Ninja in popular culture
Encyclopedia
The ninja
are common stock character
s in both Japanese and international popular culture
. The cultural references listed below are major instances separated into groups, such as novels, comic books, anime
/manga
, films, television shows, video games, and others.
.
Ninja were a long-popular theme in Japanese folklore
, jidaigeki
literature and performing arts. For example, Ishikawa Goemon
was the subject of many kabuki
plays and Sarutobi Sasuke
has featured in many Japanese children's stories since 1911. Koga Unôn Ninjutsu Kogaryû, a silent film
from 1916 was possibly the first ninja movie. Ninja-based films and books became a major Japanese pop-culture craze during the 1950s and early 1960s, since then expanding into numerous comic books and video games. In Japan, the word shinobi and its variants are often used instead of "ninja".
The first major appearance of ninja in Western
pop-culture was in the James Bond
film You Only Live Twice
(1967), as a secret commando force used by the Japanese intelligence service. The 1960s TV series The Samurai
caused a significant wave of interest in ninja among younger viewers in Australia, but the impact of the ninja phenomenon was not felt in other western countries until considerably later. Western fascination with the ninja bloomed in the 1980s, especially in the United States. Several American ninja movies starring Sho Kosugi
were released in the early 1980s, largely responsible for introducing ninja to American pop culture and contributing to worldwide ninja-mania on grand scale. These included megahit media franchises such as the cartoon TV series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
in the late 1980s to early 1990s and Naruto
in the 2000s.
Ninja characters are often identified by their use of traditional blade and ranged weapons in modern and even science fiction
settings, as well as numerous superhuman abilities (such as running on water and up walls). Though depicted as nearly-invincible warriors (especially when they are the heroes of the story), they are often conversely depicted as disposable 'cannon fodder' to be dispatched by the hero character, especially one who's a ninja himself. Thus, modern entertainment has shown ninja as either expendable "redshirts"
attacking in large numbers, or as nearly invulnerable solitary warriors (who are often unmasked in contrast). In effect of this common approach, a single/small group of protagonist
ninja may often easily defeat waves of incompetent enemy ninja on multiple occasions only to have far more trouble when facing a more competent lone ninja - this seemingly inconsistent portrayal is jokingly explained using the sarcastic "Inverse Ninja Law" (also called "conservation of ninjutsu
"), which states that ninja are weaker when they are in larger groups.
As far back as the late 19th century, erotic art was made using the ninja theme. Japanese ninja literature and cinema still contain a powerful element of eroticism, including some pornography
, often focusing on kunoichi
(ninja women).
According to Glenn Morris, ninjutsu in Western popular media has been incorrectly associated with the image of an "unemotional, heartless assassin". This would be due to the influence of Ashida Kim, Frank Dux
, and Eric van Lustbader
. According to The Guardian
, "in Japan, ninjas are now something of a national myth, a slightly cartoonish composite of old folk tales and modern pop culture."
Ninja characters also have minor roles in Shōgun
, Thief of Time
, Vineland
, Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior
, among others.
. One character who is portrayed in a fashion similar to a ninja is master martial artist and assassin Lady Shiva
; Shiva also killed Armless Master
, who had trained both Catwoman
and Hellhound
. The fourth recent Batgirl
, Cassandra Cain
, also has the qualities of the Western perception of a ninja (there is also a book titled Batman and the Ninja). The retconned stealth and martial arts training of the recent Batman
incarnations has led many latter day Batman fans to assume that Batman is a ninja; Ra's Al Ghul
specifically mentions ninja during his training of Bruce Wayne.
The G.I. Joe
of comic books featured ninja far more than the cartoon series, and many story arcs revolved around Scarlett
, Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow
, Jinx
, Kamakura
, Firefly
and the Arashikage
ninja clan, which consisted of an extended family of ninja characters (never featured in the toyline or cartoon). Other characters in the comic who received ninja training from the Arashikage clan and their associates were Cobra Commander
's son Billy Kessler
and the shapeshifter Zartan
.
In the Marvel Universe
, ninja have been often featured as exotic antagonists and allies, such as Spider-Man
's foe White Ninja, X-Men
supporting character Yukio
, Ghost Rider
's foes Deathwatch
and Death Ninja, Wolverine
's mentor Ogun, Hawkeye
(currently operating as Ninja Ronin), the Punisher
's friend Katherine Yakamoto (from Shadowmasters
), the Pacific Overlords
operative Kuroko (Aya Komatsu), and the original owner of Psylocke's
Asian body, Revanche
(Kwannon). In the Marvel Mangaverse
, Spider-Man is the last member of a clan of ninja. A sinister ninja cult called The Hand, is prominently featured in several comic series, particularly X-Men
and Daredevil
. The Hand and their associates were responsible for the martial training of Psylocke, Elektra
, Daredevil, Black Tarantula
, Kitty Pryde
, Lady Bullseye
and Wolverine, among others. The Hand's good rival group are The Chaste
; they are also at odds with their Korean offshoot True Believers that include Dragonfly (Meiko Yin).
In the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
(TMNT) series, all four main characters and many of their friends and foes are ninja, mostly from the Foot Clan
(a pastiche of Marvel's group The Hand), including Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Splinter, Shredder and Karai
. The comic achieved a massive popularity in the 1980s and early 1990s, which resulted in a franchise of four movies (three live-action and one animated), four animated series, a live action series, several video games, and a wide range of toys and other merchandise.
Less notable and/or short-lived titles include Codename: Ninja, Corporate Ninja, Savage Ninja, Surban Jersey Ninja She-Devils and Zombee.
Minor roles
Chastity
(while not a ninja, Chastity uses stereotypical ninja weapons such as ninjato
), G.I. Combat
(Kana, a Japanese-American WWII spy for the OSS
), Karate Kommandos
, Lucha Libre
(the Pom Pom Ninjas), Masters of the Universe
(Ninjor), Rebirth
(the hero's ally Eiji Inaba), Sam Noir
(villains of the series), Scott Pilgrim
(Roxanne "Roxie" Richter), Spike: Shadow Puppets
, Sonic the Hedgehog (Uma Arachnis and her children the Arachne), The Order of the Stick
(Therkla and others), The Tick
(The Tick fights bumbling ninja enemies and has a female ninja ally Oedipus, a parody of Elektra), Usagi Yojimbo
(features various ninja of the Neko, Mogura and Komori clans, most notably Kashira Chizu), Y: The Last Man
(Toyota).
"Super Ninja" was also the stage name of the actor and stuntsman Taimak
.
Live-action series
Super Sentai series
There are several ninja-themed Super Sentai
shows:
There are also many ninja villains in the various series, such as Negative Syndicate
's Dark Shadow clan in GoGo Sentai Boukenger
(Gekkou, Yaiba and Shizuka), Miratrix and some other of Kamdor's henchmen in Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive
, Ninja Org Duke Dorodoro in Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger
(Onikage in Power Rangers: Wild Force
), Dora Ninja in Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger (Dark Warrior in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers season one), Shinobilar in Denkou Choujin Gridman
, and Kirikage in Mahou Sentai Magiranger
.
Other television shows
Ninja Warrior (Sasuke)
and Women of Ninja Warrior (Kunoichi)
are two Japanese sports entertainment shows, featuring (respectively) male and female competitors on an obstacle course. In the Prank Patrol
shows, "ninjas" are the show helpers setting up the pranks.
Commercials:
Ninja apparead in a number of television advertisements, including for the Anime Network
, Bombay Sapphire
, Clamato
, FedEx
, Free Realms
, Honda Civic Si
, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities, MyHome.ie, Nicorette
, Nike
, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
, Oregon Lottery
, Pepsi
, Pop-Tarts
and Sure
.
Live series
Ninja were featured in Charmed
(episode "Awakened"), Chuck
(the pilot episode "Chuck vs the Intersect"), Criminal Minds
(episode "True Night"), Danger Theatre
, Dude, What Would Happen
(episode "Ninja Slicing"), Knight Rider
(episode "Knight Fever"), Kyojuu Tokusou Juspion
(The 5 Space Ninjas), Kung Fu
(episode "The Assassin"), Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
(episode "Chi of Steel"), Mito Kōmon
(Tsuge no Tobizaru and Kagerō Ogin), Mortal Kombat: Konquest
(alternative versions of Kitana, Mileena, Reptile, Scorpion and Sub-Zero), She Spies
, Shōgun
(features a realistic ninja castle raid in feudal Japan), Verbotene Liebe
, Zatoichi (many episodes in this long-running classic Japanese samurai series).
Shows: American Idol
(a contestant Danny Noriega is a self-proclaimed "sexy intense ninja pickle"), Big Brother Australia (the people who have to enter the house to do things such as maintenance are referred to, even by Big Brother himself, as "ninjas"; on the Friday Night Live show, the "ninjas" are much more prominent, are given personalities and have segments dedicated to them), Cheat!
(episode "Cheat-jitsu"), Deadliest Warrior
(in one episode a ninja fought with a Spartan
, but lost), In Living Color
(an episode featured a skit about a ninja home security system in which a ninja was used to kill intruders), Gamers, Late Night with Conan O'Brien
(Conan
and Jim Carrey
fought ninja), MadTV
(in some of their Steven Seagal
parodies), Mystery Science Theater 3000
(an episode featured Joel and the 'bots singing a song called "Master Ninja Theme Song", which became a popular song from the show), Mythbusters
(a ninja special of the show tested classic ninja myths such as walking on water, catching a sword and catching an arrow), Screen Test
, The Lance Krall Show
, You Don't Know Jack
(in one episode the host was attacked by ninja).
The ninja are also featured in some other role-playing games, including Feng Shui
, Street Fighter: The Storytelling Game, some collectible card game
s, including Legend of the Five Rings CCG
, Magic: The Gathering
(the ability Ninjutsu was introduced in the theme deck Betrayers of Kamigawa
) and Mortal Kombat Kard Game
, and some miniature wargames
, such as Heroscape
.
Besides the large number of video games, there are also several game developing units that used the word "ninja" in their name (such as Ninja Studio
, Ninja Theory
, Ninjaforce
, NinjaKiwi and Team Ninja), a group of gamers called Ninjas in Pyjamas
and a video gaming magazine character Sushi-X
.
In massively multiplayer online role-playing game
s (MMORPGs), the term "ninja" or "loot ninja" may be used as an adjective to describe a player who has stolen another players item (this is perceived negatively by the other players - if a player is labelled a "ninja" in the game they are often rejected by the community and find it difficult to join guilds or raid parties). In the first-person shooter
(FPS) multiplayer community, "ninja defuse" is a term meaning sneaking-up to defuse the bomb immediately after it was planted by the enemy player in a team-based deathmatch game
.
Several musicians and bands have the word ninja in their name (or even pose as ninjas):
Shadow Warriors
, a joke side project formed by members of the band DragonForce
, refer to their music as "evil ninja punk metal".
Albums
Songs
Bands 7 Seconds of Love
, Concord Dawn
(in the album Uprising
), Europe
(in The Final Countdown
), ICP
(in Tunnel of Love) and Jay Chou
all have songs named "Ninja". In addition, GO!GO!7188
has a song "Kunoichi" (in Ryūzetsuran).
There are also many songs and tracks with the word "ninja" in their titles, including "Deadly Lethal Ninja Assassin" by Reuben
(in We Should Have Gone To University
), “Hoodie Ninja” by mc chris
(in "mc chris is dead
"), "Imaginary Ninjas" by Vince Dicola
(in Falling off a Clef
), "Ninja Goon" by Gruvis Malt
(in Sound Soldiers
), "Ninja Hi-skool" by Bis
(in Play Some Real Songs: the Live Album
), "We Are Ninja" by Frank Chickens
(in We Are Frank Chickens
), "Ninja Highschooool" by Peelander-Z
(in P-Pop-High School
), "Ninja Rap" by Vanilla Ice
(in TMNT II Soundtrack
), "Ninja Step" by RZA
(in the soundtrack for Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
), "Supa Ninjaz" by Method Man
(in The Pillage
) and "This Secret Ninja" by AFI
(in Very Proud of Ya
).
Other
Wrestling
There has also been a recent movement on the World Wide Web to celebrate International Creep Like a Ninja Day (December 5). Internet spoofs have often pitted ninja against pirates
and asked which would win in a Pirates versus Ninja fight.
Iga Ueno Ninja Festa
, the annual ninja festival in the Japanese city of Iga
in the former province of Iga
, features ninja-inspired performances, competitions, and opportunities to practice ninja skills since 1964. Iga is also location of the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum
and many local businesses such as ninja-style restaurants and cafes.
There are also other ninja attractions across the country, such as the Koga Ninja Village and Kogaryu Ninjutsu Yashiki (Ninja Houses) in Koga-gun, Shiga Prefecture
, Togakushi Ninja Village for Children and Togakushi Ninpo Museum and Karakuri Yashiki (Ninja House) in Togakushi, Nagano
, Edo Wonderland theme park in Nikkō, Tochigi
, and Ninja Akasaka restaurant in Tokyo
. Outside of Japan, there is also Ninja New York restaurant in the New York City
.
Several products have been named after ninja:
In information technology
, "cyber ninjas" are the sophisticated counter-hackers. Ninja is also a name of modification of the K-Meleon
web browser, and "ninja" has been used as corporate slang for a master software developer or master software troubleshooter.
There are also roller coasters named Ninja
and The Ninja
, and an American media company named Kunoichi
.
NINJA loan is a slang name for a type of subprime loan to someone with "No Income, No Job, or Assets", and "ninja miners" are Mongolian miners that dig small unauthorised mines for gold.
Sometimes, petty criminals are nicknamed as "ninja". For example, an American burglar reported to have used a nunchaku
on one of his victims was known by the media as the "Staten Island Ninja
", while a former Russian soldier who engaged in robberies in Italy using a black attire and a bow was called "Russian ninja" by the media. "Ninja rocks
" is also a type of burglary
tools.
In 2006, Miss Japan Kurara Chibana
appeared in a ninja/samurai-style national costume during the Miss Universe
competition. Goth Ninja is a type of Japanese street fashion which became popular in 2009.
Ninja
A or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
are common stock character
Stock character
A Stock character is a fictional character based on a common literary or social stereotype. Stock characters rely heavily on cultural types or names for their personality, manner of speech, and other characteristics. In their most general form, stock characters are related to literary archetypes,...
s in both Japanese and international popular culture
Popular culture
Popular culture is the totality of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, memes, images and other phenomena that are deemed preferred per an informal consensus within the mainstream of a given culture, especially Western culture of the early to mid 20th century and the emerging global mainstream of the...
. The cultural references listed below are major instances separated into groups, such as novels, comic books, anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
/manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
, films, television shows, video games, and others.
Overview
Depictions of ninja range anywhere between realistic to fantastically exaggerated, both fundamentally and aesthetically. In stylized form, a ninja wears a dark hood, or mask, and can move in a stealthy or secretive manner. Ninja are also often a subject of parodyParody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
.
Japanese folklore
The folklore of Japan is heavily influenced by both Shinto and Buddhism, the two primary religions in the country. It often involves humorous or bizarre characters and situations and also includes an assortment of supernatural beings, such as bodhisattva, kami , yōkai , yūrei ,...
, jidaigeki
Jidaigeki
is a genre of film, television, and theatre in Japan. The name means "period drama" and is usually the Edo period of Japanese history, from 1603 to 1868. Some, however, are set much earlier—Portrait of Hell, for example, is set during the late Heian period—and the early Meiji era is also a popular...
literature and performing arts. For example, Ishikawa Goemon
Ishikawa Goemon
was a semi-legendary Japanese outlaw hero who stole gold and valuables and gave them to the poor. Goemon is notable for being boiled alive along with his son in public after a failed assassination attempt on the civil war-era warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. A large iron kettle-shaped bathtub is now...
was the subject of many kabuki
Kabuki
is classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers.The individual kanji characters, from left to right, mean sing , dance , and skill...
plays and Sarutobi Sasuke
Sarutobi Sasuke
was a famous ninja in Japanese folklore. He is generally believed to be a Meiji period fictional creation based on the historical ninja ', although some argue for his actual existence.- In folklore :...
has featured in many Japanese children's stories since 1911. Koga Unôn Ninjutsu Kogaryû, a silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
from 1916 was possibly the first ninja movie. Ninja-based films and books became a major Japanese pop-culture craze during the 1950s and early 1960s, since then expanding into numerous comic books and video games. In Japan, the word shinobi and its variants are often used instead of "ninja".
The first major appearance of ninja in Western
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
pop-culture was in the James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
film You Only Live Twice
You Only Live Twice (film)
You Only Live Twice is the fifth spy film in the James Bond series, and the fifth to star Sean Connery as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The film's screenplay was written by Roald Dahl, and loosely based on Ian Fleming's 1964 novel of the same name...
(1967), as a secret commando force used by the Japanese intelligence service. The 1960s TV series The Samurai
The Samurai (TV series)
The Samurai is a Japanese historical fiction television series made by Senkosha Productions during the early 1960s. Its original Japanese title was Onmitsu Kenshi . The series premiered in 1962 on TBS and ran continuously until 1965 for ten self-contained story arcs , usually of 13 episodes each...
caused a significant wave of interest in ninja among younger viewers in Australia, but the impact of the ninja phenomenon was not felt in other western countries until considerably later. Western fascination with the ninja bloomed in the 1980s, especially in the United States. Several American ninja movies starring Sho Kosugi
Sho Kosugi
Sho Kosugi is a Japanese martial artist with training in shindō jinen-ryū karate who gained popularity as an actor during the 1980s, usually playing a ninja. He is the father of Kane Kosugi and Shane Kosugi. After taking a hiatus from film, he started a taiko group in California...
were released in the early 1980s, largely responsible for introducing ninja to American pop culture and contributing to worldwide ninja-mania on grand scale. These included megahit media franchises such as the cartoon TV series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are a fictional team of four teenage anthropomorphic turtles, who were trained by their anthropomorphic rat sensei in the art of ninjutsu and named after four Renaissance artists...
in the late 1980s to early 1990s and Naruto
Naruto
is an ongoing Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. The plot tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, an adolescent ninja who constantly searches for recognition and aspires to become the Hokage, the ninja in his village who is acknowledged as the leader and the strongest of...
in the 2000s.
Ninja characters are often identified by their use of traditional blade and ranged weapons in modern and even science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
settings, as well as numerous superhuman abilities (such as running on water and up walls). Though depicted as nearly-invincible warriors (especially when they are the heroes of the story), they are often conversely depicted as disposable 'cannon fodder' to be dispatched by the hero character, especially one who's a ninja himself. Thus, modern entertainment has shown ninja as either expendable "redshirts"
Redshirt (character)
A "redshirt" is a stock character in fiction who dies soon after being introduced. The term originates with fans of Star Trek , from the red shirts worn by Starfleet security officers who frequently die during episodes.-Star Trek:...
attacking in large numbers, or as nearly invulnerable solitary warriors (who are often unmasked in contrast). In effect of this common approach, a single/small group of protagonist
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
ninja may often easily defeat waves of incompetent enemy ninja on multiple occasions only to have far more trouble when facing a more competent lone ninja - this seemingly inconsistent portrayal is jokingly explained using the sarcastic "Inverse Ninja Law" (also called "conservation of ninjutsu
Ninjutsu
or may be:*the arts associated with espionage and assassination in feudal Japan, see Ninja*modern schools of martial arts claiming to be based in these traditions, see Modern Schools of Ninjutsu*fictional depictions, see Ninja in popular culture...
"), which states that ninja are weaker when they are in larger groups.
As far back as the late 19th century, erotic art was made using the ninja theme. Japanese ninja literature and cinema still contain a powerful element of eroticism, including some pornography
Pornography
Pornography or porn is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purposes of sexual arousal and erotic satisfaction.Pornography may use any of a variety of media, ranging from books, magazines, postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video,...
, often focusing on kunoichi
Kunoichi
is the term for a female ninja or practitioner of ninjutsu .-Etymology:The term is thought to derive from the names of characters that resemble the three strokes in the kanji character for ; said in the order they are written: ku - no - ichi...
(ninja women).
According to Glenn Morris, ninjutsu in Western popular media has been incorrectly associated with the image of an "unemotional, heartless assassin". This would be due to the influence of Ashida Kim, Frank Dux
Frank Dux
Frank W. Dux is an American martial artist and fight choreographer. Dux established his own school of Ninjutsu in 1975, called "Dux Ryu Ninjutsu".He was the inspiration for the 1988 film Bloodsport starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.-Martial arts career:...
, and Eric van Lustbader
Eric Van Lustbader
Eric Van Lustbader is a writer of thriller and fantasy novels.He is a graduate of New York's Stuyvesant High School and Columbia College, with a degree in Sociology, and is a second-level Reiki master.-The Pearl Saga:...
. According to The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, "in Japan, ninjas are now something of a national myth, a slightly cartoonish composite of old folk tales and modern pop culture."
Novels
- Brett Wallace: Ninja Master: An eight-book series by ‘Wade Barker’ (Richard Meyers).
- Demon King Daimao: A ligh novel series in which Junko Hattori is one of the main characters.
