Nintama Rantaro Season 9: A new adventure and a path of growth

The appeal and evaluation of Nintama Rantaro Season 9

The ninth season of the popular anime series "Nintama Rantaro", set in the Warring States period, was broadcast on NHK Educational TV from April 2nd to July 20th, 2001. A total of 80 episodes were broadcast during this period in a 10-minute time slot from 5:50pm to 6:00pm every Monday to Friday. The original work was the manga "Rantaro the Failed Ninja" by Soubei Amako, the general director was Tsutomu Shibayama, the director was Hideo Kawachi, and the animation was produced by Asiado.

Story and Characters

"Nintama Rantaro" is set in a ninja academy during the Warring States period and tells the story of the protagonist Rantaro and his friends as they strive to grow as ninjas. Rantaro was born into a family of rank-and-file ninjas and enrolls in the ninja academy with his parents' high hopes. There he meets two unique friends: Shinbei, the son of a wealthy merchant from Sakai, and Kirimaru, who lost his family in the war. They are called "ninjas" and spend their days cheerfully and happily together with the school principal, the unique teachers, the girls in the kunoichi class, and the ninja dog Hemhemu. However, they continue to fail classes and exams, and the road to becoming a great ninja is a long one, but their days are always filled with smiles and humor.

In the ninth season, there are many episodes in which the individuality of each character stands out. For example, there is a scene where Rantaro is fast and runs 100 meters in 10 seconds, and Shinbei's stiff hair, hard head, and sticky snot save his friends from a pinch. The story unfolds in a way that makes the most of each character's characteristics. In addition, the supporting characters, such as the kunoichi Yuki, Tomomi, and Shige, the school principal Heiji Okawa, and the ninja dog Hemu Hemu, are also attractive and add depth to the story.

Production and staff

For the ninth season of "Nintama Rantaro," many staff members worked together to bring out the charm of the original work to the fullest. General director Shibayama Tsutomu utilized his many years of experience in anime production to successfully add a new perspective while maintaining the unity of the entire series. Director Kawachi Hideo focused on the direction of each episode, achieving storytelling that would not tire the viewers. In addition, Asiado's animation production meticulously depicted the movements and expressions of the characters, enhancing the visual appeal.

The music was composed by Koji Makaino, and the opening theme "Yuki 100%" and the ending theme "Shiho Happo Hiji Teppo" had melodies and lyrics that resonated with the viewers and enhanced the atmosphere of the series. The character design was done by Emiko Niiyama, the art direction was Keiko Motoyama, the director of photography was Kazuhiro Sasaki, and the sound direction was Akira Okuma, and they maintained a high level of quality in each field.

The appeal of the episode

The episodes of the ninth season are diverse and entertaining to viewers. For example, in episode 1, "The Ninja Mindset," Rantaro and his friends learn the mindset of a ninja, while episode 2, "The Assignment Printout," comically depicts them struggling with the assignment printout. Also, in episode 17, "Kisanta's Sighing Grandma," Kisanta's great-great-grandmother appears and shows off her strength and humor as a Fuuma kunoichi.

Furthermore, in episode 27, "The Pirate Fishmonger," the commander-in-chief of the Hyogo Navy, Kyoeimaru Daisan, appears and shows his humorous side as a pirate. In episode 35, "New Ninja Food," ninja food researcher Kurokoge Hanzo develops a new ninja food, and the nintama try it. These episodes are appealing in that they make use of the individuality of the characters while mixing humor and emotion in their story development.

Ratings and Recommendations

The ninth season of "Nintama Rantaro" has been highly praised by viewers. In particular, episodes that highlight the individuality of the characters and humorous stories have been well received, and the series is loved by a wide range of people, from children to adults. In addition, while the story is set against the backdrop of ninjas from the Warring States period, it is also praised for depicting universal themes that modern viewers can sympathize with.

The first reason to recommend this series is the appeal of its characters. The friendship between Rantaro, Kirimaru, and Shinbei, and their interactions with the principal and teachers will make viewers smile and feel moved. Although the story of each episode is short, it clearly depicts one theme, leaving viewers with a high sense of satisfaction after watching. Furthermore, the production quality of the music, character design, art, and more is high, making this a work that can be enjoyed visually as well.

The 9th season of "Nintama Rantaro" is not only an anime themed on ninjas in the Warring States period, but also an excellent work as a story about friendship and growth. Please watch it and feel its charm.