Ninja anime often blend historical roots with supernatural elements, creating unique and flashy stories. Naruto is one of the most famous ninja anime, featuring a young ninja who strives to become the village's leader and hero, despite his desire for peace conflicting with the traditional role of a shinobi. Other notable ninja anime include Nabari no Ou, Ninja Scroll, Flame of Recca, and Basilisk, each offering their own take on ninja narratives with a mix of action, drama, and historical references.

With Under Ninja currently airing, depicting hidden ninja in modern Japan, fans may want to revisit some of the best anime about ninja. These stealthy, deadly figures date back to feudal Japan, where they were used for infiltration, spying, and even assassination. For this work, they were trained in ninjutsu: the art of ensuring that one’s presence is undetectable.

In the centuries since, ninja have taken on a sensationalized image,...