Top Ninja Anime Recommendations

NARUTO

Also known as Naruto.

Studio: Studio Pierrot
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Drama , Fantasy , Supernatural

Naruto Uzumaki, a hyperactive and knuckle-headed ninja, lives in Konohagakure, the Hidden Leaf village. Moments prior to his birth, a huge demon known as the Kyuubi, the Nine-tailed Fox, attacked Konohagakure and wreaked havoc. In order to put an end to the Kyuubi's rampage, the leader of the village, the 4th Hokage, sacrificed his life and sealed the monstrous beast inside the newborn Naruto.

Shunned because of the presence of the Kyuubi inside him, Naruto struggles to find his place in the village. He strives to become the Hokage of Konohagakure, and he meets many friends and foes along the way.



Tags: Ninja , Shounen , Coming of Age , Male Protagonist , Found Family , Super Power , Cultivation , Revenge , Martial Arts , Orphan , Anachronism , Primarily Child Cast , Heterosexual , Ensemble Cast , Shapeshifting , Bullying , Kaiju , Slapstick , Estranged Family , Demons , Travel , School , Gender Bending , Unrequited Love , Assassins , Love Triangle

ONE PIECE

Also known as ONE PIECE.

Studio: Toei Animation
Status: Releasing
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Drama , Fantasy

Gold Roger was known as the Pirate King, the strongest and most infamous being to have sailed the Grand Line. The capture and death of Roger by the World Government brought a change throughout the world. His last words before his death revealed the location of the greatest treasure in the world, One Piece. It was this revelation that brought about the Grand Age of Pirates, men who dreamed of finding One Piece (which promises an unlimited amount of riches and fame), and quite possibly the most coveted of titles for the person who found it, the title of the Pirate King.

Enter Monkey D. Luffy, a 17-year-old boy that defies your standard definition of a pirate. Rather than the popular persona of a wicked, hardened, toothless pirate who ransacks villages for fun, Luffy’s reason for being a pirate is one of pure wonder; the thought of an exciting adventure and meeting new and intriguing people, along with finding One Piece, are his reasons of becoming a pirate. Following in the footsteps of his childhood hero, Luffy and his crew travel across the Grand Line, experiencing crazy adventures, unveiling dark mysteries and battling strong enemies, all in order to reach One Piece.

*This includes following special episodes:
- Chopperman to the Rescue! Protect the TV Station by the Shore! (Episode 336)
- The Strongest Tag-Team! Luffy and Toriko's Hard Struggle! (Episode 492)
- Team Formation! Save Chopper (Episode 542)
- History's Strongest Collaboration vs. Glutton of the Sea (Episode 590)
- 20th Anniversary! Special Romance Dawn (Episode 907)

Tags: Pirates , Shounen , Ensemble Cast , Travel , Super Power , Found Family , Male Protagonist , Ships , Conspiracy , Slapstick , Time Skip , Tragedy , Anthropomorphism , Slavery , Politics , War , Fugitive , Crime , Dystopian , Gods , Prison , Lost Civilization , Swordplay , Food , Samurai , Monster Boy , Henshin , Medicine , Shapeshifting , Cyborg , Robots , Artificial Intelligence , Primarily Adult Cast , Desert , Animals , Guns , Skeleton , Anti-Hero , Dragons , Anachronism , Marriage , Post-Apocalyptic , Espionage , Asexual , Monster Girl , Fairy , Philosophy , Drugs , Kuudere , Assassins , Clone , Battle Royale , Aromantic , Trains , Ninja , Adoption , Revenge , Female Protagonist , Mermaid , Gender Bending , Time Manipulation , Musical Theater , CGI , Angels , Unrequited Love , Zombie , Body Swapping , Acting

NARUTO: Shippuuden

Also known as Naruto: Shippuden.

Studio: Studio Pierrot
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Drama , Fantasy , Supernatural

Naruto: Shippuuden is the continuation of the original animated TV series Naruto. The story revolves around an older and slightly more matured Uzumaki Naruto and his quest to save his friend Uchiha Sasuke from the grips of the snake-like Shinobi, Orochimaru. After 2 and a half years Naruto finally returns to his village of Konoha, and sets about putting his ambitions to work, though it will not be easy, as he has amassed a few (more dangerous) enemies, in the likes of the shinobi organization; Akatsuki.



Tags: Ninja , Shounen , Super Power , Male Protagonist , Tragedy , War , Revenge , Martial Arts , Coming of Age , Orphan , Conspiracy , Cultivation , Ensemble Cast , Necromancy , Anti-Hero , Politics , Time Skip , Gods , Swordplay , Fugitive , Terrorism , Military , Anachronism , Travel , Unrequited Love , Aliens , Kaiju , Shapeshifting , Nudity , Gender Bending , Slapstick , Estranged Family

BLEACH

Also known as Bleach.

