For centuries, the Iga and Kouga ninja clans have engaged in a bitter war. But when a ceasefire is ordered by the powerful warlord Ieyasu Tokugawa, the two clans are forced to put down their arms.

Years later, Gennosuke Kouga, heir of the Kouga clan, and Oboro Iga, heir of the Iga clan, have fallen in love. Through marriage, both heirs aim to bring peace to the clans. But their hopes are dashed when flames of rivalry between their clans are reignited, and they are dragged into another war.

Ieyasu's two grandsons have both claimed to be the next heir to the shogunate. To resolve this dispute, both the Kouga and Iga are ordered to send their 10 best warriors to fight in a bloody battle royale, with each clan representing one of the potential shogunate heirs. Two scrolls with the names of the fighters are given and are to be marked in blood upon the given fighter's death. The prize for winning is the favor of the Tokugawa shogunate for a thousand years. Torn between their love for each other and duty to their clans, Gennosuke and Oboro must ultimately decide the fate of their clans.

Type: TV
Episodes: 24
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Apr 13, 2005 to Sep 21, 2005
Premiered: Spring 2005
Broadcast: Unknown
Producers: GDH, Kodansha, Sotsu Music Publishing
Licensors: FUNimation Entertainment
Studios: Gonzo
Source: Manga
Genres: Action, Adventure, Historical, Supernatural, Romance, Samurai, Fantasy
Duration: 24 min. per ep.
Rating: R - 17+ (violence & profanity)

Director: Fuminori Kizaki
Series Composition: Yasuyuki Muto
Scenario: Yasuyuki Muto
Music: Kou Nakagawa
Character Design: Michinori Chiba
Art Director: Shigemi Ikeda
Sound Director: Yoku Shioya
Director of Photography: Kenji Fujita
Executive producer: Koji Kajita
Studio: Gonzo