Ninja Scroll

Ninja Scroll

Year: 1993

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Yoshiaki Kawajiri

AnimationAdventureFantasyActionEpic heroes

Set in feudal Japan, a period rife with danger, intrigue and deception, masterless ninja Jubei roams the countryside offering his formidable skills to anyone who can pay or whose cause he deems worthy. His reputation keeps him safe, until a conspiracy to topple the government emerges, threatening to end his lone wanderer’s life and freedom.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Ninja Scroll (1993)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Ninja Scroll (1993). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Edo period

The events unfold under the Tokugawa shogunate, a era of strict social order and political intrigue. Clans, spies, and ninja factions maneuver for wealth and influence, creating a tense environment where loyalty is constantly tested. The period’s secrecy and hierarchy amplify the stakes of every choice, sacrifice, and betrayal.

Location

Shimoda Village, Mochizuki territory, Kashima Harbor, Yamashiro domain, Edo-period Japan

Set in Edo-period Japan, the story moves from secret gold mines in Yamashiro territory to coastal towns and harbors. It traverses Mochizuki lands and Shimoda Village, highlighting feudal politics and ninja networks. The landscape shifts between hidden strongholds and busy ports where gold shipments travel toward the Shogunate’s rivals.

🏯 Edo-era setting 🗺️ Historical Japan 🌊 Coastal towns

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:46

Main Characters – Ninja Scroll (1993)

Meet the key characters of Ninja Scroll (1993), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Kibagami Jubei (Koichi Yamadera)

A mercenary ex-Yamashiro ninja who travels as a lone, formidable swordsman with a dry wit. He fights with brutal efficiency while navigating a murky maze of loyalties and betrayals. His practical code allows him to switch sides for a just cause, making him a valuable ally in a crisis.

🗡️ Mercenary 🕶️ Anti-hero 🧭 Wanderer

Kagero (Emi Shinohara)

A kunoichi whose body holds deadly toxins that kill anyone who kisses or sleeps with her. She is captured by Tessai but saved by Jubei, and chooses to work with him against the Devils. Her courage, sharp wits, and reluctant romance with Jubei drive much of the plot’s emotional arc.

🧪 Poisoned 🥷 Kunoichi 💔 Ally

Dakuan (Takeshi Aono)

A Tokugawa spy who blackmails Jubei into hunting the Devils. He uses manipulation and political smarts to steer events, often standing behind the scenes. By the end, he respects Jubei’s humanity and acknowledges the cost of their mission.

🕵️ Spy 🔗 Manipulator 🤝 Ally

Genma Himuro (Gemma) (Daisuke Gori)

The immortal mastermind behind the Eight Devils, secretly Gemma in disguise. He seeks to weaponize wealth to raise a ninja army and destabilize Japan. His longevity and scheming make him a formidable foe, ultimately ending in a fiery, molten demise.

👑 Mastermind 🧭 Immortal 🗺️ Strategist

Yurimaru (Toshihiko Seki)

Gemma’s loyal right-hand, pursuing Jubei and Kagero with ruthless efficiency. His pursuit demonstrates the cost of loyalty to a higher plan and the peril that comes with rejecting a dangerous offer. He dies in a trap set to eliminate threats.

🗡️ Assassin 🧭 Loyalist 🔥 Rival

Mushizô (Reizô Nomoto)

One of the Eight Devils of Kimon, a supernatural ninja whose power marks the threat level of the mission. He is defeated by Jubei, underscoring the hero’s prowess and resolve.

🦑 Supernatural 🗡️ Villain ⚔️ Combat

Zakuro (Masako Katsuki)

A Devil who uses seduction and manipulation to advance her aims. She engineers a deadly trap that leads to Yurimaru’s death, highlighting the danger of ambition and romantic manipulation.

💋 Seduction 🗡️ Trickster 🧭 Rival

Utsutsu Mujurō (Norio Wakamoto)

One of the Eight Devils, a violent foe who escalates the danger surrounding Jubei and Kagero. His presence amplifies the stakes of every confrontation.

⚔️ Villain 🧭 Supernatural 🗡️ Duel

Shijima (Akimasa Omori)

One of the Eight Devils, a cruel foe who captures Kagero and drives the plot toward a critical turning point. Jubei’s rescue reveals their growing bond.

🗡️ Devil 🧨 Ambush 🗡️ Combat

Sakaki Hyōbu (Shûichirô Moriyama)

Mochizuki chamberlain who manipulates events behind the scenes. He is revealed to be Gemma in disguise, orchestrating deceptions that fuel the final confrontation.

🕶️ Manipulator 🗺️ Strategist ⚡ Villain

Tessai (Ryuuzaburou Ootomo)

A Devil who captures Kagero and attempts to violate her, underscoring the brutal danger the group faces. He is slain by Jubei in the ensuing struggle.

🗡️ Captor 💢 Brutal 🕯️ Devil

Benisato (Gara Takashima)

A Devil who is killed by Yurimaru from afar for failing her mission, illustrating the lethal power dynamics among the Devils and the high cost of disobedience.

🎯 Rival 🗡️ Assassin 🧭 Strategist

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:46

Major Themes – Ninja Scroll (1993)

Explore the central themes of Ninja Scroll (1993), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚔️ Duty

Jubei’s sense of duty often clashes with personal loyalty, forcing him to balance honor, vengeance, and survival. Kagero embodies a contrasting duty, bearing deadly toxins yet choosing to help, knowing the cost. Their alliance tests what it means to follow a code when the right path is not clear. The trio’s choices reveal the complexities of honor in a world ruled by power.

🏯 Power

Gold fuels political ambition, funding schemes to overturn the government and reshape Japan’s balance of power. Dakuan wields espionage and manipulation to steer events, exposing the murky morality of statecraft. Gemma’s immortality and grand plan illustrate how power can corrupt or corrupt others, turning noble aims into dangerous schemes. The pursuit of wealth drives violence, deceit, and existential risk.

💔 Sacrifice

Kagero’s body-harmful toxin and her decision to join the mission demonstrate personal sacrifice for the greater good. Jubei repeatedly risks his safety to thwart the Devils and protect others, embodying selfless action amid chaos. The climactic kiss between Jubei and Kagero, and her ultimate death, anchor sacrifice as a redemptive force amid brutality. The end ties humanity and love to the survival of a fragile world.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:46

Unlock the Full Story of Ninja Scroll

Don't stop at just watching — explore Ninja Scroll in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Ninja Scroll is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Ninja Scroll Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Ninja Scroll, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Ninja Scroll Summary

Ninja Scroll Timeline

Track the full timeline of Ninja Scroll with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Ninja Scroll Timeline

More About Ninja Scroll

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