Under Ninja has arrived on Crunchyroll with both English subtitles and a full dub, offering viewers a complete 12-episode binge of one of 2023’s most idiosyncratic action series. Produced by Tezuka Productions, the show subverts traditional ninja tropes by imagining a contemporary Japan where 200,000 covert assassins have been quietly integrated into every layer of society since the Pacific War.
The series centers on Kurou Kumogakure, a low-level, lethargic operative who spends his days rotting in a squalid apartment rather than engaging in high-stakes espionage. Unlike the high-octane spectacle typically associated with the genre, the show leans into a dry, surreal, and often deadpan sense of humor, punctuated by sudden bursts of brutal violence and intricate conspiracy theories.
Adapted from Kengo Hanazawa’s manga, the anime is a distinct departure from standard shonen fare, prioritizing atmosphere and meta-commentary over straightforward progression. It is a sharp, strange watch that rewards viewers who appreciate a more cynical, grounded take on urban fantasy and political satire.
