Back To The Shadows - The Ninja Genre Appreciation Thread

[DragonClaws]

 

 

[DragonClaws]

 

Can anyone I-D this movie?.

 

 

[DragonClaws]

 

 

[DragonClaws]

 

The first Hollywood screen appearance of the deadly Ninja?.

 

 

 

 

[DragonClaws]

 

Man of many talents John-Paul Ly, is set to start work on a new ninja inspired comedy film. This news come via @Drunken Monk. Please click on the link below, for more detail's.

 

 

Edited October 31, 2019 by DragonClaws

[DragonClaws]

 

Edited November 1, 2019 by DragonClaws

[DragonClaws]

 

 

[DragonClaws]

 

Shurikens & Rocket Launcher's: When Rambo had a Ninja Sidekick

 

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White Dragon - Little is known about him, born somewhere in China, he is a highlytrained ninja warrior, he specializes in all Martial Arts disiciplines, favourite weapons are the ninja sword, bow pistol, sickel, rice-flails, and three stars - The Freedom Files

 

The first cartoon based on an R-Rated franchise hit small screens in April of 1986. Complete with a re-mixed Jerry Goldsmith Rambo movie theme. Rambo The Force of Freedom might not be something you would instantly associate with the Ninja genre. However the producers of this short lived T.V series Ruby-Spears Enterprises, decided to borrow and mix elements from the then popular ninja craze. G-I JOE's ninja heavy toy line was selling well at the time. Cannon picture's were still struggling to meet the high demand for ninja movies. While Godfrey Ho was still quickly churning out his low budget and highly colorful films, inspired by the stealthy medieval Japanese assassins.

 

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Black Dragon -A rogue ninja who is the twin brother of White Dragon. He is known as the greatest assassin that ever lived. Black Dragon would sell his service to any group that would pay his fee with his recurring clients being S.A.V.A.G.E. He sometimes has other ninjas under his command. Black Dragon's ultimate goal is kill White Dragon.

 

Writer Michael Chain & Jack Bornoff came up with a gang of heroes for Rambo to lead. Chief, Katherine Ann Taylor K.A.T, TD Touchdown Jackson, Edward Hayes, and ninja White Dragon. Who looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger, had he played the role of Cole in Enter The Ninja(1981). Among Rambos many foes, there was one more ninja character in the form of Black Dragon. Who also just happens to be the twin brother of White Dragon.

The two character's were featured so strongly in the show, they even got their own merchandise. The toy line would prove to be more popular/succesful than the show itself, and would continue long after the series ended syndication. Both characters were voiced by Canadian born Japanese actor Robert Ito(Midway). Who worked on dozens of cartoon's as a voice actor, in the 80s and 90's. He also played Koga in the Sho Kosugi Cannon produced Pray for Death(1985). The show only run for one season, with 65 tweny-five minute installments. I'm not sure just exactly how many episodes White Dragon & Black Dragon appeared in the series?. Though the pair both feature heavily in the plots for the following episodes...

 

"Enter the White Dragon" -  'In this episode, it shows how Rambo met White Dragon at the time when General Warhawk has Black Dragon (White Dragon's twin brother) steal priceless samurai swords from Ishikawa Electronic Co'. The following episode descriptions are from Wikiepedia.

"The Ninja Dog" - While Rambo's team provides security for Senator Thorne during his trip to Japan to meet with President Fujita, a prototype chip for an American defense project is stolen by the science team leader Dr. Hiro Gosho who places the chip in the collar of the senator's dog Peewee allowing General Warhawk to send Gripper and Black Dragon to abduct Peewee and obtain the chip.

"The Konichi" - Rambo's team is sent to guard the plans for a new medical laser that are being transported from Cleveland to St. Louis by train. When Turbo encounters a female doctor named Dr. Omi Ikawa when she treats his sprained ankle following an accident, Black Dragon appears and identifies Omi as the last of the Konichi Ninja Clan. Black Dragon also states that her supervisor Dr. Nori Yamata was the last living ninja of another clan that dishonored the Konichi.

