Ninja Collection Vol. 1: Demon Spies (1974) / Golden Ninja (1966) / Magic Serpent (1966) / Mission: Iron Castle (1970) | Region-Free (Blu-Ray)

English Subtitled

---

Title: Demon Spies (1974)

Alternate Title: Oniwaban

Genre: Action, Fantasy

Plot Synopsis:
In the secluded mountains of feudal Japan, a group of children undergoes rigorous and unorthodox training to become the Shogunate’s most clandestine and lethal operatives—the Demon Spies. Their identities concealed even from each other, they are schooled in the deadly arts of infiltration, espionage, assassination, and seduction. Upon surviving their brutal training, five novice Demon Spies are dispatched on a perilous mission to infiltrate a powerful fief, locate a secret arsenal, and annihilate it. However, Lord Shogen, known as the Demon Hunter, is determined to capture and execute them.

---

Cast and Crew:

• Director: Takashi Tsuboshima
• Writers:
  • Kazuo Koike (author)
  • Ei Ogawa (screenplay)
  • Takato Ishikawa (screenplay)
• Cast:
  • Masaomi Kondo as Uzujiko
  • Toru Minegishi
  • Yutaka Mizutani
  • Keiko Aramaki as Koboshi
  • Shin Kishida as Abbot Genkai

---

YouTube Trailer:
Demon Spies (1974)

---

IMDb Link:
Oniwaban (1974)

---

Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. Nathan Stuart – ★★★★☆
   “Based on a manga by Kazuo Koike (Lone Wolf and Cub), Demon Spies follows a group of five Onibawan, a secret band of ninjas trained from childhood to be the ultimate ninja force under the control of the Shogunate. They specialize in every form of fighting, infiltration, and deception to carry out the Shogun’s dirty work in order to maintain peace.”
2. David – ★★★½☆
   “Wasn’t surprised to find out that this is based on a comic by Kazuo Koike. You get just the sort of awesome blood geysers, unfortunate sexual violence, a strange code of honor origin story, convoluted conspiracy plot, and various death traps that you’d expect from his manga.”
3. Miss_Muerte – ★★★★☆
   “Very few things in life bring me as much joy as arterial spraying blood from a wound or severed limb in 1970s Japanese cinema. The soothing ASMR-esque audio of the Ppsssssssss sound effect is just so soothing. Give me so much more of this.”

---

Meta Description:
Demon Spies (1974), also known as Oniwaban, is a Japanese action-fantasy film directed by Takashi Tsuboshima. The story follows five young operatives, trained from childhood in the deadly arts of espionage and assassination, as they embark on a perilous mission to infiltrate a powerful fief and destroy a secret arsenal, all while evading the ruthless Lord Shogen, the Demon Hunter.

---

Title: Golden Ninja (1966)

Alternate Title: Bôken daikatsugeki: Ôgon no touzoku

Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy

Plot Synopsis:
Following the Battle of Sekigahara, children Denji and Kichizo witness defeated soldiers hiding the Toyotomi treasure. The leader betrays his men, leaving a bloodstained footman as the sole survivor—a haunting image for the boys over the next two decades. While imprisoned, a scheme unfolds to release them, aiming to uncover the hidden gold on Hikone Beach. Their quest is fraught with unexpected dangers and challenges.

---

Cast and Crew:

• Director: Tadashi Sawashima
• Writers:
  • Masahiro Kakefuda
  • Daisuke Yamazaki
• Cast:
  • Hiroki Matsukata as Inazuma no Denji
  • Koichi Ose as Kinezumi no Kichizo
  • Yumiko Nogawa as Kozue
  • Kunie Tanaka as Risuke
  • Masumi Harukawa as Okiku

---

IMDb Link:
Golden Ninja (1966)

---

Meta Description:
Golden Ninja (1966), also known as Bôken daikatsugeki: Ôgon no touzoku, is a Japanese action-adventure comedy directed by Tadashi Sawashima. The film follows Denji and Kichizo, who, after witnessing the concealment of a treasure post-Sekigahara, embark on a perilous journey two decades later to uncover the hidden gold, facing numerous obstacles along the way.

