Ninja Gaiden (1991)

Ninja Gaiden

Release Info

Released in 1991. Produced by SMS Corporation. Animation by Studio Junio.

Plot Summary

On a dark, late night in New York City, Ryu is chased and attacked by assassins. After disposing of them, he finds an I.D. card for the Friedman Company. The next day, it is announced that Dr. Ned Friedman has discovered a cure for cancer. But after providing no information at his press conference, a reporter named Sarah decides to investigate with the help of her friends Robert and Jeff. When passing by Dr. Friedman's house one day, Ryu hears the voice of a young girl calling for help. When Sarah and her entourage investigate the house as well, they run into their colleague, Ryu. Upon that, they discover Dr. Friedman has been conducting experiments on live humans using biotechnology, and that it may have something to do with the power of the Evil Gods, whom Ryu had defeated in the past. But when Ryu's friend, Irene, is kidnapped, he must don his role as a Dragon Ninja once again to defeat this new enemy and save her.

My Thoughts

This anime is a bit slow. It takes its time developing the story and following the supporting characters. Neither does it have any strong resemblances to the Ninja Gaiden game series. What I do like about it is the dark look, mostly taking place at night with dramatic dark shadows everywhere. And the story is interesting to follow as it unfolds. Overall, it's an average anime. But don't take me too seriously. If this anime was awful I wouldn't have bothered to put it up on this site.