Recap: Kamen Rider Shinobi, Episode 1 – First NinPow! Volume: Hattari’s Love is Unrequited

In the year 2022, due to continuing harm to the environment, the Ninja Act requires the public to undergo ninja training in order to harness power that can be used to produce fire, water and other natural energies.

In reality, this is all just a ploy by the dark ninja crime clan, Niji no Hebi. And Kamen Rider Shinobi is the hero that will fight them.

Meanwhile, in a local Tokyo park, siblings Rentaro and Iroha Kagura are taking part in the annual ninjutsu competition. When Rentaro’s ninpou literally flames out, Kagura is able to successfully use hers and win the match. Kagura is excited to win in order to get a job at Konjou Company so she can lift them out of poverty. Rentaro says not to worry as he’ll find a good paying job.

Kagura says she doesn’t really count on him though. Instead, she will become the #1 ninja in the land.

Back home, Rentaro is shocked to hear from Master Gamano (who is a frog printed onto a scroll hanging on the wall) that the Niji no Hebi are looking for their princess. And it turns out Iroha is that princess.

Master Gamano says neither the Niji no Hebi nor Iroha know she is the princess yet. Still, the dark ninjas are on the move, so they have to be on the lookout. Rentaro thinks they should back out of the tournament, especially since it is sponsored by the Konjou Company. But Master Gamano says not to shelter her and instead, the tournament might be best for her training. And they must obtain the grand prize no matter what.

Rentaro says he will do his best to try and win. But Master Gamano advises not to show off his skills too much, otherwise people will know he is Kamen Rider Shinobi.

When Iroha comes into the room, Rentaro quickly tries to act like he’s simply trimming bonsai. She complains that their electricity has been cut off and Rentaro apologizes for forgetting to pay. She scolds him to keep his negligence to his ninjutsu only.

Rentaro takes offense and vows to show her his true skills at the tournament today. But he instead loses to another opponent. Iroha just laughs at him.

Later, Iroha qualifies for the next round, but Rentaro is eliminated.

Just then, there is a commotion nearby and Rentaro hurries over to see what celebrity it might be. But it’s actually only Konjo Ichamichi, his best friend.

Icchi says he may merely be the heir to the Konjou Company, but he is very popular. That reminds Rentaro that Icchi is part of the tournament judging panel so he asks if there’s any way he can get put through to the next round. Icchi says he can’t since his father values undefeated ninjas. Rentaro asks Icchi to talk to his papa, but Icchi says he really can’t.

Icchi perks up when Iroha approaches them. But Iroha is disappointed because she was hoping Kamen Rider Shinobi showed up as she has an ultimate crush on him. Especially because he always comes to save her.

Icchi is a bit jealous, though Rentaro is very excited to hear how much Iroha idolizes Shinobi. Anyway, she tells him to get going to his job while she stays to continue with the tournament.

Rentaro lurks around the park keeping an eye on Iroha as she takes part in an obstacle course. After one obstacle, Iroha slips on some marbles, but she is able to get up and continue. Next at a target challenge, Iroha misses every single one. Rentaro is surprised considering Iroha’s nickname is “Bullseye”.

Rentaro dons a referee outfit and checks on the shurikens to see that they have been bent. He is sure someone is sabotaging her.

Just then, a mysterious figure watches him from behind a tree. Rentaro tosses a shuriken at the ninja, but they run away. Rentaro follows a trail of blood, but it just leads him back to the competition area.

Rentaro sees an orange-hooded ninja watching Iroha and chases after him. Rentaro confronts the ninja about bending Iroha’s shurikens. Now that he’s been found out, the ninja pulls out a gold gourd. And to Rentaro’s surprise, the ninja henshins to Kamen Rider Hattari.

Hattari summons ninjas to help battle Rentaro. But Rentaro henshins to Shinobi.

Rentaro easily takes cares of the basic ninjas before taking on Hattari. Rentaro uses flame ninpou to counter Hattari’s ice ninpou and delivers a finisher that forces Hattari to dehenshin.

Rentaro goes over to pull off Hattari’s hood and is shocked to see it is Icchi!

Suddenly, shurikens come flying out of the forest at Rentaro.

Episode Thoughts

So I watched the Kamen Rider Shinobi Rider Time episodes back when they were first released. But I realized recently that I had never written about them. So I thought why not? Also, I need posts in this pre-Christmas week. So here we are! Hehe.

But I really do want to express my enjoyment of Kamen Rider Shinobi. Rewatching these episodes after a few years and after watching the crossover special with Tycoon/Keiwa, I still feel the same way now. Really a fun and creative little story. And definitely something I wish I could have watched for a year than the recent Kamen Rider seasons, to be honest.

First off, it is a lot of fun seeing Tawada Hideya as the title character. He is able to do both the funny, goofy side of Rentaro and the more badass, serious side as well. I think in Ninninger, he was tasked with much lighter material most of the time. So it’s great to see him here with a little more to work with, though Ninninger certainly had its dramatic moments as well.

Shinobi‘s story is familiar, while also still refreshing. The idea of Rentaro having to hide his identity is a toku staple of course. And that dynamic with his sister Iroha and his best bro Icchi would be a lot of fun to watch for an entire season. Master Gamano would also be a fun source of wisdom and wit and also some mystery too.

The world turning into a ninja society would also provide a lot of potential for many different stories. Things like people having to adjust to the new world and others struggling with training. Of course, MOTWs who abuse and use the powers for bad things. And others who might use ninjutsu for good as well. All while telling the main story about Rentaro fighting off the dark ninjas. Icchi would also get some great story when it is revealed that his family’s company may be involved in nefarious things too.

Already in this first episode, you can see a lot of potential in a Shinobi series. Well, we can just enjoy these three episodes and the Geats crossover at least!