---

Title: Magic Serpent (1966)

Original Title: Kairyū Daikessen

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Kaiju

Plot Synopsis:
In ancient Japan, the benevolent Lord Ogata is betrayed and murdered by his treacherous general, Daijo Yuki, and the evil sorcerer Orochimaru. The young prince, Ikazuchi-Maru, narrowly escapes death through the intervention of a mystical giant eagle. Years later, having mastered the arts of ninjutsu and magic under the guidance of the hermit Dojin Hiki, Ikazuchi-Maru embarks on a quest to avenge his parents’ deaths and reclaim his rightful throne. Along the way, he encounters allies and adversaries, culminating in a climactic battle involving colossal magical creatures.

---

Cast and Crew:

• Director: Tetsuya Yamanouchi
• Screenplay: Masaru Igami
• Story: Mokuami Kawatake
• Cast:
  • Hiroki Matsukata as Ikazuchi-Maru
  • Tomoko Ogawa as Tsunade
  • Ryūtarō Ōtomo as Orochimaru
  • Bin Amatsu as Daijo Yuki
  • Nobuo Kaneko as Dojin Hiki

---

YouTube Trailer:
Magic Serpent (1966) | Trailer

---

IMDb Link:
Magic Serpent (1966)

---

Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. barryegan7 – ★★★★★
   “This movie’s got everything: a giant sea dragon, a giant eagle, fighting samurai clans, ninja, paralyzing poison, romantic intrigue, a giant fire breathing horned toad, and a few more surprises. This thing is awesome.”
2. Sophie Campbell – ★★★½☆
   “Pretty fun ninja/monster movie! A little slow at times but all the mystical ninja action is great and the monsters at the end are a blast.”
3. MasterChaos – ★★★★☆
   “This was a ton of fun. It was a perfect blend of samurai intrigue, and special effects Kaiju goofiness.”

---

Meta Description:
Magic Serpent (1966), originally titled Kairyū Daikessen, is a Japanese fantasy adventure film directed by Tetsuya Yamanouchi. The story follows Prince Ikazuchi-Maru as he seeks to avenge his parents’ deaths and reclaim his throne, utilizing ninjutsu and magic against formidable foes, including the sorcerer Orochimaru. The film is notable for its blend of samurai action and kaiju elements, featuring battles between giant mystical creatures.

---

Title: Mission: Iron Castle (1970)

Alternate Title: Shinobi no Shū

Genre: Action, Drama, Crime, War

Plot Synopsis:
Set in feudal Japan, a skilled ninja is tasked with leading a small band of spies on a perilous mission: to infiltrate the heavily fortified Iron Castle and kidnap a noblewoman. As they navigate the castle’s formidable defenses, the team encounters unforeseen challenges that test their loyalty and resilience.

---

Cast and Crew:

• Director: Kazuo Mori
• Cast:
  • Hiroki Matsukata
  • Kōjirō Hongō
  • Tōru Minegishi
  • Shiho Fujimura
  • Yōko Namikawa

---

IMDb Link:
Mission: Iron Castle (1970)

---

Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. manfromplanetx – ★★★★☆
   “One of the last great Daiei productions before the studio went bankrupt in 1971, Shinobi no Shū sits among the very best of the 60’s B&W shinobi-eiga. Issei Mori (Kazuo Mori) directs with assured expertise this exciting action-packed tale, an incredibly stylish multi-faceted historical drama, weaving throughout supernatural and fantastical elements.”

---

Meta Description:
Mission: Iron Castle (1970), also known as Shinobi no Shū, is a Japanese action-drama directed by Kazuo Mori. The film follows a ninja leader and his team as they undertake a dangerous mission to infiltrate the impregnable Iron Castle and abduct a noblewoman, facing numerous obstacles that challenge their skills and loyalty.