G.I. Joe: Ninja Battles
A short film exploring the Arashikage Clan's trials.
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In 2004, an American animated short film titled *G.I. Joe: Ninja Battles* was released on DVD. It was packaged as part of a set of *G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero* action figures. The movie explores the origins of the Arashikage Clan and the long-standing conflict between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow. It does this by presenting a series of trials. The footage is largely taken from two earlier films, *G.I. Joe: Spy Troops* and *G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom*, with only a short sequence of new animation appearing at the very end.
The story is framed by the Iron Master, who narrates from his forge. He tells Tiger Claw, who has just earned his name, how the war between the Arashikage Clan and the Red Ninjas started. This is done through flashbacks to the first confrontation between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow, when the Hard Master put them through four tests. These trials conclude with Storm Shadow joining Cobra, as he blames Snake Eyes for his family’s death. Duke, who has been listening with Snake Eyes, tells Tiger Claw that Storm Shadow will eventually learn the truth and return to the clan and the G.I. Joe team. Storm Shadow then appears to challenge them, backed by Slash, Slice, and Shadow Strike. The ninjas fight in the forge until the villains escape, and Duke offers Tiger Claw a place on the G.I. Joe team, which he accepts.
The four trials are named after classical elements. The Trial of Water (Mizu) tests strategy: each ninja must get the other’s bowl of water without taking it by force. Tiger Claw realizes cooperation is the solution, but Storm Shadow trips Snake Eyes, which the Hard Master calls a weakness. The Trial of Earth (Tsuchi) tests force: standing on poles, Snake Eyes realizes he must first defeat the battleground, causing Storm Shadow to fall. Angered, Storm Shadow consults the spy Shadow Strike. The Trial of Wind (Kaze) tests bladed weapons: on a rope bridge, Storm Shadow loses his sword and nearly falls. Snake Eyes reaches to help, but Storm Shadow throws a shuriken, making Snake Eyes fall. Storm Shadow wins, but the Hard Master breaks his sword in disapproval. In this story, the Hard Master is revealed to be Storm Shadow’s father. The Trial of Fire (Hi) tests senses: in a mirror-filled dungeon, the ninjas use laser pistols.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Arthur Nichols
- Producer
- Daley Miller
- Writer
- Garfield Reeves-Stevens / Judith Reeves-Stevens
- Editing
- Tim Archer
- Studio
- Reel FX
- Released
- 15 September 2004
- Runtime
- 22 min.
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The story is narrated by the Iron Master in his forge, where Tiger Claw has just earned his name. The Iron Master explains the war between the Arashikage Clan and the Red Ninjas by telling the origin of the rivalry between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow, shown in flashbacks to their first confrontation when the Hard Master put them through four trials: Mizu (Water), Tsuchi (Earth), Kaze (Wind), and Hi (Fire). 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, steps forward to tell Tiger Claw that Storm Shadow will someday learn the truth about his family and be welcomed back into the Arashikage Clan and the G.I. Joe team. Storm Shadow then appears to challenge Snake Eyes and Tiger Claw, who reveal Kamakura and Jinx as backup. Storm Shadow reveals his own allies: Slash, Slice, and Shadow Strike. The ninjas battle in the Iron Master's forge until the villains escape, and Duke offers Tiger Claw membership in the G.I. Joe Team, which he accepts.
Reader's Guide
The film is notable for its use of repurposed footage from two earlier G.I. Joe films, G.I. Joe: Spy Troops and G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom, with only a brief segment of new animation at the end. The four trials—Mizu, Tsuchi, Kaze, and Hi—are each designed to test specific ninja skills: strategy, force, bladed weapons, and senses. The trial of Water emphasizes cooperation, but Storm Shadow's aggressive choice is deemed weakness. The trial of Earth tests force, and Snake Eyes defeats the battleground to win. The trial of Wind involves bladed weapons on a rope bridge, where Storm Shadow wins but earns the Hard Master's disapproval. The trial of Fire takes place in a mirror-filled dungeon, where Hard Master is accidentally shot and killed by Cobra Commander, leading Storm Shadow to mistakenly blame Snake Eyes and join Cobra. The DVD was available in a standard case or a cardboard box, with extras including trailers and a music video. The Ninja Battles toy set included a Battle Arch, a comic, and a 5-pack of figures, though the Black Dragon Ninja figure appears only in the comic, not the film.
Did You Know?
- The Black Dragon Ninja figure appears in the included comic book but not in the DVD itself.
- The DVD was available either as a standard DVD case or as a cardboard box.
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