In Japan, 300 years ago, there were two secret societies of people who called themselves ninja. One group was called Iga the other Koga. They were professional spies and assassins, experts in acrobatics, swordsmanship, judo, karate and hypnotism. In the 1960s, an 18th century samurai named Shintaro appeared on Australian television screens. With TV in Australia barely ten years old, THE SAMURAI became a surprise hit - thousands of Australian kids tuned in each weekday afternoon at 3:30 to catch the adventures of Shintaro and his ninja friend Tombei. Samurai mania swept the nation with children crafting their own weaponry and wreaking havoc in playgrounds and backyards! Transferred from all new master material with both Japanese language and English dub versions, this is the ultimate edition for old and new fans.

SEASON ONE: SPY SWORDSMAN: The year is 1789. Akikusa Shintaro, a young samurai from Edo, has been ordered by the Shogun and his chief councillor Lord Matsudaira Sadanobu to travel north and investigate the suspicious dealings of the lord of Matsumae fief. Resenting Shintaro's meddling in his affairs, the Matsumae lord sends his loyal retainer, Kiba Jinjuro to stop Shintaro. Trouble awaits! This is the original first series which did not appear on Australian screens until after season ten and appears here for the first time on Australian DVD.