- Fukurō no ShiroFukuro no ShiroFukurō no Shiro is a 1959 ninja-themed novel by the debuting Japanese author Ryōtarō Shiba, which won him the Naoki Prize in 1960 after the story was published by Kodansha...
: Ryotaro ShibaRyotaro Shiba, born in Osaka, Japan, was a Japanese author best known for his novels about historical events in Japan and on the Northeast Asian sub-continent, as well as his historical and cultural essays pertaining to Japan and its relationship to the rest of the world....
wrote this novel as well as a collection of short stories called Saigo no Igamono. Both were made into hit movies. - Kage Kara Mamoru!Kage Kara Mamoru!is a series of light novels written by Achi Taro. The light novels had ended in March 2008 with the release of Volume 12, but as of July 2009, a new series entitled has started serialization. It features manga and anime adaptations...
: The series of light novels later adapted into a manga and anime series. - KamuiThe Dagger of Kamuiis a Japanese novel series by Tetsu Yano released by Kadokawa Shoten from 1984 to 1985.The series was adapted in 1985 into an anime film directed by Rintaro and animated by Madhouse and Toei Animation. The screenplay was adapted by Mori Masaki, and character designs were created by Moribi Murano,...
: A series of five novels by Tetsu YanoTetsu YanoTetsu Yano was a Japanese science fiction translator and writer. He began to introduce to Japanese readers the works of US science fiction writers in the late 1940s. He was the first Japanese writer of the genre to visit the United States, in 1953...
that were later adapted in manga, anime and eventually live-action format. - Ninja's Revenge and The Bamboo Bloodbath: The novels by Piers AnthonyPiers AnthonyPiers Anthony Dillingham Jacob is an English American writer in the science fiction and fantasy genres, publishing under the name Piers Anthony. He is most famous for his long-running novel series set in the fictional realm of Xanth.Many of his books have appeared on the New York Times Best...
. - Mirror Friend, Mirror Foe: A novel by Robert AsprinRobert AsprinRobert Lynn Asprin was an American science fiction and fantasy author and active fan, best known for his humorous MythAdventures and Phule's Company series.- Background :...
and George TakeiGeorge TakeiGeorge Hosato Takei Altman is an American actor, author, social activist and former civil politician. He is best known for his role in the television series Star Trek and its film spinoffs, in which he played Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the...
featuring a member of a ninja clan in the future. - Not for Glory: A space opera novel Not for Glory by Joel RosenbergJoel Rosenberg (science fiction author)Joel Rosenberg was a Canadian American science fiction and fantasy author best known for his long-running "Guardians of the Flame" series. Rosenberg was also a guns rights activist...
about a mercenary tribe of descendants of Jews and Japanese practicing ninjutsu. - Sanada Ten Braves (Sanada Jūyūshi)Sanada Ten BravesThe are a legendary group of ninja that assisted the warlord Sanada Yukimura during the Warring States era of Japan ....
: An old legend that originated in the Meiji periodMeiji periodThe , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
, first published in the novel form during the Taishō periodTaisho periodThe , or Taishō era, is a period in the history of Japan dating from July 30, 1912 to December 25, 1926, coinciding with the reign of the Taishō Emperor. The health of the new emperor was weak, which prompted the shift in political power from the old oligarchic group of elder statesmen to the Diet...
in 1912; since then in several books, movies, audio shows and the other media. - Shinobi no Mono: A series of novels by Tomoyoshi MurayamaTomoyoshi Murayamawas a Japanese artist, playwright and drama producer active during the Showa period of Japan.-Early life:Murayama was born in the Kanda Suehiro district of Tokyo. His father, who was a medic in the Imperial Japanese Navy, died when he was nine years old. His mother became a fervent Christian after...
about the life of Ishikawa Goemon. In the 1960s they were turned into a series of hit films about the lives of Goemon and the other historical ninja. - Tales of the OtoriTales of the OtoriTales of the Otori is a series of historical fantasy novels by Lian Hearn, set in a fictional world based on feudal Japan. The series initially consisted of a trilogy: Across the Nightingale Floor , Grass for His Pillow , and Brilliance of the Moon...
: The Tribe is an entity of five families of ninja with powers (such as invisibility, splitting themselves temporarily, a stare that induces sleep, sharper hearing and eyesight, faster reflexes, etc.). - The Diamond ChariotThe Diamond ChariotThe Diamond Chariot school of Tantric Buddhism) is a historical mystery novel by internationally acclaimed Russian detective story writer Boris Akunin, published originally in 2003. It is the tenth novel in Akunin's Erast Fandorin series of detective novels...
: Erast FandorinErast FandorinErast Petrovich Fandorin is a fictional 19th-century Russian detective and the hero of a series of Russian historical detective novels by Boris Akunin. The first novel was published in Russia in 1998, and the latest was published in December 2009...
learns ninjutsu while in Japan. - The Kouga Ninja Scrolls (Kōga Ninpōchō)The Kouga Ninja Scrollsis a historical fantasy novel written in 1958-1959 by the Japanese author Futaro Yamada. The novel was adapted into several comics, a live-acion film and an animated series. It been translated into English by Geoff Sant, and was published by Del Rey in December 2006....
: A novel by Futaro YamadaFutaro Yamadawas the pen name of , a Japanese author.He was born in Yabu, Hyogo.In 1947, he wrote a mystery novel and was awarded a prize by a novel magazine .He was discovered by Edogawa Rampo and became a novelist....
about two rival ninja clans, the IgaIga-ryuIga-ryū 伊賀流 is a historical school of ninjutsu. It became one of the two most well-known ninja schools in Japan, along with the Kōga-ryū. The Iga-ryū originated in the Iga Province in the area around the towns of Iga and Ueno...
and KougaKoga-ryuKōka-ryū is a historical school of ninjutsu. It originated from the region of Kōka...
. Later turned into a manga and anime series and a live-action film. - The NinjaThe Ninja (book)The Ninja novel was written in 1980 by Eric Van Lustbader and is a tale of revenge, love and murder. The author blends a number of known themes together: crime, suspense and Japanese martial arts mysticism...
: A thriller by Eric Van LustbaderEric Van LustbaderEric Van Lustbader is a writer of thriller and fantasy novels.He is a graduate of New York's Stuyvesant High School and Columbia College, with a degree in Sociology, and is a second-level Reiki master.-The Pearl Saga:...
featuring a half-Japanese, half-white character who received ninjutsu training in his youth. The original book was followed by The Miko and White Ninja. - Tulku, a Tale of Modern Ninja: A novel by Stephen K. HayesStephen K. HayesStephen K. Hayes is an American Bujinkan ninjutsu master, Buddhist priest and writer.-Life and martial arts:Stephen K. Hayes was born in Wilmington, Delaware and raised in Dayton, Ohio. He graduated from Fairmont West High School, Kettering, Ohio in 1967. He began formal training in the martial...
, famous American ninjutsu practitioner. - You Only Live Twice: The 1964 James Bond novel written by Ian FlemingIan FlemingIan Lancaster Fleming was a British author, journalist and Naval Intelligence Officer.Fleming is best known for creating the fictional British spy James Bond and for a series of twelve novels and nine short stories about the character, one of the biggest-selling series of fictional books of...
, in which the Japanese secret service employs a top secret ninja force to play a critical role in helping the British spy stop SPECTRESPECTRESPECTRE is a fictional global terrorist organisation featured in the James Bond novels by Ian Fleming, the films based on those novels, and James Bond video games...
's grandest scheme. - The series of children books American ChillersAmerican ChillersAmerican Chillers and Michigan Chillers are a series of books written by author Johnathan Rand. The series started in February 2000 as a Michigan-only series and expanded to a national focus in December 2001 with "Michigan Mega-Monsters"...
and Magic Tree HouseMagic Tree House seriesThe Magic Tree House series is an award-winning series of children's books written by American author Mary Pope Osborne.In the first series, consisting of the first 28 books, Morgan le Fay sends Jack and Annie, two normal children from Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, on numerous adventures and missions...
: Volumes New York Ninjas and Night of the Ninjas, respectively.
Ninja characters also have minor roles in Shōgun
Shogun (novel)
Shōgun is a 1975 novel by James Clavell. It is the first novel of the author's Asian Saga. A major bestseller, by 1990 the book had sold 15 million copies worldwide...
, Thief of Time
Thief of Time
Thief of Time is the 26th Discworld novel written by Terry Pratchett, a 2002 Locus Award nominee.-Plot summary:The Auditors are upset because the human race are living their lives in - what the Auditors consider to be - an unpredictable way...
, Vineland
Vineland
Vineland is a 1990 novel by Thomas Pynchon, a postmodern fiction set in California, United States in 1984, the year of Ronald Reagan's re-election...
, Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior
Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior
Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior is a children's historical novel by Chris Bradford, published in 2008. It is the first in a series of action-adventure stories set in 17th century Japan following the exploits of an English boy, Jack Fletcher, as he strives to be the first gaijin samurai.Young...
, among others.
Major franchises
Characters with the sort of mystical and superhuman martial arts abilities attributed to the ninja occur in the DC UniverseDC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
. One character who is portrayed in a fashion similar to a ninja is master martial artist and assassin Lady Shiva
Lady Shiva
Lady Shiva is a fictional comic book character co-created by Dennis O'Neil and Ric Estrada, and published by DC Comics. She first appeared in Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter as an antagonist of Richard Dragon...
; Shiva also killed Armless Master
Armless Master
The Armless Master is a fictional character in the DC Universe. He is a martial arts master who first appeared in the "Knightfall" story arc.-Fictional character biography:...
, who had trained both Catwoman
Catwoman
Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel...
and Hellhound
Hellhound
A hellhound is a supernatural dog, found in folklore. A wide variety of ominous or hellish supernatural dogs occur in mythologies around the world, similar to the ubiquitous dragon...
. The fourth recent Batgirl
Batgirl
Batgirl is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, frequently depicted as female counterparts to the superhero Batman...
, Cassandra Cain
Cassandra Cain
Cassandra Cain is a fictional character in the , one of several who has served as Batgirl, an important character in the Batman comic book franchise. Cassandra's backstory presents her as the daughter of assassins David Cain and Lady Shiva, she was deprived of speech and human contact during her...
, also has the qualities of the Western perception of a ninja (there is also a book titled Batman and the Ninja). The retconned stealth and martial arts training of the recent Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
incarnations has led many latter day Batman fans to assume that Batman is a ninja; Ra's Al Ghul
Ra's al Ghul
Ra's al Ghul is a DC Comics supervillain and is one of Batman's greatest enemies. His name in Arabic has been translated in the comics as "The Demon's Head" and references the name of the star Algol. Created by writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Neal Adams, he was introduced in Batman #232's...
specifically mentions ninja during his training of Bruce Wayne.
The G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe is a line of action figures produced by the toy company Hasbro. The initial product offering represented four of the branches of the U.S. armed forces with the Action Soldier , Action Sailor , Action Pilot , Action Marine and later on, the Action Nurse...
of comic books featured ninja far more than the cartoon series, and many story arcs revolved around Scarlett
Scarlett (G.I. Joe)
Scarlett is a fictional character from G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, a line of military-themed toys created by Hasbro. The character is one of the original members of the fictional team and toy line. She is a major character of the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic book series and the...
, Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow
Storm Shadow (G.I. Joe)
Storm Shadow is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic book series and television shows. The character is best known for his history with fellow ninja Snake Eyes...
, Jinx
Jinx (G.I. Joe)
Jinx is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books and cartoon series. She debuted in 1987, and her code name has also been the identity of several other incarnations of the same female ninja character: one of Snake-Eyes' apprentices in Sigma 6, Chuckles'...
, Kamakura
Kamakura (G.I. Joe)
Kamakura is a fictional character from G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, a line of military-themed toys created by Hasbro. He is the first character created by Devil's Due Publishing to be made into a G.I. Joe figure and later brought into the new animated series.-Fictional Character...
, Firefly
Firefly (G.I. Joe)
Firefly is a fictional character in the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero universe. He is a mercenary who works for the Cobra Organization as a saboteur.-Profile:...
and the Arashikage
Arashikage
Arashikage is a fictional ninja clan from the military-themed G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero series of comics, television shows, and action figures. The name is derived from the Japanese words for storm and shadow...
ninja clan, which consisted of an extended family of ninja characters (never featured in the toyline or cartoon). Other characters in the comic who received ninja training from the Arashikage clan and their associates were Cobra Commander
Cobra Commander
Cobra Commander is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe franchise. He appears in the toyline, animated series , comic books, video games, and movie as the usual principal antagonist. He is the supreme leader of the terrorist organization Cobra, and archnemesis of the Joes...
's son Billy Kessler
Billy Kessler
Billy Kessler is a fictional character in the comic book series G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. He is the son of the main villain of the series, Cobra Commander, but fights against his father and the forces of Cobra Command, learning martial arts under the tutelage of Storm Shadow, who helps him...
and the shapeshifter Zartan
Zartan
Zartan is a character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, by Hasbro. He is a mercenary who often worked directly for Cobra Commander, and is one of the main villains in the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic and animated series. His character was voiced by Zack Hoffman in the 1985 TV...
.
In the Marvel Universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
, ninja have been often featured as exotic antagonists and allies, such as Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
's foe White Ninja, X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
supporting character Yukio
Yukio (comics)
Yukio is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe. She is a female ninja of Japanese origin and is a supporting character of the X-Men. She first appeared in Wolverine #2 and was created by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller...
, Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider (comics)
Ghost Rider is the name of several fictional supernatural antiheroes appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Marvel had previously used the name for a Western character whose name was later changed to Night Rider and subsequently to Phantom Rider.The first supernatural Ghost Rider is...
's foes Deathwatch
Deathwatch (comics)
Deathwatch is a fictional character. He is a demonic supervillain in the Marvel Universe, most notably as an enemy of Ghost Rider.-Fictional character biography:...
and Death Ninja, Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
's mentor Ogun, Hawkeye
Hawkeye (comics)
Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...
(currently operating as Ninja Ronin), the Punisher
Punisher
The Punisher is a fictional character, an anti-hero appearing in comic books based in the . Created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita, Sr., and Ross Andru, the character made its first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 .The Punisher is a vigilante who employs murder,...
's friend Katherine Yakamoto (from Shadowmasters
Shadowmasters
The Shadowmasters are fictional characters in the Marvel Universe , created by Carl Potts in 1989. They first appeared in The Punisher War Journal, leading to their own 4-issue limited mini series starting with Shadowmasters #1 in October 1989.- In Shadowmasters :The Shadowmasters are an ancient...
), the Pacific Overlords
Pacific Overlords
The Pacific Overlords are a supervillain team seen in the Marvel Comics universe. The team consisted largely of humans mutated by Doctor Demonicus.-Members:...
operative Kuroko (Aya Komatsu), and the original owner of Psylocke's
Psylocke
Psylocke is a fictional character depicted in comic books published by Marvel Comics, most notably those comics featuring the superhero team the X-Men. The character has also appeared in licensed adaptations. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Herb Trimpe, she first appeared in the UK...
Asian body, Revanche
Revanche
Revanche was a short-lived Marvel Comics character, associated with the X-Men. She was created by writer Fabian Nicieza and first appeared in X-Men -Fictional character biography:...
(Kwannon). In the Marvel Mangaverse
Marvel Mangaverse
The Marvel Mangaverse is a series of comic books published by Marvel Comics from 2000 to 2002, with a sequel "New Mangaverse" released in late 2005 and early 2006....
, Spider-Man is the last member of a clan of ninja. A sinister ninja cult called The Hand, is prominently featured in several comic series, particularly X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
and Daredevil
Daredevil (Marvel Comics)
Daredevil is a fictional character, a superhero in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Bill Everett, with an unspecified amount of input from Jack Kirby, and first appeared in Daredevil #1 .Living in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood...
. The Hand and their associates were responsible for the martial training of Psylocke, Elektra
Elektra (comics)
Elektra Natchios, usually referred to only by her first name Elektra, is a fictional character in publications from Marvel Comics.Elektra is a kunoichi – female ninja assassin – of Greek descent. She wields a pair of bladed sai as her trademark weapon. She is a love interest of the superhero...
, Daredevil, Black Tarantula
Black Tarantula
Black Tarantula is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears as an unseen character in The Amazing Spider-Man #419 , and makes his first full appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #432...
, Kitty Pryde
Kitty Pryde
Katherine Anne "Kitty" Pryde is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #129 and was created by writer-artist John Byrne....
, Lady Bullseye
Lady Bullseye
Lady Bullseye is a fictional character, a supervillain in the . A female counterpart of Bullseye, she was created by Ed Brubaker, Marko Djurdjevic, and Clay Mann, first appearing in Daredevil #111.-Fictional character biography:...
and Wolverine, among others. The Hand's good rival group are The Chaste
The Chaste
The Chaste is a fictional mystical martial arts enclave led by Stick, that was created by Frank Miller in the pages of Daredevil for Marvel Comics.-History:...
; they are also at odds with their Korean offshoot True Believers that include Dragonfly (Meiko Yin).
In the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are a fictional team of four teenage anthropomorphic turtles, who were trained by their anthropomorphic rat sensei in the art of ninjutsu and named after four Renaissance artists...
(TMNT) series, all four main characters and many of their friends and foes are ninja, mostly from the Foot Clan
Foot Clan
The Foot Clan is a fictional ninjutsu clan in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe and the Turtles' main antagonists. It is usually led by the Shredder. The Foot Clan was originally a parody of the criminal ninja clan the Hand in the Daredevil comics...
(a pastiche of Marvel's group The Hand), including Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Splinter, Shredder and Karai
Karai
Karai is a fictional character in several incarnations of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, where she is usually a high-ranking member of the Foot Clan. In some incarnations of the character she is also related to The Shredder.-Name:Karai is a Japanese word commonly used to describe...
. The comic achieved a massive popularity in the 1980s and early 1990s, which resulted in a franchise of four movies (three live-action and one animated), four animated series, a live action series, several video games, and a wide range of toys and other merchandise.
Other comics
- BiotrogBiotrogBiotrog was a character in a weekly Filipino comics magazine.During the early nineties, the video game Street Fighter was very popular in the Philippines. A local publishing company created a comics parody of the game entitled Kick Fighter. Biotrog created by Jojo Ende Jr...
- Blade for BarterBlade for BarterBlade for Barter is an Original English-language manga series written by Jason DeAngelis, with art by Hai! and was the premiere publication of Seven Seas Entertainment....
- EmpoweredEmpoweredEmpowered is an original English-language manga written and illustrated by Adam Warren. Described by Warren as a “sexy superhero comedy", Empowered began to take shape in 2004 with a series of commissioned sketches of a damsel in distress; these illustrations became the basis for short comic...
: A reformed villainess Ninjette. - Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa
- KabukiKabuki (comics)Kabuki is a comic book series created by artist and writer David Mack, first published in 1994 by Caliber Press and later by Image Comics. It is a story of an assassin who struggles with her identity in near-future Japan. The most recent miniseries, Kabuki: The Alchemy, was published by Marvel...
: The series concerning a member of a government-backed circle of masked and costumed female assassins in the near-future Japan. - Livewires: One of the main characters is Hollowpoint Ninja.
- Mail Order NinjaMail Order NinjaMail Order Ninja is an original English-language manga written by Joshua Elder and illustrated by Erich Owen. It was the winner of Tokyopop's fifth Rising Stars of Manga competition...
- Mortal KombatMortal Kombat comic booksThe Mortal Kombat comic books series included the official comics by Midway and a licensed adaptation series by Malibu Comics, published between October 1994 and August 1995...
: A seroes based on a series of video games under the same title and featuring JadeJade (Mortal Kombat)Jade is a fictional character from the Mortal Kombat fighting video game series. She debuted in Mortal Kombat II , at first as an unplayable secret character and became a player character in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3...
, KitanaKitana (Mortal Kombat)Kitana is a recurring player and a one-time boss character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. One of the lead characters of the Mortal Kombat saga, Kitana is the princess of the otherdimensional realm of Edenia and the daughter of Queen Sindel...
, MileenaMileenaMileena is a player and boss character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. Mileena was originally known as the personal assassin of the Outworld's evil emperor Shao Kahn and twin sister of his stepdaughter Princess Kitana, but in a truth she is a deformed clone of her created by the sorcerer...
, ReptileReptile (Mortal Kombat)Reptile is a fictional character in the Mortal Kombat series of video games. Created for Midway Games by John Tobias and Ed Boon, Reptile debuted in Mortal Kombat as a hidden boss and appeared in subsequent titles as a playable character. The character has also appeared on various merchandise,...
, ScorpionScorpion (Mortal Kombat)Scorpion is a recurring player and boss character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. He has been a playable character in all the games, with the exception of the original version of Mortal Kombat 3.-In video games:...
and Sub-ZeroSub-Zero (Mortal Kombat)Sub-Zero is the name given to two video game characters from the Mortal Kombat series. The older Sub-Zero first appeared in the first Mortal Kombat game, being replaced by his younger brother in Mortal Kombat II and the subsequent games...
