Ninja Kamui Review: Season 1 (All Episodes) 2024
As you all know, in January 2024, Adult Swim, the programming block broadcast company, announced the new release of its series called Ninja Kamui, which is an action-packed shounen category anime series that is booming worldwide, but the question arises:
Ninja Kamui: Is it worth watching in 2024?
Yes, Ninja Kamui is definitely worth watching in 2024. Because of its unique storytelling and amazing action style.
But from what perspective am I saying that? Let’s delve deeper and understand this whole thing.
Table of Contents
What is Ninja Kamui? and Its Plot
Ninja Kamui is an original anime television series that premiered on Adult Swim’s Toonami block from Sola Animation Studios and E&H Production in February 2024. It was directed by Sunghoo Park, who has worked on popular shows like The God of High School and Jujutsu Kaisen, and the series was written by Shigeru Murakoshi.
Just like that, Ninja Kamui follows the story of Higan, a ninja who escaped his group and hid in rural America. He used the name Joe Logan to fit in. Then, some killers attacked him and his family as payback for betraying his clan. They killed his wife and son. Now, Higan wants revenge on the clan that hurt him by becoming a ninja again.
The series is known for its action-packed sequences and deep storytelling, as Higan dons the Kamui suit, a high-tech armor that improves his ninja skills, to face down his past and destroy the clan. With a blend of modern storytelling and traditional ninja history, Ninja Kamui attracts audiences with its tale of revenge, forgiveness, and the struggle to escape one’s destiny.
Genre: Action, Drama, Adventure Original Language: Japanese Director: Sunghoo Park Producer: Joseph Chou Writer: Shigeru Murakoshi Released Date: February 11, 2024 Runtime: Approximately 22 minutes per episode Distributor: E&H Production Production Company: Sola Entertainment and Adult Swim (Toonami) Watch at Amazon Prime, Just Watch |
After reading the plot, I personally feel that the story has suspense, drama, an action-packed anime series, and genuine emotion. It transcends genres and is a must-watch for anyone seeking action.
Ratings wise
Ninja Kamui has achieved impressive ratings since its debut, earning an average ranking of #220 in popularity among viewers. The anime has attracted a substantial following, with over 86,000 members adding it to their lists. Its mature themes and intense action have earned it an R-17+ rating. The ratings reflect the anime’s success in blending traditional and futuristic elements to captivate its audience.
IMDb
Rotten Tomatoes
MyAnimeList Score
Animation Style
Ninja Kamui showcases a distinctive animation style that combines traditional 2D animation with modern CGI techniques. The series has been recognized for its exciting fight sequences and careful consideration of character design, which contribute to the ease and intensity of the action scenes.
Episode 6 introduced a pivotal change, hinting at a shift towards more CGI animation, which has caused controversy among fans about the potential impact on the show’s visual style.
Personally, I didn’t enjoy the animation style of this series as much as the animation studios behind Jujutsu Kaisen and The God of High School. But still, the animation style of Ninja Kamui is particularly noted for its use of lighting and grotesque close-ups.
As the series progresses, it might be interesting to see how the balance between innovation and traditional artistry evolves and whether the CGI integration will enhance or distract from the established visual storyline.
Related: Solo Leveling or Jujutsu Kaisen- Which is Better
Characters and Voice Artists
Ninja Kamui has an outstanding cast, with Kenjirou Tsuda voicing the brooding protagonist Joe Logan, and Jeremy Gee lending his voice for the English adaptation. The series features a mix of seasoned and emerging talent, creating a colorful array of characters that enhances the compelling story of this action-packed anime. I liked the characters very much.
Character | English Voice Actor | Japanese Voice Actor |
Joe Higan | Jeremy Gee | Kenjirô Tsuda |
Sara Logan | Chaney Moore | Yuriko Hino |
Kyle Logan | Noble Hutchison | Arata Kimura |
Mike Moriss | Shawn Hamilton | Atsushi Ono |
Emma Samanda | Luci Christian | Yuki Wakai |
Boss Ninja | Heath Morrow | Tomoyuki Shimera |
Yamaji | Luis Galindo | Kazuhiro Yamaji |
Zai | James Marler | Yuichi Nakamura |
Kagari | Sean Patrick Judge | Takaya Hashi |
Lil | Brandon Hearnsberger | Setsuji Sato |
Joseph | Scott Gibbs | Tatsumaru Tachibana |
Episodes Release Date
These are all the Ninja Kamui episode release dates; you can take the screenshot for further reference.
Episode 1 – Saturday, February 10 at 11 PM Episode 2 – Saturday, February 17 at 11 PM Episode 3 – Saturday, February 24 at 11 PM Episode 4 – Saturday, March 2 at 11 PM Episode 5 – Saturday, March 9 at 11 PM Episode 6 – Saturday, March 16 at 11 PM Episode 7 – Saturday, March 23 at 11 PM Episode 8 – Saturday, March 30 at 11 PM Episode 9 – Saturday, April 6 at 11 PM Episode 10 – Saturday, April 13 at 11 PM Episode 11 – Saturday, April 20 at 11 PM Episode 12 – Saturday, April 27 at 11 PM |
Ninja Kamui Episode Reviews
Ninja Kamui has been a thrilling addition to the anime world. Directed by the acclaimed Sunghoo Park, the series has been praised for its intense combat scenes and intricate plot.