The Twin Within - Black Dragon takes the place of his twin brother White Dragon in order to infiltrate the Force of Freedom and relay information of the radioactive material and a supertank to General Warhawk. Rambo's team is sent to guard the plans for a new medical laser that are being transported from Cleveland to St. Louis by train. When Turbo encounters a female doctor named Dr. Omi Ikawa when she treats his sprained ankle following an accident, Black Dragon appears and identifies Omi as the last of the Konichi Ninja Clan. Black Dragon also states that her supervisor Dr. Nori Yamata was the last living ninja of another clan that dishonored the Konichi.

Brothers in arms, White Dragon and Rambo pose for the camera.

 

 

Sure there must have been a Ninja sword and Nunhcku set in this Largo made Toy line?

 

 

 

 

 

Just a small sample of the some of the show's ninja related collectbles.

 

Edited November 29, 2019 by DragonClaws

[DragonClaws]

 

Edited November 15, 2019 by DragonClaws

[DragonClaws]

 

 

[DragonClaws]

 

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An amazing original movie poster for the action Japanese samurai drama "The One-eyed Ninja" (aka "Katame no Ninja"). This rare vintage movie poster was produced by the movie studio to promote the film's original release in 1963. It was used at a Japanese movie theater but is still in great shape! What colors! What a design! Check out those graphics!

A great poster for movie poster collectors or lovers of Japanese samurai movies. This is poster is the real deal! It is NOT a reproduction!

Source- https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/485233165/the-one-eyed-ninja-vintage-movie-poster

 

 

 

 

Edited November 17, 2019 by DragonClaws

[DragonClaws]

 

 

[DragonClaws]

 

@saltysam this ninja inspired Turkish Martial Arts production takes the car windshield smashing stunt, and dials it upto eleven.

 

 

 

Edited November 21, 2019 by DragonClaws

[AlbertV]

Sho Kosugi has his own YouTube channel, LIP INC, and he's revealed some picks himself

 

 

 

[DragonClaws]

On 11/22/2019 at 5:21 PM, AlbertV said:

Sho Kosugi has his own YouTube channel, LIP INC, and he's revealed some picks himself

 

Great find @AlbertV, and thanks for sharing it here.

[DragonClaws]

 

5 Forgotten Ninja Toys Of The ’80s

Source- https://mysideofthelaundryroom.wordpress.com/2017/03/30/5-forgotten-ninja-toys-of-the-80s/

 

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One of the most defining things about “Boys” toys of the ’80s was the Ninja. Ninjas were EVERYWHERE and EVERYONE loved them. They showed up in every genre, from Sci-Fi to Fantasy and every medium, from video games to cartoons. No matter the setting or time period Ninjas always possessed the same traits – they were one with the shadows, skilled fighters, and had some degree of “magic”.  These “magic” ties or ties to some supernatural ability is what makes Ninjas such a fun profession (?). Mix in some rad gadgets and tricks of the trade and you have the perfect recipe for AWESOMENESS!

 

 

Edited December 16, 2019 by DragonClaws

[DragonClaws]

 

 

I've now got this image of Tim Man living the life of a ninja between working on movies.

 

 

[DragonClaws]

 

 

 

 

 

[edher_M.A.]

I remember those Godfrey Ho ninja movies comming out every day in our video rental store back then...they suck, and i watch them ALL!  lol

[DragonClaws]

 

 

 

 

[DragonClaws]

 

 

 

[Shaolivevil]

23 hours ago, edher_M.A. said:

I remember those Godfrey Ho ninja movies comming out every day in our video rental store back then...they suck, and i watch them ALL!  lol

Me too, they are the ultimate guilty pleasure! 

[DragonClaws]

 

 

 

 

[DragonClaws]

 

 

[DragonClaws]