Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24384 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-04-07
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Formats: Animated, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 60 minutes

Special Features
Digitally remastered.
English Language version
Chapter Selection
Manga previews

Synopsis
Master swordsman Shuransuke Sakaki refuses to be owned by the clans of Shoguns of ancient feudal Japan. He walks alone, leaving behind the severed limbs of those who dare oppose him. When he is hired to rescue Princess Mayu from bandit ninjas, however, Sakaki doesn't realize he will have to battle spirits from Hell to get the job done!

From the Back Cover
The best sword fighting action since Ninja Scroll.

Ancient feudal Japan was ruled by the clans of Shogun – and the rule was absolute! They owned the land and the people on it, but one man they did not own was Shuranosuke Sakaki the master swordsman. Bearing the distinctive ‘Scythes of Death’ crest he walks alone and unafraid, cutting a swathe through those who stand in his way.

Shuranosuke is hired by the Tokugawa Shogunate to rescue Princess Mayu from the clutches of a group of bandit ninjas, the Seki Ninja. They will stop at nothing to prevent him from succeeding and call on the undead spirits of Seki Ninjas in Hell to assist them. Shuranosuke’s skills are put to the ultimate test as he leaves a trail of blood and severed limbs behind him in a desperate attempt to save the Princess.

Customer Reviews

Clearly Low Budget
Here is your typical low budget anime.
It's short, has poor animation, an unoriginal story and tries too combine so many aspects/genres, like putting in absolutely pointless, ludicrous sex scenes and some poor dialogue "bad language". Where as the violence is obvious. The story is so blatant and lame that i can sum it up in a few words - "There's this invincible samurai guy right, and he's gotta kill demons and save a princess, the end?". Although you can't deny the attempt at being a classic, solid epic, you know inside that it really is bad and sets a pretty bad example for films based on the story-line of ancient feudal Japan. The fact is, its been done.. to death.. and the successful film was by far Ninja Scroll. That is the film that sets the bar on Japan's turbulent times (with ninjas, samurais and all that they encompass). It basically is just a watered down Ninja Scroll, but enough about that. I cannot understand why this is in "The Collection", maybe its because it brings back memories of the standards of anime in the past, or maybe someone botched up, big time..

Authentic Quality
I'm gonna keep this review short 'n sweet - just like the manga! I'll be honest though, as I did find the animation a bit disapointing. The more complicated action scenes are done as a short sequence of stills and it does detract from the whole experience somewhat. Apart from that though, the storyline and characters/weapons are all very unusual and many of the subjects are seldom seen elsewhere. To give you an idea of what I'm on about, there's an amazing opium licking lesbian scene which is very ...erm... satisfying to watch. I really like the wide variety of martial skills portrayed aswell.

Taking into account the small drawbacks I mensioned earlier, this is still one of my favourite mangas. Definately one for the avid collector, that has found their way past the big titles such as Akira and Ghost In The Shell.

This Manga has a very historical/legendary feel to it mixed in with a little Hentai and I love it!