Studio: Studio Pierrot
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Supernatural

Ichigo Kurosaki is a rather normal high school student apart from the fact he has the ability to see ghosts. This ability never impacted his life in a major way until the day he encounters the Shinigami Kuchiki Rukia, who saves him and his family's lives from a Hollow, a corrupt spirit that devours human souls.

Wounded during the fight against the Hollow, Rukia chooses the only option available to defeat the monster and passes her Shinigami powers to Ichigo. Now forced to act as a substitute until Rukia recovers, Ichigo hunts down the Hollows that plague his town.

Tags: Shounen , Swordplay , Super Power , Afterlife , Ghost , Male Protagonist , Demons , Urban Fantasy , Ensemble Cast , Anachronism , Time Skip , Philosophy , Memory Manipulation , Cultivation , Nudity , Language Barrier , Ninja , Tomboy , Tanned Skin , Centaur , Time Manipulation , Kuudere , Spearplay

Kimetsu no Yaiba: Yuukaku-hen

Also known as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc.

Studio: ufotable
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy , Supernatural

After visiting the Rengoku residence, Tanjirou and his comrades volunteer for a mission within the Entertainment District, a place where desires are sold and demons dwell. They journey alongside the flashy Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, in search of a monstrous foe terrorizing the town. Sworn to slay creatures of the night, the hunt continues.



Note:
- The first episode aired with a runtime of ~47 minutes.
- The last episode aired with a runtime of ~33 minutes.

Tags: Demons , Swordplay , Shounen , Male Protagonist , Oiran , Revenge , Primarily Teen Cast , Polyamorous , Super Power , Gore , Primarily Male Cast , Tragedy , Ninja , Body Horror , Historical , Urban , Crossdressing , Monster Girl , CGI , Orphan , Time Skip

Ore dake Level Up na Ken

Also known as Solo Leveling.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy

They say whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but that’s not the case for the world’s weakest hunter Sung Jinwoo. After being brutally slaughtered by monsters in a high-ranking dungeon, Jinwoo came back with the System, a program only he could see, that’s leveling him up in every way. Now, he’s inspired to discover the secrets behind his powers and the dungeon that spawned them.





Tags: Dungeon , Male Protagonist , Urban Fantasy , Super Power , Magic , Necromancy , Cultivation , War , Anti-Hero , Gore , Tragedy , Shounen , Survival , Swordplay , Alternate Universe , Angels , Time Manipulation , Post-Apocalyptic , Heterosexual , Travel , Bullying , Dragons , Ninja , College , Isekai

Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken 2nd Season

Also known as That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 2.

Studio: 8-bit
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy

The second season of Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken.

Now that the Jura Tempest Alliance is growing even further, they will now be meeting the animal kingdom of Eurazania, reuniting with King Gazel, rising tensions between monsters and humans, and Rimuru encountering the strongest enemy he’s ever faced.



Tags: Kingdom Management , Reincarnation , Isekai , Magic , War , Demons , Ensemble Cast , Politics , Revenge , Found Family , Shapeshifting , Super Power , Tragedy , Male Protagonist , Agender , Dragons , Shounen , Goblin , Female Harem , Clone , Monster Girl , Anti-Hero , Monster Boy , Ninja , Gender Bending

Gintama

Also known as Gintama.

Studio: Sunrise
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Drama , Sci-Fi

Life isn't easy in feudal Japan... especially since the aliens landed and conquered everything! Oh sure, the new health care is great, but the public ban on the use of swords has left a lot of defeated samurai with a difficult decision to make concerning their future career paths! This is especially true if, as in the case of Gintoki Sakata, they're not particularly inclined towards holding a day job, which is why Gintoki's opted for the freelance route, taking any job that's offered to him as long as the financial remuneration sounds right. Unfortunately, in a brave new world filled with stray bug-eyed monsters, upwardly mobile Yakuza and overly ambitious E.T. entrepreneurs, those jobs usually don't pay as well as they should for the pain, suffering and indignities endured!



Tags: Parody , Samurai , Ensemble Cast , Meta , Slapstick , Male Protagonist , Surreal Comedy , Anachronism , Found Family , Aliens , Episodic , Swordplay , Shounen , Police , Terrorism , Philosophy , Satire , Historical , Tragedy , Primarily Adult Cast , Space , Mopeds , Ninja , Sadism , Crime , Masochism , Oiran , Robots , LGBTQ+ Themes , Homeless , Crossdressing , Mafia , Ghost , Nekomimi , Boxing , Pirates , Educational , Fishing , Yakuza , CGI , Dissociative Identities , Kuudere , Body Swapping , Anthropomorphism , Female Harem

Jigokuraku

Also known as Hell’s Paradise.

