One of the great landmarks of adult anime is getting the big-screen treatment it always deserved. Ninja Scroll, the 1993 swordplay film directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri and animated by Madhouse, is returning to theatres in a full 4K restoration — and an official theatrical trailer, subtitled in English, dropped on August 6.
Watch the 4K Restoration Trailer
The restoration sharpens Kawajiri’s extraordinary hand-drawn linework — the inky blacks, the fluid swordplay, the creatures that still look unlike anything else in anime — without softening the film’s ruthless edge. This is the same uncut, uncensored experience that shocked and thrilled audiences back in 1993. The 4K version premiered at the 2026 Berlin Film Festival to strong reception.
Theatrical Screening Dates
Japan theatrical screenings open on 4 September 2026, distributed under the Toho label. For North America, Sentai and Iconic Events are handling the release — AMC screenings run October 4, 5 and 7, 2026 across selected US locations.
As of now, no Singapore or Southeast Asia screening date has been announced. Given the growing appetite for classic anime theatrical events here — and the fact that a Singapore studio (Kasagi Labo) is developing an entirely new Ninja Scroll film — there is every reason to hope that SG dates follow. We will update when confirmed.
Why Ninja Scroll Still Hits
Released in August 1993 in Japan, Ninja Scroll follows Jubei Kibagami, a wandering mercenary swordsman pulled into a conspiracy involving eight near-invincible supernatural warriors — the Devils of Kimon. Kawajiri’s signature style — highly detailed human anatomy, grotesque monster design, and kinetic action choreography — made the film a cult sensation when it reached Western markets in the mid-nineties, placing it alongside Akira and Ghost in the Shell as the trilogy of films that introduced adult anime to a global audience.
The film’s visual DNA runs through decades of games and anime: the Souls series, Sekiro, Nioh, Samurai Champloo, and countless others owe something to the aesthetic that Kawajiri built here. Watching it at full 4K resolution — as it was always meant to be seen — should be something special.
A Note on the New Ninja Scroll Film
This 4K restoration is a separate project from the new Ninja Scroll film announced by Singapore-based Kasagi Labo at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June 2026. That is an original production. This restoration brings back the 1993 original — two different things happening at once, which is a good sign for where the franchise is heading. Keep an eye on our Manga Anime section for updates on both.