Naruto is a very famous and worldwide anime. Although the story has ended, fans can still enjoy its continuation through the Boruto anime, a direct sequel to Naruto. But, it turns out, there are, you know, the best ninja anime recommendations besides Naruto!
Naruto itself revolves around the struggle of a ninja with the same name in his quest to become Hokage and protect his village, Konoha. Nowadays, there are actually many anime with ninja themes scattered and some of them are very worth watching. So, which are the best ninja anime other than Naruto that you can enjoy? Let’s discuss further!
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Best Ninja Anime Recommendations besides Naruto
15. Under Ninja
In the world of Tezuka studio’s Under Ninja, ninjas have never gone out of circulation. Although their fame declined after the Pacific War, they still carry out missions silently to this day.
One of them is Kuro Kumogakure, a talented ninja who has been out of work for quite some time. However, he now receives a new mission to infiltrate a local high school in preparation for the growing threat of foreign assassins.
Under Ninja is a fairly new anime, but it still offers an amazing series. Under Ninja’s comedic style makes every episode entertaining from start to finish.
The way this anime combines exciting action with good character development further adds to its appeal. Among the many ninja-themed comedy anime, Under Ninja is truly striking and different from the rest.
14. Batman Ninja
Kamikaze Douga and YamatoWorks present a CG anime movie called Batman Ninja. In this story, Batman, along with his friends and enemies, is accidentally thrown into the era of feudal Japan.
When his gadgets fail to defeat the Joker and Gorilla Grodd, Batman realizes that the only way to win is to use the tools of the era. He fully immerses himself in the world of ninjas to defeat his enemies and find a way back home.
Batman Ninja’s courage in recognizing the ridiculous side of Batman and the DC universe adds authentic depth to the story. With superb 3D animation, every scene is engaging, no matter the setting.
13. Ninja Kamui
Ninja Kamui from E&H Production presents Higan, a former ninja who decides to leave his clan to find peace with his family. However, after his family is brutally killed, Higan is forced to return from retirement to seek revenge by destroying his old clan.
Ninja Kamui is the first feature-length anime from E&H Production, and it’s a great viewing experience. It’s clear that this anime is inspired by John Wick, with thrilling action and stunning animation in every episode.
The animation in this series is arguably Sunghoo Park’s best work after Jujutsu Kaisen 0. Ninja Kamui shows that E&H Production has a lot of potential as a studio, and for those of you looking for an action-packed show with a touch of emotion and charm, you won’t be disappointed.
12. Jubei-chan: The Ninja Girl
The next best ninja anime recommendation is Jubei-chan. Jubei-chan has become a classic that has loyal fans thanks to its unique concept. Three hundred years after Jubei Yagyu died, his skill was passed on to Jiyu Nanohana through a magical blindfold.
Whenever Jiyu wears it, she will transform into a ninja who must face the Ryujouji School, which seeks to defeat Jubei’s latest reincarnation.
The series is a parody of the magical girl formula, where the hero transforms into a ninja with the help of a “cute” blindfold, and he is assisted by a very annoying adult man instead of an adorable mascot.
In the beginning, the anime looks cute with various characters that seem like caricatures. However, as it enters the second half, the story begins to take on a more dramatic feel as it delves into the serious conflict between Ryujouji and its effect on the lives of Jiyu and his family.
Madhouse then went on to release a second season in 2004, which further accentuated the drama and comedy elements. Although many female ninjas appeared and disappeared, none were able to replicate Jubei-chan’s unique formula.
11. Blackfox
Developed by 3Hz, Blackfox tells the origin story of a superhero who incorporates ninja elements. The story follows Rikka Isurugi, who uses her ninja training and robot animals inherited from her family to hunt down those who steal her research.
Although the movie was produced in Japan, the visual style feels very much inspired by Western comics. Rikka explores a city that has an American feel, and her quest for revenge is easily recognizable to fans of comics like Batman.
By unintentionally copying elements from the comic, Blackfox becomes a little more interesting as an animated movie.
10. Ninja Scroll: The Series
This best ninja anime recommendation is called Ninja Scroll: The Series. First aired in 2003, Ninja Scroll: The Series is an anime adaptation of the Ninja Scroll movie released in 1993. Although the original movie was directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, the series was produced by Madhouse and directed by Tatsuo Sato.
