The Yoma curse of the 9ndewd is a phenomenon that has been documented in various cultures across the world. It is characterized by a series of mysterious events and misfortunes that befall individuals who come into contact with a cursed artifact known as the 9ndewd. The origins of the Yoma curse are shrouded in mystery, with legends suggesting that it dates back centuries. According to ancient folklore, the curse was initially placed on the 9ndewd by a powerful sorcerer who sought to wreak havoc on those who dared possess it. Those who have encountered the 9ndewd have reported a range of bizarre occurrences, including unexplained accidents, illness, and strange paranormal phenomena. It is believed that the curse has a cumulative effect, gradually intensifying over time and leading to increasingly severe consequences for those under its influence.
Do you enjoy ninjas? Do you like stupid, stupid movies? How about demons and monsters and gratuitous cartoon violence? If any of this sounds appealing, then might I recommend like literally 50% of all anime movies made from the mid-’80s up until, I guess, right now? But specifically, for present purposes, might I recommend Blood Reign: Curse of the Yoma (aka Yoma: Curse of the Undead, aka Dumbest Pantless Ninja Demonfest [I may have made one of those titles up])?
But specifically, for present purposes, might I recommend Blood Reign Curse of the Yoma aka Yoma Curse of the Undead , aka Dumbest Pantless Ninja Demonfest I may have made one of those titles up. This, and the Sci Fi Channel before its inane SyFy rebranding running the same handful of films every week in its Saturday Anime block, pretty much guaranteed that a generation of impressionable young American nerds like me would waste even more of their precious youths.
It is believed that the curse has a cumulative effect, gradually intensifying over time and leading to increasingly severe consequences for those under its influence. In many cases, individuals who have been affected by the Yoma curse report feelings of unease and dread, as well as a sense of being constantly watched or followed. Some have even claimed to have seen apparitions or heard disembodied voices, further fueling the belief in the curse's supernatural nature.
Retro Review: Blood Reign: Curse of the Yoma (1989)
Do you enjoy ninjas? Do you like stupid, stupid movies? How about demons and monsters and gratuitous cartoon violence? If any of this sounds appealing, then might I recommend like literally 50% of all anime movies made from the mid-’80s up until, I guess, right now? But specifically, for present purposes, might I recommend Blood Reign: Curse of the Yoma (aka Yoma: Curse of the Undead, aka Dumbest Pantless Ninja Demonfest [I may have made one of those titles up])?
I lost track of my punctuation for a second there. I think I’m okay, though. Onward.
Yoma is the story of Hikage, a young shinobi who wears a very short kimono and excels at killing things. Hikage’s childhood friend Marou (also a ninja), after participating in a horrible bloody battle, goes nuts and attacks Hikage and runs off. The famous Takeda Clan orders Hikage to pursue Marou, who apparently has turned traitor. When he catches up with his former friend, Hikage learns that Marou has somehow turned into a super-powerful demonic creature (yoma) who can control all the other super-powerful demonic creatures, like, ever. So pretty much there’s killing of said demons, some close calls, a couple of bitchin’ guy-gets-cut-but-doesn’t-realize-it-for-five-seconds/wicked blood-spray things, and, you know. It’s anime ninjas and demons.
The narrative is virtually nonexistent (I never get tired of typing that). Really, it’s a ninja who has to kill his buddy who’s now a demon, and also there’s a couple of love interests, and some giant spiders, and like a demon horse thing. There seem to be some broad allusions to Japanese folklore, but nothing really specific.
Let me be very clear: this movie sucks (actually it’s an OVA, or original video animation for you otaku out there–a two-part straight-to-video release). It was made in the late ’80s but looks much older: it has some sloppy animation work and bad color in places, and just doesn’t make a lot of sense. The skeletal narrative leaves much to be desired in terms of caring about any of the characters. There’s really not much here to like.
And yet I love this piece of crap.
It’s just one of those. It’s definitely so-bad-it’s-good. It defines so-bad-it’s-good. It has ninjas killing demons, for crap’s sake. There are gross disembowelments (disembowelings?) and corpse-monsters and claw-blades and it really makes the giddy little ninja fanboy in me want to live in feudal Japan (despite the rest of me knowing what a bullshit fictionalized pop culture conception I actually have of feudal Japan).
