The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Shinsuke Kondō’s action-packed manga, “Ninja vs. Gokudo” (also known as “Ninja to Gokudō”), has revealed its core voice cast and production details as it gears up for an October 2025 premiere. While fans are eager for the clash between ancient rivals in modern Tokyo, prominent voice actor Nobunaga Shimazaki is not among the officially announced main cast members for the series.
The anime is set to begin streaming worldwide on Amazon Prime Video and will premiere on October 7 on NTV in Japan.
The Confirmed Voice of “Ninja vs. Gokudo”
The central characters of “Ninja vs. Gokudo” will be brought to life by a talented roster of voice actors. Chiaki Kobayashi, known for roles such as Gabimaru in Hell’s Paradise and Mash Burnedead in Mashle, is cast as Shinoha Tanaka, the ninja protagonist who carries a unique trauma preventing him from laughing. Opposite him, Katsuyuki Konishi, recognized for voicing Diavolo in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind and Uzui Tengen in Demon Slayer, will portray Kiwami Kimura, the yakuza boss who appears as a normal office worker. Sumire Uesaka joins them as Gamute, described as a wild card character central to the story.
Other voice actors confirmed for the series include Mamiko Noto as Maya Kohara, Hiroki Yasumoto as Uryū Yagi, and Takehito Koyasu as Hiroki Yajima, among others. The current official announcements from the production committee and major anime news outlets do not include Nobunaga Shimazaki in any named role for the series.
A Synopsis of “Ninja vs. Gokudo”
Based on the popular manga by Shinsuke Kondō, “Ninja vs. Gokudo” plunges viewers into a centuries-old conflict between ninjas and yakuza, reimagined in contemporary Tokyo. The narrative centers on Shinoha Tanaka, a ninja with a peculiar inability to laugh due to past trauma, and Kiwami Kimura, a seemingly ordinary office worker who secretly leads a yakuza group. Their fateful encounter ignites the dormant rivalry between their respective factions, leading to intense action and stylish battles.
The manga began serialization on Kodansha’s Comic Days website in January 2020 and has garnered significant attention, ranking highly in various manga awards and polls. Kodansha USA has licensed the manga for English release.
Production Team and Anticipation
Studio Deen, known for its work on action-packed shows like Fate/stay night, Ranma ½, and Rurouni Kenshin, is helming the animation production for “Ninja vs. Gokudo”. Toshinori Watanabe is directing the series, with Keiichirō Ōchi handling series composition and Tokuyuki Matsutake designing the characters. The opening theme song, “Sweet Disaster,” is performed by MIYAVI, while Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas perform the ending theme, “Until You Die Out”.
The anime has been highly anticipated, with its source material frequently ranking in “Most Wanted Anime Adaptation” polls. Two trailers have already been released, showcasing both the ninja and yakuza sides of the conflict.
Nobunaga Shimazaki’s Illustrious Career
Nobunaga Shimazaki is a highly respected and prolific Japanese voice actor, celebrated for his versatility and ability to embody a diverse range of characters. While not currently announced for “Ninja vs. Gokudo,” his extensive career includes iconic roles such as Haruka Nanase in the Free! series, Yuno in Black Clover, Shinichi Izumi in Parasyte, and Mahito in Jujutsu Kaisen. He has also voiced characters like Yuki Sohma in Fruits Basket (2019), Eugeo in Sword Art Online: Alicization, and Seishiro Nagi in Blue Lock. Shimazaki has received multiple accolades, including the Best Rookie Actor Award at the 7th Seiyu Awards and Best Actors in Supporting Roles at the 15th Seiyu Awards. His work spans anime, films, and video games, making him a significant figure in the voice acting industry.