. - Ninja BoyNinja BoyNinja Boy, known in Japan as , is a 1990 action video game that was developed and published by Culture Brain for the Game Boy. It is the first game in the handheld series of Culture Brain's Super Chinese series. The game's hero is Jack, a ninja who wants to save a princess.-Gameplay:Ninja Boy uses...
- Ninja FunniesNinja FunniesNinja Funnies was a comic book series launched in the 1980s, during the heyday of comics speculation. At its peak, it sold about 30,000 copies. It featured a character wrestling with his ninja identity....
- Ninja High SchoolNinja High SchoolNinja High School is a comic book series created, written, and illustrated by Ben Dunn, and currently published by Antarctic Press. It was at first published by Eternity Comics...
: A ninja-themed furryFurry fandomFurry fandom is a fandom for fictional anthropomorphic animal characters with human personalities and characteristics. Examples of anthropomorphic attributes include exhibiting human intelligence and facial expressions, the ability to speak, walk on two legs, and wear clothes...
comedy series. - NinjakNinjakNinjak is a fictional comic book character that originally appeared in eponymous books by Valiant Comics, and later by Acclaim Comics. Co-created by writer Mark Moretti and artist Joe Quesada, the character first appeared in Bloodshot #6 as Colin King and quickly gained his own series...
- Nth Man: The Ultimate NinjaNth Man: the Ultimate NinjaNth Man: The Ultimate Ninja is a comic book about an American ninja set in an unspecified near future where World War III has started. It was written by Larry Hama between 1989 and 1990, based largely on his success writing the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic, which he wrote concurrently with...
: A comic about an American ninja during World War III. - Pirates Vs. Ninjas
- ShiShi (comics)Shi is a fictional comic book character created by writer/illustrator William Tucci. She first appeared in Razor Annual #1 , and has since appeared in books by a variety of publishers, most notably, Tucci's company, Crusade Comics...
: A comic series about the modern-day "shadow war" between descendents of the warrior monks of medieval Japan. - Sin CitySin CitySin City is the title for a series of neo-noir comics by Frank Miller. The first story originally appeared in "Dark Horse Presents Fifth Anniversary Special" , and continued in Dark Horse Presents #51–62 from May 1991 to June 1992, under the title of Sin City, serialized in thirteen parts. Several...
: A noirHardboiledHardboiled crime fiction is a literary style, most commonly associated with detective stories, distinguished by the unsentimental portrayal of violence and sex. The style was pioneered by Carroll John Daly in the mid-1920s, popularized by Dashiell Hammett over the course of the decade, and refined...
-like series featuring MihoMiho (Sin City)is a character in Frank Miller's Sin City graphic novel series. In the film adaptation of Sin City, she is portrayed by Devon Aoki.-Character:...
. - Whisper: A comic series by Steven GrantSteven GrantSteven Grant is an American comic-book writer best known for his 1985-1986 Marvel Comics mini-series Punisher, with artist Mike Zeck and for his creator-owned character Whisper.-Biography:...
about a modern female ninja. - Zen the Intergalactic NinjaZen the Intergalactic NinjaZen the Intergalactic Ninja is a fictional character created in 1987 by Steve Stern and Dan Cote, and initially published under their Zen Comics imprint. In the early nineties Zen was licensed to Archie Comics, and then to Entity Comics...
Less notable and/or short-lived titles include Codename: Ninja, Corporate Ninja, Savage Ninja, Surban Jersey Ninja She-Devils and Zombee.
Minor roles
Chastity
Chastity (comics)
Chastity is both the name of a comic book character and series in which she is primarily featured. It was produced and published by Chaos! Comics and currently owned by Tales of Wonder.-Original Chaos! Comics:...
(while not a ninja, Chastity uses stereotypical ninja weapons such as ninjato
Ninjato
The , also known as or , is the most common name for the sword that the ninja are portrayed to have carried by ninja in television and movies. Historically, there is no physical evidence for the existance of this weapon. In reality, the katana was probably the ninja's weapon of choice...
), G.I. Combat
G.I. Combat
G.I. Combat is a long-running comic book series published first by Quality Comics and later by National Periodical Publications, which was the primary company of those that evolved to become DC Comics.-Publication history:...
(Kana, a Japanese-American WWII spy for the OSS
Office of Strategic Services
The Office of Strategic Services was a United States intelligence agency formed during World War II. It was the wartime intelligence agency, and it was a predecessor of the Central Intelligence Agency...
), Karate Kommandos
Karate Kommandos
Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos is an American animated television series from the 1980s. It originally aired in 1986 as a syndicated five episode mini-series...
, Lucha Libre
Lucha Libre (comics)
Lucha Libre is an anthology comic book series written by Jerry Frissen. It is published in France by Les Humanoïdes Associés and reprinted in North America by Image Comics. It is also published in Spain, Italy and Korea...
(the Pom Pom Ninjas), Masters of the Universe
Masters of the Universe
Masters of the Universe is a media franchise created by Mattel....
(Ninjor), Rebirth
Rebirth (manhwa)
is a manhwa series created and drawn by Lee Kang-woo, writing under the pen name of Woo. It has been published in serialized format in the Korean weekly comic magazine Comic Champ since 1998. As of December 2010, it is up to twenty-six volumes and ongoing in Korea.Rebirth is the story of a 17th...
(the hero's ally Eiji Inaba), Sam Noir
Sam Noir
Sam Noir is a comic book mini-series written by Eric A. Anderson/Manny Trembley and illustrated by Manny Trembley, first published in September 2006.Rendered in grayscale, the comic is a fusion of hardboiled noir fiction and a samurai adventure tale...
(villains of the series), Scott Pilgrim
Scott Pilgrim
Scott Pilgrim is a graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O'Malley. It consists of six digest size black-and-white volumes, released between August 2004 and July 2010, by Portland-based independent comic book publisher Oni Press. It was later republished by Fourth Estate, an imprint of HarperCollins...
(Roxanne "Roxie" Richter), Spike: Shadow Puppets
Spike: Shadow Puppets
Spike: Shadow Puppets is a limited series comic book based on the Angel television series. The Spike centric comic was released by IDW Publishing from June 2007 through October 2007. The four issues were collected together in a single trade paperback in December, 2007.-Continuity:* The continuity...
, Sonic the Hedgehog (Uma Arachnis and her children the Arachne), The Order of the Stick
The Order of the Stick
The Order of the Stick is a comedic webcomic that celebrates and satirizes tabletop role-playing games and medieval fantasy through the ongoing tale of the eponymous fellowship of adventuring heroes...
(Therkla and others), The Tick
The Tick
The Tick is a fictional character created by cartoonist Ben Edlund in 1986 as a newsletter mascot for the New England Comics chain of Boston area comic stores. He is an absurdist spoof of comic book superheroes. After its creation, the character spun off into an independent comic book series in...
(The Tick fights bumbling ninja enemies and has a female ninja ally Oedipus, a parody of Elektra), Usagi Yojimbo
Usagi Yojimbo
is a comic book series created by Stan Sakai in 1987. In 2011 IGN ranked Miyamoto Usagi 92nd in the top 100 comic books heroes.-Concept:Set primarily at the beginning of Edo period of Japan , with anthropomorphic animals replacing humans, the series features a rabbit ronin, Miyamoto Usagi, whom...
(features various ninja of the Neko, Mogura and Komori clans, most notably Kashira Chizu), Y: The Last Man
Y: The Last Man
Y: The Last Man is a comic book series by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra published by Vertigo beginning in 2002. The series is about the only man to survive the apparent simultaneous death of every male mammal on Earth...
(Toyota).
Main roles
- Afro SamuraiAfro Samurai, also written AFRO SAMURAI, is a Japanese seinen dōjinshi manga series written and illustrated by manga artist Takashi Okazaki. It was originally serialized irregularly in the avant-garde dōjinshi manga magazine Nou Nou Hau from September 1999 to May 2000...
: Ninja Ninja, apparently a fragment of Afro's personality. - Ai KoraAi Kora, also known as Love&Collage, is a manga series by Kazurou Inoue, manga artist of the popular manga and anime series Midori Days. The manga ended on February 6, 2008 and 12 volumes have been published in tankōbon form, but has been republished and has been continuing since July 23, 2008.- Plot :The...
: Kirino Ootori and supporting characters Ai Hagidzuka and Kunoichi Awayuki. - Akame - The Red Eyes: A manga by Sampei Shirato.
- Angel BladeAngel Bladeis a three episode hentai OVA series. It was created and directed by Masami Ōbari, who was also responsible for the design of the characters. The anime is a parody of Go Nagai's manga and anime Cutey Honey and Kekko Kamen...
: A hentaiHentaiis a Japanese word that, in the West, is used when referring to sexually explicit or pornographic comics and animation, particularly those of Japanese origin such as anime, manga, and computer games. The word hentai is a kanji compound of 変 and 態...
(adult) OAV series. - AzumiAzumiis a Japanese manga series created by Yū Koyama in 1994. The manga was originally published by Shogakukan and serialized in Big Comic Superior, and was later adapted to two feature films starring Aya Ueto, a video game and a stage play. Azumi received an Excellence Prize at the 1997 Japan Media...
: The titular character as well as several other characters. - Band of Ninja (Ninja Bugeicho): An early manga series by Sampei Shirato, later adapted into a movie.
- Basilisk: The Kouga Ninja Scrolls (Basilisk Kōga Ninpō Chō)Basilisk: The Kouga Ninja Scrollsis a Japanese manga and anime series. The manga was authored by Masaki Segawa and published in Japan in 2003 and 2004, based on the novel The Kouga Ninja Scrolls by Futaro Yamada published in 1958. The anime, produced in 2005 by Gonzo Studios, closely follows the manga aside from a handful of...
: Manga and anime series based on The Kouga Ninja Scrolls; all of the many main characters are ninja from two rival clans during the rule of Tokugawa shogunateTokugawa shogunateThe Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the and the , was a feudal regime of Japan established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family. This period is known as the Edo period and gets its name from the capital city, Edo, which is now called Tokyo, after the name was...
. - Black Lion (Kuro no Shishi): One of the first manga series by Go NagaiGo Nagai, better known by the penname , is a Japanese manga artist and a prolific author of science fiction, fantasy, horror and erotica. He made his professional debut in 1967 with Meakashi Polikichi, but is best known for creating Cutie Honey, Devilman, and Mazinger Z in the 1970s. In 2005, he became a...
. There is also an anime film based on it. - BleachBleach (manga)is a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Noriaki "Tite" Kubo. Bleach follows the adventures of Ichigo Kurosaki after he obtains the powers of a —a death personification similar to the Grim Reaper—from another Soul Reaper, Rukia Kuchiki...
: Yoruichi Shihouin and Soifon. - Blood Reign: Curse of the Yoma (Yoma)Blood Reign: Curse of the Yomais a 1989 Japanese original video animation directed by Takashi Anno.-Plot:A terrible war has ravaged the land, and now, fueled by the blood of numerous fallen warriors the Yōma, demons from hell, emerge once more...
: Short drama/mythology OAV series set in the feudal Japan. - Brave10: A manga adaptation of Sanada Ten Braves.
- Chōdenji Machine Voltes V: Megumi Oka, the only female member of the Voltes V Team.
- Demon King Daimao: An adaptation of the light novel series.
- Dirty PairDirty Pairis a series of sci-fi comedy light novels written by Haruka Takachiho and illustrated by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko that was later adapted into anime and manga versions....
: The protagonists Kei and Yuri are ninja in the series' off-shot radio show "Daatipea91: Kunoichi". - Erotic Torture Chamber: A hentai anime OVA series.
- Fatal Fury: The Motion PictureFatal Fury: The Motion Pictureis a 1994 Japanese animated feature film based on the SNK video game series Fatal Fury originally released in Japan on July 16, 1994. It was directed by character designer Masami Ōbari and follows the same continuity as the preceding two TV specials, Fatal Fury: Legend of the Hungry Wolf and Fatal...
and Fatal Fury 2: The New BattleFatal Fury 2: The New Battleis an anime TV Special based on the Neo Geo SNK video game, Fatal Fury 2 and is a sequel to the previous TV movie, Fatal Fury: Legend of the Hungry Wolf. The movie was directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi and once again features character designs by Masami Ōbari...
: Two anime movies based on the series of video games starring Mai ShiranuiMai Shiranuiis a player character in both the Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters series of fighting games by SNK and in related media, also appearing in a large number of other games...
. She also appears in an original net animation The King of Fighters: Another DayThe King of Fighters: Another DayThe King of Fighters: Another Day is an animated series based on the popular fighting game series The King of Fighters. It was produced by Production I.G, and revolves around the plot of the 3-D version titled The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact, along with some touches of the current 2-D series...
. - Flame of Recca (Rekka no Honō)Flame of Reccais a manga series written and illustrated by Nobuyuki Anzai, which was adapted into an anime series spanning forty-two episodes by Studio Pierrot. The series has also been adapted into two video games; Flame of Recca for the Game Boy Advance and Flame of Recca Final Burning for the PlayStation...
: A modern series with the protagonist Recca Hanabishi and the antagonist half-brother Kurei Mori, who both came from the Hokage (Fire Shadow) ninja clan which perished during the time of Oda NobunagaOda Nobunagawas the initiator of the unification of Japan under the shogunate in the late 16th century, which ruled Japan until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His opus was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi...
. Also features several other ninja characters. - Fūma no KojirōFuma no Kojirois a manga series by Japanese author Masami Kurumada, later adapted to anime. It tells the story of sword legends and rivalry between ninja clans. The main character Kojirō is a young boy who is a member of the Fūma clan...
- Genki Bakuhatsu GanbarugerGenki Bakuhatsu Ganbarugeris a 47 episode animated shōnen mecha television series, and the second series produced for the Eldran franchise funded by Takara Tomy and produced by Sunrise...
- Ginga: Nagareboshi GinGinga: Nagareboshi GinGinga: Nagareboshi Gin Silver") is an adventure manga by Yoshihiro Takahashi. It was published by Shueisha in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1983 to 1987, and collected in 18 bound volumes...
, Ginga Legend WeedGinga Legend Weedis a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Takahashi. It is a sequel to Takahashi's 1980s manga Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin, and focuses on Weed, an Akita-Kishu mix and the son of Gin, the original series' protagonist. Weed, named after the English word for wild plant, leaves his...
and Kacchū no Senshi Gamu (many various ninja dogs), - GundamGundamThe is a metaseries of anime created by Sunrise studios that features giant robots called "Mobile Suits" ; usually the protagonist's MS will carry the name Gundam....
(primarily Musha GundamMusha Gundamare Gundam units modelled after samurai, ninja, or other forms of feudal Japanese warriors. Inheriting the base SD Gundam design, typical design element include changing beam sabre into katana, sheath that act as a gun, removable armour suits...
universe): Many characters in the various Gundam series, including several Super Deformed GundamSuper Deformed Gundamis a series that spawned from the Gundam series. This series takes the mobile weapons and characters and express them in super deformed style.-Origins:...
series. - Hakodate Youjin Buraichou Himegami
- Haō Taikei Ryū Knight
- Henshin Ninja Arashi: A manga by Shotaro IshinomoriShotaro Ishinomoriwas a Japanese manga artist who became an influential figure in manga, anime, and tokusatsu, creating several immensely popular long-running series such as Cyborg 009 and Himitsu Sentai Goranger, what would go on to become part of the Super Sentai series, and the Kamen Rider Series...
. Its characters also appear in the manga Skull ManSkull Manis a manga series created by Shotaro Ishinomori which first appeared in Shōnen Magazine in 1970 and immediately caused a sensation, selling over 1.5 million copies. The hero, orphaned when his parents were murdered, grows up to use his peculiar powers to take his revenge...
. - Himawari!Himawari!is a Japanese anime series created by GoDo, directed by Shigenori Kageyama, and produced by Genco. It was aired on Chiba TV from April 8, 2006 to July 1, 2006 and afterwards got a second season, , and a short manga to connect the two, .-Plot:...
: A comedy TV series about a modern ninja school. - Hininden GausuHininden Gausuis a 2005 H-anime directed by Rin Shin.It's the first anime directed by designer Rin Shin, who has worked on this project for years, despite warnings that a historical drama in hentai won't work. And effectively and in spite of high production values, the first episode sold poorly, putting Pink...
: A H-anime set in medieval Japan and featuring several ninja women. - Hyakka Ryōran Samurai GirlsHyakka Ryōran Samurai Girls, simply known as Samurai Girls, is a light novel series written by Akira Suzuki with illustrations by Niθ to commemorate Hobby Japan's 40th anniversary. The first volume was released by Hobby Japan on February 28, 2009, with a total of nine volumes available in Japan as of September 1, 2011 under...
- I Am Sarutobi! (Ore wa Sarutobi da!): A manga by Osamu TezukaOsamu Tezukawas a Japanese cartoonist, manga artist, animator, producer, activist and medical doctor, although he never practiced medicine. Born in Osaka Prefecture, he is best known as the creator of Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion and Black Jack...
about Sarutobi Sasuke. - Igano Kabamaru
- InuyashaInuYasha, also known as , is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi. It premiered in Weekly Shōnen Sunday on November 13, 1996 and concluded on June 18, 2008...
: Featuring several ninja characters. - Jubei-chan: The Ninja Girl (Jūbei-chan): A mostly comedic manga and two TV series in the modern setting.
- Kage Kara Mamoru!Kage Kara Mamoru!is a series of light novels written by Achi Taro. The light novels had ended in March 2008 with the release of Volume 12, but as of July 2009, a new series entitled has started serialization. It features manga and anime adaptations...
- Kagetora
- Kamui the Ninja (Ninpu Kamui Gaiden)Kamui the Ninjais a shōnen anime produced by Tele-Cartoon Japan in 1969. It was broadcast in Japan from 6 April 1969 to 28 September 1969 by Fuji TV. Kamui the Ninja had 26 episodes with a running time of 22 minutes each one. The series was based on the manga The Legend of Kamui by Sanpei Shirato.-Plot:Kamui is a...
- Karakuri Ninja Girl: A hentai anime.
- Karasu Tengu KabutoKarasu Tengu Kabutois a manga and anime series, created by Buichi Terasawa in 1986.-Manga:Those who have the blood of the Karasu Tengu in their veins must forever fight against the powers of darkness...
: A manga series later adapted into the anime series and an OVA film. - Kaze ga GotokuKaze ga Gotokuis a manga series by . It was originally serialized in Weekly Shōnen Champion since October 2008 and is currently still in serialization...
- Kaze no Ishimaru: Another ninja manga by Sanpei Shirato.
- Ken'ichi: The Mightiest Disciple (Shijō Saikyō no Deshi Ken'ichi): Kunoichi Shigure Kousaka.
- Kōtarō Makaritōru!
- Kunoichi Mahouden
- La Blue Girl (Injû Gakuen)La Blue Girlis an erotic anime and manga series.Based on the manga by Toshio Maeda, the La Blue Girl anime, like his other hentai series , features a large amount of tentacle rape...
: Several ninja-themed hentai manga and OAV series. - Labyrinth of Flames (Honoo no Labyrinth)
- Legend of the Mystical Ninja (Anime Ganbare Goemon)Legend of the Mystical Ninja (TV series)Legend of the Mystical Ninja is an anime television series, based on Konami's best-selling-in-Japan video game franchise Legend of the Mystical Ninja. The television series was produced by TV Tokyo, aired from 1997 to 1998, ran for 23 episodes, and 5 volumes of videos were released on VHS and DVD...
- Lupin IIILupin III, also known as Lupin the 3rd, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kazuhiko Kato under the pen name of Monkey Punch. The story follows the adventures of a gang of thieves led by Arsène Lupin III, the grandson of Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief of Maurice Leblanc's series of...
: Anime TV and film series that features several ninja characters in the modern setting, chiefly Goemon Ishikawa XIIIGoemon Ishikawa XIIIis a fictional character created by Monkey Punch for his Lupin III series. Goemon is the thirteenth generation of renegade samurai, a descendant of the historical figure Ishikawa Goemon...
, the 13th descendant of the historical GoemonIshikawa Goemonwas a semi-legendary Japanese outlaw hero who stole gold and valuables and gave them to the poor. Goemon is notable for being boiled alive along with his son in public after a failed assassination attempt on the civil war-era warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. A large iron kettle-shaped bathtub is now...
. - Masked Ninja Red Shadow (Kamen no Ninja Aka-Kage)
- Millenium Actress
- Mirmo! (Wagamama Fearī Mirumo de Pon!)Mirmo!is a manga series written by Hiromu Shinozuka and serialized in Ciao magazine from 2001 Jul through 2005 Dec. It was also published in twelve collected volumes by Shogakukan. The manga series was awarded the 2003 Kodansha Manga Award and the 2004 Shogakukan Manga Award for children's manga. The...
: Chiefly Yashichi (Yatch), other characters including Yamane and Nezumi. - Musashi GundohMusashi Gundohis a Japanese anime television series, based on the story by Monkey Punch. It premiered in Japan on the satellite station BS-i on April 9, 2006, and is also set to be broadcast across Japan by the anime satellite television network Animax from October 2006. It is also legally distributed over the...
