RELEASE DATE: June 26, 2012 Neptune Media presents the DVD for The Last Samurai, by Kenji Misumi, the director of Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman and the Lone Wolf and Cub films (aka Shogun Assassin). This 1974 classic features dazzling swordfights, elaborate battle sequences and a stirring score from internationally renowned composer Akira Ifukube (Godzilla series). Check out the trailer.

RELEASE DATE: July 3, 2012 Animeigo presents the DVD for The Great Killing (aka The Great Duel). This 1964 samurai classic is about a group of revolutionaries who plan to ambush and assassinate a chancelor in an attempt to keep a corrupt, power-hungry minister from taking control of the Shogunate. Yes, it sounds very similar to The 13 Assassins (also directed by Eiichi Kudo’s), which isn’t a bad thing.

RELEASE DATE: June 19, 2012 Palisades Tartan presents Yoji Yamada’s The Hidden Blade on Blu-ray. Like Yamada’s last film, The Twilight Samurai, it’s based on a short story by Shuhei Fujisawa. Starring Masatoshi Nagase, Takako Matsu and Yukiyoshi Ozawa. It is currently available on DVD. Check out the trailer.

RELEASE DATE: June 19, 2012 Screen Magic Films presents two “classics” in this martial arts Double Feature: The first is Ninja Champion, a Godfrey Ho cut ‘n paste flick that stars Richard Harrison, Bruce Baron and Pierre Tremblay. The second is Paul Kyriazi’s English language kung fu flick Weapons of Death, which stars Eric Lee and Gerald Okamura. Check out the trailers for Ninja Champion and Weapons of Death.

RELEASE DATE: July 24, 2012 Sentai Filmworks presents the DVD for The Kunoichi (which means female ninja). This bloody martial arts film is directed by Seiji Chiba (Alien Vs. Ninja) and stars Karate Girl’s Rina Takeda as the title female ninja character. Check out the trailer.

RELEASE DATE: May 22, 2012 Screen Magic Films presents two “classics” in this martial arts Double Feature: In Godfrey Ho’s Ninja The Protector, International Police have traced counterfeit US Banknotes to the Hong Kong forgery gang and a special Ninja detective (Richard Harrison) unit must put an end to it. Also included is Hands of Death, which revolves around a gang of martial arts-trained thieves. Check out the trailer for Ninja the … Continue reading →

RELEASE DATE: June 5, 2012 Animeigo presents the original 13 Assassins on DVD. Directed by Eiichi Kudo (Yaju-deka), this 1963 classic was remade in 2010 by Takashi Miike. Due to the critical acclaim of the remake, the original has since become a hot commodity. Starring Chiezo Kataoka, Kotaro Satomi and Ryohei Uchida. Check out the trailer.

RELEASE DATE: June 12, 2012 Switchblade Pictures presents the DVD for Sultry Assassin: Aphrodisiac Kill. Based on the line of “eroninja” novels by Junichi Yagami, Sultry Assassin: Aphrodisiac Kill is the first film in a new series from Zombie Hunter Rika’s Kenichi Fujiwara. It stars Akiho Yoshizawa, Yoshihiro Sato, Asami, Rin Kawai and Kesuke.