It's a worthy representative of the genre that you may have overlooked.
In early 2024, Adult Swim began airing a new original anime, Ninja Kamui, without any warning.
Despite a lack of promotional material, the series not only caught on with viewers, but became one of the most important premieres of the winter anime season. We tell you what made Ninja Kamui so popular with viewers around the world, and why it is a must-see for all fans of spectacular action.
What Is Ninja Kamui About?
A ninja named Higan falls in love with his colleague and childhood friend Sara. Since ninjas are not supposed to have families, the two have to hide out in the American outback.
Higan and Sara have a son. But their happy life doesn't last long: the family is tracked down by a group of assassins. Sara and the child are killed, and Higan escapes. Now his goal is to find those who ordered the attack and take revenge.
During his investigation, he discovers a connection between the attackers and the leadership of the ninja organization. He also learns that a powerful technology corporation is involved in the case.
Ninja Kamui Is Reminiscent of John Wick
Ninja Kamui is an adrenaline-fueled action series in the spirit of John Wick. The anime takes many elements from the successful franchise. The main character is driven by revenge, he is opposed by a mysterious and powerful organization, everyone he meets could be a masked killer.
And Higan himself resembles Keanu Reeves' character. He is just as taciturn and just as adept at killing dozens of well-trained enemies.
The Series Features a Vibrant Ninja Aesthetic and Spectacular Action
The main difference between Ninja Kamui and the usual action projects is the presence of magical abilities. All ninjas in this world have special techniques. From creating clones, like in Naruto, to growing temporary shadow limbs, and this makes the action more diverse.
Ninja Kamui is not afraid to show in detail how people are killed. There are many brutal scenes where limbs are cut off, torn bodies are shown, and even torture is depicted. For this reason, the series is more often compared to Ninja Scroll or Afro Samurai than to the already mentioned Naruto.
Ninja Kamui's Soundtrack Is Incredible
Ninja Kamui also has a fantastic soundtrack. It was written by Japanese musician R.O.N. He spent most of his childhood in the US and Germany, and it is easy to hear the influence of the Western music scene in his tracks.
The action in Ninja Kamui is often accompanied by energetic hip-hop tracks, and in quieter moments, music reminiscent of country or even reggae can be heard.