As previously announced, Sentai Filmworks' HIDIVE service and Iconic Events are collaborating to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Ninja Scroll by bringing the legendary anime movie back to North American theaters as part Anime Expo Cinema Nights. The anniversary event will see Ninja Scroll play in 600 theaters across North America on September 11, 12 and 15. It has now been confirmed that this anniversary re-release will also include theaters in Canada. The September 11 and 15 showings will play the movie in the original Japanese voice track. The September 12 showings will play the English dub. All three showings will also include an interview with director Yoshiaki Kawajiri.
As Ninja Scroll's anniversary re-release gets closer, HIDIVE is providing fans with more information about the event. A press release from HIDIVE with available information can be read here. HIDIVE has also provided a synopsis of the movie:
" When Jubei saves a young ninja woman from the unthinkable, he assumes that’s the end of it. To his surprise, it’s only just the beginning. Together, the two investigate the mysterious deaths of an entire village which uncovers a conspiracy of demonic proportions! Getting closer to the truth, the demonic forces will stop at nothing to silence Jubei and his companion for good!"HIDIVE
Originally released in 1993, Ninja Scroll has gone down as a classic anime movie. It has been hugely influential in later movies, both animated and live-action and has even been cited as an influence on major Hollywood movies. For example, Ninja Scroll was a major stylistic influence on the Matrix movies. That influence came full circle when Ninja Scroll director Yoshiaki Kawajiri contributed two segments the Animatrix anthology of short films that was released in 2003 to provide more information on the series's backstory.
Due to the bankruptcy of the original English distributor Manga Entertainment and subsequent complicated rights issues, official English home video releases are now hard to find. However, interested fans should be a aware that HIDIVE is also releasing Ninja Scroll on Blu-ray to coincide with its return to theaters this fall. Preorders are now open, and Ninja Scroll, along with HIDIVE's other upcoming home video releases can be pre-ordered here. As of this writing, there is no confirmation when and if Ninja Scroll will come to streaming.
Participating theater locations and showtimes, as well as advance ticket purchases are available here. Upcoming events in Iconic Event's Anime Expo Cinema Nights can be viewed here.
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