Ninja vs. Gokudo

Centuries-old hostilities between two secret societies resurface in a modern city where old rules meet new disguises. Shinoha Tanaka is a ninja working in the shadows to keep people safe, while Kiwami Kimura fronts as a clean-cut businessman but belongs to the gokudo, a group that recruits outcasts and pursues its own criminal codes. The two cross paths without recognizing the enemy in front of them, and they start to bond over a shared love of anime, unaware their loyalties pull them in opposite directions. As skirmishes escalate and alliances harden, personal connections and hidden pasts complicate a conflict that could leave survivors on both sides, or none.

Created by Keiichiro Ochi and released in 2025, Ninja vs. Gokudo is an animated action series that leans into stylized fight choreography and character-driven moments. Voice talent includes Chiaki Kobayashi as Shinoha Tanaka, Katsuyuki Konishi as Kiwami Kimura, and Sumire Uesaka as Gamute, with Ryosuke Asano and Serina Machiyama listed among the cast, adding depth to the ensemble.

As of early 2025 the series has not picked up major industry awards or nominations. Given its recent release and modest exposure, any accolades would likely appear later as the show reaches wider audiences and festivals.

The show has drawn attention for mixing classical ninja lore with gokudo-yakuza aesthetics and for humanizing antagonists through everyday interests like fandom culture. That pairing of underground combat and pop culture conversations offers a fresh visual and tonal contrast, and it encourages discussion about how identity and subculture intersect in genre animation.

Early viewer ratings sit at 6.5 out of 10 from a small sample, so broad judgments are premature. The series foregrounds themes of secrecy, loyalty, and the thin line between duty and friendship, using action set pieces to reveal character rather than just spectacle. Fans of genre mashups will appreciate the premise, and the central misrecognition between protagonists gives emotional stakes that aim to balance explosive encounters with quieter, personal scenes.