Ninja anime horror is not something you run into very often, at least I don't. To say that I like ninjas is an understatement. Just as saying "I enjoy horror movies" doesn't quite encapsulate the scope of my passion for the genre. And while I haven't been as connected with Japanese anime in recent years as I once was, I still do have a love for "Japanimation." Finding something that connects all your favorite threads, at least more than two specific passions, is something quite rare in my experience. So when you do come across something like this you NEED to seize it!
Just recently I was in a second hand movie/video game store and came across an anime dvd from the early 2000's by the company ADV Films, titled BLOOD REIGN: CURSE OF THE YOMA (not to be confused with BloodRayne or Blood Rain or the endless amount of things with Blood and some variation of "Rain" in the title). Based on a manga from 1985, the anime is a two episode OVA, each episode close to forty minutes (so its basically an 80 minute anime movie).
What follows is a tale set in feudal era Japan, filled with action and mystery, and steeped in Japanese mythology and lore. Yoma is a Japanese word for "demon" or "ghost" and, as we all know, the Japanese have a TON of demons and spirits in their culture. Ninjas versus ninjas versus demons/monsters. Are- are you serious? That sounds amazing!
THE PLOT
At the height of the Sengoku period, war raged across all of Japan. The bodies of the dead and dying lay strewn across the land of the rising sun. Many spirits linger. Wronged and brutally murdered in life, these spirits are twisted into demons. Existing only to plague the living, these Yoma have turned the dark corners of the land into living nightmares for any who pass by. Marou, a ninja of the Takeda Clan, suddenly disappears. Suspecting the ninja may have gone rogue, the Takeda Clan dispatches Marou's childhood friend and fellow ninja, Hikage, to track and eliminate Marou lest vital information on the clan be shared with enemies.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
What I absolutely loved about this anime was the concept. Set during the bloodiest period in Japanese history, the concept of Yoma rising and gaining power due to the atrocities of war makes perfect sense. And ninjas by nature stalk the shadowy corners of the world, the same places these Yoma would hide. During this time period the various ninja clans, particularly the IGA ninja, were being targeted by Oda Nobunaga and systematically eliminated. It was a precarious time to be a ninja in Japan. All of this meshed together naturally for me.
And, well, c'mon, it's ninjas fighting monsters. What's not to love?
The narrative centers on the Takeda ninja, Hikage, and his mission to find his missing friend Marou. The anime begins with a sequence where Hikage is very much portrayed as a "closer to real life" ninja (so no insane super human abilities) which is rare and refreshing to see. The story has Hikage engaged in a very real secret mission: return Marou to the ninja clan or assassinate him before he can divulge the secrets of the Takeda to a rival clan. Hikage is obviously conflicted about his mission but remains loyal to his clan. We see him fighting rival ninjas and engaging in espionage. As the story goes events grow stranger and scarier as the Yoma slowly appear. All of this I found cool and intriguing.
In terms of animation this one is okay. It's up to par with the 1989 Devilman anime, so, I was cool with it. One of the first few animes I ever saw was NINJA SCROLL. I still hold Ninja Scroll on a pedestal and compare it to many anime I see against action and animation quality. Blood Reign feels very much like a forerunner to themes and ideas that appear in Ninja Scroll, albeit with a decidedly more spiritual/horror bent. Blood Reign was made in 1989 whereas Ninja Scroll was released in 1993 so there's bound to be some differences in animation quality. Ninja Scroll has better animation but it was made four years later.
In terms of action Ninja Scroll again is superior. I was slightly disappointed in the action but not enough to dismiss the film entirely. The fight scenes are quicker and less elaborate than some of the more spectacular action animes out there. The film leans more on creating atmosphere than wild action set pieces. Still, there are some genuine ninja techniques and weapons on display which add quite a bit of authenticity. Even with the action lacking a bit, I was still able to enjoy the anime very much.
Mixed in with everything else are some great horror visuals. I am a big fan of the ninja elements herein, but the anime also impressed me with its horror elements as well. I talked about atmosphere earlier, the filmmakers use this to great effect in the horror sequences. Some of my favorite moments in the anime are these scarier scenes. Between the two episodes there are several great scenes making this one of the better horror animes I've seen.
THE VERDICT
Feudal era Japan, ninjas, and monsters? Wrapped up in a horror anime? SOLD! Blood Reign caters to many of my passions, so much in fact that its hard to be objective. I'll admit, as a ninja action anime it doesn't quite meet the standards of Ninja Scroll. But as an anime horror epic is where this one succeeds. There are some great atmospheric moments and horrific scenes that make Blood Reign particularly noteworthy. As well as mystery, intrigue, and authentic ninja tactics and espionage, overall this is a pretty good anime in my book.
Overall Ranking: 7 out of 10
Nude-O-Meter: 0 out of 10
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