FUNimation Entertainment has acquired the Japanese live action film Shinobi from Shochiku Co. Ltd, Japan's leading entertainment conglomerate.  Shinobi was released in Japan in September of 2005 and was both a critical and commercial success.  The film was adapted from the Kouga Ninja Scrolls, a best-selling novel that also inspired the eagerly awaited Basilisk anime series, which FUNimation has acquired (see 'Funimation Nabs Basilisk') and plans to release in the U.S. in August.

Set in 17th century Japan, Shinobi chronicles the story of two warring ninja tribes, each with their own special fighting abilities and techniques.  The young leaders of the tribes are in love but are inevitably torn apart in the conflict.

FUNimation has acquired theatrical rights to Shinobi as well as DVD and broadcast rights, so don't be surprised if Shinobi, which is a colorful historical epic blend of ninja action and a Romeo and Juliet relationship, gets some sort of theatrical release through FUNimation Films (see 'FUNimation Films').