SHADOW WARRIORS SERIES 1 TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Ronin Entertainment about Shadow Warriors Season 1: When a small child suddenly becomes the Shogun of feudal-era Japan, evil plots and treachery begin to fill the corridors of power. Exiled ninja clan leader Hattori Hanzo (Chiba) now disguised as the humble owner of a bathhouse, is secretly reenlisted by one of the Shogun’s most trusted allies to help keep the peace.

I have never seen this show but have heard of it and am a big fan of Sonny Chiba! The Shadow Warriors was a series that lasted 5 seasons that dealt with the ninjas that protected the king of Japan back in the 16th century. The show ran from 1980 to 1985. This was one of Quentin Tarantino’s favorite shows and had Sonny Chiba in his Kill Bill movies as the character Hattori Hanzo that was the same as in the series! When this show was on TV here in the states it was edited for nudity. These prints are the original Japanese versions, uncut with the nudity left in. There is a way of watching the series either in Japanese or with English subtitles. There is also a new interview with Sonny Chiba in Japanese with English subtitles as well. This box set comprises the first 27 episodes of the series with an 8-page color booklet with linear notes from the show.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! Not digitally remastered, but from very good film prints. Episodes are also uncut.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio is in original Japanese language but with English subtitles.

Disc 1-Side A
1. “Tigers Sharpen Their Claws in a Storm”
2. “A Female Leopard, Hiding in the Dark”
Side B
1. “A Devil Called Onshu Highway”
2. “The Spring Of Kyoto: The Trick of the Black Teeth”

Disc 2-Side A
1. “Soft Skin Sunk Into a Whirlpool”
2. “The Woman Disappeared Into the Port”
Side B
1. “The Target is a Mystery Woman”
2. “Infiltration! The Ladies Chambers Night & Day”

Disc 3-Side A
1. “The Female Ninja’s May In Shadows”
2. “The Black Hair Burned With the Grudge”
Side B
1. “A Bride and a Murderous Fiend”
2. “Kill Night Spiders Even If They Are Parents”


Disc 4- Side A
1. “Midnight Beauty”
2. “The Shogun Disappeared! The Plot of the Female Foxes”
Side B
1. “Mysterious Priest, Inviting Hell”
2. “Don’t Get Involved With Dangerous Women”

Disc 5-Side A
1. “The Living Shadow Shogun”
2. “The Killer In The Eyes”
Side B
1. “Palace of the Bloodsucking Women”
2. “I’m Going To Be Killed”


Disc 6-Side A
1. “Hiding! The Hole Of Snakes”
2. “The Dreadful Instigator”
Side B
1. “The Red Eyes of the Snake Are A Death Sentence”
2. “Shudder! Sacrifice of the Virgin?

Disc 7-Side A
1. “The Trick Ceiling of the Tragic Love”
2. “The Ominous Place: The Cursed Flute”
Side B
1. “Intrusion! 24 Hours in the Woman’s Bath”



Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

Disc 5: None

Disc 6: None

Disc 7: Interview-New Interview with Sonny Chiba (In Japanese with English Subtitles) (15:00) appox.

Verdict

This is a well-done series and this 7-disc set is well worth the money for the story and history behind the Shadow Warriors. I can’t wait for Season 2!


Rating: *****!