History Main / GratuitousNinja

* ''Series/{{MADtv}}'' once had a TakeThat sketch directed at Creator/StevenSeagal, with the actor starring in a remake of ''Series/KungFu''. When Seagal completely botches Kwai Chang Caine's Zen philosophies, he distracts the issue by shouting "NINJAS!" which causes several ninja to attack him, resulting in a frustrated David Carradine walking off the set.

* ''VideoGame/RedAlert3'': Despite being the most technologically advanced faction making use of nanomachines, TransformingMecha and lasers, the Empire still uses ninja with no technological backup as assassins and infitrators, but whose shuriken and swords can one-hit-kill infantry, even those in PowerArmor.

* ''Literature/BinderOfShame'' provides the page quote with [[OnlyKnownByTheirNickname El Disgusto]], who insists on [[ComplacentGamingSyndrome playing a ninja in any conceivable setting]], no matter the prompt. In a game of ''Tabletop/CallOfCthulhu'' where every PC is an academian living in the 1930s, he insisted he was "a professor of ninja studies." The story itself is a subversion; El Disgusto's idea of "ninja" seems to consist of a character who does nothing but skulk around in the shadows all mysterious-like, and El Disgusto himself is evidently a moron.

* The DatingSim ''VisualNovel/{{Graduation}}'' had an anime {{OVA}} follow-up, ''Anime/SailorVictory'', which [[LikeThatShowButWithMecha was about mecha]]... with ninja abilities.

** Film/KamenRiderZX is Ninja-themed for no adequately explained reason.

** The antagonist and mooks from the ''Series/KamenRiderExAid'' movie are based on ninja's. This is not that far fetched, as each of the Riders are based on videogame characters.
** Most transformations of the titular Rider in ''Series/KamenRiderBuild'' are based on a combination between an inanimate object, like a tank, diamond or gattling gun and a living organism, such as a rabbit, gorilla, hawk or...a ninja.
* ''Series/PythagoraSwitch'': The Algorithm March's awesomeness is cranked UpToEleven when they started hiring [[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-664493411424324244 ninja]]

* ''Series/MyNameIsEarl'' : Randy's story in the season 3 episode "Creative Writing."

* The second season of ''Anime/DarkerThanBlack'' features a ''lightsaber-wielding lesbian ninja'' Contractor -- her power is turning things into {{Laser Blade}}s, and her weapon of choice is a wooden katana. Clearly a WorthyOpponent for [[FanNickname Chinese Electric Batman]].

* What's the ninja Kaede doing in an UrbanFantasy series such as ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi''? Well, why not? [[FantasyKitchenSink She fits just as well as the]] [[ChineseGirl Chinese Kung Fu master]], RidiculouslyHumanRobot, and {{Time Travel}}ling Martian. Don't forget the [[SchoolgirlLesbians lesbian]] half-demon [[spoiler:winged]] samurai, the [[ElegantGothicLolita Gothloli]] vampire who's ReallySevenHundredYearsOld, and [[PantyThief perverted]] [[TalkingAnimal talking]] [[WeaselMascot ermine.]]

* Terrible, ''terrible'' film ''Rollergator'' has a "Dark Ninja" as its main villain, stalking the titular baby alligator for... no apparent reason.

* In the ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'', there's a rival school to [[SuperheroSchool Whateley Academy]]. It's the Yama Dojo, in Japan. So this means... ninja! In one of the first stories, a FiveManBand [[StockSuperpowers superpowered]] ninja team sneaks into the school to steal a trophy for a final exam, [[ConservationOfNinjutsu only to be defeated]] by the 5 new freshmen students -- [[UnskilledButStrong before they had even had any combat training]], to boot.

* {{Deconstructed}} in ''VideoGame/RhythmHeaven'' for the DS, where Dog Ninja trained in the art of ninjitsu, but then learned that [[SurprinsinglyRealisticOutcome "ninja" isn't a job anymore.]] As a result, his game is about [[MundaneMadeAwesome cutting fresh produce.]]

* {{Deconstructed}} in ''VideoGame/RhythmHeaven'' for the DS, where Dog Ninja trained in the art of ninjitsu, but then learned that [[RealityEnsues "ninja" isn't a job anymore.]] As a result, his game is about [[MundaneMadeAwesome cutting fresh produce.]]

* The ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'' universe has [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-2928 SCP-2928]], which are literally ninja. One of the disciplines of ninjitsu that they use binds them to the idea of what a ninja is, which means that as long as whoever is looking at them believes that actual ninja are stealthy, sneaky, and undetectable, they will be. But if whoever looks at them believes that ninja are [[HighlyVisibleNinja highly visible]], then they stand out like a sore thumb. The Foundation intentionally funded shows that made ninja seem more open and visible to weaken them. Also, according to one of the ninja in Foundation custody, [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles the turtles are real]], but their creation involved a ''lot'' of cocaine.

