Movies / Animé and Toons

Ninja Nonsense: the Complete Collection

By Chris Zimmerman
Aug 10, 2010 - 11:48

Ninjas and anime have proven to be a successful combination in recent years, thanks mainly to the phenomenon that is Naruto. While other shows have seen varying results mixing the two, Ninja Nonsense is an enigma, as it manages to blend humor and action while totally decrying everything that ninjas should be. As a general rule of thumb, self parodying comedies are hit or miss, making it even more refreshing that Ninja Nonsense sidestep to avoid the usual clichés that accompany over the top comedies.

Ninja Nonsense follows the adventures of Shinobu, a trainee studying to become a full on ninja. Unfortunately, Shinobu is far from being what many would consider a ninja as she is bumbling, childish, and everything a ninja shouldn’t be. Of course, it doesn’t help matters that her master is a dirty old man who isn’t even really a man, training a dojo full of ninja as insane as he is known as the Sasuke Army. Most of his lessons revolve around coming up with suggestive positions for Shinobu to assume.

As fate would have it, Shinobu is sent by her master to retrieve the underwear of a teenager named Kaede. Considering how bumbling Shinobu is, things don’t necessarily work out as she planned, as her attempts to create a doppelganger instead result in raining appendages. The two eventually become friends with Kaede trying to provide a level head for Shinobu to lean on.

As one would expect, the comedy in Ninja Nonsense is absurd and off the wall. The nonstop slapstick comedy is what drives the show, making the plot one joke after another. In fact, every joke is random, hence the title. The show is nonsense and is meant to be taken with a grain of salt. The humor for the most part delivers though it does become repetitive the longer the show goes. It should also be noted that because the series’ jokes are spontaneous, they lose some luster upon replay.

For a comedy series, Ninja Nonsense sports solid animation. The animation is vibrant and fluid, and all around easy on the eyes. There was very little in the way of cutting corners and the character designs are cartoony and cute.

The dub is exceptionally done with everyone delivering their lines with enthusiasm but the real show stealer Sean Schemmel, better known for his performance as Goku from Dragon Ball Z, as Shinobu’s eccentric teacher Onsokamaru. His portrayal of the character is unrestrained, loud, and hilarious.

The extras are the usual fare with clean openings and closings, character bios, and cast interviews. Of course, this being Nozomi, the release is once again exceptional with a sturdy box housing the discs and a special booklet with linear notes, production art, and interviews.

Ninja Nonsense isn’t a show one should take seriously. It’s a hilarious exercise in insanity that throws as much humor at the viewers as it can muster in its running time. While it’s not quite as funny as it is a second time around, the series will still bring out a few laughs from its audience. Whether you’re having a bad day or are just in need of a good laugh, Ninja Nonsense delivers in spades.

B+

Last Updated: May 16, 2012 - 6:56
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