Ninja Scroll: The Series (2003)
Ninja Scroll: The Series is a 2003 Japanese animated television series based on Yoshiaki Kawajiri's Ninja Scroll. The series is directed by Tatsuo Sato and animated by Madhouse Studios.
Seasons & Episode
What is destiny? One Hiruko ninja has stolen the sacred Dragon Stone with the hopes of setting his clan free from a life of darkness. The Kimon Clan, however, has other plans for the Stone as well as the Light Maiden.
With no other choice, Shigure sets out with Dakuan and Tsubute to find the answers about who she really is. Meanwhile, Jubei must fight off both Hiruko and Kimon ninjas and deliver the Dragon Stone to Shigure.
The battles heat up as both the Kimon and Hiruko Clans search for the Dragon Stone and the Light Maiden. Neither side is willing to give up the Stone, and it is a bloody free-for-all to see who can get both the Stone and the Maiden.
For the Kimon and Hiruko, not only is fighting each other difficult, but also trying to steal the Stone from under the watchful eye of Jubei is nearly impossible. One almost-successful attempt at taking the Stone results in splitting the stone in half: Jubei has one half, while the Kimon manage to get the other half.
Meet Tatsunosuke, a young thief with a special gift and nothing to lose. Matched against Tsubute, which thief will come out with the Dragon Stone in his pocket? Faced with the opportunity to join the Kimon, will Tatsunosuke take the chance, and pay for it with his life?
Apart from the others, Jubei finds himself poisoned in battle with Nenmu, a ninja who can use the bodies of people. Caught in a rainstorm, with the help of a woman and her young son, Jubei slowly recuperates from the poison. But with Nenmu's ability to manipulate anybody, who can tell a friend from the enemy? Will Jubei's newfound allies turn against him?
Azami is back, and after the half of Dragon Stone she could not get the first time, determined not to lose it to the Kimon clan. Meanwhile, Jubei learns the truth about the Dragon Stone and the treasure of the Lost Dynasty, and he's slowly figuring out just how precarious of a position they are all in.
Rengoku has her mission – to get the other half of the Dragon Stone from Jubei. This is also her chance to avenge the death of her beloved brother, but at what cost? With revenge on her mind, what will Rengoku sacrifice for the ability to kill Jubei?
Until now, no one has fully understood the secrets of the Light Maiden. But they are revealed at last when the Hiruko warrior Zofu saves Shigure from a clan of assassins and forces her to face a place and purpose she did not choose.
Who is Rokai? When Shigure is threatened by Yamidoro and his clan, a protector appears in the form of a strange little man with amazing abilities. However, even he cannot prevent the Kimon from kidnapping Shigure. Someone must save the Light Maiden!
The action moves to sea as Jubei's party searches for Shigure, who is stranded on the water with the Kimon clan. Onboard Jubei's ship is a mysterious samurai. Is he friend or foe? The group must find out as passengers on the ship start turning up dead.
How far can you trust your senses? Jubei's commitment to save Shigure pays off when he, Dakuan, and Tsubute execute a successful rescue mission. But something is wrong, and Shigure is acting strangely. The outcome of war may depend on Jubei finding out why!
The memories of the Light Maiden are awakening inside Shigure's head. But her recovery comes too late—Jubei has fallen in battle, and this leaves only Shigure to unlock the powers of the Light Maiden that will decide the fate of them all. She must face a finale without Jubei and witness one final fight that will decide who comes out alive.