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27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not the Ninja Scroll Sequel, February 24, 2000
I work in an anime rental shop so i get this all the time. Everyone and their mom loves "Ninja Scroll" but nobody, and i mean nobody likes this one. Here is why: everbody starts this movie up expecting N. Scroll pt2...when it is NOT the same artist, author, or creator of ninja scroll. The only two things that mislead are 1.ninja in the title 2.the main character has the same first name. I am telling you now, THIS IS NOT NINJA SCROLL 2! If you are like me and you just want more samurai action with a cleaner art style than ninja scroll, then this is for you. The story hits a cool aspect of christianity in japanese culture and its abolishment and what it leads to. Definately just as gory, fast paced, and samurai as ninja scroll, but in my eyes...better than.
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Unpleasant Come Back, January 6, 2003
Early 17th Century Japan was a particularly grim period. It is marked by the rise of the Tokugawa Shogunate, several abortive efforts to open Japan up to the world and a bloody rebellion by the small Christian minority that led to the exclusion of foreigners from Japan for over 200 years. The Christian rebellion and its suppression at Shimbara was a struggle with few heroes and all too many villains on both sides. 'Ninja Resurrection' tells a part of the story of those events, combining both history and legend in its telling. Jubei Yagyu, a historical figure, was sword instructor to the Tokugowa regime, as well as in regular use as a spy and assassin. Therefore, it is no surprise that Jubei was sent to invade the Christian stronghold at Shimbara to weaken the fortification and, if possible, assassinate the leaders of the rebellion. Tokisada Shiro Amakusa, whose followers thought he was the new Christ, was killed, and the rebellion collapsed. The result was a massacre - 37,000 Christians dead at the cost of less than 2,000 samurai. The prophecy that declared Shiro to be the returned Christ also -redicts that, if frustrated, he will return as Satan. The first part of this DVD tells about Shimbara, and sets the scene for the second part, the incarnation of Satan. Here we have a little pastiche about Yagyu clan home life followed by a demonic sex scene and the rebirth from a woman's corpse of the slain Shiro. Somehow, Shiro's reanimation includes the return of 4 of Japan's most legendary swordmen as demons. And now comes this DVD's greatest flaw. There is no resolution or conclusion, just an abrupt end. Nor is there any sign of an anime follow up, although there have been several other films (not anime) that deal with Jubei's further adventures. Being left cold at a point that feels like the middle of the plot definite has a chilling effect on one's enjoyment. This is a shame, because the artwork and acting in these two episodes really is excellent, and a continuation would certainly have been successful. Beware, the film contains some very adult scenes and an amazing amount of bloody violence.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
A disappointment..., March 9, 2001
Knowing this was in no way related to Ninja Scroll, I went ahead and purchased it based on the good reviews it has gotten from folks who actually liked it. Good for them; they can watch it over and over. I found the story--what there was of a story--in both of the two shorts to be painfully inconsistant. For example, one historical character that is refered to will not commit suicide (and is consequently tortured) due to his Christian beliefs; however, another character (likely the most important character) is about to commit suicide in spite of his Christ-like status when the story (yet again) changes direction. No real character development occurs nor does any plot development for that matter. Now, about that animation... Well, if your idea of really slick animation is panning across stills done in a traditional Chinese (yes, Chinese) painterly style, then this film is for you. However, if you grade your animation by the fluidity of motion, the creativity of scene, and the life-like character of the fantasy created, I recommend you check out the Brothers Quay Collection. Of course, if you want to stick to the traditional ninja story with excellent animation, there is always Ninja Scroll.
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