A man living in the countryside, going through a fairly mundane but happy life, until his violent past comes back to take it away… It’s a familiar story, one that studios keep returning to time and time again. Newcomer studio E&H Production has taken this story for Ninja Kamui, but with Jujutsu Kaisen’s director Sunghoo Park at the helm, the trope isn’t used for a safe bet– instead, it’s a great choice to showcase what the studio can offer. The action sequences feature his signature flair, with stunning detail, excellent choreography and point-of-view shots that place the viewer in the fight themselves. That being said, it’s also Park’s first time on an original work that isn’t an adaptation, or inspired by an already existing franchise. The show still needs to build up its world and the emotional stakes around Joe Higan, but so far, Ninja Kamui is a pretty decent introduction to Park’s new studio.
A team of assassins exacts a bloody retribution on Joe Logan – a former ninja who escaped his clan – and his family for betraying their ancient code. Rising from his seeming "death," Joe will re-emerge as his former self – Ninja Kamui – to avenge his family and friends and bring down the very clan that made him.
While seeming like a regular old familyman, Joe Higan is a former ninja, hiding in rural America from his violent past. However, his past isn’t too far behind, and he must return to the shadows in order to avenge his family.
Frankly, Ninja Kamui’s story and world is typical, at least for its first few episodes, but what’s keeping us watching is how slick the action sequences are. The show doesn’t hesitate in being as brutal and gory as possible, sometimes with blood splattering on the “camera lens” and the choreography reminiscent of classic action anime.
With two episodes out of the gate, we’re hoping that the story picks up soon, but at least the action sequences are up to snuff… Hopefully the rest of the season will play out nicely.