I enjoyed each plot storyline. We will move forward to the plot of each episode.
Episode 1:
Joe Higan is asked by FBI agents Mike and Emma to assist in investigating the murder of his wife and son, following a vicious attack on his family by a group of masked attackers.
Episode 2:
Higan discovers that several people who were killed recently used to be ninjas but were exposed. Higan decides to seek revenge for his wife and son’s deaths by defeating the leader of the ninja group and dismantling their organization.
Episode 3:
Yamaji answers questions from one of his subordinates about Higan’s survival. At the same time, Mike teams up with Higan and Emma to conduct their own investigation into AUZA.
Episode 4:
A person who wants to remain anonymous tells Higan that he can’t enter AUZA City without assistance. In the meantime, Mike and Emma were only slightly hurt in an accident and they decide to continue their investigation into AUZA and the ninjas.
Episode 5:
Mike uses information from Emma to find Jason, who used to work for AUZA. In another place, Higan’s first try to enter AUZA City is stopped by Zai. However, Higan then learns about another way in from a mysterious supporter.
Episode 6:
Aska saves Higan from a dangerous situation, and we find out who she really is. At the same time, Mike discovers that he is being pursued by his own organization, the FBI.
Episode 7:
Higan and Lil engaged in a fight. Higan joins the organization and fights against the ninjas. Due to his lower abilities compared to other ninjas, he is unable to fight since they all have special suits. However, Emma designs a suit for Higan, allowing him to fight alongside the other ninjas.
Episode 8:
After leaving AUZA organization, Emma and Joe needed to recharge their gear. Since their ninja suits required recharging, the next day Emma went to the power plant. Near the reactor, Big D was also recharging his suit when he noticed Emma approaching. He attacked her, but Joe came to her rescue.
Episode 9:
Higan and others make plans, but Joseph gets criticized for his destroyed factory. He reveals his desire for world domination and complains about his ninjas. Yamaji warns him that ninjas are meant to eliminate people like him. Later, Joseph’s bomb explodes, killing Emma while protecting Mike. This unexpected event disappoints viewers because a beloved character is killed in a forced way. Despite Emma’s noble sacrifice, her death seems unnecessary. Higan now feels motivated to fight for a better cause, but it comes at a high price.
Episode 10:
This episode focuses on Zai, Higan’s friend-turned-rival, and provides some background information about him. Zai was abandoned as a child and raised by crows. He lost faith in people after being sold to human traffickers but was rescued by Yamaji and brought into the ninja organization. Eventually, he became friends with Higan and Mari who helped him trust others again. When he discovered that Higan and Mari broke the ninja code by having a child, he decided to challenge them to a duel.
Episode 11:
Joseph and Yamaji try to outsmart each other, but their conflict doesn’t feel justified. Mike and the hacker attempt to access Emma’s files using her biometric signature from a drawing. However, it lacks emotional impact and highlights Emma’s greater contribution to the show than other characters. The episode feels scattered overall, with little hope for improvement in the remaining few episodes.
Episode 12:
Higan discovers an important secret in the ancient ninja stronghold. He finds out that the organization’s history goes back many centuries through old scrolls. Meanwhile, a mysterious group called the Council of Shadows appears, aiming for global domination. Higan faces a difficult decision: should he protect peace by destroying the scrolls or use their power to stop the Council? The arrival of Karasu adds to Higan’s uncertainty about where his loyalty lies. As tensions rise and loyalties shift, the fate of the ninja world hangs in balance.
Episode 13:
Joseph tried to escape from the government by hiding in a plane full of pigs, but Mike crashed into his plane and they had a dull chase before Joseph got caught. Mike spared him but Joseph will likely go back to his previous ways. The final showdown between Higan and Yamaji was also unexciting. The fight scenes looked clunky compared to earlier episodes. Overall, the show didn’t live up to its potential and may be easily forgotten.
So, Final Ninja Kamui Review – Should You Watch in 2024?
Considering its animation, storyline, and my personal experience of having watched all the episodes, and answered it earlier as well, I must say that Ninja Kamui is a must-watch for 2024. Because of its unique blend of traditional ninja techniques with futuristic technology, it makes for a compelling story. The animation style is visually impressive, combining 2D and CGI seamlessly to create exciting action scenes. The voice actors bring depth to the characters, making it a great watch for fans of intense action and detailed animation. A must watch for anime enthusiasts.
FAQs
Is Ninja Kamui an original anime?
Indeed, Ninja Kamui is an original anime television series, not based on any pre-existing manga or light novel. It premiered on Adult Swim’s Toonami block in February 2024 and has been well-received for its innovative storytelling and animation style.
Is Ninja Kamui for kids?
Ninja Kamui is not suitable for kids, as it is rated TV-MA due to graphic violence and mature themes. It’s intended for mature audiences and is best suited for viewers over the age of 17.
Why is Ninja Kamui rated TV MA?
Ninja Kamui is rated TV-MA because it contains graphic violence and mature content that may not be appropriate for viewers under 17. The rating reflects the show’s intense action scenes and darker themes, which are a signature of director Sunghoo Park’s style.