Kabamaru the Ninja Boy (1983)
A slapstick ninja comedy from Toei Company about a young ninja navigating school rivalries, new friendships, and unexpected romance.
Kabamaru the Ninja Boy - Movie Information
- Original Title: 伊賀野カバ丸
- Release Year: 1983
- Directed by: Norifumi Suzuki
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 35m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 6, 1983 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: Igano Kabamaru (JP)
- Production Companies: Toei Company
- Production Countries: Japan
Kabamaru the Ninja Boy - Plot
Kabamaru is a young boy raised and trained by his grandfather as a ninja. After the sudden death of his grandfather, he starts living with Mai, his grandfather's mistress, who is a school director. He is asked to help out on struggles against other schools, as he is master of the ninja mystical arts. As time passes he will make lots of friends as well as enemies, and fall in love with Mai.
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Kabamaru the Ninja Boy - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Norifumi Suzuki
Main Cast
- Hikaru Kurosaki
- Takagi Junya
- Hiroyuki Sanada
- Kumiko Takeda
- Kenji Ohba
- Naomi Morinaga
- Ryusuke Sakitsu
- Daigaku Sekine
- Yuji Kanomata
- Kouji Unogi
Writers
- Norifumi Suzuki
- Seiko Shimura
- Yukio Nagasaki
Producers
- Kimihiko Sato
- Izumi Toyoshima
- Toshio Zushi
Kabamaru the Ninja Boy - FAQs
What is Kabamaru the Ninja Boy about?
Kabamaru the Ninja Boy follows a young ninja trained by his grandfather who, after his grandfather's sudden death, moves in with Mai, a school director. He uses his ninja skills to help friends fend off rival schools, makes new allies and enemies along the way, and gradually falls for Mai.
Is Kabamaru the Ninja Boy based on a manga?
Yes! The film is adapted from the manga series Igano Kabamaru by Shinji Wada, which ran in the shōjo magazine Seventeen from 1979 to 1983. The manga's blend of slapstick humor and ninja action translated well onto the big screen in this 1983 Toei production.
Does Kabamaru the Ninja Boy have a love story?
It does! One of the film's charming threads is Kabamaru's growing feelings for Mai, the school director he moves in with after his grandfather's passing. It's a sweet, comedic romance woven into the ninja action and school rivalry antics that drive the story forward.
Who are the main actors in Kabamaru the Ninja Boy?
The cast is led by Hikaru Kurosaki as the ninja hero Kabamaru, with Kumiko Takeda as Mai Okubo and Hiroyuki Sanada in a notable supporting role. Kenji Ohba and Naomi Morinaga round out a fun ensemble that brings plenty of energy to this slapstick comedy.
Who directed Kabamaru the Ninja Boy?
Norifumi Suzuki directed the film, and he also co-wrote the screenplay. A prolific figure in Japanese genre cinema, Suzuki brought his knack for lively, crowd-pleasing entertainment to this ninja comedy, which was produced by Toei Company and released in Japan in August 1983.
What kind of humor does Kabamaru the Ninja Boy use?
The film leans heavily into slapstick comedy and parody, mixing classic ninja mysticism with school-rivalry hijinks and physical gags. It's the kind of broad, energetic humor typical of early-1980s Japanese genre films — light-hearted and fun rather than serious, making it an easy watch for fans of the era.
What are some movies similar to Kabamaru the Ninja Boy?
If you enjoy Kabamaru the Ninja Boy, you might also like other ninja-themed comedies or action-comedy anime films such as Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (2004) or Detroit Metal City (2008). Fans of slapstick Japanese comedy will find plenty of similar fun in those titles.
How long is Kabamaru the Ninja Boy?
Kabamaru the Ninja Boy runs for 95 minutes — just under an hour and a half. It's a brisk, well-paced runtime that suits the film's comedic tone, keeping the energy high and the ninja antics moving without overstaying its welcome.
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