For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best anime, our attention this time turns to ninja-themed anime. From horrific action to friendship-driven narratives, there’s a good choice to whet your appetite. ..
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Ninja Scroll
Ninja Scroll is a great anime that provides an intense and satisfying experience. The characters are not well-developed, but fans enjoy the action and gore. ..
Jubei Kibagami is a swordsman who wanders Japan looking for missions and quests to tackle. He’s a finely trained swordsman with a saddening past full of betrayal and neglect. He has no time for warring political factions and often stays far away from issues related to the topic.
He is forced to work with Kagero to find a cure for the disease and save the village. The two of them are forced to face danger and danger’s consequences as they try to find a way to stop the evildoer from spreading the disease.
Ninja Scroll is an anime that features a great deal of realistic and fantastical action. Everyone in the cast displays a grand level of martial arts, swordsmanship, and other forms of combat. Fans of action films will appreciate the intense and insane maneuvers performed by Ninja Scrolls’ cast. ..
Naruto Shippuden
This season of Naruto Shippuden is set after the events of the previous season, and follows Naruto as he tries to find and retrieve his former friend Sasuke Uchiha.
In this series, Naruto will face a new elite unit of powerful foes called the Akatsuki. The Akatsuki are stronger and more devious than any villain Naruto and his friends have fought before. It’s going to take a lot of teamwork, training, and effort for them to defeat these menacing adversaries.
In Shippuden, Naruto and other fan-favorite characters undergo a phenomenal development. While some of their child-like characteristics remain, you feel like the characters are growing alongside you. Fans of the series felt this energy as they watched Naruto make better decisions to protect those he cares about.
If you’ve never watched the original Naruto series, or if you only watched the last two arcs, then check out Naruto Shippuden.
Basilisk
Basilisk is an anime that offers a touching Romeo and Juliet-esque story but leans more toward non-stop action and violence. Many of its characters love fighting, and it’s felt throughout the entirety of the work. While the series offers slight breathing room with its romantic sub-plot, its brutal atmosphere never ceases.
TheBasilisk tells the story of two clans, Iga and Kouga, as they compete for control of a territory. The war is stopped by the orders of a powerful warlord, and years go by without any major incidents. Gennosuke and Oboro fall in love, but their clans are still at war. Finally, another war breaks out between their respective clans, and Gennosuke and Oboro must choose between their families’ interests or marry each other.
This anime follows the story of Gennosuke and Oboro, two grandsons of the warlord who call for a battle royale to declare who’ll be the next heir to the shogunate. This shogunate battle royale will force each nation to choose their 10 best warriors to represent them in this fight for dominance. Therefore, the anime follows Gennosuke and Oboro’s quest to forge peace between both clans while uplifting the duties of their forefathers.
Anime fans will appreciate the detailed depictions of Japanese history and culture, as well as the variety of ninja techniques and strategies. This anime is sure to keep viewers entertained with its exciting action sequences and fascinating storylines. ..
Basilisk is an anime with full-on bloody fights and a hint of historical value. If you’re into anime with full-on bloody fights and a hint of historical value, then you should check out Basilisk. ..
Harukanaru Toki no Naka
Toki no Naka is an anime with a unique reverse harem storyline. This allows the romance to feel more welcoming to the viewer, and less sensual in nature. ..
Akane Motomiya is transported to another world by a demon. In this new world, Akane becomes the Priestess of the Dragon God and must stop the demons from taking over this universe. With the help of eight super-powered men, Akane plans to rid this world of their demon threat. ..
The anime starts off slow but builds momentum in time. Akane and the others are explored and developed alongside its narrative. Everyone has a satisfying personality and a backstory that’s revealed gradually throughout the anime.
Despite being her lackeys, the eight super-powered men all feel important to the overarching story, and you’ll find yourself empathizing with them. While Harukanaru Toki no Naka’s feels more targeted toward females with its romantic tension, there is enough action and manly moments to keep male viewers interested. ..
Sengoku Basara: Samurai Kings
Sengoku Basara: Samurai Kings is an anime that features different occupational fighters. You can expect samurai to clash with ninjas in this anime, as it does not accurately represent the time period it is based around. ..
The Sengoku period was a time of great conflict in Japan. Nobunaga Oda, the Demon King of Owari, established himself as the strongest ruler and promised to crush anyone who got in his way of establishing a tyrannical central government. The two warriors that challenged Oda were Masamune Date and Yukimura Sanada, who stem from different clans.
Despite their differences, Masamune and Yukimura are both skilled warriors who have dedicated their lives to taking down Oda. When the opportunity arises, they must work together to fight off Oda’s forces.
Sengoku Basara is a story of epic battles between two armies. The story is simple but the battles are intense and will keep you engaged. You’ll be captivated by the action and the characters.
The anime features well-crafted characters and a well-developed setting. You can expect samurai wielding katanas and ninjas wielding kunai, as well as their corresponding mannerisms and behaviors. Additionally, the anime spends time developing its characters’ backgrounds and personalities. ..
Jubei-chan: The Ninja Girl
The Ninja Girl is a comedy series that features a slew of jokes, slapstick, and gag humor. While its premise is simple and its jokes fairly repetitive, it manages to turn out a satisfying product by the series’ conclusion. The Ninja Girl is an enjoyable show that is sure to make you laugh out loud.
Jiyu Nanohana is a schoolgirl who comes across a 300-year-old samurai who informs her that she’s the reincarnation of Yagyu Jubei, a legendary swordsman. He bestows Jiyu with the “Lovely Eyepatch” that allows her to attain Yagyu’s incredible fighting ability and strength. The anime features Jiyu fighting numerous clansmen and foes, who are looking to resolve an old family mishap.
