After the death of his father, Ittoki Sakuraba didn’t really think to much of his mother, uncle, and even childhood friend being extra protective of him. However, when a second year girl asks him out on a date and tries to kill him, he learns the shocking truth.
His mother, uncle, childhood friend and so many people around him are actually ninjas of the Iga clan that defend him, the son and heir of the previous chief, against the Koga Clan that seeks to destroy them in vengeance for Iga killing their own clan chief.
For his own safety and to hone his skills, he is sent to the prestigious Kokuten Ninja Academy, but the intrigues of the ninja world are just beginning.
Since it shifts from interesting modern ninjas to less interesting school life back to interesting ninja intrigue, Shinobi no Ittoki is kind of rocky to get into. However, if you are looking for more anime recommendations like Shinobi no Ittoki, head on down below.
Anime Like Shinobi no Ittoki
For Fans of Ninja Anime
Nabari no Ou
In this modern world, ninja clans still survive and thrive in secret all around us. In the midst of this sits Miharu, a relatively apathetic young man that is the bearer of a powerful ninja technique.
There are many ninja clans that seek his power in order to become ruler over Nabari, the ninja world.
Enduring several attacks, Miharu has no choice but to accept the protection of his English teacher and the resident Banten ninja clan.
Both series are about ninjas in the modern world and follow “chosen” ninjas that didn’t even want to be a ninja, let alone a leader.
However, while Shinobi no Ittoki features ninjas who adapt and use technology, Nabari no Ou still maintains the “ninjas living in plain sight” approach, but they have more flashy, magic-style ninja techniques like fireballs and etcetera.
Naruto
Orphaned at a young age and ostracized by his village due to the nine-tailed fox demon that was sealed within him at birth, Naruto aims for the top.
His dream is to eventually become the leader of his village, the Hokage. However, first he must actually become a ninja and gain strength enough to rise to this pinnacle.
Shinobi no Ittoki is a series about ninjas, so seasoned anime fans should have expected this. Naruto being the staple “ninja anime” aside, it does have similarities in story.
Both series are about young ninjas who attend a school to learn the techniques despite having very little experience compared to many of their peers who are naturally gifted or from prestigious families.
While Shinobi no Ittoki explores a more focused singular plot, Naruto, as a shounen action anime, tells its story in arcs where the plot differs from arc to arc.
Himawari
Himawari Hinata has always wanted to be a ninja since she was saved by one as a child. As such, she has finally transferred to Shinobi Gakuen in order to train to be a kunoichi.
On her first day, she meets a new transfer teacher named Hayato Madenokoji who ends up saving her life despite being there to teach ninjas about normal society and not possessing any ninja skills. However, Himawari notices a strange mark on his neck that resembles the same mark on the neck of the ninja that saved her when she was a child.
Both series focus on modern day ninjas who are going to a school specifically for training ninjas. The main characters have zero knowledge of how to be a ninja and stumble their way through school life.
However, while Shinobi no Ittoki features outside ninja clan politics and a threat to his life, Himawari is a lighter school life type show with a ninja spin.
For Fans of Feuding Clans
Basilisk
When two warring ninja clans each find themselves supporting a different son of Hidetada Tokugawa as the next shogun, they each send 10 representatives to fight to the death. The winner of this fight not only gets Tokugawa support, but they earn the right to wipe out the other clan.
Both series are about the historical feud between the Iga and Koga ninja clans. Honestly, you could even look at Basilisk as a piece of history for the modern day feud in Shinobi no Ittoki.
The big difference between these series is the violence content. Basilisk is a blood bath where many of the characters within will die.
That said, while limited on plot, Basilisk does have a wide variety of interesting battles.
Nura – Rise of the Yokai Clan
Rikuo Nura wants to be a normal boy. However, as a quarter yokai and the grandson of the current yokai leader, he is destined to be heir apparent to their yokai clan.
As he can only transform into his yokai form at night, Nura leads two separate lives.
Both shows follow the heir-apparent to a clan that dwells in the shadows.
While Ittoki was ignorant of his status until he was almost murdered, Nura tries to keep his ideals until he can no longer straddle two worlds.
Both series are about the struggles they have to overcome to become a worthy next leader of their clan.
K
In this world, there are those referred to as Kings. They were individuals bestowed with great supernatural power and they use it to recruit others to their clan. To protect those members is a King’s great duty.
However, after a murder of a Red clan member, a student is accused of homicide. During the man hunt, the city devolves into full-on war among the Kings.
While having less similarities in their characters, what K and Shinobi no Ittoki have most in common is the world built around various feuding clans.
In K, it is more like gang warfare rather than ninja clans, however.
The big draw in both series is the various intrigues going on in the world between all these clans and unraveling the overall mystery that is driving it.
For Fans of an Ordinary Chosen One and His Lady Guard
Strike the Blood
Kojou Akatsuki was a normal high school student, but his normal life comes to an end when an encounter with a vampire leaves him with magnificent abilities.
As it turns out, he is the once thought mythical fourth primogenitor, whose power is immense.
Fearing the destructive potential of his powers, the Lion King Organization dispatches sword-shaman Yukina to monitor him and kill him if he becomes a threat. Unfortunately, she is not the only one with eyes on him.
Both Shinobi no Ittoki and Strike the Blood follow ordinary guys who, after an incident, find out they are actually the heir-apparent to long-standing organizations.
In Shinobi no Ittoki, it is ninjas whereas in Strike the Blood, it is vampires.
They both also feature a woman skilled in combat who guards and monitors then as well as a tidy little harem that builds up over time.
Witch Craft Works
Honoka Takamiya has the misfortune of being seated next to their school’s idol, Ayaka Kagari, and is constantly pestered by the swarm of students that surround her.
However, one day when he is randomly attacked by a mysterious witch, Ayaka saves him and reveals herself to be a covert witch that was charged with protecting him.
Suddenly, his normal life becomes flipped upside down as he learns that others wish to steal a power within him.
Both series feature main characters that have always been watched by their female guardian, often without them even realizing that was the case. The main characters only discovers they were being guarded when they were attacked for what they are.
While both series are often rather light, Witch Craft Works can be more outright comical in its silliness sometimes.
Shakugan no Shana
One day, Yuuji Sakai had his regular school life end when he becomes trapped in time and attacked by an unknown being. Right as he is about to die, he is rescued by a nameless hunter with brilliant red hair.
After being saved, the girl tells him that he is a Torch, a soul that has already died and is just waiting to fizzle out.
Both series focus on main characters who, at first, are almost useless. Their constantly endangered lives are only preserved by their female companions who are extremely talented in combat.
While Kousetsu has a quiet looming, Shana, as a big tsundere, is a bit more fiery and outspoken.
Do you have more anime recommendations like Shinobi no Ittoki? Let fans know in the comments section below.
