“If you so want the company of devils, you’d better hurry back to hell, Gemma.” — Jubei

Ninja Scroll, the 1993 anime film directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, stands as a landmark in anime history for its groundbreaking animation, intense action, mature themes, and unique blending of historical fantasy with the supernatural. Its fluid, detailed hand-drawn animation vividly brings to life brutal sword fights and supernatural battles, while the richly textured 17th-century Japan setting immerses viewers in a dark, menacing world. This artistic achievement set a high benchmark, elevating anime’s global reputation as a cinematic art form beyond works like Akira.

The story follows Kibagami Jubei, a wandering mercenary ninja drawn into a plot involving the immortal villain Genma and the feared Eight Devils of Kimon. Though the plot remains straightforward—largely focused on Jubei’s confrontation with powerful enemies—it gains depth through morally ambiguous characters and mature themes of sacrifice, honor, and survival. A key emotional element is the relationship between Jubei and Kagero, a female poison ninja cursed to kill anyone who touches her, which sidesteps typical romance tropes and develops themes of vulnerability and resilience.

The voice acting, particularly in the English dub, is a significant highlight, delivering performances that imbue characters with seriousness and emotional nuance, broadening the film’s international appeal and cementing it as a gateway for adult animation in the West. While Ninja Scroll excels in action and atmosphere, it also courts controversy for its graphic violence and explicit sexual content. There is a notably disturbing sexual assault scene involving Kagero, which has long sparked discomfort and debate. However, it is important to clarify that while the film uses explicit sexual content to enhance its darker tone, it does not cross into hentai territory; the sexual content serves a narrative purpose rather than mere eroticism. This mature material intensifies the film’s psychological tension and power struggles, positioning it firmly within adult-oriented anime.

Sexual violence directed mostly at female characters has been a persistent source of controversy surrounding Ninja Scroll. While the sexual content is relatively tame compared to many contemporary non-hentai anime, its depiction of sexual assault and coercion has never lost its provocative edge. The character Kagero, despite being a formidable and dangerous figure, is victimized through sexual violence that many viewers and critics find disturbing. Scenes such as her being captured and violated by monstrous enemies contribute to an uneasy juxtaposition of empowerment and victimhood, with Kagero often used as a plot device to motivate male protagonists rather than as a fully autonomous character. This imbalance and the graphic nature of these depictions have led to censorship in some countries and sparked ongoing debates around the ethics of such content in adult media. Critics often argue that these portrayals risk glamorizing or exploiting sexual violence, while defenders contend that the shocking nature heightens the dark tone of the film’s world, reflecting its brutal and morally fraught universe. Nonetheless, these themes remain divisive, challenging viewers to grapple with how mature animation handles issues of gendered violence and trauma.

One of Ninja Scroll’s defining strengths lies in its animation style. The kinetic action sequences are not only meticulously choreographed but also executed with an extraordinary fluidity and dynamism that were revolutionary for the early 1990s. The hand-drawn fight scenes feature sweeping, graceful movements punctuated by sharply detailed strikes and counterattacks, bringing a visceral sense of speed and impact seldom achieved in other works of the period. This fluidity is complemented by innovative techniques like the use of deleter dot screens for shading and shadow effects, which add texture and depth without sacrificing motion smoothness.

The animation’s prowess extends beyond just the fight choreography. The film’s use of lighting and atmospheric effects creates a hauntingly dreamlike world that feels simultaneously realistic and mythical. Backgrounds are richly painted with a softness that evokes Impressionistic influences, enveloping characters in an environment that accentuates the eerie and supernatural tone. The balance between detailed character animation and these painterly settings builds a distinct visual identity that has aged gracefully over decades.

This combination of fluid, kinetic action and richly atmospheric artistry contributed significantly to Ninja Scroll being considered one of the modern classics of anime. It elevated expectations for what animated films could achieve in terms of dynamic movement and aesthetic sophistication. The influence of its animation style can be traced through numerous subsequent anime productions, as well as Western media inspired by anime’s visual storytelling techniques.

Ninja Scroll’s legacy is extensive and multifaceted. Its DNA can be seen clearly in later samurai-themed anime such as Samurai Champloo and Afro Samurai. Samurai Champloo echoes Ninja Scroll’s stylistic blending of Edo-period Japan with anachronistic influences—infusing hip-hop culture with samurai narratives—while maintaining intense, fluid sword fights and a mix of humor and gravitas. Afro Samurai shares its dark tone, violent action, and lone-protagonist vengeance quest, carrying forward the mood and narrative style originally forged by Ninja Scroll. Director Kawajiri’s subsequent works, including his segments in The Animatrix, further pursue this blend of hyper-realistic violence, dark fantasy, and mature storytelling. His visual style and thematic preoccupations continue to set standards for adult anime storytelling.

Beyond anime, Ninja Scroll substantially impacted Western filmmakers. Its dynamic animation and mature tone influenced the Wachowskis’ Matrix trilogy, particularly in its kinetic martial arts choreography and philosophical depth. This cross-cultural influence helped establish anime as a vital creative wellspring for global media, encouraging Hollywood to adopt similar stylistic and narrative innovations. The film’s success helped popularize ninja and samurai mythologies worldwide, inspiring Hollywood action films and series exploring similar themes.

In conclusion, Ninja Scroll is a seminal work blending technical brilliance, compelling voice performances, stark mature themes, and memorable characters. Its relatively simple yet focused plot allows intense action and emotional depth to shine. While its graphic sexual content remains controversial, especially due to its depiction of sexual violence toward women, this aspect underscores the dark world the film portrays rather than serving gratuitous ends. Its influence spans subsequent anime like Samurai Champloo and Afro Samurai and extends into Western filmmaking, confirming Ninja Scroll’s importance as a groundbreaking and enduring classic that shaped adult animation globally.