FUNimation to bring Japanese action film Shinobi to DVD

By Patrick Luce Jan 5, 2007, 20:18 GMT

The Shinobi storyline was adapted from The Kouga Ninja Scrolls, a best selling novel in Japan.

After a successful run in Japan and in film festivals around the globe (such as New York Asian Film Festival, the Seattle International Film Festival and The Toronto After Dark Film Festival), FUNimation Entertainment is now bringing the Japanese live action film Shinobi - Heart Under Blade to DVD on Feb. 6th for the suggested retail price of $24.98.

Produced by Shochiku Co. Ltd., Japan’s leading entertainment conglomerate and a 110 year old studio, and directed by Ten Shimoyama, Shinobi was released in Japan in September 2005 and became a critical and commercial success earning more than 1,400,000,000 yen ($11.8 billion U.S.) at the Japanese box office.

The Shinobi storyline was adapted from The Kouga Ninja Scrolls, a best selling novel in Japan. The popularity of this novel also served as the inspiration for an anime series called Basilisk, produced by Japanese studio GONZO and distributed by FUNimation.

Set in 17th Century Japan, Shinobi tells the story of two long warring ninja clans, each with special fighting abilities and techniques. The tribes are forced to fight each other in order to keep their existence. The young leaders of each tribe are in love but are torn apart by the conflict. Five ninjas of each the clan are chosen to battle each other to the death.  The great war that begins brings the two together again - but this time as enemies.

Bonus Disc includes:

Shinobi Action - Sumpu Castle Fight
Director Storyboard Collection
Original TV Spots and Trailers
Shinobi Art - Manjidani
VFX Behind the Scenes
Weapons Introduction

Shinobi - Heart Under Blade is now available for pre-order at Amazon. It is available for pre-order at AmazonUK for a March 31st release. Visit the DVD database for more information.