain animation teams. The Behind the Scenes section just covers more of the old ground of interviews with the English language voice actors. So anime is produced differently from American cartoons, we are aware of that and another interminable expression of how the actors are trying to achieve an inner relationship with the character. But this feature is worth watching just for the choice snippets from the voice-acting director - some of his comments are priceless.
The rest of the extras are pretty standard for a UK release, image gallery, textless opening and closing music tracks, and trailers from the publisher.
But one major selling point of this disc - 5 episodes. Count em. 5 episodes. That alone makes this disc well worth its cost.
-- otaku_kei 5th Nov 04
Ninja Scroll: The Series Images       
|
