Shinobi Vol. 2 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Shinobi Vol. 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman August 19, 2025

It's been a little over a since Radiance Films released its first volume of Shinobi films, a collection which included the first three so-called Shinobi no Mono outings which centered on iconic ninja Goemon. It may not have quite the ring of "a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet", but this next trilogy of Shinobi productions might jokingly be at least partially described by saying "a Goemon by any other name would still be a ninja (especially if he's portrayed by Raizô Ichikawa). The fourth, fifth and sixth films in the series do indeed depart from Goemon, though you might not know it if you weren't paying close attention, as the general template had already been set quite firmly, and evidently no one was going to tinker around very much with what was a very successful franchise. That said, all three of these films are quite stylish in their own way, and they provide Ichikawa some interesting opportunities, in the first two films in this set as a ninja named Kirigakure Saizo, and in the third as Saizo's son Saisuke. For those interested in what is in essence kinda sorta a "continuing story", our Shinobi Blu-ray review provides an overview, and also offers links to the following individual reviews:

Band of Assassins Blu-ray review

Revenge Blu-ray review

Resurrection Blu-ray review

For reviews of the three films in this set, please click on the following links:

Siege Blu-ray review

The Return of Mist Saizo Blu-ray review

The Last Iga Spy Blu-ray review

Shinobi Vol. 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Video quality is assessed in the above linked reviews.

Shinobi Vol. 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Audio quality is assessed in the above linked reviews.

Shinobi Vol. 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Note: Radiance has packaged the three films as indicated below, with some probably "generalist" supplements on each disc.

Disc One: Siege and Return of Mist Saizo

• Scene Specific Commentary on Shinobi: Siege by Tom Mes (HD; 48:57)


• Taichi Kasuga (HD; 24:10) offers this Japanese period film specialist's thoughts on the Daiei Studio's historical films. Subtitled in English.


• The Faces of Raizo (HD; 4:21) is a visual essay by Tom Mes profiling Raizo Ichikawa.

Disc Two: The Last Iga Spy

• Mance Thompson (HD; 18:12) features the Ninja film scholar discussing the historical background of the Shinobi series.


• The Tragedy of Mist Saizo (HD; 11:34) is a visual essay by Hayley Scanlon looking at the character.

Additionally, this new set will make a handsome companion piece to Radiance's first set, with a similar slipbox enclosing two keepcases. The keepcases feature reversible sleeves, and one encloses art cards with the other enclosing a nicely appointed insert booklet. Radiance's trademark Obi strip is included.

Shinobi Vol. 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This is another appealing collection from Radiance which may generate interest at least as much for some its interesting supplemental content as for the actual films involved. I personally liked the first film in this set the best, but I was repeatedly struck by how stylish and at times really gorgeously filmed all three entries were. Technical merits can vary between the three films, but are generally solid, and as usual Radiance provides some really good bonus features. With caveats for individual films noted, Recommended.