Shinobi no Mono 3-Film Collection (1962-1963) (Radiance Films)

[MifuneFan]

Radiance Films will be releasing the first three films from the popular and influential Shinobi no Mono series in May! The films include, Ninja: A Band of Assassins (1962), Revenge (1963), and Resurrection (1963). Update: Radiance has now announced a 2nd volume with films 4-6 for August 2025! Full details below.

Shinobi Volume 1 (1962-1963)

https://diabolikdvd.com/product/shin...gion-preorder/

LIMITED EDITION BOX SET SPECIAL FEATURES:

• High-Definition digital transfer of each film presented on two discs, made available on Blu-ray (1080p) for the first time outside of Japan
• Uncompressed mono PCM audio
• Interview with Shozo Ichiyama, artistic director of the Tokyo International Film Festival, about director Satsuo Yamamoto
• Visual essay on the ninja in Japanese cinema by film scholar Mance Thompson
• Interview with film critic Toshiaki Sato on star Raizo Ichikawa
• Trailers
• New and improved optional English subtitles
• Six postcards of promotional material from the films
• Reversible sleeves featuring artwork based on original promotional materials
• Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by Jonathan Clements on the Shinobi no mono series and Diane Wei Lewis on writer Tomoyoshi Murayama
• Limited Edition of 3000 copies, presented in a rigid box with full-height Scanavo cases and removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings

It’s the 16th century and Japan is in chaos. Samurai clans engage each other in battle over who gets to rule the nation, while warlords call upon the ninja to spy on and assassinate their rivals. Goemon, an ambitious young member of a ninja family, is thrown into the turmoil of Japanese history when his village is wiped out by the forces of leading warlord Oda Nobunaga, who has sworn to eradicate the ninja in his quest for absolute power. Fueled by vengeance, Goemon uses every weapon in his arsenal to bring down Oda and to prove that a ninja is an army of one. Starring “the Japanese James Dean” Raizo Ichikawa (Sleepy Eyes of Death, Conflagration) alongside Tomisaburo Wakayama (Lone Wolf and Cub, the Bounty Hunter trilogy) and Ayako Wakao (Elegant Beast, Red Angel), the Shinobi series was an epoch-making success and became a social phenomenon that left deep marks on Japan of the 1960s, from children’s playgrounds to the leftist counter-culture. Packed with spectacular and oft-copied action scenes, it also established the ground rules for all ninja movies that followed, introducing such classic tropes as the shuriken throwing star and the iconic black mask and suit.

Radiance Films trailer for Band of Assassins

Radiance #54 Shinobi: Band of Assassins (Satsuo Yamamoto) New Trailer - YouTube

Shinobi Volume 2 (1964-1965)

Release Date: August 19, 2025

https://diabolikdvd.com/product/shin...gion-preorder/

LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY FEATURES

• High-Definition digital transfers of each film, made available on Blu-ray for the first time outside of Japan
• Uncompressed mono PCM audio
• New Interview with Japanese period film historian Taichi Kasuga (2025)
• New Interview with ninja film scholar Mance Thompson (2025)
• Select-scene audio commentary on Siege by Tom Mes (2025)
• Trailer
• Newly improved English subtitle translation
• Six postcards featuring promotional images from the films
• Reversible sleeve featuring artwork based on original promotional materials
• Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by Jonathan Clements
• Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings

Shinobi Vol 2

Three more spectacular tales of ninja action in this continuation of the hugely influential series. This time, Raizo Ichikawa (Shinobi 1-3) stars as Mist Saizo, a ninja with a grudge who won’t rest until he has assassinated the supreme leader, the Tokugawa shogun. directed by three of the Daiei Studio’s top period action specialists, these films feature epic battles, ingenious spycraft and thrilling ninja fights.

In Siege, Raizo Ichikawa is Mist Saizo, the legendary folk hero and Iga ninja. Working in the service of warlord Yukimura Sanada (Tomisaburo Wakayama), he plots to assassinate Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa, but finds himself facing the might of the nation’s supreme ruler.

In Return of Mist Saizo, our black-clad hero continues his mission to avenge his master, even after Ieyasu has abdicated from the throne. Told as one continuous story, these two films weave their ninja action in and out of Japanese martial history, featuring epic battles, ingenious spycraft and thrilling fight scenes.

In The Last Iga Spy, Mist Saizo’s son Saisuke takes over his father’s name and mission. He is recruited by a rebellious warlord to assist a plot to overthrow the government, but the Shogun hires a rival ninja clan to thwart the uprising. Meanwhile, other forces are also at play. Directed by Kazuo Mori (Shinobi 3: Resurrection, Zatoichi at Large), this film pits ninja against ninja, including a breathtaking rooftop battle scene that is one of the highlights of the entire Shinobi series

Shinobi Vol 2 (1964 - 1965) - New Trailer [Radiance #127] - YouTube

[annubis44]

Hmmm... 3 films in this set, 9 in the series total. Two more sets maybe? *fingers crossed*

[Usure]

what a cast. k/nothing about the series, but with a cast like that, i want to see them all.

[RiFiFi1955]

How have I never heard of these!!!! Radiance does it again!!!

[DukeTogo84]

VERY excited for these films. I've seen the first 8 films and the first three are probably the best. They tell one complete tale, and starting with 4 it goes into another story. These are really entertaining films especially if you enjoy Japanese history from this era of the warring lords.

