Ninja Scroll (1993)

Browse any anime fan's movie collection and more often than not you'll find the same three films: Akira (1988), Ghost in the Shell (1995) and Ninja Scroll. Outside of Ghibli, those three have risen and remained at the top of the pile.
Scroll isn't packed with plot like the other two films are, it's a simple story about the quintessential anime samurai/ninja as he advances toward a singular goal, but before he can reach that goal he must win a series of battles against a collection of bizarre enemies. Between bouts there's some characterisation, but it also allows the viewer to project their own thoughts upon, and give depth to, the adaptable swordsman.

4 fatal encounters out of 5