VN REVISITED: Torawakamaru
Originally published in December of 2009 — Revised with name correction thanks to Ichi Ban The 1957 Toei FX romp Ninjutsu Gozen-Jiai (aka Torawakamaru, the Koga Ninja) is the perfect example of the pre-60’s craze kid’s ninja film: mischievous wizard hero, evil sorcerer, … Continued
It’s that time of year again…
Yes, it’s the 4th of July again, so that means its time to take a look back at AMERICAN NINJA! There’s no better way to celebrate the birth of the USA than by appreciating a low-budget exploitation flick based on a Japanese martial … Continued
Double Rip-Off!
A reader recently sent me a fragment of an image found on tumblr, looking for an ID. At the time I couldn’t identify which particular variant of which particular Godfrey Ho film under which particular alternate title this would have … Continued
SEVEN YEARS!
Another birthday for VN. Seven years ago today we published our first post, featuring press stills from Akai Kageboshi (The Red Shadow). It’s been a great ride so far, here’s to you all our readers and fans, and may we … Continued
“THE NINJA” vs. “THE NINJA: The Movie”
20+ weeks on The New York Times‘ Best Seller list, millions of copies in print, five sequels and enduring publication on all modern electronic platforms… Eric Van Lustbader‘s vanguard novel The Ninja turns 36 years old this month. It was easily the … Continued
From readers and around the web…
We’re hard at work on a major feature on Eric Van Lustbader‘s novel The Ninja, and it’s ill-fated film development, slated for later this month, but in the meantime, here’s all sorts of shinobi-centric goodness: VN reader Brian had a … Continued
Up close on some old SHINTARO cards
How many times, in a jealous fit of childish resentment, have I openly cursed all Australians on this site? Seriously, that continent probably hates me, but dammit, their head start on the ninja craze outside of Japan beat us by … Continued
More crappy (aka GREAT) 80s package art!
I just cannot get enough of illustrated and painted ninja art from 80s no-name ninja merch. Sometimes, well, lets be real… OFTEN… more time was spent on the package art than was on designing the crap under the blister card … Continued
VN REVISITED: Fujimaru Book-n-Record
Originally published in two parts — July 2009 Growing up in the pre-home video era often meant the only way to relive your favorite movie or TV property was the now extinct book-n-record. I positively wore out my GI Jo Adventure … Continued