| | Tezuka Ninja? Who knew...
I'm increasingly fascinated by the historical/mythical/fictional figure Sarutobi Sasuke, and how many A-List efforts in various media have been dedicated to him.
The name has possible roots in real history, but primarily, Sasuke is a figure of popular lore. "Jumps like a monkey" Sasuke is a charismatic imp of a kid who learns ninjutsu and makes trouble for the bad guys. Tales of the original ninja kid were performed by Kodanshi - traveling Vaudeville-like performers - and those traditional tales were adapted into a kid's novel in 1913 that redefined the formerly notorious characters into the super-hero genre we know today. This was actually the first "ninja boom" and the character has been continuously adapted and redefined since.
Check out these covers to two manga by the godfather of Japanese cartooning, Osamu Tezuka!
In the 80's, the character came to America in the form of Renegade Ninjas - a low-end dub of the colorful Japanese actioner Sanada Yukimura no bouryaku, which at one point actually features Henry Sanada in a gorilla suit and ninja gear as the "leaping monkey" - no shit.
AND this month, American audiences can finally enjoy what is arguably the best-made ninja movie ever, Ibun Sarutobei Sasuke, just released on a Criterion Collection DVD under it's more familiar title Samurai Spy! This is a pretty damn amazing flick, with some of the best B&W photography I've ever seen, and certainly the best of any ninja flick. It's the story of a grave and serious Sasuke looking for peace but finding plenty of trouble instead. There's an incredible night flight wherein the ace ninja fights his way out of a heavily guarded compound with only a dagger and a shovel! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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| | Posted 11/27/2005 1:43 AM - 1 view - 0 comments
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