Summary
Sunghoon Park might have dropped one of the biggest animated bangers of the century withNinja Kamui. This newly released standalone anime has been generating quite a lot of buzz on the internet lately, and for good reason. It has ridiculously good action sequences that are very reminiscent of big-budget Hollywood movies, and a gripping plotline that delivers from the get-go. Plus, for all the Nanami Kento fans out there, the main character, Joe Higan, is voiced by none other than the legendary Kenjiro Tsuda, and gives off similar vibes.
As impressive asNinja Kamuiis, the anime is still in its infancy and has only one episode released as yet. Given the typical pace with which anime episodes are released, it might be some time before fans see the show reach its climax. Not exactly the most ideal situation for the impatient viewers out there. The good news is that there are some other pretty great animeshows in the industry that capture the core essenceofNinja Kamui,and reproduce it in a way that not only stands out from other anime, but also leaves quite an impression on viewers.
Afro Samuraiis a post-apocalyptic action anime that was released in 2007 by Gonzo. While there is a world of difference between the settings ofAfro SamuraiandNinja Kamui, the main theme of the two is essentially the same: revenge.
Afro was a little kid when he went through a major traumatic experience that changed his life forever. He witnessed his father being murdered by a man holding the “Number Two” headband; a kind of headband that indicates the holder’s powers as the second-strongest man in the world. Now, as an adult, it’s Afro who acquires said headband, and is now ready to challenge his father’s killer. The only problem is, Number Two headband holders are prone to being targeted by, well, every person with a criminal record.
Blood+is a supernatural horror anime series that was released in 2006 and was produced by Production I.G. It’s based on the highly celebrated anime film known asBlood: The Last Vampire, and has themes that not only match its source material, but alsoNinja Kamui. The major similarity betweenBlood+andNinja Kamuiis the intensity of their plotlines, followed byreally dark, gorey, and horror undertones. Both anime explore revenge very thoroughly (although inBlood+, it’s more like a secondary theme) and both have a sort of ‘eerie’ feel to them that leaves fans uneasy but craving for more.
Blood+follows the story of an ancient vampire-like woman, Saya Otonashi, who awakens from her 30-year slumber without any memories of her very important role in bringing balance to the world. Because of her amnesia, Saya manages to live a very normal life after her awakening, and is a high-school student at the start of the anime. Her seemingly peaceful life is turned upside down when she encounters a violent undead creature and is saved by a mysterious man called Haji.
491 Days
MyAnimeList Score: 7.83/10
91 Daysis a historical crime action anime that was released in 2016 and was animated by Shuka. It’s another top-notch revenge story that focuses more on gritty realism and is set in the Prohibition era of the early 1900s.Ninja Kamuifans are in for a treat with91 Days,considering its very obvious revenge plotline and its highly dynamic action sequences. The psychological aspect of the anime and the protagonist’s descent into a battle-hardened, tough character adds a sort of complexity to it, making for the perfect icing on the cake.
91 Daysfollows the story of Angelo Lagusa, a child who had his whole world changed for the worse when he was the sole survivor of a brutal attack on his family. The perpetrator of the attack wasthe untouchable mafia syndicateknown as the Vanetti family, and Angelo was too weak to do anything against them at the time. Fast-forward seven years, under the name of Avilio Bruno, Angelo is ready to exact his revenge.
Black Lagoonis a crime thriller that aired in 2006 and was released by Madhouse. Itis inherently very different fromNinja Kamuiin terms of its story and backdrop, but also shares some undeniable similarities. IfNinja Kamuiis a more mature version ofNaruto, thenBlack Lagooncould be considered the mature version ofOne Piece;inherently different, but both legends in their own rights. That said, both of these series have very similar vibes to them in terms of action and animation. They’re both also catered moretowards adults than kids and teens.
Rokurou Okajima is an average office worker who goes on a not-so-average business trip to Thailand in hopes of securing a good deal for his company. He gets hit by a cascade of misfortunes when the deal he’s so keen on securing miserably fails, and his ship gets raided and hijacked by pirates.
2Darker Than Black
MyAnimeList Score: 8.06/10
Darker Than Blackis a supernatural sci-fi thriller that was released in 2007 by the studio Bones. It’s a dark, grim anime with a setting that’s similar toSolo Levelingbut features a much more haunting aesthetic for the viewer. It’s exactly this “haunting” aspect ofDarker Than Blackthat warrants its place on this list, evoking a similarity toNinja Kamui.
Darker Than Blackis set in a fantasy Japanwhere a supernatural anomalyknown as the “Hell’s Gate,” has appeared. Contrarily, a “Heaven’s Gate” has appeared in South America, and the two have jointly caused astronomical levels of changes in the workings of the world. Additionally, due to these gates, humans with supernatural powers but little to no humanity have appeared. These people take on morally and ethically grey jobs and work for a secret organization known as the Syndicate. One such contractor is Hei, a ruthless, cold, and unforgiving individual infamously known as the Black Reaper in the underworld.
Hell’s Paradiseis a dark action fantasy released and produced in 2023 by MAPPA Studios. It’s the only other entry on this list that has a central focus surroundingNinjas and their brutal ‘way of life,‘making it very appropriate for being compared toNinja Kamui. The gist of both anime is nearly identical: Ninjas being forced to go on the run from their respective clans because they refuse to tarnish their hands for them anymore.
Gabimaru the Hollow, a merciless ninja, bears the burden of ending countless lives at the whims of his clan. Because of his dark past, Gabimaru is supposedly numb to human emotions and is quietly waiting for his execution at the hands of the state. Only on the brink of death does he realize that he, in fact, does not want to die, and is willing to do anything to go back to his wife—even if it meansgoing on an expeditionto a deadly, cursed island, in search of an ancient, possibly non-existent “Elixir of Life.”
