21+ Best Ninja Anime To BINGE!

Updated August 31, 2022 by Ernie

Ninjas have always fascinated people with their amazing skills and sneaky tactics. They have been the subjects of literature and movies for years! Of course, there are also anime involving ninjas from the last few decades! Let’s go have a look!

If Ninja’s are not your thing, then why not check out Samurai’s? But if you’re more of a stealth and tactical person then sharpen your kunai and let us Naruto run on our 22 Best Ninja Anime!

 

BEST NINJA ANIME TO WATCH!

 

22. Naruto Shippuden

Information
Title	Naruto Shippuden
Genre	Fantasy, Action
Type	Series
Studio	Pierrot
Premiered	2007
Episode Count	500
Duration	24 mins

Naruto Shippuden picks up on the story of Naruto following his previous adventures. Over the last two and a half years, he has trained to be the best he can be. But as his training with Jiraiya-sama has ended, Naruto goes back to be with his friends in Konoha.

Although Naruto is now stronger, some things have not changed! His old enemy, Akatsuki is still out there, and he is still fighting his own inner demons. Despite his fighting skills’ improvement, will it be enough?

Naruto is a popular series in the ninja genre, and this series brings back well known characters as well introducing new characters and new enemies. With his new skills, Naruto must once again fight to protect himself and his friends from new and stronger enemies.

 

21. Senran Kagura: Ninja Flash

Information
Title	Senran Kagura: Ninja Flash
Genre	Action/Comedy
Type	Series
Studio	Artland
Premiered	2013
Episode Count	12
Duration	24 min

Senran Kagura: Ninja Flash is adapted from a video game into a manga and then an anime series.

Set at Hanzo Academy, a group of girls are secretly training with the aim of becoming an elite group of female ninjas. The anime follows Asuka and her friends, Ikaruga, Katsuragi, Yagyuu and Hibari as they complete the intense training required to become ninjas.

Wearing totally inappropriate outfits for their age, they use their skills to try and protect Hanzo Academy from the evil forces threatening to destroy it.

 

20. Basilisk

Information
Title	Basilisk
Genre	Action
Type	Series
Studio	Gonzo Digimation
Premiered	2005
Episode Count	24
Duration	24 mins

Basilisk is the story of two feuding clans, and two young people in love. Almost, a ninja Romeo and Juliet!

Obaro is naïve and Gennosuke is an idealist, but they are in love. The problem is that their families have been at war for as long as anyone can remember! They want to use their love to solve the issues, but the shogun has other plans. He wants the  clans to keep on fighting!

The couple must lead their respective clans against each other and try to keep their love alive from  all the fighting. It is the age old question, can love overcome hatred?

 

19. Ninja Scroll: The Series

Information
Title	Ninja Scroll: The Series
Genre	Action
Type	Series
Studio	Madhouse
Premiered	2003
Episode Count	13
Duration	30 mins

Kibagami Jubei, a masterless warrior, defeated the immortal Himuro Genma, which in turn stopped the schemes of the Shogun of the Dark. For the next fourteen years, Jubei wanders Japan as a sword for hire.

Shigure, is a priestess whose life revolves around her village, until demons destroy it. Now homeless she travels with a monk, Dakuan,and a thief, Tsubute, heading for the village of Yagyu. Hunted by demons, they employ Jubei to protect their Priestess of Light at all costs.

 

18. Haruka: Beyond the Stream of time – A Tale of the Eight Guardians

Information
Title	Haruka: Beyond the Stream of time – A Tale of the Eight Guardians
Genre	Fantasy
Type	Series
Studio	Yumata Company
Premiered	2004
Episode Count	26
Duration	24 mins

I found a review for this anime whilst researching (ninja anime is not my specialty) which said that this was a series “written with teenage girls in mind.” I am not a teenage girl (not for many, many years) and so maybe that is why I found it a bit…cringy.

When Akane Motomiya is pulled into another world by demons, along with her friends Tenma and Shimon. She became the Priestess of the Dragon God, and the only person who can defeat the demons.

In come the Hachiyou, her guardians. All men, all powerful and all easy on the eye! Their job is to protect Akane, and that is about it. Their plot is lacking and, in my humble opinion, it just feels like a rehash of better anime of this genre.