This ninja anime tells the adventures of Jubei Kibagami, a samurai who possesses amazing strength and skills. Jubei is caught up in a conflict against a secret group called Hiruko, led by a woman known as Shigure. The Hiruko are a group of ninjas whose ambition is to dominate the world with their magical and supernatural powers.
9. King of Nabari
The next best ninja anime recommendation is Nabari no Ou. This anime, better known as King of Nabari, tells the life of a teenager named Miharu Rokujou. Although his life seems ordinary, Miharu actually has extraordinary powers that are the target of several armed ninja groups, namely Kairoushuu and Iga.
Miharu is unexpectedly drawn into a conflict between two groups when she realizes that she is the holder of the power “Shinrabanshou”, a power capable of ruling the world. While trying to protect Miharu from those who want to use this power, she meets Tobari Kumohira, a teacher at her school who also happens to be a ninja and part of a special bodyguard team.
Tobari seeks to protect Miharu and help her understand and master her powers. Nabari no Ou first appeared as a manga by Yuhki Kamatani. The publication of this manga started from 2004 and ended in 2010.
8. Flame of Recca
Flame of Recca tells the story of a young man named Recca Hanabishi who has the power to control fire. Recca is a descendant of the Hokage tribe, a group of ninjas who specialize in manipulating the fire element. Even so, Recca is unaware of his family’s origins until one day he manages to save a girl named Yanagi Sakoshita.
Yanagi is the heir to a family that has the power to heal. In appreciation of his help, Yanagi wants to give Recca something in return. As the story continues, Recca and Yanagi become part of a conflict involving the Hokage Tribe, the Uruha Organization, and other supernatural aspects.
Recca, along with his friends Fuuko Kirisawa and Domon Ishijima, form a formidable team to take on fearsome opponents. They also take part in a tournament held by the Hokage Clan, and in the process, the mystery about Recca’s family is revealed. The anime first aired in 1997.
7. Senran Kagura
The next best ninja anime recommendation is Senran Kagura. This anime is a franchise involving games, manga, and anime managed by Marvelous Entertainment. The anime first aired in 2013 under the name Senran Kagura: Ninja Flash.
The core story of Senran Kagura is about a group of female ninja students who are educated at a hidden ninja school. The school is divided into two main sections: one that adheres to the principles of righteousness and one that carries out darker missions.
These female students exhibit admirable combat skills and rely on various types of unusual weapons. In this anime series, the various characters each have their own unique origins and character traits. As they grow and become ninjas, they also get involved in conflicts against dark forces and opponents from their past.
What is interesting about this anime is that there are mature elements that are often the main focus. Often, the clothes of some characters are shown broken after a battle, which gives it its own unique appeal. It is important to remember that the adult elements in Senran Kagura may not be appropriate for all audiences.
6. Brave 10
Brave 10 tells the story of a series of events that took place during the Sengoku era in Japan. The main focus of the story is ten heroes or ninjas recruited by Sanada Yukimura, a military leader in the Ueda region. Sanada Yukimura gathers these heroes, each of whom has specific skills and diverse personal characteristics.
They collaborate to preserve and defend justice under risky conditions amidst a dispute involving a daimyo and a group of ninjas. These heroic figures are known as the “Brave 10,” and each individual has a deep personal origin and reason.
As they join forces to fight dangerous opponents and overcome political conspiracies, the relationships and solidarity between them are put to the test. Along the way, the members of the Brave 10 are caught up in various wars and face obstacles that challenge not only their fighting skills, but also their loyalty to Sanada Yukimura.
5. Katanagatari
The next best ninja anime recommendation is Katanagatari. It is an anime derived from a light novel of the same title, by Nisio Isin and Take.
Nisio Isin, who wrote this novel, is also famous as the author of the Monogatari Series of novels. Katanagatari’s story focuses on the adventures of Shichika Yasuri and Togame.
Shichika is the successor of a unique martial arts technique known as Kyotouryuu, where he uses his body as a weapon. Togame, a master strategist, asks Shichika to assist him in finding 12 legendary swords called Deviant Blades or “Kyoutoryuu”. The two of them then embark on a journey through various places and engage in various confrontations against the owners of these swords.
