In the early 2000s, a passionate and self-funded web series named Ninjai: The Little Ninja gained a cult following. After several years of glorious episodes, they stopped releasing online and turned towards making an animated feature film. Now, new stills and artwork bring back nostalgic memories of this passion project. Developed against all odds in an industry dominated by big studios flush with cash, the small ninja stands against an industry of giants. Like the character himself, this is one of the things that makes Ninjai stand out.
Before we get into the animated film Ninjai – The Little Ninja, let’s take a trip back in time to see how ninjas and Japanese-influenced animation became so big. On September 7th, 1963, an essential piece of animation was about to make history and change the genre as we know it. Astro Boy, a famous Japanese TV animation, premieres on NBC through a deal with Fuji TV. This was the first Japanese animation that premiered for western audiences. This spurred a new anime-inspired Western animation genre following this success and a 1990s boom in Japanese animation. This coincided with Japan also only recently opening their historically closed borders after World War 2, where we were introduced to outstanding cuisine, beautiful landscapes, and a history rich with warriors and traditions that western audiences are still fascinated by.
One of the animations inspired by the Japanese culture was a small but successful indie web series called Ninjai: The Little Ninja. What began as a passion project between friends soon became a cult classic for the early web series due to its beautiful art style, compelling characters, action sequences, and storytelling that few shows today rival. For those who missed the web series, do not fear. The Little Ninja might be returning in all its glory as an animated feature film.
Brief History of Ninjas and Samurai
Of course, the warriors we are talking about are the Samurai and Ninjas. Without the samurai, ninjas might not have existed. Samurai first appeared in the Heian Period (710-1185), when the first capital of Japan was established, and Buddhist monasteries held power. Two powerful clans, the Minamoto clan, and the Taira clan challenged the central government and one another to rule the country. After the bloodshed was finished, Minamoto Yoritomo became the first shogun (supreme military commander) and set up a new military government.
This new military government consisted of Samurai lords, who inherited the title from their predecessors. The Samurai was now the political power of Japan, with duties to ward off rival clans and foreign enemies and even help off the battlefield, such as filling property and taxes. Today, many of us associate Samurais with their code of honor known as the Bushido code. This code is roughly translated to state the seven most accepted virtues of a samurai: benevolence, courage, honesty, honor, loyalty, respect, and rectitude. Similar to the code of chivalry followed by western knights.
However, this was only attributed to the samurai in the 18th century. Before this, a samurai would decapitate their enemies and show no mercy. This included civilians for actions that the samurai deemed insulting or dishonorable. This was known as Kirisute-gomen, the right of a samurai to cut-down anyone of a lower class who compromised their honor. There were strict conditions, but there are stories of samurai ordering civilians to be cut down for little reason. One account is that Hichizaemon, a blacksmith, was throwing a bamboo blower at his son when it accidentally hit the forehead of a samurai. Despite the numerous apologies Hichizaemon gave to the samurai, he was still killed. His son, Hōgyū Jizō, went on to create 100 stone statues to help his father’s soul rest.
Why is this important? Because it was this treatment that is rumored to be one of the ninja’s origins. Whilst samurai were feudal lords; most ninjas were believed to be part of the lower classes, such as farmers. Whilst they were prominent during the Sekogu period (1467-1615), there is evidence that ninjas existed beforehand. In these instances, they were seen as just mercenaries with no formal training on a samurai’s payroll. However, this later changed with much training in espionage, stealth, and assassinations. Schools were developed to train potentials, with only a handful becoming full-fledged ninjas.
The way ninjas were trained goes against the code of the samurai. Whilst samurais had distinguished armor and rode into battle head-on for honor and glory, ninjas focused on stealth and espionage, with less focus on integrity. Ninjas would disguise themselves as servants or farmers to reach their target, never taking glory for their deeds. They did not want eyes on them, so no flashy armor. Even their weapons differed from the samurai, focusing on concealment rather than showing their power. Ninjas were skillful assassins and spies who could do the jobs forbidden for a samurai. Many ninjas were rumored to be dishonored samurai who lost in battles. Ninjas were considered both one of the samurai’s best tools and worst enemies.
Ninjas in Fiction
One of the core tenants of ninjitsu is secrecy. Though there is plenty of research about the samurai and the bushido code, there is very little evidence about ninjitsu. This is most likely because everything was taught orally to leave no traces behind.
This makes them perfect for entertainment.
