The upcoming anime adaptation of Shinsuke Kondō’s action manga, Ninja vs. Gokudo (Ninja to Gokudō), has revealed its main staff, cast, and October premiere on Nippon TV. Chiaki Kobayashi will star in the series.
A Clash of Clans: Ninja vs. Yakuza
Ninja vs. Gokudo explores the long-standing conflict between ninjas and yakuza. Since ancient times, these two groups have been at war, their battles shaping the course of history. The story introduces Shinoha, a ninja, and Kiwami, a yakuza, who discover they share common interests. This unexpected connection raises the question of whether their burgeoning bromance can overcome a 300-year-old grudge and who will ultimately gain power.
Production Details
Studio Deen is producing the anime series. Toshinori Watanabe is directing, with Keiichirō Ōchi handling series composition and Toshiyuki Matsutake designing the characters.
Main Cast
- Shinoha Tanaka: Voiced by Chiaki Kobayashi
- Kiwami Kimura: Voiced by Katsuyuki Konishi
- Gamute: Voiced by Sumire Uesaka
About Chiaki Kobayashi
Chiaki Kobayashi, born on June 4, 1994, is a Japanese voice actor affiliated with Office Osawa. He has voiced numerous characters in anime, games, and dubbed foreign films.
Notable Roles
- Gabimaru in Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku
- Mash Burnedead in Mashle
- Langa Hasegawa in SK8 the Infinity
- Hiroto Kuga in Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise
- Deuce Spade in Disney: Twisted-Wonderland
- Makoto Edamura in Great Pretender
- Stark in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Kobayashi’s career began in 2017, and he has since become a recognized voice in the anime industry. He initially aimed to be an on-screen actor but shifted his focus to voice acting after being inspired by anime movies. Kobayashi’s versatility allows him to portray a wide range of characters.
Manga Origins
Written and illustrated by Shinsuke Kondō, Ninja vs. Gokudo began serialization on Kodansha’s Comic Days website in January 2020. As of November 2024, the manga has been compiled into fourteen tankōbon volumes. Kodansha USA has licensed the series for English release, with the first volume released in Q2 2024.
Reception
The series has received positive recognition, ranking 9th in the 2020 Web Manga General Election poll. It also ranked 8th in Takarajimasha’s Kono Manga ga Sugoi! guidebook list for best manga for male readers in 2021. In 2023, it was ranked 10th in AnimeJapan’s 6th “Most Wanted Anime Adaptation” poll.
Where to Watch
Ninja vs. Gokudo is scheduled to premiere in October 2025 on Nippon TV.
Themes and Style
Ninja vs. Gokudo blends action and comedy. The manga is known for its ultra-violent content, often reaching unrealistic levels, and explores themes of abuse and mental illness, balanced with humor. The anime adaptation is expected to capture the manga’s unique style and tone.
With its blend of action, comedy, and a touch of the outrageous, Ninja vs. Gokudo promises to be a unique addition to the anime landscape. The series’ focus on the clash between ninja and yakuza, combined with the talents of Chiaki Kobayashi and the production team, makes it a highly anticipated release.
