For those who enjoyed anime such as “Inferno Cop” will no doubt enjoy this series. For those who like anime series that are different from the norm, may enjoy this. Unfortunately, it was probably the worst anime series I have watched in 2016 and that is disappointing, considering I really enjoyed the manga series. If you are considering purchasing this anime series on Blu-ray, do some research and find out if it’s for you. The good news is that all 26-episodes are included in this Blu-ray/DVD set! But in my opinion, it’s not recommended!
Image courtesy of © 2016 FUNimation. All Rights Reserved.
TITLE: Ninja Slayer From Animation
ANIME RELEASE DATE: 2015
DURATION: (Episodes 1-26) 358 Minutes
BLU-RAY INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (16:9), English and Japanese DolbyTrue HD 2.0, English subtitles
COMPANY: FUNimation
RATING: TV 14
Release Date: December 16, 2016
Originally created by Bradley Bond and Philip Ninj@ Morzez
Original Art by Yuki Yogo
Original Script by Yoshiaki Tabata
Directed by Akira Amemiya
Storyboards and Episode Director: Noriyoshi Sasaki
Music by Kenji Fujisawa, Shinichi Osawa
Character Design by Hiroyuki Imaishi, saitom, Serere Inato, Yusuke Yoshigaki
Art Director:Akira Katsuta, Young Jae Lee
Anime Production: Trigger
Featuring the following voice talent:
Toshiyuki Morikawa/Christopher R. Sabat as Kenji Fujikido/Ninja Slayer
Chiwa Saito/Trina Nishimura as Nancy Lee
Goblin/Kent Williams as Narrator
Mamiko Noto/Jad Saxton as Electronic Maiko
Masane Tsukayama/Bill Jenkins as Laomoto Khan
Mugihito/R Bruce Elliott as Naraku Ninja
Risa Taneda/Bryn Apprill as Dragon Yukano
Sho Hayami/Chris Ryan as Fujio Katakura/Darkninja
Sora Amamiya/Monica Rial as Koki Yamoto
TesshÅ Genda/Tyler Walker as Clone Yakuza
Domo, civilian, I am Ninja Slayer! Once a common, non-ninja, nine-to-five man, it’s now my duty to send all ninja souls to hell. It’s an insatiable thirst that I must quench to avenge the tragic death of my family. A mysterious spirit filled with rage has penetrated my soul giving me the ultimate power to fulfill my vengeance and destroy any ninja who dares to cross my path. Hell-bent on ninja carnage, I won’t stop slashing and bashing until I hear my enemies kiss their pathetic lives goodbye with a bloodcurdling scream of “Sayonara!” Die ninja. DIE! I am your Grim Reaper!
Ahem.
Won’t you live in my fury, friend? Join me in unleashing burning rage, and watch me spray the blood of a gagillion ninjas all over this nightmarish hell. For I am Ninja Slayer, killer of all ninjas!
“Ninja Slayer†purportedly is the product of American authors Bradley Bond and Phillip “Ninj@†Morzez. Posted originally on Twitter and translated in Japanese by Honda Yu and Sugi Leika, it would become popular and would be released in 2012 in a volume titled “Ninja Slayer: Neo-Saitama in Flames†by Enterbrain.
In Japan, there have been several tankobon volumes. In 2013, a second manga adaptation titled “Ninja Slayer: Glamorous Killers†with art by Ageha Saotome was featured on Enterbrain’s “B’s-Log Comicâ€. A third manga adaptation titled “Ninja Slayer Kills†was serialized in Kodansha’s “Suiyobi no Siriusâ€.
A manga adaptation was released in 2015 on Niconico and the TV broadcast was released in 2016. The anime series simulcast in North America courtesy of FUNimation and now the entire 26-episode series is available on Blu-ray and DVD courtesy of Funimation.
The anime series was produced by Trigger (“Little Witch Academia”) and the series was directed by Akira Amemiya (“Psychic Squad”, “Gurren Lagann”), storyboards by Noriyoshi Sasaki (“Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable”, “Ojisan to Marshmallow”), music by Kenji Fujisawa (“Nanbaka”, “Hyakko”, “Before Green Gables”) and electronic music artist Shinichi Ohsawa.
The series is set in a gritty, futuristic city of Neo-Saitama and many people are getting killed, monsters roam the streets but the most deadly are the menacing army of cybernetic-clad ninjas under the rule of the Soukai syndicate.
But as many citizens are getting killed in the ninja turf war, one heroic ninja known as Ninja Slayer plans to make sure that all ninja are slaughtered by his own hands.
We see the Ninja Slayer interrupt a Massacre Games fight against the Kill-Zone Sumo Wrestler by the Kachigumi Salarymen.
Meanwhile, two teenage ninjas are introduced. A teenage girl named Yamoto Koki, who’s ninja powers just came out and a mysterious new transfer named Shogo.
we see the aftermath as Shogo has been kidnapped and tortured by the powerful ninja henchman, Sonic Boom.
Sonic Boom wants Shogo to lure Yamoto Koki, so they can control her.
But will Shogo allow that? And will the two be able to face off against the powerful and evil ninja?
