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Revelations on the silent-era ninja boom from an unlikely source
6 May 2020

Revelations on the silent-era ninja boom from an unlikely source

by Keith Rainville | posted in: 1 - Film and TV, 2 - Books and Manga | 0

We’ve recently been blessed with the book Carnal Curses, Disfigured Dreams by Japanese cinema researcher Kigami Jigoku Kobayashi, and it inadvertently provided some jaw-dropping insight into the depth and breadth of ninja movies going back to the 1910s and how … Continued

Carnal Curses Disfigured Dreams, Silent Film, yokai
Life stories of the Cannon-eers
17 Apr 2020

Life stories of the Cannon-eers

by Keith Rainville | posted in: 1 - Film and TV, 2 - Books and Manga | 0

As we enter a second month of shutdowns and quarantines (if we live in one of the smart spots of the world, that is) one’s ‘to-be-read’ book stack is probably dwindling. So it’s a great time to check out the … Continued

Cannon Films, REVENGE OF THE NINJA, Sam Firstenberg, Steve Lambert
Shintaro in color
24 Feb 2020

Shintaro in color

by Keith Rainville | posted in: 1 - Film and TV, 4 - Collectibles | 0

The Samurai was Japan’s first major ninja export to the English-speaking world, bringing the adventures of invincible sword-slinging detective Shintaro and his shinobi-sidekick Tonbei the Mist to millions of fervent fans in Australia in the mid-1960s and generations of followers … Continued

menko, menko cards, Shintaro, The Samurai, Tonbei
So, about that infamous ninja football battle…
29 Jan 2019

So, about that infamous ninja football battle…

by Keith Rainville | posted in: 1 - Film and TV | 0

Kage no Gundan (aka Shadow Warriors) is one of the most famous, and prolific, properties in ninja media history. The Sonny Chiba TV show was the shinobi Magnum PI — a smash hit that lasted several seasons and defined TV … Continued

Eiichi Kudo, Kage No Gundan, KAGE NO GUNDAN: HATTORI HANZO, Shadow Warriors
We need to talk about the horror that is the 1966 live-action NINJA HATTORI-KUN
4 Oct 2018

We need to talk about the horror that is the 1966 live-action NINJA HATTORI-KUN

by Keith Rainville | posted in: 1 - Film and TV, 3 - Toys and Merch | 0

The anime version of this decades old property is ubiquitous, the big-budget movie was a hit in 2004, but we’re no longer able to protect you all from the horrors of the largely forgotten late 60s live action kids TV series. You’ve been warned…

Ninja Hattori-Kun
SASUKE on the fence
23 Apr 2018

SASUKE on the fence

by Keith Rainville | posted in: 1 - Film and TV | 0

I hope you’ve all pre-ordered Dr. Stephen Turnbull’s Ninja: Unmasking the Myth (available May 3rd). I’m about finished my review copy and am working on both a review and with luck an interview with the good doctor himself. In the meantime, … Continued

Sarutobi Sasuke, Sarutobi Sasuke Senjogadake no Himatsuri
I can finally enjoy THE MASTER
12 Mar 2018

I can finally enjoy THE MASTER

by Keith Rainville | posted in: 1 - Film and TV | 0

Back in 1984, at least for this teenage ninja-maniac, four words began a turning point for the ninja craze: “Hi, I’m Max Keller.” Timothy Van Patten‘s intro to each episode of The Master has since become iconic for me. His … Continued

Lee Van Cleef, Sho Kosugi, The Master
THE LAST NINJA is the last piece of the puzzle…
22 Jan 2018

THE LAST NINJA is the last piece of the puzzle…

by Keith Rainville | posted in: 1 - Film and TV | 0

What’s part Die Hard, part Kung-Fu, part Batman and obscure as hell for no logical reason? It is the 1983 made-for-TV predecessor to The Master, arguably one of if not the best 80’s American ninja craze films made, but virtually un-recognized, … Continued

Anthony Spinner, Ed Spielman, Mike Stone, The Last Ninja, The Master
Talking MAGIC SERPENT on “Nerd Lunch”
4 Dec 2017

Talking MAGIC SERPENT on “Nerd Lunch”

by Keith Rainville | posted in: 1 - Film and TV | 0

I take any chance I can get to turn folks on to the ninja / kaiju genre-bender Magic Serpent (Kairyu Daikessen, aka Dragon Showdown and many other retitles), so when the invite came from Paxton and Jeeg to co-chair the … Continued

Hiroki Matsukata, Magic Serpent, Ryutaro Otomo, toad magic
Check out this massive ninja dump!
25 Aug 2017

Check out this massive ninja dump!

by Keith Rainville | posted in: 1 - Film and TV | 0

Working two concurrent jobs plus helping friends with a wedding has slain my ninja-time like never before, friends. Apologies for the lack of updates. In times like these, I find it best to change clear the backlog folders of various … Continued

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Welcome to VINTAGE NINJA — dedicated to old ninja movies from Japan’s 60s boom to the 80s American exploitation craze and beyond, with a ton of vintage toys, comics, and sharp pointy stuff thrown in for good measure.

Read the Definitive History:

50+ Japanese ninja movies reviewed

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