History Main / SamuraiShinobi

* ''VideoGame/{{Ninjamurai}}'' has the protagonist, Takezou Nishimura, a young warrior who is the offspring of a female ninja and a male samurai. He can switch between the ninja-based Stealth mode and samurai-stance Attack mode. The former grants the ability to DoubleJump, move faster and turn invisible for a limited amount of time, but it makes sword slashes slower. The latter doesn't have those movement options, but the sword slashes are faster and can allow for combos.

* ''VideoGame/GhostOfTsushima'', the PlayerCharacter Jin Sakai starts out as a samurai who adheres to the samurai code of honor, only to be forced to take on less honorable means of freeing Tsushima from the Mongol Hordes (using stealth and underhanded tactics). As the game goes on, he learns more stealth techniques and even acquires weapons that are stereotypically ninja. While his growing resemblance to ninja in his appearance and technique are never openly stated -- instead referring to him as a "Ghost", the ninja weapons referred to as "Ghost-weapons" -- he can be considered a transitional warrior between both.

{{Samurai}} are like the Eastern equivalent of [[KnightInShiningArmor Knights]]; nobles from BlueBlood families trained to be warriors for their lords and Shoguns. They are carefully trained in ancient techniques that emphasize a sense of honor, preferring close combat in open venues. The Samurai follow a CodeOfHonor known as ''Bushido'' ("the way of the warrior"), a moral code that emphasizes chivalry and loyalty to a master, even if it cost them their lives or freedom. Exceptions to this one rule are called {{Ronin}}, who still adhere to bushido but have no master to speak of.

[[folder:Comic Book]]

* ''VideoGame/StreetsOfRage3'': The Stage 4 boss, Yamato, wears samurai armour and utilises [[IaijutsuPractitioner Iaijutsu]] with a large No-Dachi, but he also throws shuriken, turns invisible and [[DoppelgangerAttack split into multiple clones]].

* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': The Gotei 13 squad are pretty much ghostly samurai, being sword-wielding soldiers who enforce the law in Soul Society. Yoruichi and Sui-Feng have fighting styles and skills based around stealth and speed, similar to pop culture depictions of ninja. Sui-Feng is also the leader of the Onmitsukid?, an organization that is concerned with undercover operations.

* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'': Ninja in this setting function just as much as soldiers in open combat as they do as spies and assassins, if not more so. Add in their superhuman powers and you basically get a weird combination of ninja, samurai and wizards.

The {{Cyberpunk}} genre often conflated samurai and shinobi in their portrayal of (Japanese) CorporateSamurai: one the one hand, they are portrayed as stealthy, unstoppable assassins, while on the other hand, they are typically employed by a MegaCorp and bred for UndyingLoyalty to whatever clan owns it (or lack of one in the case of StreetSamurai).

* [[RealityIsUnrealistic Surprisingly, there is actually a grain of truth for this trope]]. There were samurai that were trained in the art of ninjutsu ''and'' upheld the code of bushido. The most famous example is UsefulNotes/HattoriHanzo who was a samurai for the Tokugawa clan during the UsefulNotes/SengokuPeriod of Feudal Japan. He was also a ninja who saved Tokugawa Ieyasu from the Imagawa clan during the Siege of Kaminogo Castle and frequently wore samurai armor as a frontline soldier who would ride into battle with a spear despite his occupation.

* ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'': The Shredder is supposed to be a ninja yet wears samurai-like armor.

-> '''Yoru:''' We all choose our own paths, Wayne-San! [Kyodai] walked a dark trail. It was not your responsibility. If you see Batman, tell him I have great respect for him.
-> '''Bruce:''' Why? He's as much a ninja as Kyodai was.
-> '''Yoru:''' Not so. Batman offered to help his adversary, and a lesser man would have used the knowledge of the [TouchOfDeath] against his opponent. Batman is the essence of samurai, Wayne-San. You would do well to remember that.

* The titular protagonist of ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'' is [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin primarily a samurai]], though he was also trained in ninja-style stealth and assassination techniques. This is best shown in the episode "[[Recap/SamuraiJackS4E1SamuraiVsNinja Jack vs. the Ninja]]", when Jack encounters a [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot ninja robot]]; which leads to a stealthy duel where both of them fight with ninja gear and moves.

* [[RealityIsUnrealistic Surprisingly, there is actually a grain of truth for this trope.]] There were samurai that were trained in the art of ninjutsu ''and'' upheld the code of bushido. The most famous example is UsefulNotes/HattoriHanzo who was a samurai for the Tokugawa clan during the UsefulNotes/SengokuPeriod of Feudal Japan. He was also a ninja who saved Tokugawa Ieyasu from the Imagawa clan during the Siege of Kaminogo Castle and frequently wore samurai armor as a frontline soldier who would ride into battle with a spear despite his occupation.

SubTrope of NinjaPirateZombieRobot.

See also SamuraiInNinjaTown, with which this can overlap.

* ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'': In "[[Recap/SamuraiJackS4E1SamuraiVsNinja Episode XL: Jack vs. the Ninja]]", Jack, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin a samurai]], encounters a ninja whom he fights using similar ninja techniques he trained in.

