Ninja Scroll: The Series

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Ninja Scroll: The Series

獣兵衛忍風帖「龍宝玉篇」 (Wind Ninja Chronicles)
Genre
TV anime
Directed by	Tatsuo Sato
Studio	MADHOUSE
Network	WOWOW
Original run	14 April 2003 – 15 July 2003
No. of episodes	13

Ninja Scroll: The Series is a TV series based on Yoshiaki Kawajiri's Ninja Scroll. The story takes place in feudal Japan and follows the adventures of Jubei Kibagami, a mercenary ninja who is given a duty to guard the Dragon Stone and to protect the Priestess of Light (Shigure) from the Hiruko Clan and the Kimon Shu. He is aided by the government spy Dakuan and the thief Tsubute. From Madhouse Production, the show is directed by Tatsuo Sato (Martian Successor Nadesico) and the characters are designed by Takahiro Yoshimatsu (Trigun). The English dialogue was directed by Jack Fletcher. The dubbed version of this series is licensed by Urban Vision. Ninja Scroll: The Series was ranked in the Top 25 Anime titles of 2004 according to Nielsen VideoScan.

1 Fans' reaction
2 Characters
3 Links to the film
4 Episodes
5 Voice actors (VA/Seiyū)
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Fans' reaction

Although critics have given the show good reviews, fans of the original Ninja Scroll have been negative towards it. One reason for this is that Yoshiaki Kawajiri and Yutaka Minowa have little or no involvement in the series, and this has led to claims that the storyline in it is inferior to the film's. But fans of the show consider it better than its false sequel, Ninja Resurrection.

[edit] Characters

See Characters of Ninja Scroll: The Series

[edit] Links to the film

The series has many close links to the film of Ninja Scroll, including:

1. The hat that Jubei wears in the series has a V-shaped cut on it. In the film of Ninja Scroll, this V-shape is cut into the hat by Tessai.

2. The Kimon Shu Clan is based on the "The 8 Devils of Kimon", who are the force that Jubei must fight against in the film.

3. Jubei fights in certain areas that are also in the film. For example, Jubei fights with Utsusu Mujuro in a bamboo forest in the film, which reappears in Episode 8 of the series for his fight with Rengoku.

[edit] Episodes

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

1. Tragedy in the Hidden Village

A ninja from the Hiruko steals the Dragon Stone from the Hiruko Clan, and a huge clan fight over the stone ensues. Ninja hero Jubei interrupts the fight to take the jewel and, after a dying man asks him, accepts the task of delivering it to Shigure - the Priestess of Light.

2. Departure

Jubei must find a way to give the Dragon Stone to Shigure whilst being hunted down by both the Hiruko Clan and the Kimon Shu. After her village is destroyed, Shigure wanders helplessly until she meets Tsubute and Dakuan who are willing to help her find out who she really is.

3. Forbidden Love

Two members of the Kimon Shu, Jyashi and Rengoku, fight Jubei and Dakuan for the Dragon Stone and the Priestess of Light. Jyashi is killed by Jubei, and Rengoku, broken, swears to avenge his death.

4. Broken Stone

Jubei is ambushed by strange roots sent by a Hiruko Ninja, and during the struggle for the stone it is split in two, and the roots take one half. Later a Kimon Shu ninja steals the Hiruko Ninja's half, and sends it back to the Kimon Shu base. Jubei tries to get the stone back, only to find that it is too late.

5. Diamond Child

After stealing the Dragon Stone from Shigure, Tsubute meets Tatsunosuke, a failed yet talented thief who also wants to steal the Dragon Stone. A Kimon Shu member named Aizen wants Tatsunosuke to join him.

6. Shelter from the Rain

As the rain pours down, Jubei is attacked and poisoned. Seeking shelter from the rain, he meets up with a boy and his mother who cure him of the poison. But the creature that poisoned Jubei isn't dead and when killed can leave its host to take another.

7. Blossom

Still after the stone, the root-woman from episode 4 manages to steal Jubei's half of it, but along the way, a Kimon Shu member attacks her. With the help of Jubei, she survives to tell him of the Hiruko, and return the stone.

8. The Fate of Rengoku

After her brother's death, Rengoku is willing to do whatever it takes to kill Jubei even if it means losing her mind, and several limbs.

9. A Dragon Within

A man named Zofu saves Shigure from the Yagyu clan. He reveals the secrets of the Hiruko Clan to her. He also wishes to get rid of an old friend that he carries. With Jubei's help, he might get a chance.

10. The Heart of the Hiruko

Shigure has an unexpected friend by her side, Rokai - a Hiruko Ninja. He fails to protect her as the Kimon Shu have sent out their elite to finish the job. Shigure is finally captured.

11. Yagyu Renya

Jubei must save Shigure by taking a ship to another part of Japan. Along the way, he meets Yagyu Renya, a cold-blooded samurai who has the same goals as Jubei, to find the Dragon Stone and Shigure. Not only that, there seems to be a killer on the ship and everyone is in danger.

12. Dynasty Restoration

Jubei saves Shigure from the Kimon Shu with the help of the Hiruko. But as they get closer to the ancient Hiruko Lands, it becomes evident that all is not what it seems, and the Kimon Shu have the upper hand once again.

13. Farewell Jubei

Now Shigure's destiny is unveiled and she must walk the path of the Priestess of Light. Will she be able to face her destiny without Jubei by her side?