Japanese cinema has had many books, films, TV series, and animation. Japanese cinema has Jidai-geki, an entertainment genre usually set during the Edo period (after the Sekogu period). However, many pieces of entertainment do take place in earlier historical periods. There are media franchises in Japan based on the mysterious ways of ninjas, such as the Ninja Scrolls series by Futaro Yamada. The Sanada Ten Braves, considered legendary ninjas that assisted samurai warlord Sanada Yukimura during the Sekogu period, were first introduced to people through the novel Sanada Sandaiki. This novel was dated to be written in the late Edo period. Yet, it still influences media, the newest adaptation being the 2016 film Brave 10.
Of course, when western audiences were introduced to the ninja and samurai, a whole new world in cinema was revealed. Western audiences had just been introduced to modern western spies such as James Bond in the cult classic film Dr. No (1962), showing a transition from the Nazi espionage and silent film thrillers of the past. However, ninjas did not have the same ideas, morals, or equipment as the spies we were used to. These portrayals of ninjas were also not the same as the Japanese portrayals of ninjas.
For example, American Ninja (1985) is a film about a soldier named Joe Armstrong battling the Black Star Order of ninjas. There’s a plot about arms dealing, going against the military, and Joe’s fight to prove his innocence. The ninjas are straight-up mercenaries dealing arms to the highest bidder in this film. There’s also more of the espionage, infiltration, and assassination aspects of the ninja seen here through the fight scenes and weapons used in this film, such as the throwing star.
However, the animated show Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shows a more honorable side of the ninja mythos as the ninja turtles fight to protect the innocent from their arch enemy, Shedder. This is a more fictional version of a ninja; however, it is also a more romanticized version of ninjas. Both franchises saw ninjas differently, either as villains or as heroes. They had different equipment, goals, and mythos. These two franchises also appealed to two different audiences, which further spread the fascination of ninjas through different western audiences.
Of course, as time has gone on, there have been so many franchises being in some way linked to ninjas and samurai. The notion of ninjas and samurai has influenced many great animations. One of them began as a cult classic web series known as Ninjai: The Little Ninja.
About Ninjai: The Little Ninja Web Series
As the name suggests, Ninjai explores the legendary ninjas, samurai, fighting, and philosophy of martial arts. The protagonist, Ninjai, is a master ninja. However, he also possesses the innocence and curiosity of a child. His journey to find answers about his identity and an old friend takes him far and wide, making both friends and foes. The duality of a skilled warrior, the innocence of a child, and the partnership between Ninjai as well as his sweet friendship with his bird companion named Little Bird, crossed with the heavy warriors who are out to get him set the thrilling scene where the story takes place.
Throughout his journey, Ninjai’s goal stays the same. That is to answer two questions; “Who am I?” “Where do I come from?”
There is a humility to this quest, which is also highlighted by Ninjai’s character. Whilst he can take on most of the enemies he encounters, he is not invincible. He shows vulnerability, praying for help when things get tough for him.
Unfortunately, the series is not currently available on the internet, but you can check out some videos on the Ninjai Unofficial YouTube channel.
The Ninjai Gang
By the quality of the clips, we have seen you’d think there must have been a large production team or studio behind this amazing production.
Nope!
The original web series, and now the animated feature film has been a passion project developed and privately funded by a group of talented artists, storytellers and martial artists known as the Ninjai Gang. In fact, according to an article from the Madison Graph, one of the members was the martial artist who performed the fantastic martial arts for Uma Therman’s character “The Bride” in none other than martial arts cult classic Kill Bill (2003). That explains the beautiful cinematography and amazing fight choreography!
In the entertainment landscape, where it is almost impossible for filmmakers and animators to make anything without an affiliation with corporate entities such as Disney and Netflix, who hold all the cards and all the cash, this private funding ensures the project is full of passion and puts creativity first. Granted, gaining the funds to produce an animation is tough, but to make one of this high quality is another battle in and of itself. However, this unique situation has paid off. There have been times when studio interference has been rumored to have damaged the show’s quality, such as Voltron Legendary Defender and a good number of other series near and dear to our hearts.
Ninjai was praised at its release and is still highly regarded today. Even though this will be the first feature film this group has taken on, we are sure it will be a cult classic in no time. All one needs to do is look at the stills, teaser, and artwork to see the high quality this film will have. And with a release date rumored to be sometime in 2022, we might not have to wait long.
Do you want to know more about this feature film? Check out other articles such as Belmont Star, The Ritz Herald, Markets Herald, Film Daily, and E-Monthly News. The Ninjai Gang don’t have their official website up and running just yet, but dedicated fans run the Pinterest, Twitter, and Medium sites with regular un-official updates.