by February 22nd is “Ninja Day.” It was established by Koga City, Shiga Prefecture, known as a ninja village, based on the wordplay “ninninnin,” a combination of ninja and ninja.
In the world of anime, there are many characters related to ninjas. They are depicted in various ways, such as training to become a top ninja, claiming to be a ninja descendant, or being chased by their peers as a runaway ninja who has left the village. So, Anime! Conducted a reader survey titled “What is the most famous “ninja” character?” for the first time in two years.
During the survey period from February 7th to February 12th, we received responses from 583 people. The gender ratio was about 30 percent male and about 70 percent female, with more females. The age group was mainly young people, with about 45 percent under 19 years old and about 20 percent in their 20s.
Many ninjas from “Nintama Rantaro” ranked in! First place is Hansuke Doi from “Nintama Rantaro”. With a support rate of about 18%, he has jumped from 9th place last year to the top. Hansuke Doi is a subject teacher for the first-year class of the Ninjutsu Academy. In the latest film, “Nintama Rantaro the Movie: The Strongest Strategist of the Dokutake Ninja Corps,” which was released last December, he stands in the way of the Nintama as the strategist of the Dokutake Ninja Corps, Amagis.
“When I was a child, I thought of him as everyone’s first love character, but this movie showed me the difference in his rank as a ninja. Mr. Doi is too strong!” and “The battle scenes, which are not often depicted in regular TV anime, were full of impact! He is usually a kind teacher, but when he fights, he is strong. Because of that gap, I fell in love with him again.”
Many readers said that they discovered new charms in the movie version. His relationship with his students, including Kirimaru, who lives with him as a parent figure, is also explored in depth, and some readers said they were moved to tears. 2nd place: Uzumaki Naruto from “NARUTO.” With a support rate of about 16%, he dropped one place from last year’s top spot. Many readers mentioned that Naruto has many fans in Japan and overseas. “Because he’s a world-famous character.
When I traveled abroad, I could communicate with local people by making the Naruto hand sign, even though we didn’t speak the same language. “Even my friends overseas who are unfamiliar with anime say they love Naruto, which shows his influence. I think he’s a character who has completely changed the image of ninjas worldwide.”
Another reason for his popularity is the story, which resonates with readers, such as “I love how Naruto, who was a dropout, works hard and climbs his way up to the top of the village.” 3rd place: Rantaro from “Nintama Rantaro”. With a support rate of about 11%, he was in the same position as last year. Following the first place, Doi sensei, the main character, was ranked. “He’s working hard with his friends to become a top ninja! He’s the first ninja character I’ve ever seen,” and, “They say he’s too kind and not suited to be a ninja, but even though he encounters various troubles, he solves them with the unity of his friends and is very active in actual combat.
That’s why I vote for Rantaro!” In addition, in 8th place is Zado Konnamon, who also played a secret role in the movie. “He is the leader of the Tasogaredoki ninja army, and at first glance, he looks scary wrapped up in bandages. But when I saw his overwhelming fighting power in the movie, his kindness towards his subordinates, and his loyal personality, I fell in love with him,” he said, expressing his excitement at his strength.
Here are some other comments! “Gintama” Hattori Zenzou: “His abilities as a ninja are impeccable, but he does have some unfortunate aspects, such as his hemorrhoids. But I was fascinated by his performance in the Shogun Assassination Arc and his bond with Shigeshige!” Sergeant Dororo from “Sergeant Keroro,” “Is an alien who betrays the Keron Army after learning about the Earth’s natural beauty and becomes a ninja who protects peace. He is often forgotten by Keroro, which makes him a pitiful character, but his abilities as an assassin are the best, and his weak-willedness when his trauma switch is turned on is also cute.”
For Shinobu Sengoku from “Ensemble Stars!”, “He is a ninja idol who loves ninjas! He uses the first person pronoun “waka,” ends his sentences with “gozaru,” and has started a ninja club, so he is full of ninja love.”
For Kanzo Hattori from “Ninja Hattori-kun,” “His line “ninnin,” which has now become familiar in other works, is super cute! When his younger brother Shinji is in trouble, he always comes to his aid, and he is ideal not only as a ninja but also as an older brother.” The rankings of this survey have changed significantly from last year. In particular, four characters from “Nintama Rantarou” ranked in the top ten, clearly showing the popularity of the currently-showing movie version.
Ranking Top 10 [When you think of “ninja” characters? 2025 Edition] 1st: Doi Hansuke “Nintama Rantarou” 2nd: Uzumaki Naruto “NARUTO” 3rd: Rantarou “Nintama Rantarou” 4th: Otoya Kageta “Blue Lock” 5th: Uzui Tengen “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” 6th: Hattori Zenzo “Gintama” 7th: Sengoku Shinobu “Ensemble Stars!” 8th: Zadotaka Konnamon “Nintama Rantarou” 9th: Sarutobi Ayame “Gintama” 10th: Zenpouji Isaku “Nintama Rantarou” (Response period: February 7th – February 12th, 2025)
Ranking Top 20 [When you think of “ninja” characters? 2025 Edition] 1st place: Doi Hansuke, “Nintama Rantarou” 2nd place: Uzumaki Naruto, “NARUTO” 3rd place: Rantarou, “Nintama Rantarou” 4th place: Otoya Kageta, “Blue Lock” 5th place: Uzui Tengen, “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” 6th place: Hattori Zenzou, “Gintama” 7th place: Sengoku Shinobu, “Ensemble Stars!” 8th place: Kunamon Sasawatari, “Nintama Rantarou” 9th place: Ayame Sarutobi, “Gintama” 10th place: Isaku Zenpouji, “Nintama Rantarou” 11th place: Kanzou Hattori, “Ninja Hattori-kun” 12th place: Edgeshot, “My Hero Academia” 13th place: Heicho Dororo, “Sergeant Keroro” 13th place: Rikichi Yamada, “Nintama Rantarou” 15th place: Souka, “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” 15th place: Souei, “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” 17th place: Bunjiro Ushioe, “Nintama Rantarou” 18th place: Genba Kazama, “The Prince Who Runs Away” 18th place: Senzou Tachibana, “Nintama Rantarou” 18th place: Ninja Slayer, “Ninja Slayer” 18th place: Rekka Hanabishi, “Flame of Recca” (Response period: February 7th to February 12th, 2025) This survey is part of a survey of readers’ opinions on “current interest and attention in anime works and characters.” The results are not intended to determine the superiority or inferiority of any character or work. This article will help you learn about new works and characters and deepen your understanding and interest.
