Nin x Nin: The Ninja Star Hattori
Kanzo Hattori, an apprentice Ninja, leaves his home town of Iga for his final training. He must go to the city of Edo (Tokyo), and the first person he meets shall be his master, whom he must protect with his life, whilst upholding the ninja code. Also while in Edo, Hattori must find out why their rivals, the Koga Ninjas, are flourishing while the Iga Ninjas are dying out. Hattori's master is Kenichi, a 9 year old boy. Kenichi is an introvert and not very popular boy, so he never plays with the other children from school. Kenichi also has a secret crush on a young lady called Midori, yet he's too shy to speak to her. Though as he watches Hattori trying his best, he too begins to try. Meanwhile, people are being found unconscious, their bodies completely unmarked. All the victims have a tattoo (the Koga Ninja crest) and are found with a throwing knife lying close by.
Insights
Plot Summary
In this live-action adaptation of the beloved manga and anime series, Kenichi Mitsuba, a normal schoolboy, befriends Hattori-kun, a young ninja from the Iga clan. Hattori-kun, along with his faithful ninja dog Shishimaru, decides to serve Kenichi and helps him with his everyday problems using his ninja skills. However, Hattori-kun's ninja family, including his father and rival ninja Shinzo, are also keen to join the fun, leading to a series of hilarious and chaotic situations.
Critical Reception
Nin x Nin: The Ninja Star Hattori received a mixed reception. While praised for its lighthearted humor and nostalgic appeal to fans of the original series, some critics found the plot to be simplistic and the special effects to be dated, even for its time. Audiences, particularly younger viewers and those familiar with the source material, generally enjoyed the film's playful tone and Katori's energetic performance.
What Reviewers Say
- Delightfully silly and charming, offering lighthearted fun for families.
- A nostalgic trip for fans of the anime, though its humor might feel a bit simple for some.
- Shingo Katori shines as the energetic Hattori-kun, bringing a lively presence to the screen.
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Fun Fact
The film is a live-action adaptation of the classic manga series 'Ninja Hattori-kun' by Fujiko A. Fujio, which has been adapted into multiple anime series and games over the decades.
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