NINJA RESURRECTION
This one should have remained un-resurrected
Review by: Craig "Drowned in Bloodspray" Norris
Length: 2 episode OAV
Genre: Action, horror
Watched: All, dubbed
I fell for it. I saw the word "Ninja" in the title, found out that the main character's name was Jubei, and I instantly thought that this had to be a follow-up to the very epic and enjoyable Ninja Scroll. Which is, apparently, exactly what ADV wanted, seeing as how there was no other way anyone would ever want to see this over-hyped piece of trash. So instead of being treated to a sequel to a very respectable title, I was bombarded by senseless gore and violence that looked more sloppy and contrived than a WWE match.
Plot synopsis: In 1600s Japan, the government began a policy of complete isolationism, expelling all foreigners and foreign influence from the country. But a small population of Christianity remained, and came under constant oppression from the government. However, these Christians still practiced their religion in secret, and held firm to the prophecy that someday the Son of God would be reborn among them. A young man named Shiro appears to be that reincarnation, and is set to take his place as the leader of his people. However, that same prophecy states that, should the Son of God stray from righteousness, he shall die and be reborn as Satan.
Artwork: At the very least, this OAV offers some high quality artwork. The colors are very vivid, and the character designs are distinct, with some being very unique and successfully evoking the kind of terror that was being conveyed. The action scenes, of which there are almost too many, are smooth and intense, and are only hindered in quality by the hectare after hectare of blood that needlessly floods the screen about once every five seconds. But, if taken at face value, the artwork is actually quite impressive.
Music: A bit flat at times, a bit overdone at times, it never seems to find its rhythm. Most of the tracks are very jerky and overdramatic, making them almost painful to listen to. All the tracks are orchestra, and it's clear that they all tried their best, but they really couldn't get it together. Maybe they were trying to overcompensate for the absurdities of the plot and trying to divert attention from the copious amounts of blood that made that one scene from "The Shining" look like a slow drip.
Characters: Well, they're definitely people, and they're definitely alive; of that much I am certain. If you want more info than that, you're on your own. None of the characters, even the main hero, Jubei (no relation), get developed to any great degree. Jubei is a ninja-for-hire who leads an elite team of other ninjas who have some extremely anachronistic weaponry at their disposal. He gets hired by the government to infiltrate the stronghold of the Christians and assassinate Shiro. Shiro is the magnanimous light of the people that everyone expects the Son of God to be. Although his hair is short and he is clean-shaven; not at all like that hippie Jesus. Overall, though, character development is nonexistent, pushed to the rear in favor of plot. And by plot, I mean mindless blood-gushing and gratuitous slicing.
Plot: Here is where the OAV missed a golden opportunity. The story is actually based on historical events and figures, most of which are recognizable by anyone who at least tried to pay attention during a world history class. But instead of using historical events as a backdrop to fictitious, but still plausible, events, it abandons accuracy in favor of a bloodbath, a maneuver that I thought was lacking in both intelligence and taste. Granted, I wasn't looking for a History Channel-esque documentary on Christian oppression in Japan by the Tokugawa government, but I was at the very least hoping for snippets of fact to sporadically appear and make me think, "Oh, yeah, I remember learning about that!" The missed opportunities that pervaded the plot had me consistently seeing red. I mean, more red than just the blood.
CHICKS!: There are some, but they all wind up getting killed, or raped and killed, or raped and disemboweled from the inside by a demon in an unnecessarily graphic display that makes La Blue Girl look tamer than an episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. The point is, no matter how pretty they are, I wouldn't get too attached to any girls that show up in this OAV.
Overall: Use this review as my personal warning: DO NOT watch this under the pretense that it is the sequel to Ninja Scroll. In fact, DO NOT watch this if you're looking for an enjoyable action anime. In fact, DO NOT watch this at all. It is nauseating and in poor taste, and actually quite offensive. And for me to say that, as someone who can polish off an entire pizza during a "Friday the 13th" marathon, means that it most certainly is offensive. If by reading this review your interest is piqued, and you think checking out this title is worth your while, you have two choices: 1) seek psychiatric help immediately, or 2) completely resign yourself to being a sadistic bastard and go buy a snuff film.
IN A NUTSHELL:
+ Solid artwork
- Unfinished
- Un-historically historical
- Tasteless and offensive
Rating: 2/10
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