Ninja Scroll was like the gateway drug for those who had never before cared about anime up until that point. I know because I was one of them. Released back in 1993, Yoshiaki Kawajiri's incredibly fluid and violent film set the standard for years to come, becoming a sensation here in America and forging a lasting legacy in Japan. A short-lived TV series hit the airwaves in 2003, but what people have been clamoring for was a true sequel following the bloody adventures of the wandering ninja, Jubei Kibagami. We may now be seeing those years of waiting finally about to pay off.
Kawajiri and MADHOUSE anime studio have released an awesome teaser trailer for Ninja Scroll Burst, which features Jubei battling a number of new enemies, including a female warrior and one wielding a giant bear claw. The trailer was conceived as part of a challenge between the studio and Kawajiri, but shouldn't be considered part of an official sequel just yet. MADHOUSE still lists the project as "in development", a state it's been in since 2008. It's actually a pretty elaborate piece of work, so I find it hard to believe it was done for nothing. The trailer premiered at the recent Sakura Con to rave reviews, no doubt from folks like me who have been chomping at the bit for more Ninja Scroll action. Seriously, you can't call something like this 'The Ninja Scroll Project' and not get our hopes up.
Hopefully we're hear more soon. Check out the trailer below...
