The success of ninja anime has been particularly notable over the years, thanks to the immense popularity of one series, Naruto.
The anime is more popular than ever, especially due to the impressive number of genres and subgenres that have gained popularity over the years.
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Naruto and its sequel, Naruto: Shippuden, played a major role in the global spread of anime. While they may be the most well-known ninja anime, they are far from the only ones. Before and after the first episode of Naruto aired, many other entertaining ninja series were released, some of which offered real competition to the famous shōnen anime.
10. Brave 10 blends historical details with heroic action
Like most ninja and samurai anime, Brave 10 is set during one of Japan’s historical periods—in this case, the Warring States era. Inspired by a fictional version of the real-life bodyguards assigned to warlord Sanada Yukimura, Brave 10 follows a legendary group of ten ninjas with the power to shape the course of Japanese history.
Compared to Naruto, which revolves entirely around fictional ninja villages and extravagant chakra techniques, Brave 10 takes a much more grounded and historically influenced approach to the ninja world. While comparing the two is like comparing apples to oranges, the heroic ninjas of Brave 10 certainly deserve a place in the narrative.
9. Ninja Kamui explores a darker, deadlier ninja world
Ninja Kamui is a dark and gripping story that follows Kamui, a rogue ninja desperately trying to escape his past. Like other more modern series, the show's art style and world-building take on a cinematic approach, with fluid action sequences that are more reminiscent of Demon Slayer than Naruto.
Rightfully so, Ninja Kamui uses its cinematic refinement to steer its narrative toward far more nuanced themes than Naruto, choosing to explore the moral gray areas of a ninja’s life rather than the camaraderie that defines the Hidden Leaf Village. Even if the series occasionally takes itself a bit too seriously, it still offers an intriguing change of pace from the adventures of Naruto Uzumaki.
8. Ninja Scroll brings ninja action to the big screen
Unlike many ninja anime that take the form of TV series, Ninja Scroll is actually an animated film. Praised for its visceral, mature, and action-packed storyline, the movie follows a former mercenary ninja named Jubei as he tries to survive attacks from the Eight Devils of Kimon—a group of supernatural ninjas serving a warlord.
As with most comparisons between films and TV shows, Ninja Scroll benefits from a much more streamlined narrative approach than Naruto, allowing its story to flow more smoothly than that of the Hidden Leaf Village. That said, the film’s mature tone appeals to a very different audience than Naruto, so fans looking for a more youthful, lighthearted narrative may find Ninja Scroll too raw for their tastes.
7. Hell’s Paradise brings ninja into the modern era of shōnen anime
Naruto remains one of the most popular anime in the world more than two decades after its initial release. While few series rival its influence, modern shows like Hell’s Paradise have played a key role in refining the genre. Introduced as one of the “Dark Trio” alongside Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man, this series follows the immortal Gabimaru the Hollow on a quest for the Elixir of Life to escape a prison sentence.
As its place in the Dark Trio suggests, Hell's Paradise maintains a dark tone throughout its narrative, with themes of immortality, trauma, and violence consistently at its core. Unlike Naruto, where acceptance and personal growth are viable solutions to conflict, Hell's Paradise tackles deeper, darker questions about life, death, and the true meaning of existence.
6. Basilisk reveals the dark side of war
Set in feudal Japan, Basilisk tells the tragic story of two warring ninja clans—the Koga and the Iga—forced by their masters into a deadly competition. Known for its explicit fight scenes and brutal storytelling, Basilisk is undeniably one of the darkest ninja anime in the genre.
The generational feud between the Koga and Iga clans makes Basilisk a gripping watch, echoing the never-ending rivalry between the Senju and Uchiha clans in Naruto. However, Basilisk is even more willing to explore the tragic consequences of ninja conflict, frequently illustrating the brutality of war when two groups see each other as obstacles to achieving their goals.
5. Rurouni Kenshin remains a timeless ninja anime classic
Rurouni Kenshin, one of the most beloved anime of the 1990s, has enjoyed consistent success since its debut over 30 years ago. Its protagonist, the wandering swordsman Kenshin, was once a notorious assassin who killed hundreds across Japan. After leaving his profession and vowing to live peacefully, he now roams the countryside as a protector of the innocent.
While technically more of a samurai anime than a ninja story, Rurouni Kenshin includes enough ninja elements—thanks to Kenshin’s assassin past and groups like the Oniwabanshu—to qualify as part of the genre. The overall tone is more serious than the lighter moments of Naruto, but it retains the nostalgic charm of the ’90s that will appeal to longtime anime fans.
4. Flame of Recca adds mysticism to Naruto’s formula
Flame of Recca follows a young boy named Recca who discovers his ancestral connection to a legendary fire-wielding ninja. While the series shares core elements with Naruto—especially the focus on a young hero training to become a powerful fighter—Flame of Recca holds its own against the best of the Naruto franchise with its incorporation of elemental powers and intense personal stakes.
3. Blackfox puts a female protagonist at the heart of a ninja anime
While anime as a whole is improving in its portrayal of female characters, it’s still rare to see action series—especially ninja anime—with a woman in the leading role. Fortunately, shows like Blackfox break that trend with flair, thanks in large part to memorable characters like Rikka.
In Blackfox, Rikka is a skilled young ninja seeking revenge after the brutal murder of her family, leading her down a path that tests how far she’s willing to go in the name of vengeance. While her story differs greatly from that of Naruto, both narratives offer compelling experiences for fans, making each series worth watching for those who enjoy the other.
2. Under Ninja brings shinobi into a futuristic world
Ninja anime often take place during specific periods of Japanese history and draw inspiration from them. However, that’s not always the case. Sometimes, a series like Under Ninja challenges genre conventions by placing its story in a distinct cyberpunk setting.
Under Ninja is set in a world where ninjas function as a covert military force, blending high-tech espionage with traditional ninja warfare. It’s a refreshing and unorthodox take on the ninja genre, portraying a contemporary world where ninjas are deployed by the government, much like their historical counterparts once were.
1. Batman Ninja fuses American superhero comics with Japanese history
In one of the most original concept mashups in animation history, Batman Ninja is a visually stunning anime that reimagines Batman in feudal Japan. There, he must face a samurai version of the Joker and other iconic villains, creating a unique fusion of Western superhero storytelling and traditional Japanese culture.
While Naruto follows ninja clans and character-driven personal growth, Batman Ninja breaks the mold by blending Western comic book mythology with Japanese traditions, resulting in a completely different aesthetic and tone from the average ninja anime.
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