The role of Japanese culture in modern entertainment and storytelling has fascinated the world for many decades. Their captivating themes of sacrifice, honor, and duty portrayed in most of their ancient fables have propelled modern ideas of mesmerizing web series and movies.
While you may find thousands of web series and feature films based on the Japanese culture, “Ninjai – The Little Ninja” revolves around a young boy who journey’s through the ancient world in search of his true purpose and identity.
The web series was a masterpiece and ruled the early 2000s with its stunning artwork and compelling storyline. Although the makers halted the series, a new rumor of a possible resurrection in 2022 has set the internet on fire.
This article will help you learn more about the evolution of the Japanese animation industry and how this upcoming feature film will elevate the established ninja world to a whole new level.
The rise of Japanese animation
While the world may relate animation with the Walt Disney franchise, Japanese animations have captured audiences with their outstanding storytelling and visuals.
Animated masterpieces like Princess Mononoke bridged the gap between international boundaries and catered to the needs of millions of fans worldwide.
The unique storytelling of Japanese animated films has garnered massive attention among all ages with shows like Ninja Scroll or Cowboy Bebop. In short, the Japanese animation industry has created a different space, declaring why it has become a mainstream success.
Unlike bigger studios and production companies, small-scale projects also celebrate the unique mannerism of Japanese culture, depicting various legends or fictional characters with utmost dedication.
One such brand is “Ninjai – The Little Ninja,” which garnered popularity among millions of martial arts fans with its unique storyline and outstanding visuals. The immense success of this appealing web series propelled the Japanese animation industry to new heights, cementing its authority among global audiences.
In fact, many western production studios have adopted Japanese animation techniques and styles to produce a perfect blend of both worlds.
Ninjas and Samurais
Among Japanese characters, ninjas and samurais share a lengthy history, and many web series and feature films based on these warriors have surfaced over the decades. Shows like Mortal Kombat, Naruto, The Last Samurai, and Ninja Turtles are a testament to the popularity these warriors have in the animation industry.
However, ninjas and samurais are different and share contrasting statuses in Japanese society. For instance, ninjas belong to the lower class and are often referred to as cheap assassins.
On the other hand, Samurais represent the higher class and are often viewed as noble or honorable warriors. You can also identify these characters based on their outfits as Samurais always wear masks and armor, while ninjas wear full black clothing.
Despite having these differences, ninjas and samurais have been an integral part of the warrior history of Japan and will fuel many animated projects in the future.
The popularity of “Ninjai – The Little Ninja”
You’d probably know about ninjas if you have ever heard of the Japanese animation industry. These Japanese warriors have fueled concepts for multiple web series and feature films and are one of the top niches in entertainment history.
“Ninjai – The Little Ninja” depicts a fascinating story of a young boy who ventures to the ancient world in search of his true purpose and identity. Since ninjas appeal to everyone, the web series became an instant hit when it surfaced in the early 2000s.
The hand-crafted sketches coupled with outstanding animated sequences ensured that audiences connected to the web series in an instant. The impressive storyline also made the audience relate with the characters, where Ninjai uses his wisdom and martial arts skills to battle enemies more powerful and more prominent than him.
The makers ensured that they hit a perfect balance of wisdom and action in the web series, making it a complete package for all ages. For instance, the innocence and curiosity of Ninjai added the flavors of a young character, while his mastery over Ninjitsu makes him a formidable warrior.
The presence of heartwarming comedy scenes and interactive segments with various characters was the web series’s intense highlight. Furthermore, the emergence of a young character playing the protagonist was unique and new, which helped it stand out in the crowd.
The makers behind “Ninjai – The Little Ninja”
“Ninjai – The Little Ninja” is a passion project of a small team of animators who wanted to foray into the Japanese animation industry. However, as the web series garnered more attention from the masses, the “Ninjai Gang” explored more and put their best efforts into making the series more appealing.
For instance, the animation quality with each episode became better, and the team employed more techniques to add more flavors to the series. By the time the web series became a common household name, the makers had done enough to make it stand out in the crowd.
Many industry experts believed that the web series was better than most projects in the early 2000s with top-notch martial arts sequences and a storyline. The resulting product ensured that “Ninjai – The Little Ninja” was well ahead of its peers and became a masterpiece in the early 2000s without the support of any big studio or production company.
The hype over “Ninjai – The Little Ninja” feature film
With the teaser trailer out for the upcoming feature film, fans have gone crazy over the internet. The idea of watching the 2000 classic on a bigger screen will entice many fans, and it would undoubtedly become one of the most anticipated animated films in history.
However, the makers have no official confirmation as their official site is under maintenance. Thankfully, many industry experts believe that the feature film will undoubtedly hit the screens in 2022, adding more fuel to the hype.
In short, it can be tricky to determine the exact date for the release of the “Ninjai – The Little Ninja” feature film. However, one thing is undoubtedly on the cards that this feature film will garner attention from all walks of life.
