“A Ninja and an Assassin Under One Roof” has burst onto the anime scene, and the series premiere has certainly made a splash. Based on the manga by HundredBurger, this anime adaptation by Shaft delivers a unique blend of comedy, action, and slice-of-life elements, all wrapped in a visually appealing package. Here’s a breakdown of what makes this premiere so noteworthy.
The Premise: An Unlikely Roommate Situation
The story centers around two young women with very different backgrounds:
- Satoko Kusagakure: A somewhat inept ninja who escapes from her village. She’s skilled at cleaning and turning things into leaves but lacks serious combat skills.
- Konoha Koga: A high school student who leads a double life as a highly skilled assassin.
Their lives intertwine when Konoha rescues Satoko, leading to an unlikely cohabitation. Satoko, now a runaway ninja, needs a place to stay, and Konoha, the ever-pragmatic assassin, recognizes the usefulness of Satoko’s ninja abilities in cleaning up her messes (literally and figuratively).
First Impressions: Humor and Action Collide
The premiere episode, titled “A Ninja and an Assassin Meet”, wastes no time in establishing the show’s tone. It opens with Satoko’s comical escape from her ninja village, presented in a style reminiscent of classic anime capers, complete with exaggerated movements and retro visual cues. This sequence immediately grabs attention with its playful and confident approach.
The humor derives from the juxtaposition of the mundane and the macabre. Konoha’s nonchalant attitude toward her deadly profession contrasts sharply with Satoko’s naiveté and clumsiness. The show isn’t afraid to animate “the dumbest possible shit in glorious, gorgeous detail,” a quality that has been noted as a reliable indicator of good comedy.
One particular scene that exemplifies this contrast is when Konoha swiftly and efficiently dispatches Satoko’s pursuers, who happen to be her former clanmates. The suddenness and matter-of-factness of the violence are played for laughs, creating a darkly comedic effect.
Episode Highlights
- Satoko’s Escape: The opening sequence is a visual treat, paying homage to classic anime styles while introducing Satoko’s character and her initial predicament.
- The Meet-Cute (Kind Of): Konoha’s rescue of Satoko and their subsequent agreement to live together sets the stage for the series’ central dynamic.
- Konoha’s Skills on Display: The fight scenes showcase Konoha’s deadly abilities, highlighting the contrast between her unassuming appearance and her lethal profession.
- Humorous Interactions: The everyday interactions between Satoko and Konoha, such as Satoko’s attempts to navigate modern life and Konoha’s deadpan reactions, provide plenty of comedic moments.
Themes and Potential
While the premiere focuses on establishing the characters and their situation, it also hints at deeper themes and potential storylines:
- Found Family: Despite their initial arrangement being purely transactional, the bond between Satoko and Konoha may evolve into a genuine friendship or even a found family dynamic.
- Identity and Belonging: Satoko’s search for a new place to belong after leaving her village and Konoha’s struggle to balance her assassin life with her normal high school life could be explored further.
- Subversion of Expectations: The show cleverly subverts genre expectations by presenting a light-hearted yuri rom-com with a dark undertone of violence and danger.
Production Quality
Shaft’s animation is a standout feature of “A Ninja and an Assassin Under One Roof.” The studio is known for its unique visual style and attention to detail, and this series is no exception. The character designs are appealing, the action sequences are fluid and dynamic, and the backgrounds are richly detailed.
The music by Ryūnosuke Kasai complements the show’s tone, ranging from upbeat and energetic during comedic moments to tense and dramatic during action scenes. The opening theme, “Yarenno? Endless” performed by Kana Hanazawa, and the ending theme, “Ninkoro Dance” performed by HoneyWorks feat. HaKoniwalily, are both catchy and memorable.
Cast and Staff
The anime boasts a talented cast and crew:
- Director: Yukihiro Miyamoto (known for Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
- Series Composition: Fuyashi Tou (known for Monogatari)
- Character Design: Kazuya Shiotsuki (known for Luminous Witches)
- Music: Ryūnosuke Kasai (known for 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life)
The voice cast includes:
- Kana Hanazawa as Konoha Koga
- Haruna Mikawa as Satoko Kusagakure
- Eri Kitamura as Kuro
- Yū Serizawa as Marin Izutsumi
- Yui Ogura as Aoko Yoshida
- M.A.O as Fumiko Kusagakure
- Kyōka Moriya as Michiru Kusagakure
- Rumi Okubo as Yuriko
- Haruna Mikawa as Roboko
Reception and Where to Watch
The premiere of “A Ninja and an Assassin Under One Roof” has been met with generally positive reviews. Critics have praised the show’s humor, animation, and unique premise. Some have noted the dark comedic elements and the potential for the series to subvert genre expectations.
The series is available for streaming on Crunchyroll, with new episodes airing every Thursday.
Final Thoughts
“A Ninja and an Assassin Under One Roof” has all the ingredients for a successful anime series. Its engaging premise, well-developed characters, and high production values make it a must-watch for fans of comedy, action, and slice-of-life anime. The premiere episode sets a strong foundation, and it will be exciting to see how the story unfolds and how the relationship between Satoko and Konoha develops.