- My-HiMEMy-HiMEis an anime series, created by Sunrise. Directed by Masakazu Obara and written by Hiroyuki Yoshino, the series originally premiered in Japan on TV Tokyo from September 2004 to March 2005...
and My-OtomeMy-Otomeis an anime series created by Sunrise. Directed by Masakazu Obara and written by Hiroyuki Yoshino, it is a spinoff of My-HiME anime series and as such My-Otome takes place in a new setting with new main characters....
: Akira Okuzaki. - Nabari no Ou
- NarutoNarutois an ongoing Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. The plot tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, an adolescent ninja who constantly searches for recognition and aspires to become the Hokage, the ninja in his village who is acknowledged as the leader and the strongest of...
: A hit manga and anime series that takes place in a fictional worldWorld of NarutoThe Naruto anime and manga series takes place in an unnamed fictional world with numerous countries and locations.-Creation and conception:When Kishimoto was creating the setting of the Naruto manga, he initially concentrated on the designs for the village of Konohagakure, the primary setting of...
, but draws upon ninja and other elements of ancient Japan. It achieved enormous international popularity in the 2000s and also spawned many video games. It features a large number of ninja characters, including the protagonists Naruto UzumakiNaruto Uzumakiis a fictional character in the anime and manga franchise Naruto created by Masashi Kishimoto. The main protagonist and titular character of the series, he is a ninja affiliated with the fictional village of Konohagakure. The villagers ostracize Naruto because the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, a...
, Sasuke UchihaSasuke Uchihais a fictional character in the Naruto manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto. He was created as a rival and foil to the series' titular character, Naruto Uzumaki...
, Sakura HarunoSakura Harunois a fictional character in the Naruto manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto. Sakura has become the series' female lead, although she was not immediately intended for the role...
, Kakashi HatakeKakashi Hatakeis a fictional character in the Naruto manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto. Kishimoto originally planned to introduce Kakashi in the manga to the series' titular character, Naruto Uzumaki, early on, but pushed back this meeting so that Naruto's teammates could be better developed.In...
, and the antagonists OrochimaruOrochimaru (Naruto)is a fictional character from the Naruto universe created by Masashi Kishimoto and developed into a media franchise, which consists of a series of manga, anime, soundtracks, OVAs, movies, video games, and other collectibles...
and Itachi UchihaItachi Uchihais a fictional character in the Naruto manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto. In the series, Itachi is the older brother of Sasuke Uchiha and is responsible for killing all the members of their clan, sparing only Sasuke. Itachi is treated as an antagonist for much of the series,...
; others include GaaraGaarais a fictional character in the Naruto manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto. Kishimoto designed Gaara as a foil to the series' titular character, Naruto Uzumaki, as the two were born through similar circumstances, but develop vastly different personalities as they deal with their...
, JiraiyaJiraiya (Naruto)is a fictional character in the Naruto universe created by Masashi Kishimoto. Introduced in the first half of the manga, Jiraiya appears as a perverted old man who the lead character, Naruto Uzumaki, refers to as "Ero-Sennin"...
and Shikamaru NaraShikamaru Narais a fictional character in the Naruto manga and anime series created by Masashi Kishimoto. In the anime and manga, Shikamaru is a ninja affiliated with the village of Konohagakure. He is a member of Team 10, a group of ninja consisting of himself, Choji Akimichi, Ino Yamanaka, and team leader...
. - Ninja Cadets (Ninja Mono)Ninja CadetsNinja Cadets, originally , is a 2-episode OVA anime series by Eiji Suganuma. It is a comedy about a group of ninja-in-training in feudal Japan.-English:*Michelle Ruff as Yume*Jack Cox as Kaoru*Lex Lang as Hayashi, Matsuzaka*Lia Sargent as Matsuri...
: Short comedy-action OAV series. - Ninja Girls (Rappai Ranga)Ninja Girls, is a manga by Tanaka Hosana. The manga sets during the civil war in Japan and revolves around a boy named Raizou Katana who is loathed for having a short horn on his forehead...
- Ninja Hattori-kunNinja Hattori-kun' is a manga series by Fujiko Fujio, later adapted into a TV drama, an anime series, a video game and eventually a live-action movie, along with a 2009 revival of the show.- Plot :...
- Ninja Nonsense (Ninin Ga Shinobuden)Ninin Ga Shinobudenis Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Ryoichi Koga. The series subtitle is "The Nonsense Kunoichi Fiction". The manga was serialized in MediaWorks' Dengeki Daioh magazine between August 2000 and March 2006; the chapters were later compiled into four tankōbon volumes...
: Comedy manga and anime TV series. - Ninja Resurrection (Makai Tenshō: Jigoku-hen)Ninja ResurrectionNinja Resurrection, known in Japan as is a two-part original video animation directed by Yasunori Urata.The OVA series is based on Futaro Yamada's novel Makai Tenshō...
: Short OAV series. - Ninja Senpuu: Another manga by Sanpei Shirato.
- Ninja Robot Tobikage (Ninja Senshi Tobikage)Ninja Senshi Tobikage, also known as Ninja Robot Tobikage and Ninja Robots, is a Japanese anime television series, produced by Studio Pierrot, which aired from 6 October 1985 to 13 July 1986 on the Nippon Television network....
- Ninja Ryukenden: An OVA film based on the original Ninja GaidenNinja Gaidenis a series of video games by Tecmo featuring the ninja Ryu Hayabusa as its protagonist. The series was originally known as in Japan. The word "gaiden" in the North American Ninja Gaiden title means "side-story" in Japanese, even though the Ninja Gaiden series is not a spinoff of a previous series...
video game series. - Ninja Scroll (Jūbei Ninpūchō)Ninja Scrollis a 1993 Japanese animated action thriller film set in feudal Japan, written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri who was best known for his previous thriller Wicked City . The character designs were done by Yutaka Minowa. The movie is in homage to the Ninpōchō series, ninja novels by Futaro Yamada...
: A movie and a TV seriesNinja Scroll: The Seriesis a 2003 Japanese animated television series based on Yoshiaki Kawajiri's Ninja Scroll. The series is directed by Tatsuo Sato and animated by Madhouse Studios.- Plot :...
loosely based on the works of Futaro Yamada. - Ninpou Hiwa: Another ninja manga by Sanpei Shirato.
- Ninja, the Wonder Boy (Manga Sarutobi Sasuke)Manga Sarutobi Sasukeis a 24-episode anime series about the young Sarutobi Sasuke, a legendary ninja. It was first aired from October 9, 1979, to April 29, 1980 on Tokyo 12 Channel , and was later dubbed in several languages...
: Also the movie version, Shōnen Sarutobi Sasuke. - Nagasarete Airantou: Chikage, Kunai, Mikoto, Rin, Shinobu, Yukino.
- Negima!: Magister Negi MagiNegima!: Magister Negi MagiNegima! Magister Negi Magi, known in Japan as is a manga and anime series by Ken Akamatsu . The manga is currently being published by Kodansha and serialized in Shōnen Magazine in Japan. Del Rey Manga published the English translated version in the United States and Canada prior to Kodansha...
: Kaede Nagase. - Rantaro the Ninja Boy (Nintama Rantarō)Nintama Rantarois a Japanese anime series based on Sōbē Amako's manga Rakudai Ninja Rantarō. It was produced by Ajia-do Animation Works and originally broadcast on NHK. It is aimed at young children, featuring the adventures of Rantarō and his friends and teachers at Ninja school. The fact that glasses are worn...
: An anime series for young children about the adventures of Rantarou and his friends and teachers at a ninja school. - Ookami Kozou: Another ninja manga by Sanpei Shirato.
- Outlaw StarOutlaw Staris a seinen manga series written and illustrated by Takehiko Itō and his affiliated Morning Star Studio. The series is a space opera/Space Western that takes place in the "Toward Stars Era" universe in which spacecraft are capable of traveling faster than the speed of light...
: Suzuka. - Path of the Assassin (Hanzo no Mon)Path of the Assassinis a gekiga manga created by the writer Kazuo Koike and the artist Goseki Kojima and published in Weekly Gendai magazine . Unlike their previous collaborations on Lone Wolf and Cub and Samurai Executioner, this story focuses on two historical figures from 16th-century Japan.Path of the Assassin is...
: Story of the life of Hattori HanzoHattori Hanzo, also known as , was a famous samurai and ninja master of the Sengoku era, credited with saving the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu and then helping him to become the ruler of united Japan. Today, he is often a subject of modern popular culture.-Biography:...
, the famous historical ninja in the service of the shogunate. - Rakudai Ninja RantarōRakudai Ninja Rantarois a comedy ninja manga series created by Sōbē Amako in 1986. The anime adaptation, Nintama Rantarō, began broadcasting on NHK in 1993 and a side-story anime film Eiga Nintama Rantarō premiered in 1996' several Nintama Rantarō video games were also published since 1995.- Plot :The series is set...
- Rurouni KenshinRurouni Kenshin, also known as Rurouni Kenshin and Samurai X, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The fictional setting takes place during the early Meiji period in Japan. The story is about a fictional assassin named Himura Kenshin, from the Bakumatsu who becomes a wanderer to...
: The manga and TV series features the OniwabanshuOniwabanshuThe was a group of onmitsu government-employed undercover agents established by the 8th Tokugawa shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune . They are sometimes described as "ninja".- History :...
group (including Shinomori AoshiShinomori Aoshi, known in Western order as Aoshi Shinomori in the English version of the anime, is a fictional of the Oniwabanshū in the manga and anime series Rurouni Kenshin.-Design:...
and Makimachi MisaoMakimachi Misao, known as Misao Makimachi in the Media Blasters dub, is a fictional character in the manga and anime series Rurouni Kenshin created by Nobuhiro Watsuki....
) and others. There are also several episodical ninja characters in the OAV series. - Sailor Victory: A comedy OAV series about a team of policewomen using ninja mecha (giant robots).
- Samurai Deeper KyoSamurai Deeper Kyois a manga series written and illustrated by Akimine Kamijyo. The manga was serialized from October 15, 1999 to May 10, 2006 in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine, and collected over 38 volumes....
: Chiefly Sarutobi Sasuke, a member of Sanada YukimuraSanada Yukimurawas a Japanese samurai, second son of the Sengoku period daimyo Sanada Masayuki . His proper name was Sanada Nobushige , named after Takeda Shingen's younger brother Takeda Nobushige, who was a brave and respected warrior. He and his father were known as being excellent military tacticians...
's ninja group. - Samurai Legend (Kaze no Sho): A historical drama manga by Jiro TaniguchiJiro Taniguchiis a Japanese manga artist.- Biography:He began to work as assistant of the late manga artist Kyota Ishikawa. He made his manga debut in 1970 with Kareta Heya , published in the magazine Young Comic....
. - Samurai Pizza Cats (Kyattou Ninden Teyandē)Samurai Pizza CatsSamurai Pizza Cats, known as in Japan, is an anime series produced by Tatsunoko Productions and Sotsu Agency. The series was aired from February 1, 1990 to February 12, 1991, totaling up to 54 episodes...
: The title characters were originally in fact not samurai but ninja (in the Japanese release), and they often face off against ninja enemies. - Samurai Spirits
- Samurai XXX (Yoka no Ken): A hentai OVA series.
- Sarutobi Sasuke: A manga by Shigeru SugiuraShigeru Sugiurawas a Japanese manga artist famous for his surreal, nonsense gag manga. After initially studying painting, Sugiura became an assistant to the manga artist Suihō Tagawa. He soon began drawing his own manga in 1933 and came to fame after World War II with a series of comedic manga for children based...
. - Sasuga no Sarutobi: A comedy manga by Fujihiko HosonoFujihiko Hosonois a Japanese manga artist. Hosono was born in Ōta, Tokyo. In 1979, he made his debut with Crusher Joe while he was a student at Keio University. Around the same time, he joined the as an animator...
and a TV series about a modern high school for ninja. - Science Ninja Team Gatchaman (Kagaku Ninja Tai Gatchaman)Science Ninja Team Gatchamanis a 5-member superhero team that is composed of the main characters in several Japanese anime created by Tatsuo Yoshida and originally produced in Japan by Tatsunoko Productions and later adapted into several English-language versions...
: The titular five young International Science Organization operators, dressed in bird-like suits and trained in ninja arts. - Shadow (Hyper Shinobi Animation: Shadow)
- Shinobu Kokoro: Hidden HeartShinobu Kokoro: Hidden Heartis a ninja yaoi manga by Temari Matsumoto. The manga was licensed in the United States by BLU, the Boys Love branch of TokyoPop, in November 2005.-Plot:Another work by Temari Matsumoto, called Cause of My Teacher also includes a story about Hiiragi and Asagi....
- Short-Tempered Melancholic (Kanshakudama no Yuutsu)
- Soar High! IsamiSoar High! Isamiis a Japanese anime series made by Group TAC. The anime is based on The Hakkenden except it is set in the future. It is licensed by Hirameki International in the US. Directed by Gisaburô Sugii, the anime's 50 episodes were broadcast on NHK between April 8, 1995 and March 30, 1996.-Plot:Isami...
- Shadow Hunters (Kage Gari)Kage Gariis a jidaigeki manga series by Takao Saito from 1969. It follows the adventures of three ronin - Jubei , Sunlight , and Moonlight - who dedicate their lives to hunt down "shadows", the ninja spies of the Tokugawa shogunate....
- Shinobi LifeShinobi Lifeis a Japanese shōjo romance manga written and illustrated by Shoko Konami. It has been serialized in Princess since the October 6, 2006 issue. The individual chapters are collected and published in tankōbon volumes by Akita Shoten...
- Shōnen Jiraiya: Another ninja manga by Shigeru Sugiura.
- Shōnen Ninja Kaze no FujimaruShonen Ninja Kaze no Fujimaru, also known as Samurai Kid, is a Japanese anime series produced by Toei Animation. 65 episodes aired from 7 June 1964 until 31 August 1965. It tells the story of a ninja's pupil that controlled the wind....
- Soul EaterSoul Eater (manga)is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Atsushi Ōkubo. Set at the "Death Weapon Meister Academy," the series revolves around three teams consisting of a weapon meister and human weapon...
: Black Star and Tsubaki. - Sgt. Frog (Sergeant Keroro)Sgt. FrogSgt. Frog, known in Japan as , is a manga series by Mine Yoshizaki. It was later serialized into a TV anime series directed by Junichi Sato. Both the anime and manga are comedies that follow the attempts of a platoon of frog-like alien invaders to conquer Earth...
: Two of the main characters, Dororo and Koyuki, are both skilled in various forms of ninjutsu (also in Keroro LandKeroro LandKeroro Land is a spin-off magazine of the popular manga and anime series Sgt. Frog. The first characters originating from Keroro Land, the Shurara Corps, have appeared in the anime.-Story:...
). - Tail of the Moon (Tsuki no Shippo)Tail of the Moonis a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Rinko Ueda. The series began serialization in Margaret magazine in 2002 and ran until 2007. The individual chapters have been collected into fifteen tankōbon volumes by Shueisha; the first on March 25, 2003 and the last on August 24, 2007...
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Legend of the SupermutantsTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Legend of the Supermutantsis an original video animation based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. The OVA was produced by TV Tokyo as a tie-in to the Japanese version of the Ninja Turtles toyline sold by Takara. The first episode, released on VHS in 1996, is based on the Supermutants line, while the second...
- The Dagger of Kamui (Kamui no Ken)The Dagger of Kamuiis a Japanese novel series by Tetsu Yano released by Kadokawa Shoten from 1984 to 1985.The series was adapted in 1985 into an anime film directed by Rintaro and animated by Madhouse and Toei Animation. The screenplay was adapted by Mori Masaki, and character designs were created by Moribi Murano,...
: The manga and anime adaptations of the novel. - The Last Kunoichi (Kunoichi Bakumatsu Kitan): A hentai anime series about several kunoichi caught by the struggles of the last days of the Tokugawa shogunate.
- The Legend of KamuiThe Legend of Kamuiis a manga by Sanpei Shirato. Set in feudal Japan, it tells the story of a low-born ninja who tries to flee his clan. The series combines historical adventure with social commentary and themes of oppression and rebellion that reflect Shirato's Marxist convictions...
: Largely realistic and historically accurate manga series based on Kamui novels. - The Yagyu Ninja Scrolls (Y+M)The Yagyu Ninja Scrollsis an 11-volume manga series written by Masaki Segawa and first published in Japan by Kodansha in 2005.Like Masaki Segawa's first manga Basilisk, The Yagyu Ninja Scrolls is based on a novel from Futaro Yamada's Ninpōchō series and can therefore be considered a sequel to Basilisk, especially as...
- Transformers: The HeadmastersTransformers: The Headmastersis a Japanese anime television series.-Development:Inititally, Takara, the Japanese producers of the Transformers toyline, imported the American Transformers cartoon series from 1985 to 1986...
: SixshotSixshotSixshot is the name of two fictional characters from the various Transformers series. Introduced in 1987, Sixshot appeared in the last few episodes of the original US Transformers animated series, voiced by Neil Ross. His defining gimmick was that he had six different forms, not two like a normal...
. - Tsubasa: Reservoir ChronicleTsubasa: Reservoir Chronicleis a shōnen manga series written and illustrated by the manga artist group Clamp. It takes place in the same fictional universe as many of Clamp's other manga series, most notably xxxHolic. The plot follows how Sakura, the princess of the Kingdom of Clow, loses her soul and how Syaoran, a young...
: One of the protagonists, Kurogane. - Watari: Another manga by Shirato Sanpei. It was adapted into the live action film Watari, the Ninja Boy.
- YōtōdenYotodenis a Japanese historical fantasy novel by Takeshi Narumi. In 1987 the novel was adapted into a 3-episode original video animation by J.C.Staff. In 1989, Yotoden was re-edited into the feature film titled Wrath of the Ninja for English-speaking regions...
: A historical fantasy story of three members of destroyed ninja clans who embark to stop the demonic Oda Nobunaga. - Yutani Complex: Sanae Fujisaki.
- Zanpei Kumotori: A manga by Takao SaitoTakao Saitois a Japanese manga and gekiga artist. He is best known for creating the successful series Golgo 13.-Early life and career:Takao Saito was born on November 3, 1936 in Wakayama Prefecture. During his school days in Osaka he was the best in his class in drawing and fighting, and also considered...
.
Minor roles
- A-N: Ah! Itoshi no Banchousama (Hirayama Hayaka gains a ninja bodyguard after a trip to the mountains), Bastard‼ (Gara, the titular character in the manga chapter and the anime episode "Ninja Master Gara"), Blade of the ImmortalBlade of the Immortalis a Japanese manga series by Hiroaki Samura. The series won an Excellence Prize at the 1997 Japan Media Arts Festival and the Will Eisner Comic Industry Award in 2000 for Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material...
(several ninja characters, notably Master Sōri and his female students Meguro and Tanpopo), Blade of the Phantom Master, Bobobo-bo Bo-boboBobobo-bo Bo-bobois a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yoshio Sawai, published by Shueisha, and serialized in the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine...
(OVER's Ninja Assassin Corp and The Ultimate Five Assassins), Code Geass (Sayoko Shinozaki), Cutey Honey, Dinosaur KingDinosaur Kingis a card game from Sega that uses the same gameplay mechanics from Mushiking and uses super-powered dinosaurs instead of beetles. The game was revealed in JAMMA 2005 and is available in Japanese and English versions. A Nintendo DS version has also been released in North America.In the fall of...
(episode "Ninja Nightmare"), Dragon Ball (several characters, such as the antromorphic ninja dog Shu and the six Murasaki brothers), Gin Tama (Sarutobi Ayame and the Shinobi 5: Hattori Zenzou, Gou, Shuwa, Wakikaoru, Matsuo), Hero Tales, Hunter x Hunter (Hanzo and Machi), Hyper PoliceHyper Policeis the name of a manga and anime series created by Minoru Tachikawa under the pseudonym MEE. It is a comic science fiction, set in a period in the far future, in which humanity is almost extinct and most of the population are monsters...
(Kasumi), Kamen no Maid GuyKamen no Maid Guyis a comedy manga series written and illustrated by Maruboro Akai. The manga started serialization in the Japanese shōnen manga magazine Monthly Dragon Age in 2004. An anime adaptation directed by Masayuki Sakoi, and animated by Madhouse, aired between April and June 2008.-Plot:Naeka Fujiwara is...
(the ninja maids Shizuku and Tsurara), King Arthur, KinnikumanKinnikumanis a manga created by the duo of Yudetamago , which is composed of Yoshinori Nakai and Takashi Shimada. The manga was published in Shueisha's Weekly Jump, and received the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōnen manga in 1985...
(The Ninja), Kirby: Right Back at Ya!Kirby: Right Back at Ya!Kirby: of the stars, known in Japan Kirby right back at ya!', is an anime series based on Nintendo's Kirby franchise. The series was produced by Warpstar Inc., a company formed between a joint investment between Nintendo and HAL Laboratory, Inc.The series, which takes place in a village called...
(KirbyKirby-Places:Canada* Kirby, Ontario, a hamletUnited States* Kirby, Arkansas* Kirby, Indiana* Kirby, Ohio* Kirby, Texas* Kirby, Vermont* Kirby, West Virginia* Kirby, Wisconsin* Kirby, WyomingEngland* Kirby Bellars, Leicestershire* Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire...