Studio: MAPPA
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Mystery , Supernatural

The Edo period is nearing its end. Gabimaru, a shinobi formerly known as the strongest in Iwagakure who is now a death row convict, is told that he will be acquitted and set free if he can bring back the Elixir of Life from an island that is rumored to be the Buddhist pure land Sukhavati. In hopes of reuniting with his beloved wife, Gabimaru heads to the island along with the executioner Yamada Asaemon Sagiri. Upon arriving there, they encounter other death row convicts in search of the Elixir of Life... as well as a host of unknown creatures, eerie manmade statues, and the hermits who rule the island. Can Gabimaru find the Elixir of Life on this mysterious island and make it back home alive?



Tags: Survival , Swordplay , Gore , Ninja , Body Horror , Samurai , Shounen , Historical , Battle Royale , Anti-Hero , Travel , Tragedy , Religion , Gods , Super Power , Heterosexual , Philosophy , Primarily Adult Cast , Gender Bending , Fugitive , Martial Arts , Crime , Death Game , Orphan , Primarily Male Cast , Cultivation , Cosmic Horror , Cannibalism , Cult , Nudity , Amnesia , Bisexual

Samurai Champloo

Also known as Samurai Champloo.

Studio: Manglobe
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy

Let's break it down. Mugen's a reckless sword-slinger with a style that's more b-boy than Shaolin. He's got a nasty streak that makes people want to stick a knife in his throat. Then there's Jin, a deadbeat ronin who speaks softly but carries a big blade. He runs game old-school style, but he can make your blood spray with the quickness. When these roughnecks bring the ruckus, it ain't good for anybody, especially them. Enter Fuu, the ditzy waitress who springs her new friends from a deadly jam. All she wants in return is help solving a riddle from her past. She and the boys are tracking the scent, but there's 99 ways to die between them and the sunflower samurai.



Tags: Travel , Swordplay , Samurai , Rural , Historical , Orphan , Martial Arts , Anachronism , Episodic , Assassins , Primarily Adult Cast , Male Protagonist , Female Protagonist , Anti-Hero , Prostitution , Kuudere , Tanned Skin , Politics , Drugs , Yakuza , Ninja , Religion , Heterosexual , Crossdressing , Nudity , Language Barrier , Zombie , Noir , Baseball , LGBTQ+ Themes

Kuroshitsuji

Also known as Black Butler.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Fantasy , Mystery , Supernatural

In Victorian-era Europe, a young boy loses everything he once held near and dear to a vicious plot. In his moment of death, he strikes a deal with a demon: his soul, in exchange for revenge. Ciel Phantomhive is now the head of the Phantomhive corporation, handling all business affairs as well as the underground work for the Queen of England. His new partner is a demon butler, Sebastian Michaelis, whose powers as a butler is only surpassed by his strength as a demon.

The story follows the two along with their other servants, as they work to unravel the plot behind Ciel's parents' murder, and the horrendous tragedies that befell Ciel in the month directly after.

Tags: Butler , Crime , Tragedy , Demons , Revenge , Historical , Anti-Hero , Male Protagonist , Foreign , Gender Bending , Detective , Assassins , Mythology , Food , Kuudere , Transgender , Angels , Primarily Male Cast , Episodic , Shounen , Agender , Crossdressing , Ninja , Chibi , Ghost

Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken 2nd Season Part 2

Also known as That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 2 Part 2.

Studio: 8-bit
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy

The second cour of Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken 2nd Season.

The nation of Tempest is in a festive mood after successfully overcoming the surprise attack from the Falmuth Army and the Western Holy Church. Beyond the festivities lies a meeting between Tempest and its allies to decide the future of the Nation of Monsters. The aftermath of the Falmuth invasion, Milim Nava's suspicious behavior, and the disappearance of Demon Lord Carrion—the problems seem to keep on piling up.

Rimuru Tempest, now awakened as a "True Demon Lord," decides to go on the offensive against Clayman. With the fully revived "Storm Dragon" Veldora, "Ultimate Skill" Raphael, and other powerful comrades, the ruler of the Tempest is confident in taking down his enemies one by one until he can face the man pulling the strings.

