Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja

Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja follows a regular high school freshman who ends up with an ancient, sentient ninja suit and the job of protecting his town from bizarre villains. Randy tries to keep his secret while dealing with normal teen stuff, like classes, crushes, and homework, so episodes mix slapstick action with schoolroom mishaps. His best friend Howard acts as the tech-savvy sidekick who helps cover for him, and an eccentric sorcerer supplies guidance from the sidelines. Each episode pits Randy against a new threat, but the focus stays on the push and pull between ordinary teenage life and the unexpected responsibilities of being a masked hero.

Created by Scott Thomas and Jed Elinoff, the series was produced by Titmouse, Inc. and Boulder Media Limited, with many character designs coming from Jhonen Vasquez. It premiered on Disney XD on September 17, 2012.

The show didn’t become an awards darling, and it didn’t collect major industry trophies, but it drew steady appreciation from viewers and animation fans, earning mentions in fan polls and genre roundups rather than high-profile prizes.

Visually the series stood out thanks to Jhonen Vasquez’s influence, giving it a sharper, offbeat look than many contemporaries. That distinctive style, combined with fast-paced humor and action, helped it build a devoted fanbase, produce plenty of fan art, and keep a lively presence on social media and in convention circles.

Audience response was generally favorable, reflected in fan ratings and positive commentary about the voice cast, especially Ben Schwartz as Randy. Critics and viewers pointed to the show’s energetic pacing, silly villainry, and warm friendship dynamic, with recurring themes of responsibility, loyalty, and growing up handled in a way that kept episodes fun without getting too heavy.