Shinobi: Heart Under Blade

Two young shinobi from rival villages are drawn to each other despite an oath of loyalty that should keep lovers apart. In their world respect and duty trump personal happiness, yet the pair finds their feelings unavoidably real. At a high level council with the lord, the authorities announce a brutal contest to determine the five strongest warriors from each village, a fight to the death that will decide which clan governs the region. The lovers soon learn that they have been chosen to lead the two rival teams, forcing them to balance romance with strategy, secrecy with duty. As banners rise and blades flash, alliances shift and old feuds resurface, turning affection into a dangerous source of tension.

Directed by Ten Shimoyama, Shinobi: Heart Under Blade is a live action adaptation drawing on the ninja lore of Futaro Yamada and Kenya Hirata. The 2005 film features Yukie Nakama and Joe Odagiri in a stylized, martial arts driven period drama.

Box office figures are not provided in the available information, so no worldwide gross can be cited here. The film is discussed more for its style and performances than its commercial performance, with attention paid to its choreographed fight scenes and period atmosphere.

Across critics the film is seen as a visually striking take on a classic ninja romance, pairing dynamic swordplay with a moody, elegiac tone. The story centers on two lovers whose bond strains under clan loyalty, tradition and the lure of power, offering a meditation on sacrifice alongside action. Some reviewers note the performances elevate the material.

Among fans of ninja cinema the film has a small but devoted following, praised for its sleek visuals and intense choreography. It appears in discussions of live action adaptations, remembered for its mood and stylish set pieces that echo mid 2000s action cinema.