Directed by Shimoyama Ten, the dazzling "SHINOBI: HEART UNDER BLADE" centers on the drama resulting from the rivalry between two ninja clans in feudal Japan. While living deep within the mountains, the two clans have honed their skills to superhuman levels, but are restrained by imperial decree from battling each other. Four centuries of simmering tensions threaten to boil over when the Shogun requests the clans appear before him. Fearing that rebels may use the ninjas as instruments of insurrection, the nefarious Nankobo Tenkai (Ishibashi Renji) plots to ignite the rivalry. Nankobo creates a contest in which the clans are forced to choose five of their best warriors to participate. Leading the two clans are Oboro (Nakama Yukie), the granddaughter of the respected Iga clan matriarch, and Gennosuke (Odagiri Jo), the son of the powerful Koga clan leader. Early in the film, Oboro and Gennosuke meet and fall in love, unaware of their clan ties. When they are both selected to compete they are surprised to discover the truth about one another's identities. The saga that follows explores an improbable love, intertwined with a breathtaking, fearsome match between ninja heavyweights. The long-awaited battle is hardly a friendly contest - it's a duel to the death!

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  Nakama Yukie (Oboro)

  Main Role

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  Odagiri Joe (Kouga Gennosuke)

  Main Role

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  Sawajiri Erika (Hotarubi)

  Supporting Role

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  Shiina Kippei (Unknown)

  Unknown Role

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  Masu Takeshi (Unknown)

  Unknown Role

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  Sakaguchi Tak (Unknown)

  Unknown Role

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• 8 hours ago 1 of 1 episodes seen

  LisNoir
  1 of 2 people found this review helpful
  Other reviews by this user
  • Overall  5
  • Story  6
  • Acting/Cast  5
  • Music  6
  • Rewatch Value  1

  I've had this on my plan to watch list for a while. So, since I was in the mood to watch a fantasy movie (around 3 days ago) I decided to watch it and I finally finished it today. Yes, it took me that long to finish watching this movie.
  
  When I read the synopsis, the story looked interesting and like something I might enjoy. Sadly, for me, the synopsis was the most interesting and fun part of the movie.
  
  The acting was nothing exceptional. Not awesome. Not terribly bad either. Just standard Japanese acting. Also, I can't really say any of the actors was better than the other because they were about the same for me. I didn't feel they made the characters come to life and, sometimes, it felt like they were just saying the lines they learned. I didn't even believe they were truly in love. But if you prefer Japanese acting above all others, it probably won't be a problem. For me, it was.
  
  The music was also nothing especial, but it made the movie bearable. And the scenery shots were amazing.
  
  The movie wasn't bad and I really wanted to like it. It was ninjas with powers! But I felt it could have been a lot better and I was not impressed in the least. As for re-watching this movie in the near or distant future, that will not be happening. read more

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• Aug 4, 2011 1 of 1 episodes seen

  blackstar_aria
  2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  Other reviews by this user
  • Overall  9
  • Story  10
  • Acting/Cast  10
  • Music  7
  • Rewatch Value  8

  Shinobi is an exceptional telling of this story of the koga and iga ninja tribes. The scenery was spectacular, the fights believable and the acting was awesome.
  
  I saw Basilisk before so I was familiar with the plot already, but the film inspired me to go find out the actual story. I felt like the story was a little rushed but they had to get a lot in a little time.
  
  I loved the set design and the scenery. The camera seems to do a lot of scenery pans and where I would usually complain I didn't mind at all.
  
  Although the acting was good I didn't feel Yukie was as good as Joe. However, she performs better here than in Gokusen. All the supporting cast did really well, they had a way of making you really believe they were from that time. I love movies that just suck you in and make you want to see if maybe the end will change from what you know it to be. This is one of those movies.
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  Reign Of Assassins

  Both are about assassins and destiny... They both have a love story between the main protagonists which leads to an emotional final... One has a "Happy End" the other one not, watch them to find out!

  reportRecommended by bennyost