, Benikage and Yamikage in the episode "Visiting Ninja, Benikage!", better known in the USA as "Ninja Binge"), Lone Wolf and Cub (Kozure Ōkami)Lone Wolf and Cubis a manga created by writer Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima. First published in 1970, the story was adapted into six films starring Tomisaburo Wakayama, four plays, a television series starring Yorozuya Kinnosuke, and is widely recognized as an important and influential work.Lone Wolf and Cub...
(various characters), Machine Robo: Battle HackersMachine Robo: Battle Hackersis a Japanese animated television series produced by Ashi Productions. It ran on TV Tokyo from June 3, 1987 through December 30, 1987.-Connection to Revenge of Cronos:...
, Magical Nyan Nyan TarutoMagical Nyan Nyan Tarutois a Japanese anime television series. The series centers on the exploits of a race of pet cats, drawn as catgirls and the occasional catboy.- Animals:-Humans:-Episode list:-Theme Songs:Opening Theme*:Lyrics by : Masaaki Taniguchi...
(Rakugan), Magical Princess Minky MomoMagical Princess Minky Momo, also known as Magical Princess Gigi or Gigi or Benvenuta Gigi and Tanto tempo fa...Gigi in Italy, is the title of two different magical-girl anime. The first Momo, often called Sora Momo , aired from 1982...
(episode "Ninja Arrived! Momo is Ninja"), Mega Man Star ForceMega Man Star Force (anime)Mega Man Star Force, known as in the original Japanese language version, is an anime and manga series based on the video game of the same name....
(the Tribe-On transformation Green Ninja), Metal Fighter MikuMetal Fighter Mikuis a 13-episode Japanese animated television series created by Daisaku Ogawa. Metal Fighter Miku first aired on TV Tokyo from July to September 1994. J.C.Staff was the animation studio for the TV series.-Story:...
(episode "Pretty Four vs The Lady Ninjas"), Miami GunsMiami Gunsis a manga and anime series. The anime takes place in Miami City, which is similar to Miami, Florida, except for several locale changes. It's mainly about the life of two female Miami City police officers having to stop crimes before they get worse...
, Midori DaysMidori Daysis a shōnen fantasy manga by Kazurou Inoue. It was published by Shogakukan in the magazine Shōnen Sunday from September 2002 until November 2004 and collected in 8 tankōbon volumes. It is licensed in English in North America by VIZ Media and in Singapore by Chuang Yi...
(ninja shows).
- O-Z: Oh My Goddess!Oh My Goddess!, also known as Ah! My Goddess!, is a Japanese seinen manga series written and illustrated by Kōsuke Fujishima. It premiered in the November 1988 issue of Afternoon where it is still being serialized. Every few months, the most recent chapters are published in tankōbon volumes by Kodansha...
(a mini-arc of both the main manga series and the spin-off The Adventures of Mini-Goddess), PlanetesPlanetesis a Japanese hard science fiction manga by Makoto Yukimura. It was adapted as a 26-episode television anime by Sunrise, which was broadcast on NHK from October 2003 through April 2004...
(the self-described Space Ninja), PokémonPokémon (anime), abbreviated from , is a children's TV anime series, which has since been adapted for the North and South American, Australian and European television markets...
and Pokémon: The Electric Tale of Pikachu (Aya, Koga / Kyō and Janine / Anzu), PQ Angels, Ranma 1/2 (chiefly Konatsu, Sasuke Sarugakure, and Shirokuro), Saber MarionetteSaber Marionetteis a science fiction humor/adventure series featuring android girls. It has been produced in the form of anime, manga, and light novels. It was created by Satoru Akahori....
, Sailor MoonSailor MoonSailor Moon, known as , is a media franchise created by manga artist Naoko Takeuchi. Fred Patten credits Takeuchi with popularizing the concept of a team of magical girls, and Paul Gravett credits the series with "revitalizing" the magical-girl genre itself...
(the villain of the week Ninjana / Oniwabandana), Sakura WarsSakura Warsis a Japanese media franchise created by Ouji Hiroi, and is developed and owned by Sega and licensed by Red Entertainment and Sega. The franchise centers on a series of dramatic fantasy and science-fantasy tactical role-playing adventure video games, which consist of tactical wargame and dating sim...
(the ninja stagehands), Samurai ChamplooSamurai Champloois a Japanese anime series created and directed by Shinichirō Watanabe. It was broadcast in Japan from May 20, 2004 through March 19, 2005 on Fuji TV. Samurai Champloo has earned Watanabe a renowned title in the anime and Japanese television communities...
(episodes "Bogus Booty" and "Baseball Blues" both deal with characters who are ninja or former ninja), Samurai Girl: Real Bout High SchoolSamurai Girl: Real Bout High Schoolis a Japanese light novel series written by Reiji Saiga and illustrated by Sora Inoue. It was serialized in Dragon Magazine from 1997 to 2010. A manga adaptation by the same authors was serialized in Montly Comic Dragon from 1998 to 2001. A 13-episode anime television series was produced by Gonzo...
, Sonic XSonic Xis an anime series based on the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series. It was produced in Japan by TMS Entertainment with the partnership of Sega and was created by Sonic Team and Sonic Project. In the United States, 4Kids currently owns and manages copyright and branding of the series.- Series 1 ...
(the E-91 Lady Ninja and Espio the Chameleon), Sorcerer HuntersSorcerer Huntersis a 13-volume manga series, written by Satoru Akahori and illustrated by Rei Omishi. Akahori and Omishi also published Sorcerer Hunters Special, a one-volume story set sometime after the series' conclusion....
, Sword for Truth (Shuranosuke Zanmaken: Shikamamon no Otoko), The King of Braves GaoGaiGar (Yūsha Ō GaoGaiGā)The King of Braves GaoGaiGaris an anime television series series begun in 1997, created by Sunrise's internal "Studio 7" under the direction of Yoshitomo Yonetani, and was the eighth and final in the Yūsha metaseries funded by Takara and produced by Sunrise.- Plot :...
(Volfogg), Those Who Hunt ElvesThose Who Hunt Elvesis a manga series and an anime television series by Yu Yagami, released in North America on VHS and DVD by ADV Films. The plot revolves around three travellers, the eponymous "Elf Hunters", and the elven sorceress Mistress Celcia.-Plot:...
, Tower of Etruria (Palmyra), UltramanUltramanis Japanese television series that first aired in 1966. Ultraman, the first and best-known of the "Ultra-Crusaders," made his debut in the tokusatsu SF/kaiju/superhero TV series, , a follow-up to the television series Ultra Q...
(the Alien Baltan), Yami to Bōshi to Hon no TabibitoYami to Boshi to Hon no Tabibito, also known as Yamibō/Yamibou for short, is a Japanese adult visual novel published in December 2002 by Root. A 13-episode anime series produced Studio Deen aired between October and December 2003...
, Yakitate! Japan (episode "Nin Nin Nin!! My Way of Ninja!"), YoshimuneYoshimune (anime)is a Japanese anime series produced by Gonzo, and directed by Hiroaki Sato. It is based on a pachislo game by Daito Giken.- Synopsis :The story is set in a parallel world which combines elements of the Edo Era such as samurai and the modern, such as disco halls and motorbikes. The kingdom is...
(Kunoichi), YuYu HakushoYuYu Hakushois a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi. The name of the series is spelled YuYu Hakusho in the Viz Media manga and Yu Yu Hakusho in other English distributions of the franchise. The series tells the story of Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage delinquent who is struck and...
(the Shadow Channelers aka Team Masho).
In film (separate article)
"Super Ninja" was also the stage name of the actor and stuntsman Taimak
Taimak
Taimak Guarriello is a martial arts actor and stuntman, best known as Leroy Green in the 1985 martial arts film The Last Dragon...
.
Main roles
Animated series- G.I. JoeG.I. JoeG.I. Joe is a line of action figures produced by the toy company Hasbro. The initial product offering represented four of the branches of the U.S. armed forces with the Action Soldier , Action Sailor , Action Pilot , Action Marine and later on, the Action Nurse...
: Four cartoons: G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero 1985 and 1989G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1989 TV series)G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is a half-hour American animated television series based on the successful toyline from Hasbro and the comic book series from Marvel Comics. The series was produced by DIC Entertainment and ran from 1989 to 1991....
series, G.I. Joe ExtremeG.I. Joe ExtremeG.I. Joe Extreme is the name of a short-lived line of military-themed toys by Hasbro, a two-season cartoon show by Sunbow Productions, and two 4-issue comic mini-series by Dark Horse Comics. It is a sequel of sorts to the previous G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero TV series, with a one-shot pack-in...
and G.I. Joe: Sigma 6G.I. Joe: Sigma 6G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 is a line of military-themed action figures and toys produced by Hasbro, re-imagining the characters of the 1980s toyline, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero.The Sigma 6 toy line served several purposes for Hasbro...
. - Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the RealmMortal Kombat: Defenders of the RealmMortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, also known as Mortal Kombat: The Animated Series, is a cartoon series based on the popular Mortal Kombat video game series...
: An animated adaptation of the video game series, featuring Kitana in one of the main roles. - PuccaPucca (TV series)Pucca is a South Korean animated television series based on a series of shorts created by Vooz Character System. The series revolves around 11-year-old Pucca, a young girl who's in love and obsessed with a 12-year-old ninja named Garu. It also airs currently on Champ Vision and MBC in Korea...
: A ninja boy named Garu is a love object of the series' main character (Garu's arch nemesis Tobe is a ninja as well). - Rambo and the Forces of FreedomRambo and the Forces of FreedomRambo: The Force of Freedom is an animated series based on the character of John Rambo, from David Morrell's book First Blood, and the subsequent films First Blood and Rambo: First Blood Part II and adapted for television by story editor/head writer Michael Chain. The cartoon ran for 65 episodes,...
: Rambo's ally White Dragon and his enemy Black Dragon. - Shuriken SchoolShuriken SchoolShuriken School is an Spanish-French-British animated series that first aired on August 20, 2006 on Nickelodeon and then on YTV a few weeks later. It has also been airing on Jetix in the UK since February 2006, as well as on CITV. In the United States, the show aired on Nicktoons Network and...
: A cartoon about a school that trains children and teenagers to be ninja. - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The 1980sTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 TV series)Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is an American animated television series produced by Murakami-Wolf-Swenson. The pilot was shown during the week of December 28, 1987 in syndication as a five part miniseries and began its official run on October 1, 1988...
and the 2000sTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 TV series)Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is an American animated series, mainly set in New York City. It first aired on February 8, 2003 and ended on November 21, 2009...
cartoons, as well as a live action TV seriesNinja Turtles: The Next MutationNinja Turtles: The Next Mutation or Saban's Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation is an American live-action television series produced by Saban Entertainment, which ran on the Fox Kids network from 1997 to 1998. The short-lived series was based loosely from Mirage Studios' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...
.
Live-action series
- Blood of the Samurai: The Series and Ninja EX: An indie action series and its spin-off martial arts comedy series, featuring Yuki.
- Bounty Hunter (Shokin Kasegi)
- Fūma no KojirōFuma no Kojirois a manga series by Japanese author Masami Kurumada, later adapted to anime. It tells the story of sword legends and rivalry between ninja clans. The main character Kojirō is a young boy who is a member of the Fūma clan...
- Fuun Lion-MaruFuun Lion-Maru, translated as Storm Cloud Lion Maru, was a tokusatsu series that aired in Japan in 1973. It was the second series in the Lion-Maru trilogy, and featured a third Maru-like character named Black Jaguar...
- Henshin Ninja Arashi: An Edo period henshinHenshinis the Japanese word for "transformation," literally meaning, "to change or transform the body." This word is primarily used in manga, anime, and tokusatsu dramas for when a character transforms into a superhero. usually have a "henshin call", a catchphrase which they recite when they transform...
series based on the manga of the same title. - Lone Wolf and Cub/Iron Samurai (Kozure Ōkami)Lone Wolf and Cubis a manga created by writer Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima. First published in 1970, the story was adapted into six films starring Tomisaburo Wakayama, four plays, a television series starring Yorozuya Kinnosuke, and is widely recognized as an important and influential work.Lone Wolf and Cub...
- Majin Hunter Mitsurugi: A tokusatsuTokusatsuis a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects ....
series ostensibly set in the Tokugawa era. - Masked Ninja Red Shadow (Kamen no Ninja Aka-Kage): Its footage was also used to make the film The Magic Sword of Watari.
- Mito Kōmon Gaiden Kagerō Ninpō-chō: A ninja spinoff of Mito KōmonMito Kōmonis a Japanese jidaigeki or period drama that has been on prime-time television since 1969. The title character is the historic Tokugawa Mitsukuni, former vice-shogun and retired second daimyo of the Mito domain...
. - Ninja CaptorNinja Captor' is a Japanese tokusatsu TV series aired from April 7, 1976 to January 26, 1977 on TV Tokyo 12 Channel, produced by Toei Company, Ltd.-Story:...
- Ōedo SōsamōOedo Sosamoand are long-running prime time television jidaigeki programs that originally aired from 1970 to 1992. The series was broadcast on TV Tokyo . The title literally translates as "Oedo Dragnet"...
- Phantom Agents (Ninja Butai Gekkô)Phantom AgentsThe Phantom Agents , 1964-1966, was a Japanese action television series of 130 black and white episodes.The series was created by Tatsuo Yoshida. The Phantom Agents were modern day ninjas working for the Japanese government, mostly against the dastardly "Black Flag" organization...
: An action series about a group of modern ninja agents working for the Japanese government. - Raven
- Samurai Girl
- Shogun Iemitsu Shinobi TabiShogun Iemitsu Shinobi Tabiwas a pair of television jidaigeki series on TV Asahi in Japan. The first aired in 1990–1991 and the sequel in 1992–1993. Kunihiko Mitamura portrayed Tokugawa Iemitsu in both series....
- Shōgun no Onmitsu! Kage JūhachiShōgun no Onmitsu! Kage Jūhachiis a television jidaigeki series. It ran in prime time on the TV Asahi network in Japan. The first episode aired on January 27, 1996, and the 19th and final installment was broadcast on June 29 of that year. The series starred Kunihiko Mitamura with Yoko Minamino, Yūji Kishimoto, and Bengal as the...
- Sekai Ninja Sen JiraiyaSekai Ninja Sen Jiraiyais a Japanese television series that aired on TV Asahi and its affiliates from January 25, 1988 to January 23, 1989, lasting 50 episodes. It was the seventh installment in Toei's Metal Hero Series franchise of live-action superhero shows...
- Shadow Warriors (Kage no Gundan): Several Japanese TV series and a direct-to-video miniseries about Hattori HanzōHattori Hanzo, also known as , was a famous samurai and ninja master of the Sengoku era, credited with saving the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu and then helping him to become the ruler of united Japan. Today, he is often a subject of modern popular culture.-Biography:...
. - Sukeban Deka III: Shôjo Ninpô-chô DenkiSukeban Dekais a Japanese detective action shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Shinji Wada and serialized on Hana to Yume. Sukeban Deka has been adapted into three live-action television series, an original video animation series and three feature films, the latest of which was released in 2006 as...
- The MasterThe Master (TV series)The Master is a short-lived ninja-themed action-adventure TV series created by Michael Sloan which aired on NBC. The show focused on the adventures of John Peter McAllister, an aging ninja master , and his young pupil, Max Keller...
: An action-adventure series featuring John Peter McAllister, an aged American veteran and ninja master who has returned to the United States. - The Samurai (Onmitsu Kenshi)The Samurai (TV series)The Samurai is a Japanese historical fiction television series made by Senkosha Productions during the early 1960s. Its original Japanese title was Onmitsu Kenshi . The series premiered in 1962 on TBS and ran continuously until 1965 for ten self-contained story arcs , usually of 13 episodes each...
: A jidaigeki series featuring Tombei the Mist the Iga ninja as the hero's sidekick and many various ninja villains.
Super Sentai series
There are several ninja-themed Super Sentai
Super Sentai
The is the name given to the long-running Japanese superhero team genre of shows produced by Toei Co., Ltd., Toei Agency and Bandai, and aired by TV Asahi...
shows:
- Hikari Sentai MaskmanHikari Sentai Maskmanis Toei's eleventh entry of the Super Sentai Series. It aired on TV Asahi from February 28, 1987 to February 20, 1988, with a total of 51 episodes. Its international English title as listed by Toei is simply Maskman.-Plot:...
- Ninja Sentai KakurangerNinja Sentai Kakurangerwas TOEI Company Limited's eighteenth production of the Super Sentai television series. The name given to this series by Toei for international distribution is Ninja Rangers....
(footage used in the season three of Mighty Morphin Power RangersMighty Morphin Power RangersMighty Morphin Power Rangers is an American live-action children's television series based on the 16th installment of the Japanese Super Sentai franchise, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger. Both the show and its related merchandise saw unbridled overnight success, catapulting into pop culture in mere months...
, in which Ninjor gave the Power RangersPower RangersPower Rangers is a long-running American entertainment and merchandising franchise built around a live action children's television series featuring teams of costumed heroes...
their new Ninja Powers and Ninja Megazords) - Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger (footage used in Power Rangers: Ninja StormPower Rangers: Ninja StormPower Rangers Ninja Storm is an incarnation of the Power Rangers franchise, based on the Super Sentai series Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger. This is the first season to be filmed in New Zealand and also the second season to be under the BVS copyright...
)
There are also many ninja villains in the various series, such as Negative Syndicate
Negative Syndicate
A is any of the fictional antagonistic organizations who seek out the Precious in the 30th Super Sentai Series GoGo Sentai Boukenger. This title is given to them by the Search Guard Successor Foundation, as the Negative Syndicates seek out Precious for selfish reasons or to further their goals in...
's Dark Shadow clan in GoGo Sentai Boukenger
GoGo Sentai Boukenger
is the 30th series in Toei's Super Sentai series, a franchise of Japanese tokusatsu television series. It is the first installment to be broadcast in HDTV. It premiered on February 19, 2006 at 7:30 a.m. on TV Asahi...
(Gekkou, Yaiba and Shizuka), Miratrix and some other of Kamdor's henchmen in Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive
Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive
Power Rangers Operation Overdrive is an American television program, the fifteenth installment in the Power Rangers franchise based on the Super Sentai series GoGo Sentai Boukenger, which is also the thirtieth entry and anniversary of that franchise. It premiered on February 26, 2007...
, Ninja Org Duke Dorodoro in Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger
Hyakujuu Sentai GaoRanger
is Toei's twenty-fifth production of the Super Sentai television series airing in 2001 and celebrated the franchise's 25th anniversary. Its footage was used in the 2002 American series Power Rangers Wild Force and was later dubbed in 2010 as the retitled Power Ranger: Jungle Force for South Korean...
(Onikage in Power Rangers: Wild Force
Power Rangers: Wild Force
Power Rangers Wild Force is the tenth anniversary of the Power Rangers franchise, based on the Super Sentai series Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger, which itself was the 25th anniversary of Super Sentai.Power Rangers Wild Force takes place in 2002...
), Dora Ninja in Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger (Dark Warrior in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers season one), Shinobilar in Denkou Choujin Gridman
Denkou Choujin Gridman
, translated into English as Lightning Superman Gridman, is a Japanese tokusatsu "Giant Hero" series by Tsuburaya Productions, the producers of Ultraman. The show ran from 1993 to 1994. It was the inspiration and source material for DiC Entertainment's Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad...
, and Kirikage in Mahou Sentai Magiranger
Mahou Sentai Magiranger
, is Toei Company's twenty-ninth production of the Super Sentai television series. The action footage was used in Power Rangers Mystic Force and both shows had scenes simultaneously shot in New Zealand...
.
Other television shows
Ninja Warrior (Sasuke)
Sasuke (TV series)
Sasuke is a Japanese sports entertainment television special in which 100 competitors attempt to complete a four stage obstacle course. An edited version, renamed Ninja Warrior, is screened in at least 18 other countries....
and Women of Ninja Warrior (Kunoichi)
Kunoichi (TV series)
was a women's obstacle course competition held in Japan and broadcast on the Tokyo Broadcasting System. It is a spin-off of Sasuke, another obstacle course series. Kunoichi is different from Sasuke in that the competitors are exclusively female.-Participants:Participants compete for a prize of 2...
are two Japanese sports entertainment shows, featuring (respectively) male and female competitors on an obstacle course. In the Prank Patrol
Prank Patrol
Prank Patrol is a children's television series currently airing on YTV. Each week, Andy and a team of "ninjas" help kids pull off pranks on an unsuspecting victim...
shows, "ninjas" are the show helpers setting up the pranks.
Commercials:
Ninja apparead in a number of television advertisements, including for the Anime Network
Anime Network
The Anime Network , a former subsidiary of A.D. Vision, Inc. , is a cable and satellite digital broadcast service in North America dedicated to anime.-History:...
, Bombay Sapphire
Bombay Sapphire
Bombay Sapphire is a brand of gin distributed by Bacardi that was launched in 1987. Its name originates from the gin's popularity in India in of the days of the British Raj and the sapphire in question is the Star of Bombay on display at the Smithsonian Institution...
