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Anyone growing up on anime imports in the ’90s will be very familiar with Ninja Scroll, and if you’re a fan of what is considered to be one of the greatest anime action films of all time, you can grab a new Blu-ray of it soon.
While there was a steelbook release of Ninja Scroll in October, it sold out very quickly and there’s no word yet if a new run will be produced. The good news is that this regular Blu-ray version will be available starting January 28, 2025, and it’s available to preorder for only $16.89 (was $25) at Amazon. Prior to the steelbook’s release, Ninja Scroll’s last physical release was back in 2012, so it’s nice to see this classic anime back in print.
$16.89 (was $25)
A cult-classic film that’s is still incredibly entertaining decades after its original release in 1993, Ninja Scroll keeps its story simple and goes all out on its supernatural brawls. In a nutshell, the movie follows sword-for-hire Jubei as he takes on a gang of powerful ninjas–and a ghost from his past–who are determined to overthrow the Japanese government.
Each scene is an excuse to show off exquisitely animated action, and with a digestible runtime of around 90 minutes, it’s a fun and ridiculously violent film to watch. The film also comes with a full-length audio commentary with director Yoshiaki Kawajiri and character designer Yukata Minowa.
Another cult-classic anime you can check out is Samurai Champloo, a hip-hop adventure set in alternate Edo-era Japan. The original series was recently re-released on Blu-ray, and this limited-edition version has a cool slipcase and six art cards. All 26 episodes are included on three Blu-ray discs, and it’s priced at $67.50. There’s also a no-frills version available for $32.49 (was $50) at Amazon
If you like steelbooks and missed out on Ninja Scroll, there’s another recent release that is still in stock (for now). Afro Samurai: The Complete Series and the movie Resurrection released as one budget-friendly collection in November. You can save 30% on Afro Samurai’s Steelbook Edition, dropping the price from $40 down to $28.