Tags: Kingdom Management , Isekai , Reincarnation , Super Power , Magic , Demons , Politics , War , Shapeshifting , Dragons , Afterlife , Anti-Hero , Goblin , Female Harem , Monster Girl , Male Protagonist , Clone , Shounen , Revenge , Agender , Ensemble Cast , Ninja , Monster Boy

BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS

Also known as Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.

Studio: Studio Pierrot
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy

Naruto was a young shinobi with an incorrigible knack for mischief. He achieved his dream to become the greatest ninja in the village and his face sits atop the Hokage monument. But this is not his story... A new generation of ninja are ready to take the stage, led by Naruto's own son, Boruto!



Tags: Shounen , Ninja , Super Power , Male Protagonist , Primarily Child Cast , Swordplay , Gods , Martial Arts , Aliens , Anachronism , Adoption , Time Manipulation , Episodic , Dinosaurs , School , Dissociative Identities , Cyborg , Death Game

Dragon Ball

Also known as Dragon Ball.

Studio: Toei Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy , Supernatural

Goku Son is a young boy who lives in the woods all alone—that is until a girl named Bulma runs into him in her search for a set of magical objects called the "Dragon Balls." Since the artifacts are said to grant one wish to whoever collects all seven, Bulma hopes to gather them and wish for a perfect boyfriend. Goku happens to be in possession of a dragon ball, but unfortunately for Bulma, he refuses to part ways with it, so she makes him a deal: he can tag along on her journey if he lets her borrow the dragon ball's power. With that, the two set off on the journey of a lifetime.

They don't go on the journey alone. On the way, they meet the old Muten-Roshi and wannabe disciple Kuririn, with whom Goku trains to become a stronger martial artist for the upcoming World Martial Arts Tournament. However, it's not all fun and games; the ability to make any wish come true is a powerful one, and there are others who would do much worse than just wishing for a boyfriend. To stop those who would try to abuse the legendary power, they train to become stronger fighters, using their newfound strength to help the people around them along the way.



Tags: Shounen , Martial Arts , Super Power , Travel , Coming of Age , Male Protagonist , Orphan , Dragons , Aliens , Wuxia , Anachronism , Nudity , Military , Time Skip , Dinosaurs , Primarily Male Cast , Urban Fantasy , Revenge , Demons , Shapeshifting , Adoption , Robots , Tanned Skin , Kaiju , Ninja , Dissociative Identities

Dungeon Meshi

Also known as Delicious in Dungeon.

Studio: Trigger
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy

When young adventurer Laios and his company are attacked and soundly thrashed by a dragon deep in a dungeon, the party loses all its money and provisions...and a member! They're eager to go back and save her, but there is just one problem: If they set out with no food or coin to speak of, they're sure to starve on the way! But Laios comes up with a brilliant idea: "Let's eat the monsters!" Slimes, basilisks, and even dragons...none are safe from the appetites of these dungeon-crawling gourmands!



Note: A world premiere screening of Episode 1 was shown in the Studio TRIGGER panel at Anime Expo on July 1, 2023.

Tags: Dungeon , Food , Magic , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Adult Cast , Environmental , Elf , Monster Girl , Dragons , Lost Civilization , Necromancy , Body Horror , Seinen , Male Protagonist , Tragedy , Anthropomorphism , Nekomimi , Female Protagonist , Kemonomimi , Gore , Episodic , Politics , Chimera , Ninja , Shapeshifting , Ghost , Cannibalism , Nudity , Zombie

Katanagatari

Also known as Katanagatari.

Studio: White Fox
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Romance

Yasuri Shichika, seventh successor of the Kyotouryuu (bladeless) sword art, lives on an isolated island with his older sister, Nanami.

One day Shichika is visited by a woman named Togame, who requests his aid in her quest to find and collect the final twelve swords forged by the legendary master swordsmith, Shikizaki Kiki. Shichika and Togame begin their odyssey by leaving the island he called home for over 20 years. They will face twelve individuals who possess and protect Shikizaki's legendary swords.

Join Shichika and Togame on an exciting, epic adventure that defies reality as they discover the true potential of the Kyoutoryuu sword style!



Tags: Swordplay , Martial Arts , Tragedy , Historical , Samurai , Revenge , Travel , Philosophy , Gore , Male Protagonist , Heterosexual , Ninja , Anachronism , Female Protagonist , Meta , Episodic , Coming of Age , Primarily Adult Cast , Rural , Politics , Time Manipulation , Body Horror , Slapstick , Nudity , Body Swapping , Shapeshifting , Guns , Shrine Maiden , Desert , Ghost , Urban , Robots

THE LAST: NARUTO THE MOVIE

Also known as The Last: Naruto the Movie.

