Hi!
I've started playing Ninja Gaiden (US version) and I've made a thing I would like to suggest.
At 3:32-33, during the stage 3-2, you're falling down with an eagle on your back. At the first frame avalaible, you jump from the bottom plat-form and, with some incredibly air move, you kill both the eagle and the guy with a sword without taking the ladder.
But, by playing, I've found it's possible to take damage from the rocket coming from the left by a soldier to get a boost (thanks to the animation of being wounded) and, then, to go to the plat-form just before the top of the ladder. With that damage boost, you reach this upper plat-form and you just have to jump to make your way without having to fall to the bottom plat-form.
Maybe it can save some frames... Or not. I don't know, and maybe it has already been tested ;) It was just a suggestion.
Have a nice day!