2024 Show
Japan · Japanese
Ninjas can have family drama too in this understated, modern day take on the historical Japanese warriors
From the fantasy-powered folktales to superhero-like depictions, ninjas have captivated the world, but seem to be a relic of the past, with modern day warfare and weaponry turning them obsolete. House of Ninjas imagines a world where ninjas still exist, centering a clan stuck between wanting to abandon the old ways but also having skills that seem wasted in contemporary life. Because of this, the show at first seems boring– the family is severely demotivated, with some members acting out through petty theft, and with out-of-place jazzy musical tracks that undercut the action of the first few episodes. However, House of Ninjas gets better as the Tawara clan gets its act together, revealing the hidden heart each of them has for each other, one that’s been hidden because of the grief that struck the family. The show may be less action-packed than expected, but House of Ninjas comes across as an off-kilter family drama with just enough heart to work.
Years after retiring from their formidable ninja lives, a dysfunctional family must return to shadowy missions to counteract a string of looming threats.
While known best for their failing sake brewery, the dysfunctional Tawara clan must return to the shadows and take on their traditional mantle as shinobi to counteract the greatest crisis in Japanese history.
House of Ninjas operates on the idea of ninjas still being active in the modern world. It feels reminiscent of something like Kingsmen or the Incredibles, except the shinobi haven't adapted to the new world, with upgraded tech and systems– Instead, the Tawara clan has practically been abandoned, only contacted once in a while by the government, and paid the same they’ve been paid years earlier. This characterization makes the show stand out, not only because secret agents tend to be portrayed as high-tech, highly skilled assassins with plenty of secret resources, but also because it’s actually a plausible idea, with historical accounts of shinobi being scarce, due to secrecy and their possible lower class status. It makes House of Ninjas less focused on the stunts, but it also lends a certain authenticity that feels captivating.
If you want something close to the classic ninja depiction, this would not be that show. But, if you want a completely new take on the trope… By all means, watch it!
Isabella Endrinal is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. She's now free from the corporate night shift. Previous articles have been published in outlets such as NANG Magazine. She's currently catching up on some classic films… if she isn't coping with the fact that the Haikyu anime will end soon.
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