Yôma

Curse of the Undead Yoma was an excellent anime. Storyline is great, animation is great for the time it was made (Remember this was an 80's anime). It's not just a senseless movie like Ninja Scroll. Overall a great movie!

Originally released on VHS in a subtitled version called Yoma: Curse of the Undead, this is a pretty decent entry in the anime horror genre. The main character is a young ninja on the trail of a childhood friend who just happens to be a powerful undead creature, with a multitude of lesser zombie freaks at his command. The action is bloody and the monsters are powerful and lethal, although a bit more creepy than terrifying. Japanese medieval folklore weaves its way through the story and undead spirits have a distinctly non-Western character, which makes this something other than just another ghost story.

Also notable is the haunting Ninja Counting Song which is repeated throughout the early part of the film. It is exquisitely beautiful and will play in your head for days afterward.

I learned of this movie through the ADV previews while watching the Neon Genesis episodes. Not only did the scenes appear to be some of the sickest (awesome sick) I might ever see, but the japanese woman's singing and the music set a mood of utter darkness and depression. I rewound that little two minute preview until I remember what I put the tape in for. I had to watch it. My favorite anime store did not have it to rent so I was forced to buy it. Upon finally watching, I found that although it did not shake up my universe like I had hoped, it still was able to impress me. The entire movie is dark, it has been a while since I watched it (my copy has made the borrowed-never-returned list) and I do not recall any kind of humor in this movie. All in all it is maybe a step under Ninja Scroll, good story and fighting. And for my final thought, this movie makes my top ten "Movies to Compliment a Semi-Depressed Mood."

A good sleeper.

I remember seeing Blood Reign: Curse of the Yoma when I was just 11 years old and being scared not just by its dark, scary story. But, by that frightening theme song that just makes you want to cringe. Its like looking at a horror version of a drama that made you want to cry but at that same time gave you nightmares. The story is the main core of this movie. The story is about a Ninja who searches for his lost partner while also trying to fight an army of demonic forces that are controlled by a demon lord. The best part about this movie is the action that is combined with the gritty, bone chilling horror creating an animated feast fit for a king. My only pet peeve about Curse of the Yoma is the ending theme song. Which really throws me off. Its like throughout the whole entire movie, you are completely captivated by the engrossing horror of the film and you are entirely frightened by its beautiful opening. But then, it sounds like the movie takes a complete shift from the scary aspect of the movie with its poppy-ish ending, which I don't understand why Toho would want to do that. But aside from the ending, Blood Reign: Curse of the Yoma is hands-down the best anime movie of the 80s. I suggest to everyone that you rent it before you buy. Then, you will appreciate it more and buy it. I give this movie a nine out of ten.

Curse of the Yoma is an excellant anime, and deserves more recognition than it's given. The animation is very nicely done, and the quality of the artwork on each individual frame stays consistantly pleasant for the duration. Also, the "Yoma Counting Song" is one of the loveliest, and most haunting, pieces of music I've encountered in a movie, animated or non. It seems there was more story to be told than could be fit into the short (two segment) run, nevertheless, I feel that through a good use of imagery and psuedo-poetic elements, the story manages to unfold in lucid fashion. The film loses points for what I perceived as being gratuitous action sequences, which are well done, but seem to fill too much of the running time. Also, the ending theme is just plain bad. Still, with its solid production, atmospheric imagery, and thought-provoking theme, Yoma is anime worthy of the 'classic' status.