 

17. Sengoku Basara

Sengoku Basara has some historical background for any history buffs! Japan is split into provinces, all run by different daimyo (or Lords) who are always at war with each other. The Lords do not get on and fight endlessly!

Oda Nobunaga seems to be gaining the upper hand. That is until a challenger arrives.

Each man is determined to be the victor and the battles begin to find out which of the two has the power to succeed!

 

16. Jubei-chan 

Information
Title	Jubei-Chan
Genre	Action/Adventure
Type	Series
Studio	Madhouse
Premiered	1999
Episode Count	13
Duration	25 mins

How would you feel if you found out you were the reincarnation of one of the most renowned swordsmen ever? Well, that is exactly what Jiyu Nanohana must wrap her head around when approached by a 300 year old samurai, carrying an old eyepatch. He is extremely ‘scatterbrained’, so it is hard to take it.

Yagyu Jubei, the legendary swordsman in question, left his skills embedded in the eyepatch, known as the Lovely Eyepatch. When Jiyu puts the eyepatch on, she is no longer an ordinary schoolgirl; she has all the skills of Yagyu.

Jiyu now must balance her two lives, being a school girl and being a fighting genius whilst protecting herself against a clan who want to end Yagyu’s legend for good.

 

15. Donten ni Warau: Laughing Under the Clouds 

Information
Title	Donten ni Warau: Laughing Under the Clouds
Genre	Action
Type	Series
Studio	Doga Kobo
Premiered	2014
Episode Count	12
Duration	23 mins

Set in the Meiji Era of Japan, specifically the 11^th year of the era, unrest is tearing Japan apart. It is now forbidden to be a samurai, ninja or even carry a sword. As you can imagine, this did not go down well with the men who had spent their whole lives training. They revolt against the government, but any samurai caught are sent to prison on Lake Biwa.

Tenka Kumou and his two brothers work as ferrymen taking captured samurai to prison. They spend their days helping the authorities whilst studying and training with ex-ninja Shirasu Kinjou.

Of course, this would be a dull story without a twist to their peaceful life. Orochi, a powerful curse, makes an appearance looking for its next host, something rumoured to happen on a 300 year basis. The battle begins between those who want to stop Orochi from finding its next vessel and those who want to use the curse to their own advantage.

 

14. The Ambition of Oda Nobuna 

Information
Title	The Ambition of Oda Nobuna
Genre	Action
Type	Series
Studio	Madhouse
Premiered	2012
Episode Count	12
Duration	24 mins

As with many ninja based anime, this one is set in the past. Yoshiharu Sagara is a high school student who was transported to the Sengoku era (1467-1615). To his shock, he is now in the middle of a battle. Thankfully for Yoshiharu, he is rescued by Hideyoshi Toyotomi-not so luckily for Hideyoshi as he dies protecting him.

With his last breath, Hideyoshi requests Yoshiharu to take  his place as the feudal Lord, which will have a butterfly effect on the historical timeline! Yoshiharu must try to not mess with the timeline more in future, but easier said than done!

When he rescues Nobuna Oda (a female version of Nobunaga Oda, from the original timeline), Yoshiharu realizes he is now in a different reality where the male historical figures, including warlords, are now cute females! I don’t think I need to tell you where things go from here, one boy and a load of cute girls…perfect anime story haha!

 

13. Katanagatari  – Tale of Swords

In Japan, sword skills were taken very seriously during the past eras. During the Edo era, one style was valued over all others – Shichika Yasuri is a follower of Kyotouryuu, a sword skill which uses the whole body as part of the sword. He is happy with his life as the Seventh Head of the Kyotouryuu school, but one day his peaceful life is shattered.

When Togame arrives in his life, she convinces Shichika to help her look for ‘twelve unique swords’ which he agrees to, because he likes her. This starts a journey where they must defeat the owners of the swords and those who are also  seeking them.

Shichika and Togame must learn to become a team to survive the dangers ahead of them.

 

12. Rurouni Kenshin

Information
Title	Rurouni Kenshin
Genre	Adventure
Type	Series
Studio	Liden Films
Premiered	1996
Episode Count	95
Duration	24 mins

Another anime set in the Meiji era, this one specifically in 1878, Himura Kenshin, a political activist, is traveling aimlessly around Japan. He arrives in Tokyo and is suddenly attacked by Kamiya Kaoru. She thinks he is a Hitokiri Battōsai, or assassin-like ninja. When someone else claims that role, she forgets all about Kenshin.