, Clamato
Clamato
Clamato is a drink made of reconstituted tomato juice concentrate flavored with spices and clam broth. Made by Mott's, the name is a portmanteau of "clam" and "tomato"...
, FedEx
FedEx
FedEx Corporation , originally known as FDX Corporation, is a logistics services company, based in the United States with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee...
, Free Realms
Free Realms
Free Realms is a massively multiplayer online role playing video game developed by Sony Online Entertainment set in a fantasy-themed world, named Sacred Grove for the PC, Mac and PlayStation 3. The game was released on April 29, 2009, for the Windows PC...
, Honda Civic Si
Honda Civic Si
The Honda Civic Si is a sport compact / hot hatch version of the Civic built by the Japanese automaker Honda. The Si trim, which stands for "Sport Injected," was introduced for the third generation of Honda Civics in both Japan and North America...
, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities, MyHome.ie, Nicorette
Nicorette
Nicorette is the brand name of a pharmaceutical preparation that contains nicotine for the treatment of tobacco dependence. Nicorette was the first medicinal preparation to facilitate smoking cessation....
, Nike
Nike
Nike may refer to:* Nike , Greek goddess who personifies victory**The Nike of Samothrace, an ancient statue of the goddess Nike* Nike, Inc., major U.S. manufacturer of athletic shoes, apparel, and sports equipment...
, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
The is an online multiplayer gaming service run by Nintendo to provide free online play in compatible Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS and Wii games. The service includes the company's Wii Shop Channel, DSi Shop, and Nintendo eShop game download services...
, Oregon Lottery
Oregon Lottery
The Oregon Lottery is run by the government of Oregon. It is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association .- History :The Oregon Lottery was enabled by an amendment to the Oregon Constitution, approved by voters in the 1984 general election. The Lottery began the next year, eventually offering...
, Pepsi
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
, Pop-Tarts
Pop-Tarts
Pop-Tarts is a brand of rectangular, pre-baked toaster pastries made by the Kellogg Company. Pop-Tarts have a sugary filling sealed inside two layers of rectangular, thin pastry crust. Some varieties are frosted. Although sold pre-cooked, they are designed to be warmed inside a toaster or...
and Sure
Sure (brand)
In the UK and other European countries, Sure is the name of a brand of antiperspirant deodorant for men and women produced by Unilever, marketed with the tagline "It Won't Let You Down"....
.
Minor roles
Animated series- A-N: Adventures of Sonic the HedgehogAdventures of Sonic the HedgehogThe Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog is an American animated series that was first broadcast in September 1993, and only for one season...
(episode "Robo-Ninja"), American Dragon: Jake LongAmerican Dragon: Jake LongAmerican Dragon: Jake Long is an American animated television series produced by Walt Disney Television Animation. The show had premiered on January 21, 2005 and ended on September 1, 2007. The show currently airs on Disney XD in the United States...
(Huntsman and Rose), Batman BeyondBatman BeyondBatman Beyond is an American animated television series created by Warner Bros. Animation in collaboration with DC Comics as a continuation of the Batman legacy...
(Curaré of the League of AssassinsLeague of AssassinsThe League of Assassins is a group of fictional comic book villains, an organization of killers formerly led by Ra's al Ghul, an enemy of Batman in the DC Comics Universe.-Doctor Ebeneezer Darrk:...
), Batman: The Animated SeriesBatman: The Animated SeriesBatman: The Animated Series is an American animated series based on the DC Comics character Batman. The series featured an ensemble cast of many voice-actors including Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Arleen Sorkin, and Loren Lester. The series won four Emmy Awards and was nominated...
(Kyodai Ken in the episodes "Night of the Ninja" and "Day of the Samurai"), Chop Socky ChooksChop Socky ChooksChop Socky Chooks is a British animated television series produced by Aardman Animations and DHX Media that debuted on 7 March 2008. It was created by animator Sergio Delfino, a prominent animator at Aardman. It currently airs only on Teletoon . For now, it airs on Cartoon Network, previously aired...
(Ninja Chimps), Karate KommandosKarate KommandosChuck Norris: Karate Kommandos is an American animated television series from the 1980s. It originally aired in 1986 as a syndicated five episode mini-series...
(a Chuck NorrisChuck NorrisCarlos Ray "Chuck" Norris is an American martial artist and actor. After serving in the United States Air Force, he began his rise to fame as a martial artist and has since founded his own school, Chun Kuk Do...
series with the villain Super Ninja and his ninja henchmen), Code MonkeysCode MonkeysCode Monkeys is an American animated television program created by Adam de la Peña. Set in the early 1980s, it follows the adventures of fictional video game company GameaVision....
(episode "Revenge of Matsui"), Codename: Kids Next DoorCodename: Kids Next DoorCodename: Kids Next Door, also known as Kids Next Door or by its acronym KND, is an American animated television series created by Tom Warburton and produced by Curious Pictures in Santa Monica, California.. The series debuted on Cartoon Network on December 6, 2002 and aired its final episode on...
(Teen Ninjas), Conan the AdventurerConan the Adventurer (animated series)Conan the Adventurer is an American animated television series adaptation of Conan the Barbarian, the literary character created by Robert E. Howard in the 1930s. Produced by Jetlag Productions and Sunbow Productions, the series debuted on September 12, 1992, ran for 65 episodes and concluded on...
(episodes "Shadow Walkers", "Dragon's Breath" and "Sword, Sai and Shuriken"), Danny PhantomDanny PhantomDanny Phantom is an American animated television series created by Butch Hartman for Nickelodeon, produced by Billionfold Studios. The show was about a teenage half-ghost boy, who frequently saves his town and the world from ghost attacks, while attempting to keep his ghost half a secret...
(Bertrand), Digimon Data Squad (Falcomon), Family GuyFamily GuyFamily Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
(in "Wasted Talent" and "I Take Thee QuagmireI Take Thee Quagmire"I Take Thee Quagmire" is the twenty-first episode of season four of Family Guy, originally broadcast on March 12, 2006. Peter wins free maid service for a week; he intentionally creates extra work for the maid, Joan. Quagmire meets her and instantly falls in love with her, leading him to propose...
"), Happy Tree FriendsHappy Tree FriendsHappy Tree Friends is an American Flash cartoon and made by Mondo Mini Shows, created and developed by Aubrey Ankrum Rhode Montijo Kenn Navarro and Warren Graff. The show has become a popular Internet phenomenon and it's since debut and has also won a cult following.As indicated on the official...
(Generic Tee Ninjas), Jackie Chan AdventuresJackie Chan AdventuresJackie Chan Adventures is an animated television series chronicling the adventures of a fictionalized version of action film star Jackie Chan. Many of the episodes contain references to Chan's actual works. This series ran on Kids' WB! from September 9, 2000 to July 7, 2005 for a total of 95...
(the Shadowkhan), Johnny TestJohnny TestJohnny Test is an American/Canadian animated television series. It premiered on Kids' WB, on The WB Television Network, on September 17, 2005. Five months later, it was introduced to Cartoon Network UK on January 12, 2006, first, as a sneak preview on Jungle Saturdays Block, and then on June 5,...
(one of Johnny's transformation is Ninja Johnny), Kim PossibleKim PossibleKim Possible is an American animated television series about a teenage crime fighter who has the task of dealing with worldwide, family, and school issues every day. The show is action-oriented, but also has a light-hearted atmosphere and often lampoons the conventions and clichés of the...
(the Yamanouchi ninja school).
- O-Z: Planet SketchPlanet SketchPlanet Sketch is a 15-minute television show aimed at children, with each episode featuring an assortment of sketches. It is produced by Aardman Animations.- Sketches :...
(Ninja Handyman), Robot ChickenRobot ChickenRobot Chicken is an American stop motion animated television series created and executive produced by Seth Green and Matthew Senreich along with co-head writers Douglas Goldstein and Tom Root. Green provides many voices for the show...
(various parodies, as well as some original ninja skits such as "Brandon the Ninja" and Ninja Stars), Road RoversRoad RoversRoad Rovers is an American 2D animated television series written and produced by Warner Bros. Animation that premiered on Kids' WB on September 7, 1996. It lasted one season and ended on February 22, 1997. Reruns continued to air until September 6, 1997. It was then on Cartoon Network from February...
(episode "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie"), Samurai JackSamurai JackSamurai Jack is an American animated television series created by animator Genndy Tartakovsky that aired on both Cartoon Network and Toonami from 2001 to 2004. It is noted for its highly detailed, outline-free, masking-based animation, as well as for its cinematic style and pacing...
(episode "Samurai versus Ninja"), Skunk Fu (Ninja Monkeys), South ParkSouth ParkSouth Park is an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become famous for its crude language, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
(in the episode "Good Times with WeaponsGood Times with Weapons"Good Times with Weapons" is episode 112 of South Park. The first episode of Season 8, it originally aired on March 17, 2004. The episode's animation routinely switches from the usual cutout-and-solid-color style to a highly stylized anime theme. Asian-style ambience plays in the background.This...
" the kids pretended to be ninja warriors; another episode, "Fantastic Easter SpecialFantastic Easter Special"Fantastic Easter Special" is the fifth episode of the eleventh season of the American animated television series South Park, and the 158th episode of the series overall...
", has ninja mercenaries working for the Roman CuriaRoman CuriaThe Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope...
), Stroker and HoopStroker and HoopStroker and Hoop is an American Flash animated television series on Cartoon Network's late night programming block, Adult Swim. The series is a parody of buddy cop films and television series such as Starsky and Hutch, and features the voices of Jon Glaser as Stroker and Timothy "Speed" Levitch as...
(episode "Ninja Worrier" / "Chopping Spree"), Superman: The Animated SeriesSuperman: The Animated SeriesSuperman: The Animated Series is an American animated television series starring DC Comics' flagship character, Superman. The series was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on The WB from September 6, 1996 to February 12, 2000. Warner Bros...
(Death Fist Ninja), Teen Titans (in "Masks", Beast BoyBeast BoyGarfield Mark "Gar" Logan, known as Beast Boy or Changeling, is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in comic books published by DC Comics...
has a video game "Super Ninja Showdown 8"), The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy GeniusThe Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy GeniusThe Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, often shortened to just Jimmy Neutron, is an American animated television series, and spin-off of the Academy Award-nominated computer-animated movie, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. The series first officially aired on July 20, 2002, on Nickelodeon...
(episode "Crouching Jimmy, Hidden Sheen"), The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 is an American animated television series based on the video game Super Mario Bros. 3. It aired on NBC with Captain N: The Game Master in a programming block titled Captain N & The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 from September 8, 1990 through December 1,...
(episode "Sneaky Lying Cheating Giant Ninja Koopas"), The Legend of Prince ValiantThe Legend of Prince ValiantThe Legend of Prince Valiant is an American animated television series based on the Prince Valiant comic strip created by Hal Foster. Set in the time of King Arthur, it's a family-oriented adventure show about an exiled prince who goes on a quest to become one of the Knights of the Round Table. He...
(episode "The Ghost"), The Legend of ZeldaThe Legend of Zelda (TV series)The Legend of Zelda is an American animated series based on the The Legend of Zelda video game series for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The plot follows the adventures of Link and Princess Zelda as they defend the kingdom of Hyrule from an evil wizard named Ganon...
(Sing), The Real Adventures of Jonny QuestThe Real Adventures of Jonny QuestThe Real Adventures of Jonny Quest is an animated action-adventure television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Cartoons and broadcast on Cartoon Network from August 26, 1996 to April 16, 1997. A revival of the 1960s Jonny Quest franchise, it features teenage adventurers Jonny Quest, Hadji Singh,...
(episode "Night of the Zinja"), The SimpsonsThe SimpsonsThe Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
(in "The Telltale HeadThe Telltale Head"The Telltale Head" is the eighth episode of The Simpsons first season, and it originally aired February 25, 1990. It was written by Al Jean, Mike Reiss, Sam Simon, Matt Groening, and directed by Rich Moore. In the episode, Bart cuts the head off the statue of Jebediah Springfield in the center of...
" Bart SimpsonBart SimpsonBartholomew JoJo "Bart" Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and part of the Simpson family. He is voiced by actress Nancy Cartwright and first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
disguises as a ninja; in "Treehouse of Horror XVIIITreehouse of Horror XVIII"Treehouse of Horror XVIII" is the fifth episode of The Simpsons nineteenth season and was first broadcast on November 4, 2007. In the eighteenth annual Treehouse of Horror episode, Bart harbors Kodos the alien in "E.T. Go Home," Homer and Marge are husband and wife assassins who try to take each...
" one of the aliens is dressed as a ninja, in "Husbands and KnivesHusbands and Knives"Husbands and Knives" is the seventh episode of The Simpsons nineteenth season, and was first broadcast on November 18, 2007. It features guest appearances from Alan Moore, Art Spiegelman and Dan Clowes as themselves as well as Jack Black as Milo. It was written by Matt Selman and directed by Nancy...
" the Comic Book GuyComic Book GuyComic Book Guy is a recurring fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons. He is voiced by Hank Azaria, and first appeared in the second-season episode "Three Men and a Comic Book", which originally aired on May 9, 1991. He is the proprietor of a comic book store, The...
has ninja weapons, in "Yokel ChordsYokel Chords"Yokel Chords" is the fourteenth episode of the eighteenth season of The Simpsons, which was originally broadcast on March 4, 2007. It was written by Michael Price, and directed by Susie Dietter. Guest starring Meg Ryan as Dr. Swanson, Peter Bogdanovich as a psychiatrist and Andy Dick, James...
" Bart plays a spoof video game featuring a female ninja, among many other references), The Transformers (Greatshot, Nightbird and ProwlProwl (Transformers)Prowl is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers series. "Prowl" is one of the most re-used American names in the assorted Transformers series, and its use has become almost synonymous with Autobots who possess a police car alternate mode...
), The Venture Bros.The Venture Bros.The Venture Bros. is an American animated television series that premiered on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim on February 16, 2003. The series mixes action and comedy together while it chronicles the adventures of the Venture family: well-meaning but incompetent teenagers Hank and Dean Venture; their...
(Otaku Senzuri), Wolverine and the X-MenWolverine and the X-MenWolverine and the X-Men is an American cartoon series by Marvel Animation. It is the fourth animated adaptation of the X-Men characters, the other three being Pryde of the X-Men, X-Men: The Animated Series, and X-Men: Evolution.-Plot:...
, Xiaolin ShowdownXiaolin ShowdownXiaolin Showdown is an American animated television series that aired on Kids WB and was created by Christy Hui. Set in a world where martial arts battles and Eastern magic are commonplace, the series follows four young warriors in training that battle the forces of evil...
(Tubbimura).
Live series
Ninja were featured in Charmed
Charmed
Charmed is an American television series that originally aired from October 7, 1998, until May 21, 2006, on the now defunct The WB Television Network. The series was created in 1998 by writer Constance M...
(episode "Awakened"), Chuck
Chuck (TV series)
Chuck is an action-comedy/spy-drama television program from the United States created by Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak. The series is about an "average computer-whiz-next-door" named Chuck, played by Zachary Levi, who receives an encoded e-mail from an old college friend now working for the Central...
(the pilot episode "Chuck vs the Intersect"), Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds is an American police procedural drama that premiered September 22, 2005, on CBS. The series follows a team of profilers from the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit based in Quantico, Virginia. The BAU is part of the FBI National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime...
(episode "True Night"), Danger Theatre
Danger Theatre
Danger Theatre was a half-hour comedy anthology series for television, produced by Universal Studios and originally aired on the American Fox network in 1993....
, Dude, What Would Happen
Dude, What Would Happen
Dude, What Would Happen was a live-action reality show that airs on Cartoon Network. It is targeted to viewers ages 9–17. The show first aired on August 19, 2009, along with Bobb'e Says. The show is hosted by three male teenagers who wonder what would happen if some wild event, scheme, or...
(episode "Ninja Slicing"), Knight Rider
Knight Rider (2008 TV series)
Knight Rider was a 2008 series that follows the 1982 TV series of the same title and the 2008 television movie. The series stars Justin Bruening as Mike Traceur, the estranged son of Michael Knight. The series also stars Deanna Russo as Sarah Graiman, Traceur's former girlfriend and love interest....
(episode "Knight Fever"), Kyojuu Tokusou Juspion
Kyojuu Tokusou Juspion
is a Japanese tokusatsu television series and part of the Metal Hero series. Produced by Toei Company, it was originally broadcast from 15 March, 1985 to 24 March, 1986, running for 46 episodes. The name "Juspion" is a portmanteau of "Justice" and "Champion". Juspion is the only Metal Hero series...
(The 5 Space Ninjas), Kung Fu
Kung Fu (TV series)
Kung Fu is an American television series that starred David Carradine. It was created by Ed Spielman, directed and produced by Jerry Thorpe, and developed by Herman Miller, who was also a writer for, and co-producer of, the series...
(episode "The Assassin"), Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman was a live-action American television series based on the Superman comic books...
(episode "Chi of Steel"), Mito Kōmon
Mito Kōmon
is a Japanese jidaigeki or period drama that has been on prime-time television since 1969. The title character is the historic Tokugawa Mitsukuni, former vice-shogun and retired second daimyo of the Mito domain...
(Tsuge no Tobizaru and Kagerō Ogin), Mortal Kombat: Konquest
Mortal Kombat: Konquest
Mortal Kombat: Konquest is an American martial arts television series that aired for one season from 1998 to 1999, and was based on the popular Mortal Kombat fighting game series. The program was filmed at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida.-Storyline:"In each of us there burns a soul...
(alternative versions of Kitana, Mileena, Reptile, Scorpion and Sub-Zero), She Spies
She Spies
She Spies is an action-adventure television show that ran from September 9, 2002 until May 17, 2004, in two seasons. The show was sold into syndication but the first four episodes premiered on the NBC network, whose syndication arm was one of the producers. Disappointing ratings during the show's...
, Shōgun
Shogun (TV miniseries)
Shōgun is an American television miniseries based on the namesake novel by James Clavell. As with the novel, the title is often shown as Shōgun in order to conform to Hepburn romanization. The miniseries was broadcast over five nights, between September 15 and September 19, 1980 on NBC in the...
(features a realistic ninja castle raid in feudal Japan), Verbotene Liebe
Verbotene Liebe
Verbotene Liebe , often abbreviated to VL, is a Rose d'Or Award-winning German television soap opera. The show was created by Reg Watson and first broadcast on Das Erste on 2 January 1995...
, Zatoichi (many episodes in this long-running classic Japanese samurai series).
Shows: American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
(a contestant Danny Noriega is a self-proclaimed "sexy intense ninja pickle"), Big Brother Australia (the people who have to enter the house to do things such as maintenance are referred to, even by Big Brother himself, as "ninjas"; on the Friday Night Live show, the "ninjas" are much more prominent, are given personalities and have segments dedicated to them), Cheat!
Cheat!
Cheat! is a TV show on G4 that provides cheat codes, strategies, and other hidden features for video games. The show is hosted by Kristin Adams , who replaced original host Cory Rouse in January 2005. After a nearly 18-month hiatus, new episodes of Cheat! began airing in December 2008...
(episode "Cheat-jitsu"), Deadliest Warrior
Deadliest Warrior
Deadliest Warrior is a television program in which information on historical or modern warriors and their weapons are used to determine which of them is the "deadliest" based upon tests performed during each episode...
(in one episode a ninja fought with a Spartan
Spartan Army
The Spartan army was the military force of Sparta, one of the leading city-states of ancient Greece. The army stood at the centre of the Spartan state, whose citizens' primary obligation was to be good soldiers. Subject to military drill from infancy, the Spartans were one of the most feared...
, but lost), In Living Color
In Living Color
In Living Color is an American sketch comedy television series, which originally ran on the Fox Network from April 15, 1990 to May 19, 1994. Brothers Keenen and Damon Wayans created, wrote, and starred in the program. The show was produced by Ivory Way Productions in association with 20th Century...
(an episode featured a skit about a ninja home security system in which a ninja was used to kill intruders), Gamers, Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC between 1993 and 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and comedy performances. Late Night aired weeknights at 12:37 am...
(Conan
Conan O'Brien
Conan Christopher O'Brien is an American television host, comedian, writer, producer and performer. Since November 2010 he has hosted Conan, a late-night talk show that airs on the American cable television station TBS....
and Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey
James Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian-American actor and comedian. He has received two Golden Globe Awards and has also been nominated on four occasions. Carrey began comedy in 1979, performing at Yuk Yuk's in Toronto, Ontario...
fought ninja), MadTV
MADtv
MADtv is an American sketch comedy television series. It licensed the name and logo of Mad, but otherwise had no connection with the humor magazine outside the animated Spy vs. Spy and Don Martin cartoon shorts and images of Alfred E. Neuman that the show featured during the late 1990s. Its first...
