The first film in the successful martial arts franchise, American Ninja stars Michael Dudikoff as Joe Armstrong, a one-man ninjitsu fighting machine. Serving in the army to avoid a prison sentence, Joe will find himself battling the deadly ninjas of the Black Star Order, as well as corrupt military leaders in order to bring down an illegal arms sales conspiracy. Joining in on the adventure is Joe's comrade-in-arms Curtis Jackson (Steve James, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka) and Patricia Hickock (Judie Aronson, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang), the daughter of Joe's commanding officer Colonel William Hickock (Guich Koock, North Dallas Forty).