After helping Kaoru deal with the newcomer, she invites Kenshin to her dojo. She says she doesn’t care about his past as Hitokiri, and he says he is now a pacifist. However, your past does not always stay away, and warriors come looking for Kenshin because of reputation.

Making new friends and with Kaoru at his side, Kenshin deals with the people trying to hunt him  whilst getting on with his new life.

 

11. Black Fox

Information
Title	Black Fox
Genre	Action
Type	Movie
Studio	Studio 3Hz
Premiered	2019
Episode Count	n/a
Duration	90 mins

Black Fox is a movie, rather than a series, with a ninja theme. Following the ways of her family, Rikka Isurugi has trained to be a ninja, under the guidance of her grandfather Hyoe.  Her father, Allen, is a scientist who created an A.I which should have been helpful to everyday lives of people, but they also appealed to those with darker ideas.

Following the deaths of her father and grandfather at the hands of a group trying to steal with technology, Rikka makes a run for it with the drones. Life changes for Rikka and she lives two lives. A private detective by day, and a fox masked ninja at night, whose goal is to hunt down the people who destroyed her family.

 

10. Nabari no Ou

Information
Title	Nabari no Ou
Genre	Action/comedy
Type	Series
Studio	J.C. Staff
Premiered	2008
Episode Count	26
Duration	24 mins

Nabari no Ou follows Rokujou Miharu, who at 14 years of age possesses the extremely desired ninja skill, Shinrabanshou. Other ninjas will do anything to get their hands on the skill Miharu has.

However, Miharu is protected by Kumohira, one of his teachers, and Kouichi, a classmate who is an undercover ninja  sworn to protect him, even if he doesn’t want it! 

Miharu learns to trust his friends who help protect him while he trains to become the ruler of Nabari.

 

9. Brave 10

Information
Title	Brave 10
Genre	Action/Adventure
Type	Series
Studio	TMS Entertainment
Premiered	2012
Episode Count	12
Duration	24 mins

Isanami’s home was destroyed by ninjas, and  she is forced to take refuge in the forest. Running from the destruction, she finds Saizou Kirigakure, a ninja who has no master. Convincing him to help, they set off towards Ueda Castle seeking help for Isanami. When Sanada finds out the power Isanami is capable of wielding, he finds ”ten brave warriors” to help protect the young Priestess.

Brave 10 is the story of their search for the ten, as they avoid enemies and convince each of the ten to serve Isanami to the end.

 

8. Guardian Ninja Mamoru!

Information
Title	Guardian Ninja Mamoru!
Genre	Comedy
Type	Series
Studio	Group TAC
Premiered	2006
Episode Count	12
Duration	24 mins

Kagemori Mamoru has a secret. He looks like a typical nerd, but really, he is a highly trained ninja. It is always the quiet ones you have to watch out for! He is part of a family of ninja’s who, for the last 400 years, have protected the Konnyaku family.

Mamoru is the latest in a long line of protectors, and his aim is to protect Konnyaku Yunna, his best friend since kindergarten. Thankfully, Yunna is not the sharpest tool in the box, and so does not even think it is weird that when her family moves, while Mamoru and his family also move next door.

Mamoru has his work cut out keeping the accident and danger, keeping  Yunna safe. He takes his role very seriously!

 

7. Dai Shogun – General Revolution

Information
Title	Dai Shogun – General Revolution
Genre	Action
Type	Series
Studio	J.C. Staff, A.C.G.T
Premiered	2014
Episode Count	12
Duration	24 mins

Japan is happy in its perfect isolation from the rest of the world. However, in the Edo Period, the rest of the world was not as happy as they are. They aim to bring an end to it.

To this end, black ships are sent to use force to bring Japan in line with the rest of the world. They are unsuccessful as the Onigami, robots that protect the country, force the ships to retreat.

As a result of the isolation, many parts of known history never happened in Japan. Keiichiro Tokugawa is a man on a mission to bring Japan together. Weirdly, he is allergic to women and breaks out in an allergic reaction if he touches one; I have that reaction to rats, but it doesn’t come up often!

Reactions to this anime are mixed, it is chaotic, and the story is a bit all over the place.

