is a 2003 Japanese anime television series based on Yoshiaki Kawajiri's Ninja Scroll. The series is directed by Tatsuo Sato and animated by Madhouse. Plot The story takes place in feudal Japan and follows the adventures of Jubei Kibagami, a mercenary ninja tasked with guarding the fabled relic known as the "Dragon Stone" and protecting its bearer, Shigure the "Light Maiden", from both the Hiruko and Kimon Clans' forces; alongside him on this quest are the government spy, Dakuan, and the mountain thief, Tsubute. Characters Main characters Jubei Kibagami is the protagonist of the show. He is a wandering vagabond ninja who wants nothing but to find a place to rest until one day he finds himself involved in a conflict between the Hiruko and Kimon ninja clans. Later, one of the Hiruko Clan members asks him guard the Dragon Stone and Shigure, now he's on an adventure to protect her from both the Hiruko and the Kimon. A master swordsmen, Jubei can swings his blade so quickly he can launch a vacuum blade; allowing him to cut down foes at a distance. He also carriers a hidden throwing dagger and a length of wire connected to his sword for emergencies. Shigure All her life, has lived in the mountains until her village was burnt to the ground by the Kimon Clan. Lost and confused, she doesn't know what to do until she meets Dakuan and Tsubute and realizes that she must go to the village of Yagyu. Shigure is known as the Light Maiden and is highly treasured by her people as well as the ninja chasing her. She is later revealed to actually be the lost treasure of an Ancient Kingdom itself possessing supernatural powers, but when given the chance, she chooses to reject them so as to lead a normal life. Tsubute is a very sneaky mountain thief who ends up tagging along with Dakuan and Shigure and is always trying to steal the Dragon Stone whenever he can. However, despite his greedy and cowardly nature, Tsubute is ultimately a good person at heart. At the end of the series, he's living in Shigure's old valley alongside her and the surviving Hiruko Clan. Dakuan An elderly ninja working for the government, appears to help Shigure and Tsubute when they are being pursued by a gang of thugs in the woods and later on decides to help them