Fans of the anime love its characters for their relatability. Jiyu, in particular, is reluctant to embrace her powers and tries to reject them time and again. The anime does a great job at developing her attachment to the Lovely Eyepatch and building upon her own reasons for fighting. ..
Jiyu is a likable protagonist and the chemistry she shares with other characters makes this anime worth watching. You’ll enjoy seeing her bond with her father, as some of the instances they involve themselves in feel relatable and wholesome. Jubei does get into some romantic shenanigans that exhibit a similar feeling. While its jokes may not vibe well with most viewers, Jubei-chan: The Ninja Girl is an enjoyable anime to watch if you like quirky characters and ninjas. ..
Flame of Recca
Flame of Recca is an action-packed anime that follows the story of a young boy named Recca as he tries to save his family from a group of bandits. The series has a unique style that makes it stand out from the rest.
This anime is about a delinquent named Recca Hanabishi who likes getting into fights and trouble. He loves ninjas as much as he admires fighting. While all is mundane in his life, everything changes when he meets a sweet girl named Yanagi Sakoshita. Their fateful encounter leads to an endless chain of events that will lead Recca to discover his ninja ancestry and fire-like abilities.
In the anime, Recca is a never-giving-up hero who values his friends. He doesn’t back down from any challenge given to him and makes sure he gives it his all in a fight. The fights he endures are brutal, but each fight adds more experience and wisdom to his fighting palette. Like Goku, Naruto, and others, Recca will grow as he fights and harness newfound strength.
Flame of Recca is a well-animated and art-style-rich shōnen anime from the 1990s. It has a rich cast of characters, with depth and uniqueness that makes them stand out. Fans of the genre should add Flame of Recca to their watchlist, as it’s a great example of what anime can be. ..
Nabari no Ou
Nabari no Ou is an anime that takes place in modern times, with ninja elements not being expanded upon as much as the drama between its characters. While it may not be a traditional anime, it is still a unique and satisfying experience. ..
Rokujou Miharu, a 14-year-old boy, has a powerful ninja technique called Shinrabanshou. Many ninjas are after it, and his classmate Kouichi and his English teacher Kumohira are both secret Banten clan ninjas who are devoted to protecting him from any incoming ninjas. ..
Although one of them proposes that Miharu join their ninja club, he refuses. However, he changes his mind when numerous ninjas start attacking him from out of nowhere. The anime follows Miharu’s bond with the other members of the ninja club as he desperately tries to survive the onslaught of multiple ninja attacks.
This anime is more about the characters and their relationships than any ninja-related action. While this may not be everyone’s cup of tea, the soap opera elements do a great job at pulling you into the story. You’ll see grand facial expressions and reactions during key moments.
Puppet Princess
Puppet Princess is a 40-minute OVA that was highly acclaimed for its action and nightmarish imagery. While its visuals helped set it apart from most, many fans enjoyed Puppet Princess for its humor, characters, and historical setting.
Puppet Princess is set in feudal Japan and follows Princess Rangiku’s quest for revenge against Lord Karimata, who invaded her home seeking her father’s incredible supernatural puppets. Due to his failure, he murdered her entire family. Now, with the help of a group of unlikely allies, she plans to take him down and restore peace to her kingdom. ..
Rangiku, the eldest of the four siblings, is determined to live up to her family name and become a powerful ninja. She joins forces with Manajiri, a ninja warrior who pledges to protect her and fight alongside her on her mission. Together, they embark on a journey to bring Karimata to justice. However, they must use their skills as puppets to survive the attacks of their enemies. This requires both Rangiku and Manajiri to be careful not to let their puppet masters control them too much.
Rangiku is a fantastic female protagonist who has a kind-hearted but powerful fighting spirit. She’s no klutz or damsel in distress, as her puppet techniques will impress and amaze you. While Rangiku is a formidable warrior in this anime, Rangiku is just as phenomenal. You’ll find yourself cheering them on as they lay waste to many of Karimata’s henchmen.
Katanagatari
Katangatari is a visually appealing and dialogue-centric ninja anime that focuses on entertaining audiences with its mesmerizing imagery, unique art style, and clever script. Fans expecting lectures about honor, justice, and loyalty won’t find it here. ..
Katanagatari is a unique ninja-themed work that features emotionally-driven character interactions and nods to popular culture. These decisions allowed Katanagatari to feel different from other ninja-themed works, but it does run into trouble with its storytelling and over-utilization of this feat. ..
Despite its storytelling flaws, Katanagatari is an enjoyable experience if you can overlook its predictability and repetition. Some fights feel like they’re mostly dialogue with only a small amount of combat, but on the whole it’s worth checking out if you’re a fan of the genre. ..
Togame is a powerful man with a vision for Japan’s future. He wants to create a society where the people are happy and content, and where the sword is the only weapon. He tells Shichika and Nanami that they must find someone who can teach them how to use Kyotouryuu in order to save Japan from destruction. Shichika is hesitant at first, but he decides to take Togame on as his teacher.
Shichika is offered help by Togame to collect twelve unique objects called Deviant Blades for the shogunate. Although she barged into his establishment unannounced, Shichika accepts her offer. Therefore, the anime follows Shichika and Togame’s quest of uncertainty, hardship, and pain as they travel the world searching for the mysteriously powerful Deviant Blades.
There have been many great anime about ninjas over the years, and we’ve selected our favorites for you. These anime are all great examples of the ninja genre, and they will leave you entertained and inspired. ..
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