 

6. Ninja Collection 

Information
Title	Ninja Collection
Genre	Horror
Type	Series (Shorts)
Studio	ILCA, DRAWIZ, Toho
Premiered	2020
Episode Count	13
Duration	5 mins

For those with a short attention span, anime shorts can be ideal. Ninja Collection is a series of 5 minute short stories, all based around a ninja group known as Toukeshuu.

With a modern setting, each one looks at the ninja’s lives in Japan and their attempts to defeat evil using their skills passed down generation to generation.

 

5. Ninja Girl & Samurai Master

Information
Title	Ninja Girl & Samurai Master
Genre	Comedy
Type	Series (Shorts)
Studio	TMS Entertainment
Premiered	2016
Episode Count	26
Duration	3 mins

Oda Nobunaga makes appearances in a number of ninja styled anime, and this is another one of those. Ninja Girl and Samurai Master is another series of shorts at only 3 minutes long.

When he rescues Chidori from drowning, she is determined to use her ninja skills to serve him. On the outside she looks like a cutie, but she is a hardcore ninja on the inside. The anime has a big cast of characters who “help” Chidori serve Nobunaga.

This anime is straight up comedy from start to finish, and quite popular with fans.

 

4. Flame of Recca

Information
Title	Flame of Recca
Genre	Action/Adventure
Type	Series
Studio	Pierrot
Premiered	1997
Episode Count	42
Duration	23 mins

Rekka Hanabishi wants to be a ninja, more than anything in the world. But ninjas don’t exist anymore. Right?

Rekka’s desire to be a ninja, gets him into some difficult situations. He really did not help himself by saying he would be the servant of anyone who could beat him in a fight. What an idiot!

Yanagi Sakashita has skills. She has the power to heal and when she meets Rekka, things change for the both of them. Rekka gets what he always wanted; he really is a ninja from a long gone clan. Oh, and he can control fire.

Now Rekka and Yanagi must survive enemies coming after them because of their skills. Some people just have no luck at all!

 

3. Samurai Deeper Kyo

Information
Title	Samurai Deeper Kyo
Genre	Action/adventure
Type	Series
Studio	DEEN
Premiered	2002
Episode Count	26
Duration	2002

Imagine being two people in one body. This is the story behind Samurai Deeper Kyo.

Once there were two enemies, Kyoshiro Mibu and Onime-no-kyo (Demon Eyes) who fought constantly. Mibu was a humble warrior, and Kyo was a man with a price on his head. During their last battle, a meteor crashed to earth and then the two men disappeared…presumed squished.

When Kyoshiro reappears years later, he is picked up by Yuya Shiina, who realizes that now both men are stuck inside his body! Kyo is laying dormant, but how long will that last and what will happen when the sleeping Demon Eyes awakens?

 

2. Ninja Resurrection

Information
Title	Ninja Resurrection
Genre	Action
Type	OVA Series
Studio	Phoenix Entertainment
Premiered	1997
Episode Count	2
Duration	40 mins

Ninja Resurrection is a series made up of two OVAs, each 40 minutes in length.

The series has an interesting concept as it touches on Christianity, which is not common in anime really. Religion is, at times, a controversial topic. In Ninja Resurrection, Christianity is banned in Japan, but devote followers continue to worship in secret.

Using this group as a way into the world, demons work to use their faith against them and corrupt them. Sent to take out the few remaining Christians, a warrior is forced to protect Jubei Yagyu, as he tries to stop the demon’s spreading darkness over the whole world.

 

1. Blood Regin: Curse of Yoma

Information
Title	Blood Reign: Curse of Yoma
Genre	Horror/Action
Type	OVA Series (2)
Studio	J.C. Staff
Premiered	1989
Episode Count	2
Duration	40 mins

As well as both being ninja, Hikage and Marou are good friends—or at least they were. One night, Marou betrays his friend and disappears. Not satisfied that his friend betrayed him, Hikage goes in search of Marou.

Faced with endless Yoma, Hikage must defeat the Kikuga no Miko that is the power behind the monsters. The monsters are powered by warriors who fell in battle. Hikage must face the reality that his friend Marou, was amongst the fallen and now he must fight the undead version of his old friend.

Conclusion

As you can see, Ninja anime have been popular for decades and for new audiences, there are old gems worth revisiting. It is easy to stick to the well-known modern anime, but by giving old shows a chance, you may find something you love! For more recommendation QuoteTheAnime is open to cater your desire!