Review published 5th August 2026
Watch the official trailer.
The Story
Through narration, an important question is introduced: why do men fight, and why do they continue to fight even when they are close to peace? The narration also speaks of a man named Kashin, a powerful sorcerer capable of taking on many forms, with some even claiming he can bring the dead back to life. The sorcerer is about to set in motion a chain of events that will spark a new kind of war. It all begins when Kashin appears before a powerful leader named Lord Danjo and Shinzaemon of the Yagyu clan. Kashin reveals a prophecy: whoever wins the heart of Lady Ukyo will not only win her affection but will also conquer heaven and earth. While Shinzaemon dismisses the prophecy and walks away, Lord Danjo is immediately captivated by the idea and becomes determined to make it a reality.
Serving Lord Danjo are five magician monks who assist him in his pursuit, including the creation of a powerful love potion. At the same time, viewers are introduced to Kagaribi (Noriko Watanabe) and her lover Jotaro (Hiroyuki Sanada), both highly skilled ninjas. Jotaro dreams of one day marrying Kagaribi and living a peaceful life together. However, tragedy soon strikes and now Jotaro is on a mission of revenge unlike anything he has faced before. The reason is simple yet devastating plus Kagaribi is Lady Ukyo’s twin sister. Despite Lord Danjo’s immense power and army at his command, Jotaro refuses to back down with a fight. What follows is an all-out war fueled by revenge, dark magic, prophecy, and bloodshed.
A Bizarre Blend of Fantasy and Action
Ninja Wars is best described as a Japanese fantasy action film, though it also incorporates elements of romance, tragedy, supernatural horror, and historical adventure. The film was directed by Kōsei Saitō, whose other works include G.I. Samurai (1979), Devil’s Flute (1979), and Tsumiki Kuzushi (1983), among many others throughout his career. For those unaware, Ninja Wars is based on a novel by Futaro Yamada.
Although the film’s central plot is relatively straightforward, there is a surprising level of complexity when it comes to some of its fantasy elements. Certain aspects involving Kashin, his powers, and the prophecy remain deliberately vague throughout the runtime. While I generally followed the main storyline, there were several moments where I found myself confused by some of the supernatural developments. However, rather than hurting the experience, this uncertainty often became part of the film’s charm. At various points, I had absolutely no idea what bizarre twist was coming next, yet I remained thoroughly entertained throughout.
Creativity Over Clarity
What ultimately makes Ninja Wars memorable is not its storytelling but its sheer unpredictability. Just when it feels like the film is heading in one direction, it introduces another supernatural twist, strange character, or outrageous fantasy concept. There were multiple occasions where I genuinely had no idea what was about to happen next, and that constant sense of surprise became one of the film’s greatest strengths. This is not a film that demands viewers fully understand every detail of its mythology. Instead, it works best when approached with an open mind and a willingness to embrace its weirdness. If you spend too much time trying to analyse every fantasy element, you may end up frustrated. Sit back, enjoy the ride, and allow the madness to unfold.
Hiroyuki Sanada Leads the Charge
Hiroyuki Sanada delivers a strong performance as Jotaro and ultimately becomes one of the film’s most engaging characters. Although he initially feels like just one part of a larger ensemble, his importance gradually grows as the story develops. Jotaro’s quest for revenge provides much of the film’s emotional core, helping to anchor the more chaotic fantasy elements surrounding him.
The romance between Jotaro and Kagaribi serves as the emotional foundation of the story, although it is ultimately overshadowed by the film’s action, supernatural warfare, and bizarre fantasy elements. While I cared more about Jotaro than Kagaribi, their relationship still provides enough motivation to make the larger conflict feel meaningful. Kashin is also a memorable presence throughout the film. While he never truly feels like a traditional character, his mysterious nature and supernatural abilities help establish the film’s unusual atmosphere. He often feels more like a catalyst for the chaos than an outright antagonist, but his scenes remain among the most memorable.
Spectacular Action and Visual Flair
The film’s costumes are absolutely stunning, featuring intricate detail and vibrant colours throughout. The production also makes impressive use of large numbers of extras, helping several scenes feel epic in scale. The action sequences are another major highlight. Rather than relying on straightforward sword fights, the film consistently finds creative ways to entertain. Characters fly through the air, massive blades soar like boomerangs, and brutal acts of violence are delivered with style and imagination. Packed with bloody battles, decapitations, and supernatural combat, the action remains consistently engaging. Even by modern standards, some of these sequences are remarkably ambitious and showcase an impressive level of creativity.
A Finale That Doesn’t Quite Deliver
Despite enjoying much of the journey, my biggest disappointment came from the film’s climax. After spending so much of its runtime embracing bizarre fantasy concepts, creative action, and increasingly outrageous moments, the finale feels surprisingly restrained. While I certainly did not predict the outcome, the final confrontation lacks the scale and madness that much of the rest of the film seemed to promise. As a result, the ending feels somewhat underwhelming compared to everything that came before it. It is not a bad conclusion by any means, but it never fully reaches the heights that the film’s wild imagination led me to expect.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Ninja Wars is certainly one of the most “out there” Japanese films I have seen. Packed with blood-soaked action, brutal decapitations, dark magic, tragic romance, and supernatural fantasy, the film throws an astonishing number of ideas at the screen. Did the story completely pull me in? Not really. However, the film’s creativity, unpredictability, and willingness to embrace the bizarre absolutely did. More than anything, Ninja Wars succeeds because it constantly keeps audiences guessing. Whether it is introducing another strange fantasy element, escalating the action, or presenting an unexpected twist, the film rarely plays things safe. Ninja Wars is not necessarily the kind of movie you will call a masterpiece or spend days analysing afterwards. Instead, you will likely find yourself watching in a state of fascinated disbelief, constantly wondering what bizarre moment is waiting around the next corner. It is an unforgettable experience, not because of its journey, but because of its fearless commitment to being strange, ambitious, and consistently entertaining.
Ninja Wars (1982) will be Available on Blu-ray from September 23rd thanks to Umbrella!
About the Reviewer
Peter Walkden
Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.
Connect
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkdenentertainment/
Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/Peter_Walkden/
Website: https://walkdenentertainment.com/
More links and updates: https://linktr.ee/PeterWalkden