(in some of their Steven Seagal
Steven Seagal
Steven Frederic Seagal is an American action film star, producer, writer, martial artist, guitarist and reserve deputy sheriff. A 7th-dan black belt in Aikido, Seagal began his adult life as an Aikido instructor in Japan...
parodies), Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
(an episode featured Joel and the 'bots singing a song called "Master Ninja Theme Song", which became a popular song from the show), Mythbusters
MythBusters
MythBusters is a science entertainment TV program created and produced by Beyond Television Productions for the Discovery Channel. The series is screened by numerous international broadcasters, including Discovery Channel Australia, Discovery Channel Latin America, Discovery Channel Canada, Quest...
(a ninja special of the show tested classic ninja myths such as walking on water, catching a sword and catching an arrow), Screen Test
Screen Test
Screen Test was a UK children's quiz show about films, broadcast from 18 November 1970 to 20 December 1984 on BBC1. It was first hosted by Michael Rodd, who was succeeded by Brian Trueman and Mark Curry.-Background:...
, The Lance Krall Show
The Lance Krall Show
The Lance Krall Show is a 30-minute comedy television show featuring sketches and on-the-street interaction starring Lance Krall, who gained recognition through his character Kip on The Joe Schmo Show. The Lance Krall Show aired on Spike TV Mondays at 11:05 pm, with encores Thursdays at 11:05 pm...
, You Don't Know Jack
You Don't Know Jack (game show)
You Don't Know Jack was a short-lived game show based on the bestselling computer game series of the same name that aired on ABC in the summer of 2001. Paul Reubens, best known for his role as Pee-wee Herman on Pee-wee's Playhouse, played host Troy Stevens. Tom Gottlieb reprised his role as...
(in one episode the host was attacked by ninja).
In traditional games
- BushidoBushido (role-playing game)Bushido is a Samurai role-playing game set in Feudal Japan, originally designed by Robert N. Charrette and Paul R. Hume and published originally by Tyr Games then Phoenix Games and subsequently by Fantasy Games Unlimited...
: A role-playing gameRole-playing gameA role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
(RPG) that includes the supplement Ninja - Shadows Over Nippon. - Choose Your Own AdventureChoose Your Own AdventureChoose Your Own Adventure is a series of children's gamebooks where each story is written from a second-person point of view, with the reader assuming the role of the protagonist and making choices that determine the main character's actions and the plot's outcome. The series was based on a...
: Several gamebookGamebookA gamebook is a work of fiction that allows the reader to participate in the story by making effective choices. The narrative branches along various paths through the use of numbered paragraphs or pages...
s in the series, namely Secret of the Ninja (#66), Return of the Ninja (#92), The Lost Ninja (#113), Ninja Cyborg (#155) and Ninja Avenger (#179). - Hero SystemHero SystemThe Hero System is a generic role-playing game system that developed from the superhero RPG Champions. It is used as the underlying mechanics of other Hero Games role-playing games such as Dark Champions, Fantasy Hero, Star Hero, and Pulp Hero...
: An RPG that includes the Ninja Hero ninja genre book. - Legend of the Five RingsLegend of the Five RingsLegend of the Five Rings is a fictional setting created by the John Wick and published by Alderac Entertainment Group in 1995. The setting primarily involves the fictional country of Rokugan, though some additional areas and cultures have been discussed. Rokugan is based roughly on feudal Japan...
: An RPG set in the world resembling feudal Japan and featuring the sourcebookSourcebookThe term sourcebook is used to describe many different kinds of books such as collections of core articles , bibliographies, biographies, printed archival sources, directories and so on...
Way of the Ninja. - Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & DragonsDungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
: NinjaNinja (Dungeons & Dragons)The ninja is a playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition :...
is a character classCharacter classIn role-playing games, a common method of arbitrating the capabilities of different game characters is to assign each one to a character class. A character class aggregates several abilities and aptitudes, and may also sometimes detail aspects of background and social standing or impose behaviour...
in this first and the most-known role-playing game, first featured in the 1st Edition supplement Oriental AdventuresOriental AdventuresOriental Adventures is the title shared by two hardback rulebooks published for different versions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game...
in 1985. There is also an AD&D adventure gamebook Test of the Ninja. - Ninja BurgerNinja Burgeris a parody website started in late 1999, purporting that a sect of noble ninja have taken to secretly delivering fast food meals, anywhere, anytime, within 30 minutes or less. Failure to deliver within the ascribed time limit results in Seppuku. Some of Ninja Burger's rivals include , Otaku Bell and...
: Three separate editions of an RPG based on the website as well as a card game. - Ninjas and SuperspiesNinjas and SuperspiesNinjas & Superspies is a role-playing game written by Erick Wujcik and published in 1988 by Palladium Books. The game is designed around espionage and martial arts action in the modern world, similar to movies such as the James Bond series or Chinese martial arts films...
: A modern world RPG system based on the GURPSGURPSThe Generic Universal RolePlaying System, or GURPS, is a tabletop role-playing game system designed to allow for play in any game setting...
mechanics. - Queen's Blade and Queen's GateQueen's Bladeis a series of visual combat books published by Hobby Japan based on the licensed works from Flying Buffalo's Lost Worlds. First published in 2005, it features sexually suggestive depictions of an exclusively female cast of characters. The overall plot of the game revolves around a tournament...
- RiftsRifts (role-playing game)Rifts is a multi-genre role-playing game created by Kevin Siembieda in 1990 and published continuously by Palladium Books since then. Rifts takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, deriving elements from cyberpunk, science fiction, fantasy, horror, western, mythology and many other genres.Rifts...
: The Mystic Ninja and Ninja Jucier character classes were introduced in the book Rifts World Book 8: Japan. - SengokuSengoku (role-playing game)Sengoku: Chanbara Roleplaying in Feudal Japan is a Samurai role-playing game, created by Anthony J. Bryant and Mark Arsenault and published by Gold Rush Games. The setting for the game is 16th century Japan. The tone can be realistic, heroic as in Akira Kurosawa films, or superheroic as in many...
: A samurai RPG set in 16th century Japan. It includes the sourcebook Shinobi, Shadows of Nihon that deals with the ninja. - SpycraftSpycraftSpycraft is a d20 and OGL-based role-playing game dealing with superspies and modern action. Originally published by the Alderac Entertainment Group, it is currently published under licence by Crafty Games.-History:...
: A modern world espionage RPG. The Ninja character class was added in the campaign setting World On Fire. - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other StrangenessTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other StrangenessTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness is a role-playing game based on the comic book created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. The core rulebook was first published by Palladium Books in September 1985 – a couple years before the Turtles franchise achieved mass popularity – and featured...
: A GURPS-based RPG system based on the Ninja Turtles media franchise. - The Way of the Tiger: A ninja-themed gamebook series.
The ninja are also featured in some other role-playing games, including Feng Shui
Feng Shui (role-playing game)
Feng Shui is a martial arts-themed role-playing game, designed by Robin Laws, published first by Daedalus Entertainment and now by Atlas Games. The game shares its setting with the collectible card game Shadowfist. The system is simple, with most detail being in the game's combat system. Combat...
, Street Fighter: The Storytelling Game, some collectible card game
Collectible card game
thumb|Players and their decksA collectible card game , also called a trading card game or customizable card game, is a game played using specially designed sets of playing cards...
s, including Legend of the Five Rings CCG
Legend of the Five Rings (collectible card game)
The Legend of the Five Rings collectible card game is a collectible card game created by Alderac Entertainment Group, in 1995. L5R takes place in the fictional empire of Rokugan from the Legend of the Five Rings setting, where several clans and factions vie for domination over the empire.The card...
, Magic: The Gathering
Magic: The Gathering
Magic: The Gathering , also known as Magic, is the first collectible trading card game created by mathematics professor Richard Garfield and introduced in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast. Magic continues to thrive, with approximately twelve million players as of 2011...
(the ability Ninjutsu was introduced in the theme deck Betrayers of Kamigawa
Betrayers of Kamigawa
Betrayers of Kamigawa is the name of the Magic: The Gathering expansion set which came out in February of 2005, and is the second set in the Kamigawa block. It contains 165 cards. The set's story is inspired by Japanese medieval myths and revolves around the battle between spirits and living beings...
) and Mortal Kombat Kard Game
Mortal Kombat Kard Game
Mortal Kombat Kard Game is a collectible card game released in 1995 by BradyGames in cooperation with Midway Games. It is based on the Mortal Kombat video game series, it however did not contain excessive violence like its video game counterparts.-Game:...
, and some miniature wargames
Miniature wargaming
Miniature wargaming is a form of wargaming that incorporates miniature figures, miniature armor and modeled terrain as the main components of play...
, such as Heroscape
Heroscape
Heroscape is an expandable turn-based miniature wargaming system originally manufactured by Milton Bradley Company, then shifted to Wizards of the Coast, both subsidiaries of Hasbro, Inc., and discontinued by Hasbro in November 2010...
.
In video games (separate article)
Besides the large number of video games, there are also several game developing units that used the word "ninja" in their name (such as Ninja Studio
Ninja Studio
Ninja Studio is a Japanese video game developer mostly known for its Izuna the Unemployed Ninja series.Izuna appears to be a mascot for Ninja Studio and made a cameo appearance in Success' Rondo of Swords along with Shino .Ninja Studio's games:*A Ninja's Tale *Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja...
, Ninja Theory
Ninja Theory
Ninja Theory, Ltd. is a video game developer based in Cambridge, England. Originally founded as Just Add Monsters in March 2000, the company was purchased by former Argonaut Games CEO Jez San in November 2004...
, Ninjaforce
Ninjaforce
Ninjaforce is a group of German computer enthusiasts, active during the early 1990s on the Apple IIGS computer. Some members originated from other computer systems, like the Commodore Amiga and the Apple Macintosh)...
, NinjaKiwi and Team Ninja), a group of gamers called Ninjas in Pyjamas
Ninjas in Pyjamas
Ninjas in Pyjamas was a professional Counter-Strike clan based in Sweden. They were considered to be one of the top teams in the world by many, including GotFrag.-2000 - 2002:...
and a video gaming magazine character Sushi-X
Sushi-X
Sushi-X was a popular character played by many Electronic Gaming Monthly and GameNOW editors. Making his first appearance in the eighth issue of EGM, the character went on to create a legacy based on his ninja garb, self-proclaimed love for fighting games—particularly Street Fighter II, disdain for...
.
In massively multiplayer online role-playing game
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
s (MMORPGs), the term "ninja" or "loot ninja" may be used as an adjective to describe a player who has stolen another players item (this is perceived negatively by the other players - if a player is labelled a "ninja" in the game they are often rejected by the community and find it difficult to join guilds or raid parties). In the first-person shooter
First-person shooter
First-person shooter is a video game genre that centers the gameplay on gun and projectile weapon-based combat through first-person perspective; i.e., the player experiences the action through the eyes of a protagonist. Generally speaking, the first-person shooter shares common traits with other...
(FPS) multiplayer community, "ninja defuse" is a term meaning sneaking-up to defuse the bomb immediately after it was planted by the enemy player in a team-based deathmatch game
Deathmatch (gaming)
Deathmatch or Player vs All is a widely-used gameplay mode integrated into many shooter and real-time strategy computer games...
.
In music
Bands and musiciansSeveral musicians and bands have the word ninja in their name (or even pose as ninjas):
- Ninja, a stage name of Watkin Tudor JonesWatkin Tudor JonesWatkin Tudor Jones , currently known by his stage name Ninja, is a South African rapper, record producer, performance artist and satirist...
- Ninja High SchoolNinja High School (band)Ninja High School were a Canadian dance-punk band, based in Toronto, Ontario, who merged hip hop and hardcore punk influences. It consisted of Matt Collins, Gregory Collins, Adrian Cvitkovic, Star DT, Whitney Kemble, Catherine Ribeiro, Steve Kado and Wolfgang Nessel...
- Ninja SarasaloNinja SarasaloNinja Bettina Elisabeth Sarasalo is a Finnish model and singer. She has stated her exotic look is from her grandmother, who is from Russia and Sweden....
- NinjamanNinjamanNinjaman, alias Don Gorgon, is a popular dancehall deejay / Actor, known for his controversial and pro-gun lyrics and his stuttering and melodramatic style...
- Vanilla NinjaVanilla NinjaVanilla Ninja is a three-piece Estonian girl band which has enjoyed chart success in a number of countries across Europe, especially in Estonia, Germany and Austria....
Shadow Warriors
Shadow Warriors (band)
Shadow Warriors was formed by guitarist Sam Totman of DragonForce in late 2000 as a side project.-History:Shadow Warriors recorded demo songs in late 2000 around the same time DragonHeart, later renamed DragonForce, recorded and uploaded their Valley of the Damned demo songs to MP3.com.In late...
, a joke side project formed by members of the band DragonForce
DragonForce
DragonForce are an English power metal band from London. Formed in 1999, the group is known for its long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-based lyrics, and electronic sounds in their music to add to their retro video game-influenced sound. Guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman are the only two...
, refer to their music as "evil ninja punk metal".
Albums
- "Club NinjaClub NinjaClub Ninja is the tenth studio album by the U.S. hard rock group Blue Öyster Cult, released in 1986 . The album was intended as a comeback for the band, whose previous album The Revölution by Night failed to attain Gold status following the Platinum success of 1981's Fire of Unknown Origin and...
", an album by Blue Öyster CultBlue Öyster CultBlue Öyster Cult, often abbreviated BÖC, is an American rock band, most of whose members first came together in Long Island, NY in 1967 as the band Soft White Underbelly...
. - "Camouflage Ninjas", a single by KillarmyKillarmyKillarmy is a hip hop group, also known through its affiliation with the Wu-Tang Clan It is one of the earliest and most successful of the many Wu-Tang affiliates along with Sunz of Man....
. - "Deadly Lethal Ninja Assassin", a single by In Nothing We TrustIn Nothing We TrustIn Nothing We Trust is Reuben's third studio album, released on 25 June 2007. It was mastered in February 2007 by Howie Weinberg in New York. The album was recorded, produced and mixed at Livingstone Studios in London and Soul Valley Studios in Wimbledon by Sean Genockey...
. - ""Enter the Ninja", a single by Die AntwoordDie AntwoordDie Antwoord is a hip hop group from Cape Town, South Africa, consisting of three members: Ninja, Yo-Landi Vi$$er and DJ Hi-Tek.-Background:...
. - "NinjaNinja (album)Ninja is the first studio album of Christina Aguilar - a popular Thai artist. It was only the second album by a Thai artist to sell over 1,000,000 copies and the first album by a Thai female artist to sell 1,000,000 copies...
", the debut album of Christina AguilarChristina AguilarChristina Aguilar is a Filipino-Thai descent and one of Thailand's biggest artists. With her debut album "Ninja", Aguilar was the first female artist in Thailand to sell over 1,000,000 copies. Following with several albums, Thais name her as the Thai "Dancing Queen". She is always considered as a...
. - "Ninja Jane", an album by Zola TurnZola TurnZola Turn was a power pop/alternative rock band from Burlington, Vermont. They were one of the most well known bands to come out of the Burlington area besides the jam-rock band Phish...
. - "NINJANINJA 2009 Tour Sampler-External links:*...
", a collaborative album by Nine Inch NailsNine Inch NailsNine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
, Jane's AddictionJane's AddictionJane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
and Street Sweeper Social ClubStreet Sweeper Social ClubStreet Sweeper Social Club is an American Rap Rock supergroup, formed in Los Angeles, California in 2006. The band primarily consists of guitarist Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and vocalist/emcee Boots Riley of The Coup. The band has been testing songs out during Tom Morello's...
. - "Shinobi vs. Dragon NinjaShinobi vs. Dragon Ninja-Personnel:* Ian Watkins – lead vocals* Lee Gaze – lead guitar* Mike Lewis – rhythm guitar* Stuart Richardson – bass* Jamie Oliver – synth, turntables, samples* Mike Chiplin – drums, percussion-Chart positions:...
", the debut single of LostprophetsLostprophetsLostprophets is a Welsh rock band from Pontypridd, formed in 1997. Founded by vocalist Ian Watkins, bassist Mike Lewis, drummer Mike Chiplin and guitarist Lee Gaze, they were originally a side-project to hardcore punk band Public Disturbance. To date, Lostprophets have released four studio...
.
Songs
Bands 7 Seconds of Love
7 Seconds of Love
7 Seconds of Love are an English ska/2 Tone band, fronted by musician and animator Joel Veitch that writes and plays songs with often nonsensical lyrics. Veitch animates many videos of the band's songs, such as "Ninja" and "First Drink of the Day". Some songs have had videos directed by guitarist...
, Concord Dawn
Concord Dawn
Concord Dawn, is a New Zealand drum and bass group, active since mid 1999. It consists of Matt Harvey and Evan Short...
(in the album Uprising
Uprising (Concord Dawn album)
Uprising is an album by New Zealand drum and bass group Concord Dawn, released in 2003. Classed as their most popular album, it features other New Zealand musicians such as Scribe and Salmonella Dub's front man Tiki and DJ Optiv.- Track listing :...
), Europe
Europe (band)
Europe is a Swedish rock band formed in Upplands Väsby in 1979 under the name Force by vocalist Joey Tempest, guitarist John Norum and drummer Tony Reno. Although widely associated with glam metal, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal and hard rock elements...
(in The Final Countdown
The Final Countdown (album)
The Final Countdown is the third studio album by the Swedish rock band Europe. Released on 26 May 1986 through Epic Records, the album was a huge commercial success selling over 3 million units in the United States alone, peaking at number 8 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and reaching high...
), ICP
Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse is an American hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan. The group is composed of Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler, who perform under the respective personas of the "wicked clowns" Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore...
(in Tunnel of Love) and Jay Chou
Jay Chou
Jay Chou is a Taiwanese musician, singer-songwriter, music and film producer, actor and director who has won the World Music Award four times. In 1998 he was discovered in a talent contest where he displayed his piano and song-writing skills. Over the next two years, he was hired to compose for...
all have songs named "Ninja". In addition, GO!GO!7188
GO!GO!7188
GO!GO!7188 , also known simply as Gogo, is a Japanese rock band with influences spanning from surf rock to punk rock to enka.The meaning of the band's name is known only to its members.- History :...
has a song "Kunoichi" (in Ryūzetsuran).
There are also many songs and tracks with the word "ninja" in their titles, including "Deadly Lethal Ninja Assassin" by Reuben
Reuben (band)
Reuben were an English three-piece musical group from Camberley, Surrey. Their music was a fusion of alternative rock and heavy metal, as their songs cover a variety of styles, ranging from heavy and upbeat, such as their 2005 single "Blamethrower" to slower, more melodic songs such as their 2004...
(in We Should Have Gone To University
We Should Have Gone To University
We Should Have Gone To University is the 2009 three-disc record album by the Alternative rock group Reuben.-Disc One:#"Alpha Signal Seven"#"Words From Reuben"#"Crimson"#"Death Of A Star"#"Shambles"#"Scared Of The Police"...
), “Hoodie Ninja” by mc chris
Mc chris
mc chris is an American rapper, voice actor, writer and improvisational comedian....
(in "mc chris is dead
Mc chris is dead
mc chris is dead is the fifth album by hip-hop artist mc chris and was released May 27, 2008 for digital download from Amazon.com, iTunes, and Zune Marketplace while the hard copy became available for preorder at indiemerchstore.com on April 28, 2008 which had six more tracks than the digital...
"), "Imaginary Ninjas" by Vince Dicola
Vince DiCola
Vince DiCola is an Italian-American composer, keyboardist, and arranger best known for his work on the The Transformers: The Movie, Staying Alive and Rocky IV soundtracks...
(in Falling off a Clef
Falling off a Clef (album)
Falling off a Clef is the first full length album by Vince Dicola, composer to the music score of The Transformers: The Movie. It is now commercially available to buy the album on the website. The album is a selection of pieces from a project Vince and Kenny Meriedeth were approached to work on...
), "Ninja Goon" by Gruvis Malt
Gruvis Malt
Grüvis Malt was a six piece band founded in Providence, Rhode Island in 1995. Grüvis Malt has released a total of seven full-length albums, one of which was released under Lakeshore Entertainment subsidiary Lakeshore Records, and three EPs...
(in Sound Soldiers
Sound Soldiers
Sound Soldiers is an album by Gruvis Malt. It was released by Integers Only in 1999.-Track listing:1. "Volume" - 3:462. "Dub / Powersnake " - 5:263. "Casual" - 4:194. "Ninja Goon / Mischief " - 6:005. "The Sticky" - 7:22...
), "Ninja Hi-skool" by Bis
Bis (band)
Bis are a Scottish indie pop band composed of Steven Clark , John Clark , and Amanda MacKinnon . Formed in 1994, the band broke up in 2003, but reformed briefly in 2007 for a series of concerts.-History:...
(in Play Some Real Songs: the Live Album
Play Some Real Songs: the Live Album
Bis made a live album available while on tour or over the internet. It collects hightlights from their first world tour.-Tracks:# Tell it to the Kids # Conspiracy a Go-Go # Teen-C Power...
), "We Are Ninja" by Frank Chickens
Frank Chickens
Frank Chickens are a female Japanese musical group based in London, who have performed songs mainly in English from 1982.Founder members of Frank Chickens were Kazuko Hohki and Kazumi Taguchi. Taguchi was later replaced by Atsuko Kamura and then Chika Nakagawa and others in the 1990s...
