The Ninja Invasion of The 1980s
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"Only a ninja can stop a ninja" ~ Cho Osaki
The 1980s saw an explosion of ninja-themed entertainment that took over the world. There was a serious fascination with the mysterious Japanese warriors, and it wasn't just a passing fad - it was a true love affair that aligned with the spirit of the decade.
I remember checking the TV Guide regularly to see what gems were scheduled for Kung Fu Theatre on the weekend. I would do everything in my power to not miss any programming, but sometimes it fell right in the middle of the day on Saturday— prime time BMX adventuring time!
And sometimes the programming re-aired after midnight! I knew my parents wouldn’t let me stay up passed midnight to watch, but as soon as they fell asleep, I would sneak into the living room and watch until I passed out. Scolding ensued the following morning. Totally worth it!
Let’s explore why ninjas and the 1980s paired so well.
The Rise of Martial Arts Cinema
The groundwork for the ninja craze was laid in the 1970s with the popularity of Chinese kung fu movies. As audiences developed a taste for Eastern martial arts, Hollywood saw an opportunity to capitalize on this interest. The ninja, with their exotic weapons and stealth techniques, offered a fresh and exciting twist on the martial arts genre.
Visual Appeal and Mystique
Ninjas, with their iconic black outfits and array of weapons, were visually striking and mysterious. This aesthetic perfectly matched the bold, larger-than-life style of 1980s pop culture. The ninja's secretive nature and supposed supernatural abilities also tapped into the decade's fascination with the unknown and exotic.
I’ll never forget the training course fight scene from “AMERICAN NINJA 2: The Confrontation (1987).” There was a wrist fire thrower, knuckle bullet shooter, and a laser punch scene that was legendary! The movie was terrible and absurd in the most amazing way.
Action-Packed Entertainment
The 1980s was a decade that embraced excess, and action movies were no exception. Ninjas provided filmmakers with the perfect vehicle for over-the-top fight scenes, acrobatics, and special effects. Movies like "Enter the Ninja" and "Revenge of the Ninja" delivered non-stop action in familiar settings.
Do you remember Gymkata and the pommel horse scene? Hey, that could have happened!
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