Tomisaburo Wakayama steals the show in the first two films as Nobunaga Oda and consider it one of his more iconic performances.

I always figured Arrow would go for these, but glad Radiance got them.

[DukeTogo84]

I think this is the first time for English audiences that we have gotten a Raizo Ichikawa Blu-ray? I could be wrong of course, but this is pretty nice. I felt like I owned a 100 of his films on DVD, but nothing on Blu-ray.

Either way, I really hope people support this release. They are GOOD films, and there are more. So if sales go well, then we might get more in the future.

[Swift1246]

Pre-ordered! I've known about these movies for quite some time but have never watched them before and didn't expect to ever see a blu-ray release for them. Amazing announcement!

[Thebunk]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

VERY excited for these films. I've seen the first 8 films and the first three are probably the best. They tell one complete tale, and starting with 4 it goes into another story. These are really entertaining films especially if you enjoy Japanese history from this era of the warring lords.

Tomisaburo Wakayama steals the show in the first two films as Nobunaga Oda and consider it one of his more iconic performances.

I always figured Arrow would go for these, but glad Radiance got them.

How do these early films hold up to say other, later works in this genre (i.e. Lone Wolf and Cub)? Are they heavier on the drama and less so on the action \ fun factor? I mean I don't expect blood gushers but wondering how tame these films are?

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Thebunk

How do these early films hold up to say other, later works in this genre (i.e. Lone Wolf and Cub)? Are they heavier on the drama and less so on the action \ fun factor? I mean I don't expect blood gushers but wondering how tame these films are?

These are more drama and about the history during the era than say action. There is ninja action though and training, so if you like ninja's it's pretty good.
Still, these movies go by pretty quickly.

There is a VERY violent death in the second film where a character gets his limbs (legs and arms) sliced off and then burns to death, but for the most part the violence on the level of other films of the era like Yojimbo.

[Sommerswerd]

I am so excited for this release! I've been wanting this series for so long and hopefully they will release the remaining six films in the series. The last two films in the series are especially good.

Wrong Reel did an excellent podcast episode focusing on the golden age of ninja films in the 60s in Japan and one of the films they cover is this series. It is well worth a listen for people who want to know more about these films and more: https://wrongreel.com/podcast/wr507-...-of-the-ninja/

[MifuneFan]

The only thing that slightly bothers me about the release is they changed the sequel to "Revenge" when it's been historically titled Vengeance (Shinobi no mono 2: Vengeance) for its various English releases. I think the Japanese title, 続・忍びの者, literally just translates to Shinobi Sequel lol.

[Sommerswerd]

Originally Posted by Thebunk

How do these early films hold up to say other, later works in this genre (i.e. Lone Wolf and Cub)? Are they heavier on the drama and less so on the action \ fun factor? I mean I don't expect blood gushers but wondering how tame these films are?

The series is famous for its realistic ninja action and beautiful B&W cinematography. A lot of the action scenes take place at night. The stories can also get pretty downbeat and bleak. I like to describe the films as "ninja noir". It also helps to have some knowledge and interest in Japanese history especially the Sengoku period because famous individuals and events from that period play a vital role in the films. From what I remember historical context isn't always provided in the films.

[Sommerswerd]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I think this is the first time for English audiences that we have gotten a Raizo Ichikawa Blu-ray? I could be wrong of course, but this is pretty nice. I felt like I owned a 100 of his films on DVD, but nothing on Blu-ray.

Wasn't Raizo in An Actor's Revenge?

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Sommerswerd

Wasn't Raizo in An Actor's Revenge?

You're right. He's in that, but it's a small role from what I remember. So he's appeared in at least one Blu-ray.

[Thebunk]

Originally Posted by Sommerswerd

The series is famous for its realistic ninja action and beautiful B&W cinematography. A lot of the action scenes take place at night. The stories can also get pretty downbeat and bleak. I like to describe the films as "ninja noir". It also helps to have some knowledge and interest in Japanese history especially the Sengoku period because famous individuals and events from that period play a vital role in the films. From what I remember historical context isn't always provided in the films.

Thank you so much for this! Definitely interested now for sure.

[peruguy]

I have only purchased two products from Radiance so far, those being THE IRON PREFECT and the Cosa Nostra trilogy with Franco Nero. I enjoyed all 4 movies and Radiance puts out a well-made product with excellent subs.
The first cinematic experience I had with ninjas was when watching YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE on VHS at a pretty young age and I thought it was cool as hell. Have watched a ton of ninja films since then and purchased quite a few.
Based on the comments on this thread I think I will for sure add this set to my collection.

[annubis44]

I have the Animeigo DVD boxset sitting on my shelf, still wrapped in plastic, so of course I will buy this immediately.

[darkness2918]

Never seen or heard of these but will give them a chance & buy the set.

[Sommerswerd]

Here is the original trailer for the first film:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC1UcB7Xyjg

[DukeTogo84]

I can't wait to revisit these films. I actually remember watching the first film on a portable DVD player almost 20 years ago. It's pretty insane how fast time flies. After watching that I was hooked and tried to watch all of them. AnimEigo eventually released the first four.

These movies are really good. Now I wonder if someone will take a chance and release the Sleepy Eyes of Death films which will make fans of films like Zatoichi and Lone Wolf and Cub really happy.