The Rise of Ninja Kotaro!
“Yaiba: Samurai Legend” is an action-comedy anime series that follows the adventures of Yaiba Kurogane, a young samurai striving to become a true warrior. The series, an adaptation of Gosho Aoyama’s manga, premiered its second anime adaptation by Wit Studio in April 2025. Episode 14, titled “The Rise of Ninja Kotaro!”, aired on July 12, 2025. This episode continues Yaiba’s quest for the Dragon God Orb, leading him and his companions into new challenges and introducing a formidable new adversary.
Plot Summary: A Perilous Journey to Shikoku
Following the acquisition of the Water Orb, Yaiba and his group set their sights on Shikoku, the next destination in their search for the elusive Dragon God Orb. Their journey, however, proves to be more complex than anticipated due to the lack of a boat. Yaiba, still grappling with the full capabilities of the Water Orb, attempts to harness its power for transportation. His efforts, while initially chaotic and resulting in unintended localized floods, ultimately part the sea, allowing the group to cross to Shikoku.
Upon their arrival, they quickly reunite with Yamoto, who remarkably reached the island on foot. Together, they trace the location of the next orb to a sealed cave. Inside, they discover not only the orb but also a group of captured tanuki, along with Onimaru’s newest minion: the ninja, Kotaro Fuma.
Confronting Kotaro Fuma: A Ninja’s Challenge
The introduction of Kotaro Fuma marks a significant turning point, pitting Yaiba against a ninja for the first time in the series. Kotaro showcases an array of classic ninja abilities, including breathing whirlwinds, employing substitution techniques, and deploying poison clouds. Despite the novelty of a ninja adversary, the encounter with Kotaro Fuma presents a somewhat underwhelming challenge, lacking the compelling intensity seen in previous battles within the series. The fight unfolds as a display of Kotaro’s ninja magic, yet it struggles to captivate in a post-Naruto landscape, leaving the reviewer feeling less engaged than with prior episodes.
