Ninku/ Yu Yu Hakusho (2002)

2 great titles on 1 DVD. Yu Yu Yusuke Urameshi is not exactly what you'd call an angel. In fact, some might call him down right devilish. Ninku They have the reputation of being the top martial-arts team in the world. They have combat techniques which can control the very elements.

Movies?!? Where?

I'm a big fan of the Yu Yu Hakusho series and I'm extremely disappointed by this disc. Both of the titles, Yu Yu Hakusho: The Movie and Ninku: The Movie are about 30 min. long and definitely don't qualify as movies. YYH is far less interesting than any other episode as it lacks any sense of suspense or development. Practically all of the voice actors are different. Even if you attempt to keep an open mind about this change, there is no denying that the new cast is inferior. They sound like a collection of adolescents and children and they fail to reproduce the Spirit World defenders properly. Yusuke and especially Hiei lose their attitudes, Kuwabara isn't very tough or macho, and Kurama isn't so much the refined gentleman. The camaraderie between the four is nonexistent. Only Botan feels somewhat familiar.

Ninku: The Movie sets itself up like the A-Team but then delivers more like Scooby-Doo. A supposedly fierce band of mercenaries encounters a group of misfits impersonating them for profit and then has to step in to save the misfits from bandits. There is nothing awful about this but there is no reason to go out of one's way to view it. Ninku is probably a fine series (I've never seen any other episodes). YYH is definitely a fine series. Nonetheless, there is nothing outstanding or even interesting about this set and it should be passed over by all but the most dedicated fans.
August 12, 2007

Amused... and confused...

Before I bought this DVD used from a local store I hadn't even heard of either series, much less seen them. I guess I have a fresh approach towards it since I didn't buy it simply because I liked the series. ^_^

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For Ninku the movie (more in depth since no one really talked about it yet):
The fight scenes are very well done, even though no real weapons are used (I'm into sharp, pointy items that shine :P). There is a lot of detail used in making the special moves and their effects. I didn't feel cheated at all, even without any samurai swords.

As well known as the Ninku are, no one ever recognizes them! Fame and fortune don't always go together as they are often searching for ways to get food and money. Circus performers pretend to be the famous Ninku team in the very town the Ninku arrive at! What's worse, the only job around is to be the imposters' servents!

Fusuke may look a lot like a child with a blank expression, but he had been the captain of the first Ninku division. In the movie, he shows himself to be a very thoughtful, generous, loyal, and level-headed guy; what you'd expect in a leader. I found myself laughing AT him more than once during the movie and wondered how HE could possibly be a former captain. I didn't have any doubts once the fight scene truely started. He becomes very serious and the vibe you get from him changes.

Touji was a captain for the sixth division of Ninku. In the movie he seems to be Rihoko's brother. I was shocked at first to see him tear off his clothes to fight in his underwear, but it became comical.

Aicho was a captain of the nineth division of Ninku. Rihoko has a huge crush on him and he does about all he can to stay away from her.

Rihoko doesn't fight, she just tags along with the guys (I'm pretty sure she is in fact Touji's sister). I think her main role is comical relief and to be the occasional damsel in distress, but I like her sometimes bossy character.

The penguin is named Hiroyuki. He is very intelligent. Unfortunely, he also tends to have really bad gas. Poor Fusuke seemingly faints when Hiroyuki farts on him in the movie. Immature humor? Sure, but it's still funny to me. It isn't overdone or used in bad taste, so I don't have a problem with it. I'm sure it's an effective move in a fight. :P

Overall, it's VERY funny, even if in a stupid kind of way.

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For Yu Yu Hakusho:

I could tell right away that this was a movie best viewed after seeing the series. I guess I lucked out that the store accidently gave me Yu Yu Hakusho the Movie (Poltergeist Report) first on accident. I got a clue as to who was who and how they all felt about each other. Because I was so new to the series I didn't really notice anything wrong with the characters or their voices, but I also was confused about certain things that weren't explained because they assume you've watched the series before the movie.

If you are flexible and can let characters be different than normal, then buy this used somewhere. It's, by far, not worth purchasing it brand new, so make sure you get it used. April 12, 2006

A Waste of Time

I didn't even get through this movie all the way, yet in the first five minutes or so I found myself saying, "Gods... This is absolutely horrible." The voices are different, and the characters' personalities aren't even right! Even if you're a crazed YYH fan like myself, this simply isn't worth your time or money. December 1, 2005

A little different but it will do

The voice characters were different and their drawings were all out of shape I'm still a fan of Yu Yu Hakusho no matter what. What is Ninku: They have the reputation of being the top martial-arts team in the world. They have combat techniques, which can control the very elements. They have an understanding of human motivations and a capacity for withstanding humiliation beyond that of any normal person. They have a small penguin (Don't ask). November 18, 2005

Ouch

Picked this title up at my friendly pawnshop. Even then it was probably overpriced. My kids, who are huge YYH fans were bummed - especially by the voice-overs and the 30 minute length. Still, it was fun griping about the changes.

The Ninku movie is also about 30 minutes, but even worse quality. Not sure we will watch it more than once. Looks like the same animators and voice overs from Zatchbell.

Suggestion: Buy used and realize you are getting an hour or less of product!!! Otherwise, enjoy :) September 28, 2005

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