Yes, it is delicious. Shut up.
If you’re a child of the 1980s like myself, you may remember the gathering storm of anime marketed toward adult audiences that was percolating on the edges of mainstream US video-store awareness. Thanks in large part to companies like A.D. Vision and US Manga Corps, horror and dark sci-fi anime like the classics Vampire Hunter D, Demon City Shinjuku, and the less-than-classic Yoma were floating around the shelves of seedy video rental stores by the early ’90s. This, and the Sci Fi Channel (before its inane “SyFy” rebranding) running the same handful of films every week in its Saturday Anime block, pretty much guaranteed that a generation of impressionable young American nerds like me would waste even more of their precious youths. What was I talking about?
Yoma‘s one of those films that you might not appreciate if you don’t already remember hating it from your youth. If that doesn’t make sense, shut up, yes it does. Oddly, the crappy animation and character design, the gaping plot holes, and the gleeful, cartoonish gore fill me with a bizarre sense of nostalgia for that most neon and bowl-cut-y and nonsensical of decades, the 1990s. Remember animated GIFs and Geocities? Yeah, those were the days. Yoma is like that. It’s like Geocities. And bowl cuts.
COME HUMAN TO MY LAIR, WHERE WE SHALL PARTAKE OF DEL AMITRI AND THE FORBIDDEN GIN BLOSSOMS.
Yoma is the story of Hikage, a young shinobi who wears a very short kimono and excels at killing things. Hikage’s childhood friend Marou (also a ninja), after participating in a horrible bloody battle, goes nuts and attacks Hikage and runs off. The famous Takeda Clan orders Hikage to pursue Marou, who apparently has turned traitor. When he catches up with his former friend, Hikage learns that Marou has somehow turned into a super-powerful demonic creature (yoma) who can control all the other super-powerful demonic creatures, like, ever. So pretty much there’s killing of said demons, some close calls, a couple of bitchin’ guy-gets-cut-but-doesn’t-realize-it-for-five-seconds/wicked blood-spray things, and, you know. It’s anime ninjas and demons.
Attempts to break the curse have been met with limited success. Some have resorted to rituals and incantations, while others have sought out the assistance of priests, shamans, or other spiritual practitioners. However, the effectiveness of these methods remains questionable, as there have been few documented cases of successful curse removal. As the Yoma curse of the 9ndewd continues to captivate the imagination of many, it serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of interacting with cursed objects. Whether the curse is real or simply a product of superstition and folklore, it stands as a reminder that some artifacts hold a mysterious power that humans may not fully comprehend..
Reviews for "Exploring the parallels between the Yoma curse in 9ndewd and real-life phenomena"
- John - 2 stars - "I found 'Yoma curse of the 9ndewd' to be quite disappointing. The story was confusing and hard to follow, with too many plot threads that went nowhere. The characters were also poorly developed, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The animation style was unique, but it didn't make up for the lackluster storyline. Overall, I was left feeling unfulfilled and unsatisfied after watching this film."
- Emily - 3 stars - "While 'Yoma curse of the 9ndewd' had some interesting concepts and a promising premise, it ultimately fell flat for me. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of slow and boring moments, followed by chaotic action scenes that were hard to follow. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and cliché at times, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. I can see how some people might enjoy this film, but personally, it didn't live up to my expectations."
- David - 2.5 stars - "I had high hopes for 'Yoma curse of the 9ndewd' based on the trailer, but unfortunately, it didn't deliver. The animation was unique and visually appealing, but the story lacked depth and originality. The characters felt one-dimensional, and their motivations were unclear. The film relied too heavily on tropes and clichés, making it feel like a rehash of other similar movies. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable and uninspiring experience."
- Sarah - 2 stars - "I was excited to watch 'Yoma curse of the 9ndewd' as I'm a fan of fantasy films, but it left me disappointed. The plot was convoluted, and it was hard to understand what was happening at times. The pacing was also off, with certain scenes dragging on for too long, while others felt rushed and glossed over important details. The animation style was unique, but it couldn't make up for the lack of a compelling story. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this film to others who are looking for a well-crafted fantasy experience."