G.I. Joe: Ninja Battles
Encyclopedia
G.I. Joe: Ninja Battles is a DVD that was released in late 2004, as part of the Ninja Battles set of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
figures. In it, the history of the Arashikage
Clan, as well as the history of Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow's rivalry, are examined through a series of trials. Scenes from both G.I. Joe: Spy Troops
and G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom
are used, with a brief period of new animation at the end of the movie.
. The story is told in flashbacks, to the first time that Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow faced off against each other, when the Hard Master put them through four trials. The trials end with Storm Shadow joining Cobra, blaming Snake-Eyes for the demise of his family.
Duke
, who had been standing in the shadows with Snake-Eyes during the Iron Master's story, steps forward to tell Tiger Claw that someday Storm Shadow will learn the truth about his family, and be welcomed back into the Arashikage Clan. Storm Shadow then appears to challenge Snake-Eyes and Tiger Claw, who reveal that Kamakura
and Jinx
are there to back them up. Storm Shadow then reveals allies of his own, in the form of Slash, Slice, and Shadow Strike. The ninjas all battle in Iron Master's forge, until the villains finally escape. Duke then offers Tiger Claw membership in the G.I. Joe Team.
at him, which causes Snake-Eyes to fall off the bridge. Storm Shadow wins, but the Hard Master shows his disapproval by breaking Storm Shadow's sword, which further angers Storm Shadow. In this continuity, it is revealed that Hard Master is considered to be Storm Shadow's father.
, who also arrives at the dungeon. Not knowing that others are there, Hard Master is shot by Cobra Commander and killed. Storm Shadow believes that it is Snake-Eyes who shot the Hard Master, and so he leaves to join Cobra, convinced that Snake-Eyes has betrayed the Arashikage Clan.
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is a military-themed line of action figures and toys in Hasbro's G.I. Joe franchise. The toyline lasted from 1982 to 1994, producing well over 500 figures and 250 vehicles and playsets. The line reappeared in 1997 and has continued in one form or another to the...
figures. In it, the history of the Arashikage
Arashikage
Arashikage is a fictional ninja clan from the military-themed G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero series of comics, television shows, and action figures. The name is derived from the Japanese words for storm and shadow...
Clan, as well as the history of Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow's rivalry, are examined through a series of trials. Scenes from both G.I. Joe: Spy Troops
G.I. Joe: Spy Troops
G.I. Joe: Spy Troops is a 2003 direct-to-video CGI animated movie produced by Reel FX Creative Studios. Spy Troops is the first G.I. Joe movie to be released by Reel FX....
and G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom
G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom
G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom is a direct-to-video CGI animated movie and sequel to G.I. Joe: Spy Troops. It was released in 2004 by Reel FX Creative Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures. Like Spy Troops, the film was written around the theme of the toys released that year. In this case, it...
are used, with a brief period of new animation at the end of the movie.
Plot
Narrated by the Iron Master, the story takes place in the Iron Master's forge. Tiger Claw has just earned his name, and so Iron Master explains how the war between the Arashikage Clan and the Red Ninjas began, by telling the origin of the rivalry between Snake-Eyes and Storm ShadowStorm Shadow (G.I. Joe)
Storm Shadow is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic book series and television shows. The character is best known for his history with fellow ninja Snake Eyes...
. The story is told in flashbacks, to the first time that Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow faced off against each other, when the Hard Master put them through four trials. The trials end with Storm Shadow joining Cobra, blaming Snake-Eyes for the demise of his family.
Duke
Duke (G.I. Joe)
Duke is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero and G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 lines of military-themed toys. The character is featured in both the animated series and comic books. Duke is portrayed by actor Channing Tatum in the 2009 live-action film, G.I. Joe: The Rise of...
, who had been standing in the shadows with Snake-Eyes during the Iron Master's story, steps forward to tell Tiger Claw that someday Storm Shadow will learn the truth about his family, and be welcomed back into the Arashikage Clan. Storm Shadow then appears to challenge Snake-Eyes and Tiger Claw, who reveal that Kamakura
Kamakura (G.I. Joe)
Kamakura is a fictional character from G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, a line of military-themed toys created by Hasbro. He is the first character created by Devil's Due Publishing to be made into a G.I. Joe figure and later brought into the new animated series.-Fictional Character...
and Jinx
Jinx (G.I. Joe)
Jinx is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series. She debuted in 1987, and her code name has also been the identity of several other incarnations of the same female ninja character: one of Snake-Eyes' apprentices in Sigma 6, Chuckles'...
are there to back them up. Storm Shadow then reveals allies of his own, in the form of Slash, Slice, and Shadow Strike. The ninjas all battle in Iron Master's forge, until the villains finally escape. Duke then offers Tiger Claw membership in the G.I. Joe Team.
