1980 • Japan • Directed by Norifumi Suzuki

Before starring in John Wick 4 and Shogun, Hiroyuki Sanada got to showcase his physical prowess in his first lead role with 1980’s Shogun's Ninja, a madcap martial arts caper energetically directed by Norifumi Suzuki (Wandering Ginza Butterfly) and co-starring Sanada’s mentor, the legendary Sonny Chiba.

During the Warring States period, a lone man on a small boat approaches the shores of Japan. His name is Takamaru Momoshi, heir to the Iga clan, returning after ten years of hiding in China and fully intent on finding the ruthless ninja Shiranui (Chiba), the man who betrayed and murdered his father. But with Shiranui and his thugs now in control of the country, Takamaru must gather the scattered remnants of his clan and train in the shadowy art of ninjutsu so they can mount a guerrilla resistance, defeat the corrupt ninja and restore the Iga’s honor.

Packed with explosive fight sequences and acrobatic stunts courtesy of Chiba’s team the Japan Action Club, and co-starring Etsuko Shihomi (Sister Street Fighter) and Asao Koike (G.I. Samurai), Shogun’s Ninja’s frenzied blend of Japanese period drama, hyperviolent karate movie and action-comedy stands out as an unmissable entry in Japanese martial arts cinema.