* ''Series/PythagorasSwitch'': The Algorithm March's awesomeness is cranked UpToEleven when they started hiring [[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-664493411424324244 ninja]]

* What's the ninja Kaede doing in an UrbanFantasy series such as ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima''? Well, why not? [[FantasyKitchenSink She fits just as well as the]] [[ChineseGirl Chinese Kung Fu master]], RidiculouslyHumanRobot, and {{Time Travel}}ling Martian. Don't forget the [[SchoolgirlLesbians lesbian]] half-demon [[spoiler:winged]] samurai, the [[ElegantGothicLolita Gothloli]] vampire who's ReallySevenHundredYearsOld, and [[PantyThief perverted]] [[TalkingAnimal talking]] [[WeaselMascot ermine.]]

* One issue of the ''Comicbook/AstroCity'' "Dark Ages" story arc starts off with a martial arts fight between two kung-fu superheroes and a team of ''flying jetpack ninja.''

* The entire backstory of ''Comicbook/{{Daredevil}}'' was {{retcon}}ned to include Ninja when Creator/FrankMiller became his writer.
* One of the classic moments from Creator/MarkWaid's run on ''Comicbook/TheFlash''; our hero is out at a restaurant with his girlfriend, who is showing signs of wanting to talk about their relationship. Suddenly, ninja attack!

* The Kingpin uses "more than the usual amount of ninjas" to threaten the Comicbook/{{Runaways}} into giving him a MacGuffin, during Creator/JossWhedon's run.
* The ''Comicbook/ScottPilgrim'' series has two: Knives during her StalkerWithACrush phase and Roxie Richter, Ramona's fourth evil ex.

* ''Comicbook/XMen'':

* In the Ultimate Spiderman AU story [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8268681/1/Spiderman-Black Spiderman Black]], Peter Parker is recruited and trained by a clan of ninja after the Green Goblin kills everyone he cares about.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}: Operation Anchorage'', the Chinese army has its hi-tech Crimson Dragoon ninjas with ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid''-style InvisibilityCloak suits. After completing the Anchorage Reclamation VR simulation, the player can acquire the stealth suit (which is a major {{Game Breaker}}) as well as an electrified sword.

* ''Videogame/KantaiCollection'': it's [=WW2=] (or looks like it) with [[MoeAnthropomorphism warships that are girls]]. And you get a ninja among them: Sendai, who loves night battles. It's more pronounced when you upgrade her, as her outfit becomes more ninja-like.

* ''Videogame/MassEffect2'':

* ''Videogame/MassEffect3'''s Cerberus Phantoms provide a straighter example. They're basically [[VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4GunsOfThePatriots cybernetic ninja]], cartwheeling around the battlefield until they get close enough to shank you. This follows with the increased focus on Melee combat in the third game.

* ''Videogame/MegaManX:'' the game takes place in the future with lots of robots around. Yet, you can still find ninjas:

** Magna Centipede of ''Videogame/MegaManX2'' fights in a ninja-like manner, like teleporting, clinging to the ceiling, throwing shurikens, and infecting you with a debilitating virus.
* ''Videogame/MegaManZero'': The [[TheEmpire Neo Arcadia]] has an intel unit, headed by Phantom, a ninja-styled robot.
** In ''Videogame/MegaManZX'', the [[TransformationTrinket Biometal]] Model P can turn the user into a ninja. It is modeled after Phantom above.

* {{Deconstructed}} in VideoGame/RhythmHeaven for the DS, where Dog Ninja trained in the art of ninjitsu, but then learned that [[RealityEnsues "ninja" isn't a job anymore.]] As a result, his game is about [[MundaneMadeAwesome cutting fresh produce.]]

* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'''s Espio the Chameleon used to be a PrivateDetective when he debuted in ''Videogame/KnucklesChaotix''. When he, Vector and Charmy were brought back and redesigned for ''Videogame/SonicHeroes'', the detective shtick was extended to the other two, so they made him a ninja as his new unique gimmick.

* ''Videogame/{{ARMS}}'' is about televised boxing matches open to the public. The other characters in-game can only guess why a ninja is competing in said matches.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* An exchange Randal Milholland of ''WebComic/SomethingPositive'' had with a fan, according to his sketches:

* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'' episode "[[http://dcanimated.wikia.com/wiki/Night_of_the_Ninja Night of the Ninja]] has Bruce up against a ninja [[spoiler:and former schoolmate]]. Not quite as awesome because it's the bloody Batman.

* ''Videogame/{{ARMS}}'' is about televised boxing matches open to the public. The other characters in game can only guess why a ninja is competing in said matches.

** And her descendant, Suzu Fujibayashi from ''VideoGame/TalesOfPhantasia''.