Studio: Studio Pierrot
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Romance

The moon is beginning to fall, and at the rate it's going, it is doomed to fall on the Earth. The countdown for the survival of the planet begins. Among the havoc, Hinata's younger sister Hanabi is captured by the mysterious enemy, Toneri Ootsutsuki. Naruto must overcome great danger on a mission to save Hanabi and the world along with Hinata, Sai, Shikamaru, and Sakura is their final story. "The final story is a first love."



Tags: Ninja , Shounen , Super Power , Martial Arts , Male Protagonist , Orphan , Aliens , Anachronism , Primarily Adult Cast , Primarily Male Cast , Lost Civilization , Kaiju , Heterosexual

Gintama°

Also known as Gintama Season 4.

Studio: Bandai Namco Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Drama , Sci-Fi

Gintoki, Shinpachi, and Kagura return as the fun-loving but broke members of the Yorozuya team! Living in an alternate-reality Edo, where swords are prohibited and alien overlords have conquered Japan, they try to thrive on doing whatever work they can get their hands on. However, Shinpachi and Kagura still haven't been paid... Does Gin-chan really spend all that cash playing pachinko? Meanwhile, when Gintoki drunkenly staggers home one night, an alien spaceship crashes nearby. A fatally injured crew member emerges from the ship and gives Gintoki a strange, clock-shaped device, warning him that it is incredibly powerful and must be safeguarded. Mistaking it for his alarm clock, Gintoki proceeds to smash the device the next morning and suddenly discovers that the world outside his apartment has come to a standstill. With Kagura and Shinpachi at his side, he sets off to get the device fixed; though, as usual, nothing is ever that simple for the Yorozuya team. Filled with tongue-in-cheek humor and moments of heartfelt emotion, Gintama's fourth season finds Gintoki and his friends facing both their most hilarious misadventures and most dangerous crises yet.


Tags: Samurai , Tragedy , Meta , Swordplay , Parody , Philosophy , Male Protagonist , Found Family , Shounen , Politics , Conspiracy , Primarily Adult Cast , Aliens , Anachronism , Gore , Historical , Space , Ninja , Kuudere , Body Swapping , Gender Bending , Time Manipulation

Kore wa Zombie desu ka?

Also known as Is this a Zombie?.

Studio: Studio DEEN
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Ecchi , Supernatural

Aikawa Ayumu is a normal high school boy. One day he is killed by a serial killer and revived as a zombie by a necromancer named Eucliwood Hellscythe. He starts to serve Eu as her guard but he happens to deprive the mahou shoujo Haruna of her magic power. Haruna orders Ayumu to fight against the anti-mahou shoujo system "Megalo" in her place.

Tags: Zombie , Female Harem , Henshin , Urban Fantasy , Magic , Crossdressing , Kuudere , Monster Girl , School , Primarily Female Cast , Surreal Comedy , Male Protagonist , Heterosexual , Yandere , Vampire , Ninja , Reincarnation , Gore , Memory Manipulation , Nudity , Circus , Assassins , Yuri

Gintama'

Also known as Gintama Season 2.

Studio: Sunrise
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Drama , Sci-Fi

After a one-year hiatus, Shinpachi Shimura returns to Edo, only to stumble upon a shocking surprise: Gintoki and Kagura, his fellow Yorozuya members, have become completely different characters! Fleeing from the Yorozuya headquarters in confusion, Shinpachi finds that all the denizens of Edo have undergone impossibly extreme changes, in both appearance and personality. Most unbelievably, his sister Otae has married the Shinsengumi chief and shameless stalker Isao Kondou and is pregnant with their first child.

Bewildered, Shinpachi agrees to join the Shinsengumi at Otae and Kondou's request and finds even more startling transformations afoot both in and out of the ranks of the the organization. However, discovering that Vice Chief Toushirou Hijikata has remained unchanged, Shinpachi and his unlikely Shinsengumi ally set out to return the city of Edo to how they remember it.

With even more dirty jokes, tongue-in-cheek parodies, and shameless references, Gintama' follows the Yorozuya team through more of their misadventures in the vibrant, alien-filled world of Edo.



Tags: Parody , Swordplay , Slapstick , Samurai , Ensemble Cast , Found Family , Meta , Male Protagonist , Episodic , Aliens , Gore , Philosophy , Anachronism , Shounen , Ninja , Historical , Primarily Adult Cast , Female Harem , Rakugo , Yakuza , Oiran , Tragedy , Space , Time Skip , LGBTQ+ Themes , Boys' Love , Cosplay , Skeleton , Robots , Kuudere , Yuri