Ninja Nonsense: Enter the Ninja, Vol. 1

As absurd anime comedies go, Ninja Nonsense manages to be quite wacky without being so bizarre as to turn off audiences. Shinobu is a dim but well-meaning ninja-in-training, whose curvaceous figure and skimpy outfit make her the sexiest ninja in the place. Her master, a flying ball with a face, sends Shinobu on ridiculous missions—to steal high school girls' underwear, for example—but her happy-go-lucky nature keeps her from doubting his orders. The riffs on the ninja lifestyle and code offer some of the best laughs, while the steadfast friendship between Shinobu and high school girl Kaede tempers the inanity. The animation here is cute and exaggerated, suiting the show's nonstop goofiness, but over the course of the three two-part episodes compiled here, the wall-to-wall puns and slapstick (with nothing more substantial) grow somewhat tiresome, while the constant innuendo and “pervert” jokes make the 15-up rating spot on. In the end, some anime fans seeking a silly break from brooding samurai will appreciate this, though the appeal to non-anime fans will be limited due to the industry-centric jokes. Presented on a dual-language disc, DVD extras include a color booklet. Optional. [Note: Ninja Nonsense, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, and Vol. 4 are also available.] Aud: P. (R. Brenner)