In another episode, the after-math between battle of Ninja Slayer and Sonic Boom has led to a major explosion and rumors are quickly swirling that Ninja Slayer was killed in battle.
In Neo-Saitama, a Sumo Shop is the residence of the Kill-Elephant Yakuza Clan led by their Yakuza Boss, Yamahiro.
And because ninja are above the yakuza, they are trying to get payment from the yakuza or else they die. But one person is there to protect the yakuza, a mysterious being known as Yakuza Tengu.
Meanwhile, a team of ninja brothers – Green Elephant and Gas Burner are causing trouble in the area and Yamahiro tries to make himself a yakuza samurai hero to protect shop owners from these ninja brothers.
But when the ninjas are on a murdering rampage, can Yakuza Tengu beat them?
Featuring the origin of Yamoto’s ninja power and what happens to Shogo when he is apprehended by police?
The Ninja Slayer is also seeking for an antidote for the anti-ninja virus, “Takeuchi†which has infected his master, Dragon Gendoso.
His search has brought him to journalist and master hacker, Nancy Lee. The problem is that the anti-virus is hidden in Yoroshisan’s Plant, No. 1 and he can’t infiltrate the facility alone. He will need to trust Nancy as a partner. But will the lone ninja be able to trust her?
VIDEO:
“Ninjaslayer From Animation” is presented in 1080p High Definition (1:78:1). Having read several volumes of the manga series, I was expecting for an ultraviolent, action-packed anime series with animation that best supports the manga series.
In someway, I was expecting anime and violence along the lines of “Afro Samurai”, instead, we get an animation that looks experimental with typical anime-type scenes to something that looks like it was created on Windows Paint. Animation that seemed intentional or inevitable because it looked like it was created on a low budget and also, a change of character designs when compared to the manga series in order for it to be shown on television.
No doubt the animation will be subjective to the viewer but personally, having enjoyed the manga series, the anime style was not exactly what I was expecting.
If you enjoyed the animation style of “Inferno Cop”, then you’ll enjoy “Ninjaslayer From Animation”.
AUDIO & SUBTITLES:
“Ninjaslayer From Animation” is presented in Japanese and English Dolby TrueHD 2.0. Dialogue and music is clear through the front channels for the lossless stereo soundtrack.
Subtitles are in English.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Ninjaslayer From Animation” features the following special features:
- Episode 25 Audio Commentary – Featuring audio commentary by Tyler Walker (Director/Line Producer/Adapted Script Writer) with voice actor Christopher R. Sabat (voice of Ninjaslayer).
- Trailers – FUNimation Entertainment trailers
EXTRAS:
“Ninjaslayer From Animation” comes with both a Blu-ray and DVD version.
“Ninja Slayer†on manga is violent, dark and action-packed. In some ways, it reminds me a little of “Hokuto no Ken†(Fist of the Northstar) and how a city is overrun by madmen and sick monster-like beings. In this case, Neo-Saitama is run by ninja who operate under the rules of the Soukai Syndicate. But one ninja, known as the Ninja Slayer, will do anything to make sure all ninja are killed.
Highly anticipating the anime series and expecting an anime series along the lines of the violence and action of “Afro Samurai”, no doubt I had my hopes set high for “Ninjaslayer From Animation”.
Of the anime series I have watched in 2016, “Ninjaslayer From Animation” was the worst I have watched all year long because what made the manga so fascinating, exciting and enjoyable was given an anime adaptation that not only was respectful to the manga series, it came out as an animated mess.
Granted, if the goal was to be funny and show the anime series in an experimental style incorporating the anime style that most people are expecting and artwork that looks like a child had drawn it and like a low-budget home-made anime title that resembles anime style work created on Windows Paint that I was used to seeing on PC downloaded files from anime BBS’ from 1993.
Whether the animation style was created this way due to budget or due to a break in banality and give something to audiences at an attempt of humor, whatever the case may be, I am one who dislikes seeing anime adaptations that deviate too much from the original creation.
Sure, there are anime adaptations, that deviate from the original storyline due to the manga series not being complete and original stories have to be written or filler-episodes need to be created, but yet, there is a respect to the original creation.
“Ninjaslayer From Animation” is different and yes, I understand that the “Ninjaslayer” manga series used a fictitious name for its creators (it has not been established if the original creators were actually real people but the majority of the manga readers believe the original creators – Bradley Bond and Philip Ninj@ Morzez are fictitious) but there was a style, fascinatingly dark character designs and way-out there action that had the potential of becoming something different. Sure, it would have made a great OVA, but as a TV series, a lot of sacrifices were made that made me feel disappointed in the overall anime series.
As for the Blu-ray release, you get a single episode audio commentary. And even Funimation decided to go experimental with their audio commentary with hums, echo effects and audio commentary played in reverse.
For those who enjoyed anime such as “Inferno Cop” will no doubt enjoy this series. For those who like anime series that are different from the norm, may enjoy this.  Unfortunately, it was probably the worst anime series I have watched in 2016 and that is disappointing, considering I really enjoyed the manga series.
If you are considering purchasing this anime series on Blu-ray, do some research and find out if it’s for you. The good news is that all 26-episodes are included in this Blu-ray/DVD set! But in my opinion, it’s not recommended!
