"Shinobi no Ichiban" Review: Exploring the depth of the story and characters

"Shinobi no Ittuki" - Reviews and Recommendations

Overview

"Shinobi no Ichiban" is an original ninja action anime produced by TROYCA that aired from October 4 to December 20, 2022. It consists of 12 episodes and depicts the process of the main character, Sakuraba Ichiban, entering the world of ninjas. It was broadcast on AT-X, TOKYO MX, BS Asahi, and CBC TV, and was also streamed online on FOD.

■ Story

Ninjas don't exist. That's what Sakuraba Ichigo, an ordinary high school boy, thinks. However, he soon discovers that his life is being targeted by the Koga ninja. Ichigo is actually the legitimate 19th generation successor of the Iga ninja. Amid the long-standing conflict between the Iga and Koga clans, Ichigo decides to become a ninja himself and throws himself into the ninja world. There, he undergoes ninja training, fights alongside his comrades, and faces many hardships. However, this was only the beginning of Ichigo's harsh fate.

■ Characters

The main character, Sakuraba Ichigo, is voiced by Osaka Ryota. He goes from being an ordinary high school student to becoming a ninja. His childhood friend, Beniyuki, is played by Shiraishi Haruka, and is a silent character who always wears a mask. Iga ninja, Kaga Tokisada, is played by Konishi Katsuyuki, and usually works at a service area, but is actually known as the strongest active ninja. His friends at the Ninjutsu Academy, Kisegawa Kirei, are played by Yuki Aoi, and Suzunoe Ryoko, are played by Sekine Hitomi. Koga ninja, Ban Suzaku, is played by Saka Yasuto, and Takamine Kamura, is played by Yashiro Taku, and is a character who is hostile towards Ichigo. His mother, Sakuraba Yumika, is played by Inoue Kikuko, and appears as the 18th head of Iga. Many other unique characters also appear and liven up the story.

■ Production staff

The director is Shu Watanabe, known for his work on Aldnoah.Zero and Re:Creators. The series is written and written by Mizuto Takano, while character design and general animation director is Isamu Suzuki. Music is by TOMISIRO, with music produced by DMMmusic. Animation is by TROYCA, and the series is produced by Shinobi's Temporary Production Committee.

■Theme song

The opening theme is "Hikari" by Hanbredderz, with lyrics and music by Hanbredderz. The ending theme is "Oboetate" by Kurokokubi, with lyrics and music by Hori Iage, and arrangement by Kurokokubi, Tsubasa Ito, and Daigo Edo. These songs are important elements that add to the atmosphere of the story.

■Broadcast information

"Shinobi no Ichiban" was broadcast on the following stations:

• AT-X: October 4, 2022 to December 20, 2022, every Tuesday from 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• TOKYO MX: October 4, 2022 to December 20, 2022, every Tuesday from 23:00 to 23:30
• BS Asahi: October 7, 2022 to December 23, 2022, every Friday from 23:30 to 0:00
• CBC TV: October 23, 2022 to January 22, 2023, every Sunday from 3:12 to 3:40

It was also streamed online on FOD.

■ Episode

The subtitles for each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: A Bolt from the Blue (2022/10/04)
• Episode 2: A Merciless Choice (2022/10/11)
• Episode 3: Matchmaking and strange encounters (2022/10/18)
• Episode 4: Creators and Users (2022/10/25)
• Episode 5: Chain of Pain (2022/11/01)
• Episode 6: Shadow and Warmth (2022/11/08)
• Episode 7: Where is justice? (2022/11/15)
• Episode 1: Twilight Comes with a Storm (2022/11/22)
• Episode 9: What the Dawn Shines (2022/11/29)
• Episode 10: The Stolen Ones (2022/12/06)
• Episode 11: A Path Without Regrets (2022/12/13)
• Episode 12: A Shinobi's Moment (2022/12/20)

■Review

"Ninja no Ichimonchi" begins with a shocking turn of events in which an ordinary high school student who didn't believe in the existence of ninjas suddenly finds his life in danger and discovers that he is the successor to the Iga ninja. Although the story is set in the world of ninjas, it has the power to draw viewers in by depicting universal themes such as human drama, friendship, and growth.

In particular, the scenes in which the main character, Ichigo, trains as a ninja and fights with his comrades are spectacular, and the quality of the battle scenes has also been highly praised. In addition, the historical background of the conflict between Iga and Koga is skillfully incorporated to add depth to the story. The characters are also rich in personality, and Ichigo's childhood friend, Kurenaiyuki, and the strongest active ninja, Kaga Tokisada, have a particularly strong presence.

Music is also an important element in bringing excitement to the story, and the opening theme "Hikari" and the ending theme "Oboetate" have melodies and lyrics that resonate with viewers and enhance the worldview of the work. The talents of the staff, including director Shu Watanabe, scriptwriter Mizuto Takano, and character designer Isamu Suzuki, are also outstanding, and TROYCA's production skills are fully demonstrated.

However, some viewers felt that the story unfolded a little too quickly. In particular, in the latter episodes, many characters appeared and the story became more complicated, making it difficult for viewers to follow. In addition, viewers who seek realism criticized the show for using many unrealistic settings and techniques to depict the world of ninjas.

■Recommendation

"Shinobi no Ichiban" is recommended for those who like ninja action and those who want to enjoy human drama and growth stories. In particular, it is a work that cannot be missed by those who are interested in the world of ninjas and those who like TROYCA's production style. It is also a work that will satisfy those who are particular about music and character design.

This work offers viewers a new perspective and depicts the importance of human growth and friendship through the world of ninjas. You will be drawn into the story's development and the charm of the characters, and you will be deeply moved and impressed after watching it. Please watch "Shinobi no Ichiban" and experience its charm for yourself.