Kengo Hanazawa’s popular manga series, Under Ninja, is taking a brief hiatus. This article breaks down the details of the break, its impact on fans, and provides a refresher on the series’ premise and its various adaptations.
What’s Happening?
Under Ninja manga is going on a three-week break starting March 31, 2025. The announcement was made in the 18th issue of Kodansha’s Weekly Young Magazine. Fans can expect the series to return in the combined 22nd and 23rd issue on April 28, 2025.
Why the Hiatus?
While the exact reason for the break hasn’t been explicitly stated, manga hiatuses are common. They can occur due to several factors:
- Author’s Health: Manga creation is a demanding process. Authors sometimes need breaks to rest and recover.
- Production Schedule: Hiatuses can allow the author and production team to get ahead, ensuring a smoother release schedule in the long run.
- Creative Refresh: A break can give the creator time to recharge creatively and plan future storylines.
What is Under Ninja About?
Under Ninja presents a unique take on the ninja genre, blending modern-day espionage with high school life. Here’s the core concept:
- Secret Ninja Organization: After World War II, Allied Command in Japan established a secret agency to combat terrorism and violence in the Pacific region. This agency is staffed by ninja.
- Hidden in Plain Sight: These ninja, numbering around 20,000, operate in the shadows, integrated into various sectors of Japanese society.
- Kurō’s Story: The series focuses on Kurō Kumogakure, a seemingly ordinary high school student. He’s a “loser” who finds himself on the front lines of a potential surge of foreign assassins in Tokyo.
- The Under Ninja (UN): As the story progresses, a challenger arises: The Under Ninja or UN. This ninja oppose the National Intelligence of NINJA (NIN) at every turn.
Denpa, the English publisher of the manga, describes the series as following a high school loner who gets a part-time job as a modern-day ninja tasked with international assassinations.
Under Ninja‘s Journey: From Manga to Screen
Hanazawa launched the Under Ninja manga in Weekly Young Magazine in July 2018. Since then, it has expanded into various forms of media:
- Manga: The manga has been serialized since 2018 in Kodansha’s Weekly Young Magazine. Kodansha is set to publish the 15th compiled book volume on April 4, 2025. As of December 6, 2024, fourteen volumes have been released. Denpa publishes the manga in English.
- Anime: An anime television series adaptation by Tezuka Productions aired from October to December 2023, totaling 12 episodes. Crunchyroll streamed the anime outside of Asia. Satoshi Kuwabara directed the anime, Keiichirō Ōchi supervised the scripts, Nobuteru Yūki designed the characters, and Shōta Kowashi composed the music. The opening theme song is “Hyper” by Kroi. The anime starred Taito Ban as Kurō Kumogakure and Tarusuke Shingaki as Katō.
- Live-Action Film: A live-action film adaptation premiered in Japan on January 24, 2025. Yuichi Fukuda directed and wrote the film. Kento Yamazaki and Minami Hamabe star as Kurō Kumogakure and Ayaka Noguchi, respectively. The film’s theme song is “Doppelgänger,” performed by Creepy Nuts. A world premiere screening was planned for Los Angeles on January 8, 2025, but was canceled due to a state of emergency during wildfires in California.
Where to Read and Watch Under Ninja
- Manga: Available in English from Denpa. Also available in Italian from J-POP, in German from Carlsen Verlag, and in French from Pika Édition.
- Anime: Streamed on Crunchyroll.
Reception and Popularity
Under Ninja has garnered a dedicated fanbase and positive reception:
- MyAnimeList: The anime has a rating of 6.89/10 based on over 24,000 users.
- MangaUpdates: The manga has an average rating of 7.3/10 based on 46 votes.
The series blends action, comedy, and suspense. It’s praised for its unique premise, modern take on ninjas, and engaging characters.
What to Expect After the Break
When Under Ninja returns on April 28, fans can anticipate:
- Continuation of the Story: The manga will likely pick up where it left off, continuing Kurō’s journey and exploring the conflicts between the different ninja organizations.
- Potential Plot Developments: The break may have allowed Hanazawa to plan new storylines and character arcs.
- More Action and Intrigue: Expect the series to maintain its blend of ninja action, high school life, and suspenseful plot twists.
Other Ninja Manga to Check Out
While waiting for Under Ninja to return, consider exploring other ninja-themed manga:
- Naruto: The classic shonen series that defined the ninja genre for a generation.
- Boruto: The sequel series to Naruto, following the next generation of ninja.
- Shinobi Undercover: A more recent series in Weekly Shonen Jump, offering a modern take on ninjas operating in the shadows.
In Conclusion
The three-week break for Under Ninja is a temporary pause in an exciting and engaging series. Fans can look forward to its return on April 28, ready to dive back into the world of modern-day ninjas, high school intrigue, and covert operations. In the meantime, exploring other ninja-themed manga and revisiting the anime adaptation can help fill the void.