(in We Are Frank Chickens
We Are Frank Chickens
We Are Frank Chickens was the first studio album by the new wave band Frank Chickens. The album was the collaboration of Kazuko Hohki, Kazumi Taguchi, Steve Beresford and David Toop. Steve Beresford and David Toop produced and helped write most of the musical material. The record spawned a major...
), "Ninja Highschooool" by Peelander-Z
Peelander-Z
Peelander-Z is a Japanese punk band based in New York City. They bill themselves as a "Japanese Action Comic Punk band hailing from the Z area of Planet Peelander"...
(in P-Pop-High School
P-Pop-High School
-Track listing:#"P-Pop-High School" – 0:40#"Let's Go! Karaoke Party!" – 2:42#"Beautiful Sundae" – 1:07#"Handsome" – 1:43#"Panda-III" – 3:01#"Pillow Pillow" – 2:41#"Learn Japanese" – 1:43#"Duct Tape" – 1:14#"Give Me Your Smile" – 6:07#"Super Health" – 2:31...
), "Ninja Rap" by Vanilla Ice
Vanilla Ice
Robert Matthew Van Winkle , best known by his stage name Vanilla Ice, is an American rapper, extreme athlete and home improvement television personality...
(in TMNT II Soundtrack
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II The Secret of the Ooze: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II The Secret of the Ooze: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the licensed soundtrack to the 1991 New Line Cinema film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze. It was released by SBK Records on March 26, 1991.The atmosphere of this collection is...
), "Ninja Step" by RZA
RZA
Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, better known by his stage name RZA , is an American Grammy-winning music producer, multi-instrumentalist, author, emcee, and occasional actor, director, and screenwriter. A prominent figure in Hip Hop, RZA is the de facto leader of the Wu-Tang Clan. He has produced almost...
(in the soundtrack for Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (soundtrack)
The soundtrack of the 1999 Jim Jarmusch film Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai features an original score by RZA and also features hip-hop songs by such artists as Wu-Tang Clan, Killah Priest, and Public Enemy. Two soundtrack albums were released, one internationally and another in Japan, each with...
), "Supa Ninjaz" by Method Man
Method Man
Clifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man is an American hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo Method Man...
(in The Pillage
The Pillage
The Pillage is the debut album of close affiliate and quasi-member of the Wu-Tang Clan, Cappadonna. It was released on March 24, 1998 by Razor Sharp/Epic Street on Compact disc, vinyl and tape cassette.-Track listing:-See also:...
) and "This Secret Ninja" by AFI
AFI (band)
AFI is an American alternative rock band from Ukiah, California that formed in 1991. They have consisted of the same lineup since 1998: lead vocalist Davey Havok, drummer and backup vocalist Adam Carson, with bassist Hunter Burgan and guitarist Jade Puget, who both play keyboard and contribute...
(in Very Proud of Ya
Very Proud of Ya
On iTunes, two songs were misspelled. "Fishbowl" was misspelled "Fishbool" and "Modern Epic" was mistakenly "Modern Epidemic" but those were later corrected.-Personnel:*Producer: Michael Rosen, AFI*Engineer: Michael Rosen*Recorded At: TML Studios, Hayward, CA...
).
Other
- Ninja TuneNinja TuneNinja Tune is a London-based independent record label started by DJs Matt Black and Jonathan More, better known as Coldcut and managed by Peter Quicke. The label has a strong leaning towards mostly Electronic Music...
is a London-based independent record label. - Fans of the white rap group Insane Clown PosseInsane Clown PosseInsane Clown Posse is an American hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan. The group is composed of Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler, who perform under the respective personas of the "wicked clowns" Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore...
, commonly identified as juggaloJuggaloJuggalo or Juggalette is a name given to fans of Insane Clown Posse or any other Psychopathic Records hip hop group. Juggalos have developed their own idioms, slang, and characteristics.-History:...
s, sometimes refer to themselves as "ninja" and to any female as "ninjettes". - Ninja were also featured in the music video for the Presidents of the United States of AmericaPresidents of the United States of America (band)The Presidents of the United States of America, commonly referred to as Pot USA or "PUSA" or The Presidents, are a twice Grammy-nominated American alternative rock band. The band formed in Seattle, USA, in 1993. The three-piece group currently comprises vocalist and "basitarist" Chris Ballew,...
's song "Peaches" and the singer Cheryl ColeCheryl ColeCheryl Ann Cole is an English pop and R&B recording artist, songwriter, dancer, actress and model. She rose to fame in late 2002 when she auditioned for the reality television show Popstars: The Rivals on ITV. The programme announced that Cole had won a place as a member of the girl group, Girls...
dressed as female ninja and performed with a group of similarly-themed dancers in the TV special Cheryl Cole's Night InCheryl Cole's Night InCheryl Cole's Night In was a one-off television special, starring British singer Cheryl Cole, produced for ITV, that aired on 12 December 2009 at 6:30 pm. The programme was hosted by Holly Willoughby, featured a host of other performers and acted as a lead-in to the final of the sixth series of The...
.
In sports
- New Haven NinjasNew Haven NinjasThe New Haven Ninjas were an American Football team, an expansion team in the af2 for the 2002 season. Along with the Ninjas, New Haven was joined by the Albany Conquest, Bakersfield Blitz, Cape Fear Wildcats, Fresno Frenzy, Hawaiian Islanders, Mobile Wizards, Mohegan Wolves, San Diego Riptide &...
is an American footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team from New Haven, ConnecticutNew Haven, ConnecticutNew Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
. - "Ninja" is a nickname of the Brazilian MMA fighter Murilo RuaMurilo RuaMurilo Rua is a former Brazilian mixed martial artist who fought in Pride Fighting Championships. Nicknamed Ninja, he is the older brother of former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. He is known for his well-rounded fighting skills, in particular Muay Thai and Brazilian...
. - "The Ninja" is the nickname of the Filipino boxer Bert BatawangBert BatawangBertoldo Batawang, Jr. , more commonly known as Bert Batawang, is a Filipino professional boxer.-Early career:...
. - Iga F.C. Kunoichi is a Japanese L. LeagueL. LeagueThe L. League is the top flight of women's association football in Japan. It is the women's equivalent of the J. League, but not professional. However, some individual players are professional.The league conssists of two divisions: division 1 has the nickname and division 2...
women's association football team.
Wrestling
- Super Ninja, a ring nameRing nameA ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...
taken by several professional wrestlers, including Keiji MutohKeiji Mutohis a Japanese professional wrestler who first gained international fame in the National Wrestling Alliance. He is mostly known for his work as The Great Muta in New Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1990s, but he has also competed in United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Taiwan...
and Rip OliverRip OliverLawrence Oliver is a former professional wrestler, known as "Crippler" Rip Oliver, who had great success in Pacific Northwest Wrestling. He is the son of Ray Oliver, Sr., known as Rip "the Crippler" Oliver, and the brother of Ray Oliver, Jr., who also portrayed the masked Super Ninja character from...
. - The Black Ninja, a stage name of Cocoa SamoaCocoa SamoaUlualoaiga Onosai Tuaolo Emelio was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Cocoa Samoa.-Professional wrestling career:He began his training by studying martial arts in Japan...
. - The American Ninja, one of stage names of Brian AdamsBrian Adams (wrestler)Brian Keith Adams was an American professional wrestler. Adams gained fame in the 1990s while performing for the World Wrestling Federation , under the name Crush, and for World Championship Wrestling under his given name.Trained in Japan by Antonio Inoki, Adams was a two time WCW World Tag Team...
. - Canadian NINJAS, a tag team of Portia PerezPortia PerezJenna Grattan is a Canadian professional wrestler best known under the stage name Portia Perez. Perez currently teams with Nicole Matthews as The Canadian NINJAs.-Professional wrestling career:...
. - Ninja Chops, a wrestler in the Naked Women's Wrestling LeagueNaked Women's Wrestling LeagueThe Naked Women's Wrestling League, also known as NWWL, was an erotic professional wrestling promotion which features naked females battling in the ring. Carmen Electra acted as hostess for the organization until 2007, when she sued the company for breach of contract...
. - A WWE DivaWWE DivaDiva is a term used by World Wrestling Entertainment , an American professional wrestling promotion, to refer to its female talent. The term is applied to women who appear as wrestlers, managers or valets, backstage interviewers, or ring announcers....
Lena YadaLena YadaLena Yada is a Japanese-American model, actress, professional tandem surfer, and professional wrestler, who is known for working for World Wrestling Entertainment as a backstage interviewer, valet and WWE Diva on its ECW Brand....
dressed as a ninja for the 2008 Cyber Sunday Halloween Costume Contest and later appeared as one under the name Ninja Yada for WrestliciousWrestliciousWrestlicious is an American all-female professional wrestling promotion based in Tampa, Florida. The company was founded by Jonathan Vargas, who won a Powerball jackpot of $35.3 million in 2008...
.
On the Internet
There have been numerous popular websites dealing with the parody of the ninja, the most well-known including:- Ask A NinjaAsk a NinjaAsk A Ninja is a series of comedy videos about the image of ninja in popular culture available in podcast and vodcast form, as well as in mov and wmv file formats...
: A series of popular podcasts in which a ninja answers questions asked about ninja. - Ninja BurgerNinja Burgeris a parody website started in late 1999, purporting that a sect of noble ninja have taken to secretly delivering fast food meals, anywhere, anytime, within 30 minutes or less. Failure to deliver within the ascribed time limit results in Seppuku. Some of Ninja Burger's rivals include , Otaku Bell and...
: A humor website (as well as RPG, card game and a book) which purports that ninja run a fast-food delivery service. - Ninja SpiritNinja Spirit (video series)Ninja Spirit is a series of martial arts parody videos that focus on the adventures of the eponymous character, Ninja Spirit.- Overview :...
: A series of short martial arts parody videos. - Ninjai: The Little NinjaNinjaiNinjai: The Little Ninja is a Flash cartoon. It is available on the Ninjai Gang website and on G4's Late Night Peep Show during Midnight Spank.-Overview:...
: A Flash animation. - No Need for BushidoNo Need for BushidoNo Need for Bushido is a webcomic started on April 11, 2002 on Keenspace . The comic is drawn by Alex Kolesar and written by Joseph Kovell...
: A webcomic. - PuccaPuccaPucca is a media franchise from the South Korean company Vooz Co., Ltd. and currently owned by The Walt Disney Company. The main character, Pucca, is the 10-year old niece of three Chinese noodle house owners. The noodle house, known as the "Goh-Rong", is located in Sooga Village, a small village...
: Korean media franchise sparked by a Flash animation, including book and TV series. - Real Ultimate PowerReal Ultimate PowerThe Official Ninja Webpage: Real Ultimate Power is a satire website created in 2002 by the pseudonymous Robert Hamburger. Written using the persona of a 13-year-old boy, the site is a parody of adolescent fascination with Ninjas. Warren St. John, columnist for the New York Times described it as a...
: A humour website created by Robert A. Hamburger (as a 13-year-old character) about ninja, whom he constantly describes with superlatives such as "totally sweet". - The Adventures of Dr. McNinjaThe Adventures of Dr. McNinjaThe Adventures of Dr. McNinja is a webcomic written and drawn by Christopher Hastings, and inked formerly by Kent Archer and since 2010 by Hastings himself . Published three times a week on its own website, it features the fictional adventures of a character named Dr. McNinja, a...
: A webcomic about an Irish ninja who is also a doctor and has a Batman obsession. - TIN The Incompetent Ninja: Another webcomic series.
- White NinjaWhite Ninja (webcomic)White Ninja is a webcomic written and drawn by Scott Bevan and Kent Earle from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. It is part of the National Lampoon Humor Network. The comic is also part of Dayfree Press....
: A webcomic that is part of the National LampoonNational Lampoon IncNational Lampoon, Incorporated is a company formed in 2002 in order to use the brand name "National Lampoon" in comedy and entertainment. In the words of its prospectus, the role of the company is to "develop, produce, provide creative services and distribute National Lampoon branded comedic...
Humor Network.
There has also been a recent movement on the World Wide Web to celebrate International Creep Like a Ninja Day (December 5). Internet spoofs have often pitted ninja against pirates
Pirates in popular culture
In American and British popular culture, the modern pirate stereotype owes its tradition mostly to depictions of Captain Hook and his crew in theatrical and film versions of Peter Pan, Robert Newton's portrayal of Long John Silver in the film Treasure Island, and various adaptations of Sinbad the...
and asked which would win in a Pirates versus Ninja fight.
Miscellaneous
Iga Ueno Ninja Festa
Iga Ueno NINJA Festa is the annual five-week ninja-themed festival in the Japanese city of Iga , from April 1 to May 6....
, the annual ninja festival in the Japanese city of Iga
Iga, Mie
was a town located in Ayama District, Mie Prefecture, Japan.On November 1, 2004 Iga absorbed the old city of Ueno, the towns of Ayama, the villages of Ōyamada and Shimagahara, all from Ayama District, and the town of Aoyama, from Naga District, to become the new city of Iga.-Geography:Located on...
in the former province of Iga
Iga Province
was an old province of Japan in the area that is today western Mie Prefecture. It was sometimes called . Iga bordered on Ise, Ōmi, Yamato, and Yamashiro Provinces.-Geography:...
, features ninja-inspired performances, competitions, and opportunities to practice ninja skills since 1964. Iga is also location of the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum
Iga-ryu Ninja Museum
The located in Iga, Mie Prefecture, Japan, is a museum dedicated to the history of the ninja and ninjutsu. It is located near Iga Ueno Castle.The museum's collection includes ancient ninjutsu writings analyzed scientifically along with ancient ninjutsu weapons. The museum has audiovisuals, models...
and many local businesses such as ninja-style restaurants and cafes.
There are also other ninja attractions across the country, such as the Koga Ninja Village and Kogaryu Ninjutsu Yashiki (Ninja Houses) in Koga-gun, Shiga Prefecture
Shiga Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan, which forms part of the Kansai region on Honshu Island. The capital is the city of Ōtsu.- History :Shiga was known as Ōmi Province or Gōshū before the prefectural system was established...
, Togakushi Ninja Village for Children and Togakushi Ninpo Museum and Karakuri Yashiki (Ninja House) in Togakushi, Nagano
Togakushi, Nagano
was a village located in Kamiminochi District, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.On January 1, 2005 Togakushi, along with the village of Ōoka, from Sarashina District, the town of Toyono, and the village of Kinasa, all from Kamiminochi District, was merged into the city of Nagano.As of 2003, the village had...
, Edo Wonderland theme park in Nikkō, Tochigi
Nikko, Tochigi
is a city in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Approximately 140 km north of Tokyo and 35 km west of Utsunomiya, the capital of Tochigi Prefecture, it is a popular destination for Japanese and international tourists...
, and Ninja Akasaka restaurant in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. Outside of Japan, there is also Ninja New York restaurant in the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Several products have been named after ninja:
- N.I.N.J.A. MITESExoginiExogini: i misteriosi alieni , is a famous bootleg keshi composite line only released in Italy around the late '80s, early '90s. The Sesto Fiorentino based GIG Spa company, did mixed three different imported keshi lines to create its own franchise...
, the Italian bootleg keshiKeshiKeshi aka keshigomu is the Japanese for eraser. Modern reference to "keshi" is related to a collectible manga/anime character mini figure made of coloured hard gum. However, keshi is not restrictive to its etymology but a generic term as several gum types are used, from matte to transparent...
. - Fuwa Maru ninja snacks by TohatoTohatois a Japanese food company specialising in snack food.-Products:*All Raisin*Beano*Bōkun Habanero*Caramel corn*ふわ丸 Ninja snack*Harvest*Poteco*Chokobi -Advertisement campaign:...
. - Lego NinjaLego NinjaLego Ninja was a theme and product range of the construction toy Lego. Launched in 1998, the collection was officially part of the Lego Castle theme, despite the non-European setting. The majority of the sets were released in 1998 and 1999, with only three small sets of minifigure released in 2000...
theme of the Lego bricks, which was succeed by LEGO NinjagoLego NinjagoLego Ninjago Masters of Spinjitzu is a 2011 Lego theme. It uses elements from the previous Ninja series. There are several changes from the previous series. These include the removal of the Shogun and Bandits, and the introduction of the Skeleton Army...
. - NinjaKawasaki NinjaNinja is the trademarked name of a series of Kawasaki sport bikes, that started with the 1984 GPZ900R.-Standard series:* Kawasaki Ninja ZX-150RR* The Japan-only Kawasaki ZXR250 was sometimes rebranded as a Ninja ZX-2R by importers* Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R...
, a series of sport bikeSport bikeA sport bike, also written as sportbike, is a motorcycle optimized for speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering on paved roads, typically at the expense of comfort and fuel economy in comparison to less specialized motorcycles...
s by Kawasaki. - Ninja 4WD competition buggy by Tokyo MaruiTokyo Marui' is an airsoft gun manufacturer located in Adachi, Tokyo, Japan. Its main market is Japan, but third-party retailers sell in Hong Kong , Taiwan , South Korea, East Asia, and worldwide....
. - Ninja, a brand of food processorFood processorA food processor is a kitchen appliance used to facilitate various repetitive tasks in the process of preparation of food. Today, the term almost always refers to an electric-motor-driven appliance, although there are some manual devices also referred to as "food processors".Food processors are...
s manufactured by Euro-Pro.
In information technology
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
, "cyber ninjas" are the sophisticated counter-hackers. Ninja is also a name of modification of the K-Meleon
K-Meleon
K-Meleon is a web browser for the Microsoft Windows platform. Based on the same Gecko layout engine as Mozilla Firefox, K-Meleon uses native Windows application programming interface to create the user interface, instead of using Mozilla's cross-platform XML User Interface Language layer, and as...
web browser, and "ninja" has been used as corporate slang for a master software developer or master software troubleshooter.
There are also roller coasters named Ninja
Ninja (Six Flags Magic Mountain)
Ninja is an Arrow Dynamics steel suspended roller coaster located at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. It is the fastest roller coaster of its kind in the world, joint with Vortex at Canada's Wonderland, both with top speeds of ....
and The Ninja
The Ninja (roller coaster)
-Summary:Ninja is an Arrow Dynamics/Vekoma steel roller coaster at Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka, Missouri. The ride features a loop, a sidewinder, and a double corkscrew. It was originally built for and located at Expo '86 in Vancouver, B.C., operating as Scream Machine from May to October 1986....
, and an American media company named Kunoichi
Kunoichi (company)
Kunoichi is an American media company located in Chicago, Illinois, whose clients have included Hasbro, Rockstar Games and JWT.-History:In February 2007, Devil's Due Publishing partnered with Kunoichi to share expertise. Kunoichi are involved in much of the artwork for the upcoming Dragonlance...
.
NINJA loan is a slang name for a type of subprime loan to someone with "No Income, No Job, or Assets", and "ninja miners" are Mongolian miners that dig small unauthorised mines for gold.
Sometimes, petty criminals are nicknamed as "ninja". For example, an American burglar reported to have used a nunchaku
Nunchaku
is a traditional Okinawan weapon consisting of two sticks connected at their ends with a short chain or rope.-Etymology:The Japanese word nunchaku is the Kun'yomi reading of the Kanji term for a traditional Chinese two section staff....
on one of his victims was known by the media as the "Staten Island Ninja
Staten Island Ninja
The Staten Island Ninja, also known as the ninja burglar or ninja bandit, is a burglar who broke into homes in the Staten Island borough of New York City and stole from them while dressed as a ninja. He may have hit about nineteen homes since June, 2007. He has been described by investigators as...
", while a former Russian soldier who engaged in robberies in Italy using a black attire and a bow was called "Russian ninja" by the media. "Ninja rocks
Ninja rocks
Ninja rocks are broken shards of spark plugs. Since they can quickly and almost silently fracture the glass windows on most cars, ninja rocks are increasingly the tool of choice in "smash-and-grab" auto burglaries...
" is also a type of burglary
Burglary
Burglary is a crime, the essence of which is illicit entry into a building for the purposes of committing an offense. Usually that offense will be theft, but most jurisdictions specify others which fall within the ambit of burglary...
tools.
In 2006, Miss Japan Kurara Chibana
Kurara Chibana
, a Japanese model, born on March 27, 1982, is a native of Naha City . She competed in Miss Universe 2006 and ended up as the 1st Runner-up.-Miss Universe 2006:...
appeared in a ninja/samurai-style national costume during the Miss Universe
Miss Universe
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
competition. Goth Ninja is a type of Japanese street fashion which became popular in 2009.
See also
- List of ninja films
- List of ninja video games
- People of the Sengoku period in popular culturePeople of the Sengoku period in popular cultureMany significant Japanese historical people of the Sengoku period appear in works of popular culture such as anime, manga, and video games...
External links
- Vintage Ninja (previously N80 Ninja Kitsch)
- The State of the Ninja, SlateSlate (magazine)Slate is a US-based English language online current affairs and culture magazine created in 1996 by former New Republic editor Michael Kinsley, initially under the ownership of Microsoft as part of MSN. On 21 December 2004 it was purchased by the Washington Post Company...
, June 26, 2007 - Ninja Anime | Anime-Planet The Ninja Content (archived)