Each blade carries its own unique power and background, and is usually owned by powerful and potentially dangerous people. While it may seem like an easy mission to collect these weapons at first, the two of them end up entangled in political conspiracies, brutal battles, and mysteries involving hidden organizations.
4. Sengoku Basara
Sengoku Basara is an anime derived from the game of the same name produced by Capcom. The anime is set during the Sengoku era in Japan and was first released in 2009.
The story focuses on several main characters such as Date Masamune, Sanada Yukimura, Oda Nobunaga, and Takeda Shingen, plus various other characters who each represent clans and groups that existed in the Sengoku era.
The story begins with the conflict between Oda Nobunaga, who has ambitions to rule all of Japan, and the rebels who try to stop him.
The conflict involves huge battles, overwhelming power, and highly capable fighting skills. The main characters, such as Date Masamune and Sanada Yukimura, are featured with attractive designs and distinctive fighting skills.
The conflicts they face are not just limited to physical combat, but also involve supernatural elements and ingenious war tactics. If you like anime with historical backgrounds, massive battles, and powerful characters, “Sengoku Basara” could be an interesting alternative to watch.
3. Basilisk
The next best ninja anime recommendation takes place in the Edo era in Japan with two ninja clans, Iga and Kouga, who have deep animosity and hatred for each other.
Their feud escalates when the shogun’s leader organizes a tournament called “The Gennosuke and Oboro’s Wedding Showdown.” The purpose of the tournament was to determine who would come out on top and become the clan’s representative in the fight for the position as the shogun’s preferred ninja group.
Despite being from two warring clans, the Kouga Clan and the Iga Clan, Gennosuke and Oboro fall for each other. However, various pressures from parties with their own interests make the two of them involved in a very dangerous clash between ninja clans.
The conflict for dominance between the two clans is characterized by violent action, political conspiracies, and amazing ninja skills. Each member of the two clans has a special skill, and their confrontation is full of complex strategies and tactics.
This anime is an adaptation of a Japanese novel titled Basilisk: The Kouga Ninja Scrolls by Futaroh Yamada, and the anime was released in 2005.
2. Ninja Slayer
Ninja Slayer is an anime series that consists of 26 episodes and is divided into two seasons. The story focuses on Fujikido Kenji, an ordinary man who becomes the target of ninja brutality. After losing his family to politics and ninja conspiracies, Kenji then has a sense of revenge and transforms into the Ninja Slayer, a mysterious figure tasked with exterminating the ninjas.
Kenji, a skilled ninja, embarks on a mission to hunt down the ruthless ninjas hiding in the underworld, utilizing traditional techniques and tools of war. Along the way, he encounters various people with their own ninja histories, some of whom support or hinder his quest.
The anime has a distinctive animation style, with strangely designed characters that are often adorned with intense battle scenes. Although the story seems serious as it deals with the theme of revenge, Ninja Slayer also adds elements of humor and madness, which makes the presentation of the story unique. The anime was released in the spring of 2015, and is an adaptation of a Japanese novel.
1. Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku
This last best ninja anime recommendation can be said to be the most favorite among the list. Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku tells the story of Gabimaru the Hollow, a ninja from Iwagakure Village. Gabimaru was framed by the Village Chief and other ninjas after he decided to resign from his job as an assassin. When the story begins, Gabimaru is sentenced to death.
Even so, various means of execution were unable to kill him. This was because the real Gabimaru didn’t want to die because he wanted to go back and live a normal life with his wife.
Gabimaru’s life journey changes when Sagiri Yamada Asaemon, a female executioner, recruits him to participate in an expedition to a mysterious island on a mission to find the elixir of immortality.
The expedition consisted of prisoners sentenced to death and for those who managed to find the elixir of immortality, the Shogunate would forgive all their sins.
Will Gabimaru manage to find the potion and be able to return to living a normal life with his wife? The biggest challenge is that the expedition is extremely dangerous and all participants in the quest will face threats they didn’t expect.
Those are the 15 best ninja anime recommendations besides Naruto. Not only Naruto and Boruto, but there are many other ninja anime that are also popular, and some of them are worth watching.
