Shinobi: Heart Under Blade

In 1614, Japan has been unified under the Tokugawa shogunate, but two secluded ninja villages, Iga and Koga, remain bitter enemies. Gennosuke of Koga and Oboro of Iga have fallen in love despite the feud between their clans. When the shogun decides to settle the question of his succession by pitting the two villages against each other, each side must send its five strongest fighters into a battle to the death. Gennosuke and Oboro are chosen to lead their respective groups, turning their romance into a conflict between duty and feeling.

Ten Shimoyama directed the film, which was released in 2005 and runs 107 minutes. It is the first entry in the directing career listed for him, followed by About Love the same year and later works including Perfect Blue and L. The cast is led by Yukie Nakama as Oboro and Joe Odagiri as Gennosuke, with Tomoka Kurotani, Erika Sawajiri, Lily and Takeshi Masu in supporting roles. Nozomu Enoki produced.

On TMDB the film holds a rating of 6.6 out of 10 based on 182 votes, indicating a modest but positive response from users there.