The 11 Best Ninja Anime to Watch in 2024

Set in the year 1614 AD, the story revolves around two rival ninja clans, each backing a son of Hidetada Tokugawa for the role of the next shogun.

Both clans dispatch 10 representatives to engage in a deadly battle for the ownership of a sacred scroll.

The losing clan will be annihilated, while the winning clan will get unwavering backing from the Tokugawa government for the next millennium.

Basilisk is a slow burner and an old-school anime with spectacular action scenes.

Tsubaki Kunoichi stands out as the best student in her kunoichi academy, excelling in every aspect of her training.

Living in a secluded village inhabited solely by women, she adheres to the strict rule prohibiting any interaction with men.

Yet, beneath her dutiful façade lies a secret; she yearns to explore the forbidden realm of men.

In the Heart of Kunoichi Tsubaki is an entertaining ninja series with comedic elements.

Katanagatari’s story unfolds during the Edo period, featuring Yasuri Shichika, the seventh leader of the Kyoto School of Japanese Sword martial arts, who resides on Fushou Island alongside his sister, Nanami.

Upon receiving an order from Togame, a female samurai general, he sets out on a journey to procure the 12 precious swords crafted by the legendary swordsmith named Shikizaki Kiki.

Katanagatari stresses more on the journey than the destination, making it a great watch. The plot is also immersive and interesting around the 12 swords.

DISCOVER: Best Historical Anime You Should Watch

The story of Brave 10 happens amid the turmoil of the Warring States period. The ninja Kirigakure Saizou encounters the miko Isanami during an ambush by assassins.

Isanami’s shrine lies in ruins, demolished by Ieyasu Tokugawa for aligning with Sanada Yukimura.

Meanwhile, Sanada has been assembling a force, dubbed Sanada’s Brave 10, each possessing the potential to alter the course of history.

As these warriors gradually assemble, Isanami’s enigmatic abilities begin to manifest.

The series revolves around the journey of Recca Hanabishi, a teenage boy fascinated by ninjas who proclaims himself to be one.

He frequently engages in battles, offering his services as a loyal ninja to anyone who defeats him.

However, he ultimately pledges his loyalty to Yanagi Sakoshita, a girl with remarkable healing powers, due to her kindness.

Recca later discovers his ability to control flames and learns he is the son of the sixth-generation leader of the Hokage ninja clan, which was eradicated by Oda Nobunaga around 400 years ago.

Flame of Recca is a typical shounen series with a great storyline that is satisfying if you are a classic shounen fan.

Another ninja movie that made it on our list is Black Fox.

Set in a covert ninja enclave nestled within the labyrinthine streets of a futuristic metropolis, Black Fox centers around Rikka, the firstborn of a distinguished ninja lineage.

She deeply admires her father, a dedicated researcher. However, her peaceful life is shattered when her home comes under attack.

Faced with danger, Rikka embraces her inner strength, tearing through the shadows that come out as the powerful entity called BLACK.

In the land of Japan, where monsters known as ayakashi roam freely, a specialized clan of exorcist ninjas stands to fight the menace.

Among them is Matsuri, a young exorcist ninja dedicated to battling ayakashi and safeguarding his beloved childhood friend, Suzu.

The balance is disrupted when an enigmatic ayakashi cat named Shirogane enters the scene, throwing everything into disarray.

Ayakashi Triangle is a supernatural, ninja anime with ecchi and romantic elements.

MAPPA’s Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku is part of the Dark Trio of Shounen Anime along with Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man.

The story follows Gabimaru the Hollow who emerges from the shadow as one of Iwagakure’s deadliest assassins.

His reputation for ruthless efficiency precedes him, but a betrayal leads to him being sentenced to death.

With his fate sealed, Gabimaru’s sole chance at redemption lies in a dangerous mission.

To secure his freedom, he must venture to a secluded island shrouded in secrecy and retrieve an elixir rumored to grant immortality to the shogun.

Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku is gory and packed with action. Moreover, the premise of the anime is exciting and will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Ninja Scroll is an anime movie that came out in 1993 and was praised by fans for being the one of the finest ninja anime.

The movie is about Jubei, who is a noble sword for hire. His life changes when he crosses paths with a young ninja woman whom he rescues from assault, and ends up clashing against a band of demonic humans.

After parting ways, a government spy compels Jubei to reunite with her to probe the mysterious wipeout of an entire village.

The inquiry uncovers a conspiracy involving demons and a supposedly deceased figure from Jubei’s past.

As they start to unravel the truth, they become targeted by the demons, culminating in a brutal showdown where Jubei faces several powerful enemies.

Regarded as the quintessential and highly-rated ninja series, Naruto Shippuden is an absolute fan favorite in the ninja anime genre.

Naruto Shippuden picks up where the original animated TV series, Naruto, left off.

It follows the journey of an older and more seasoned Naruto Uzumaki as he endeavors to rescue his comrade, Sasuke Uchiha, from the clutches of the shinobi, Orochimaru.

Naruto returns to his home village, Konohagakure, after two and a half years, determined to pursue his goals.

However, his path is full of challenges, as he finds himself confronted by dangerous adversaries, including the notorious shinobi group, Akatsuki.

Adult Swim’s latest anime offering in 2024 is Ninja Kamui, a hardcore ninja anime with brutal action sequences.

The story of Ninja Kamui revolves around Joe Higan, a Nukenin – a renegade ninja who fled his clan to live a peaceful life with his family in rural America.

However, his past catches up with him when he is ambushed one night by assassins from his former organization seeking vengeance for his betrayal of their code.

Though presumed dead, Joe resurfaces as his alter ego, Ninja Kamui, driven by the need to avenge his loved ones.

As a 21st-century ninja, he employs ancient techniques against modern weaponry with lethal precision.

His journey is bombarded with battles against robotic soldiers, skilled assassins, and rival ninjas as he seeks to dismantle the very clan that made him what he is today.