Mizu
"Mizu" - The Trial of Water: Water is considered to be "shifting, formless, taking the shape of whatever confines it". The trial is designed to test a ninja's understanding and mastery of strategy. Hard Master gives each ninja a bowl of water, and each must get the other's bowl without taking it from the other's hand. Tiger Claw realizes that the strategy is cooperation, so that both may complete the task, by giving their bowl to the other. Instead, Storm Shadow chose to take the water bowl from Snake-Eyes by tripping him, which was considered an act of weakness by the Hard Master.Tsuchi
"Tsuchi" - The Trial of Earth: Earth is considered to be "solid and supportive, resisting change, but giving strength". The trial is designed to test a ninja's use and understanding of force alone. Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow stand atop wooden poles, and Snake-Eyes is the first to realize "to defeat your enemy in battle, first defeat the battleground". He causes Storm Shadow to fall first, who turns in anger to consult the ninja named Shadow Strike, not knowing that Shadow Strike has been watching the trials as a Cobra spy.Kaze
"Kaze" - The Trial of Wind: Wind is considered to be "forceful or subtle, striking from all directions, but always unseen". The trial is designed to test a ninja's understanding and mastery of bladed weapons. Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow face each other with swords on a rope bridge. At one point, a rope is cut and Storm Shadow loses his sword, as he almost falls over the edge. Snake-Eyes reaches to help him up, but Storm Shadow throws a shurikenShuriken
A shuriken is a traditional Japanese concealed weapon that was generally used for throwing, and sometimes stabbing or slashing...
at him, which causes Snake-Eyes to fall off the bridge. Storm Shadow wins, but the Hard Master shows his disapproval by breaking Storm Shadow's sword, which further angers Storm Shadow. In this continuity, it is revealed that Hard Master is considered to be Storm Shadow's father.
Hi
"Hi" - The Trial of Fire: Fire is considered to be "a force of creation when used wisely, but a force of destruction when unleashed". The trial is designed to test a ninja's senses, and demonstrate understanding and mastery of fire in all its forms. For this trial, Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow descend to a dungeon filled with mirrors. They are each given a laser pistol to use as a tool, but are expected to use their senses to determine what is real and what is illusion. While they are fighting, Shadow Strike uses this opportunity to signal Cobra CommanderCobra Commander
Cobra Commander is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe franchise. He appears in the toyline, animated series , comic books, video games, and movie as the usual principal antagonist. He is the supreme leader of the terrorist organization Cobra, and archnemesis of the Joes...
, who also arrives at the dungeon. Not knowing that others are there, Hard Master is shot by Cobra Commander and killed. Storm Shadow believes that it is Snake-Eyes who shot the Hard Master, and so he leaves to join Cobra, convinced that Snake-Eyes has betrayed the Arashikage Clan.
Cast
- Tiger Claw - Brian DrummondBrian DrummondBrian Drummond is a Canadian actor. He also serves on the board of directors for the New Westminster-based Urban Academy along with his wife, Laura Drummond, also a voice artist. He and his wife serve as vice-president and president, respectively.- Career :Drummond was born in Salmon Arm, British...
- Iron Master - John NovakJohn NovakJohn Novak is an actor and anime voice actor who frequently does voice work for the Ocean Group based in Vancouver, Canada....
- Storm ShadowStorm Shadow (G.I. Joe)Storm Shadow is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic book series and television shows. The character is best known for his history with fellow ninja Snake Eyes...
- Ty OlssonTy OlssonTyler "Ty" Olsson is a Canadian actor. He's best known for being the voice of the dragon Ord on Dragon Tales and for portraying real life 9/11 victim Mark Bingham in the A&E television movie Flight 93.-Life and career:... - DukeDuke (G.I. Joe)Duke is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero and G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 lines of military-themed toys. The character is featured in both the animated series and comic books. Duke is portrayed by actor Channing Tatum in the 2009 live-action film, G.I. Joe: The Rise of...
- John PayneJohn Payne (voice actor)John Payne is an English-born Canadian voice actor who works for Ocean Studios in Vancouver, Canada. He has played several roles in anime, most notably Ramba Ral in Mobile Suit Gundam and Rasetsu in InuYasha.... - JinxJinx (G.I. Joe)Jinx is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series. She debuted in 1987, and her code name has also been the identity of several other incarnations of the same female ninja character: one of Snake-Eyes' apprentices in Sigma 6, Chuckles'...
- Venus TerzoVenus TerzoVenus Terzo is a Canadian actress best noted for her role as Detective Angela Kosmo in Da Vinci's Inquest and its spinoff, Da Vinci's City Hall. She was nominated in 2002 for the Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role in that same role... - KamakuraKamakura (G.I. Joe)Kamakura is a fictional character from G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, a line of military-themed toys created by Hasbro. He is the first character created by Devil's Due Publishing to be made into a G.I. Joe figure and later brought into the new animated series.-Fictional Character...
- Kevan Ohtsji