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

* [[RealityIsUnrealistic Surprisingly, there is actually a grain of truth for this trope]]. There were samurai that were trained in the art of ninjutsu ''and'' upheld the code of bushido. The most famous example is UsefulNotes/HattoriHanzo who was a samurai for the Tokugawa clan during the UsefulNotes/SengokuPeriod of Feudal Japan. He was also a ninja who saved Tokugawa Ieyasu from the Imagawa clan during the Siege of Kaminogo Castle and frequently wore samurai armor as a frontline soldier who would ride into battle with a spear despite his occupation.

{{Samurai}} are like the Eastern equivalent of Knights; nobles from noble families trained to be warriors for their lords and Shoguns. They are carefully trained in ancient techniques that emphasize a sense of honor, preferring close combat in open venues. The Samurai follow a CodeOfHonor known as ''Bushido'' ("the way of the warrior"), a moral code that emphasizes chivalry and loyalty to a master, even if it cost them their lives or freedom. Exceptions to this one rule are called {{Ronin}}, who still adhere to bushido but have no master to speak of.

* The ninja protagonists of ''Anime/KyattouNindenTeyandee'' were called samurai when the show was localized into ''Anime/SamuraiPizzaCats'', and as almost nothing but the dubbing was changed the "samurai" still used ninja weapons like shuriken and kunai.

{{Samurai}} are like the Eastern equivalent of Knights; nobles from noble families trained to be warriors for their lords and Shoguns. They are carefully trained in ancient techniques that emphasize a sense of honor, preferring close combat in open venues. The Samurai follow the code known as ''Bushido'' ("the way of the warrior"), a moral code that emphasizes chivalry and loyalty to a master, even if it cost them their lives or freedom. Exceptions to this one rule are called {{Ronin}}, who still adhere to bushido but have no master to speak of.

{{Ninja}} (also known as shinobi) follow the code of ''Ninjitsu''; a set of tenets and rules that emphasized survival and results. Popular belief state that the ninja sprang from peasant classes, utilizing weapons and techniques born from MundaneUtility with [[CombatPragmatism quick and decisive]] means of incapacitating threats. They were assassins, their targets often high-profile members of society that either posed a threat to the clan, [[JustLikeRobinHood to the people]] or were unfortunate enough to have a bounty put on their heads, often ''by'' samurai.

Played for laughs in the Literature/{{Discworld}}, where the portrayal of Agatea causes all the Japanese and Chinese tropes to bleed together promiscuously and randomly. If it is viewed in the West as a [[WidgetSeries Weird Japanese Thing]], it will turn up in Creator/TerryPratchett's Agatea. In ''Literature/InterestingTimes'', the almost-hero Rincewind spends a lot of time evading warriors, guards and generally annoyed people who combine aspects of samurai, ninja, regular footsoldier and even sumo wrestler.

* In ''VideoGame/GhostOfTsushima'', the PlayerCharacter Jin Sakai starts out as a samurai who adheres to the samurai code of honor, only to be forced to take on less honorable means of freeing Tsushima from the Mongol Hordes (using stealth and underhanded tactics). As the game goes on, he learns more stealth techniques and even acquires weapons that are stereotypically ninja. While his growing resemblance to ninja in his appearance and technique are never openly stated -- instead referring to him as a "Ghost", the ninja weapons referred to as "Ghost-weapons" -- he can be considered a transitional warrior between both.

* Shinobu of ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes'' is an OccidentalOtaku (a lot like the protagonist), who combines aspects of Ninja and Samurai while living a double life as a schoolgirl (at least until the second game, when she's graduated and become a full time assassin). Notably her outfit and fighting style suggest a stereotypical ninja, but she uses a katana and is fond of at least giving lip service to honour and duty (such as avenging her father). It's made clear this is because she's invoking the trope in universe as part of her aesthetic.
* ''VideoGame/{{Ninjamurai}}'' has the protagonist, Takezou Nishimura, a young warrior who is the offspring of a female ninja and a male samurai. He can switch between the ninja-based Stealth mode and samurai-stance Attack mode. The former grants the ability to DoubleJump, move faster, and turn invisible for a limited amount of time, but it makes sword slashes slower. The latter doesn't have those movement options, but the sword slashes are faster and can allow for combos.
* The Wolf in ''VideoGame/SekiroShadowsDieTwice'' is openly called a shinobi, utilizing stealth techniques when facing hordes of enemies and many of the game's antagonists being Samurai lords, a lot of his characteristics makes him more like a samurai. While stealth-based combat is an option, the game encourages more aggressive styles of gameplay that real life shinobi tended to avoid. His mode of dress (bright orange and yellow) [[HighlyVisibleNinja clashes with the environment]] which is counter-intuitive to traditional shinobi attire and his philosophy in life is based around protecting and serving a master (though this is more due to the machinations of his adopted father Owl).
* ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII'': The Blademaster hero has elements of samurai in his design (giant sword, banner with a flag on his back and a CriticalHit ability) and ninja (one of his skills creates illusions of himself, the other lets him go invisible and deal extra damage on his next attack).

[[caption-width-right:300:''Watashi no hobakurafuto wa unagi de mitasa rete imasu''[[labelnote:translation]]MyHovercraftIsFullOfEels[[/labelnote]]]]

{{Ninja}} follow the code of ''Ninjitsu''; a set of tenets and rules that emphasized survival and results. Popular belief state that the ninja sprang from peasant classes, utilizing weapons and techniques born from MundaneUtility with [[CombatPragmatism quick and decisive]] means of incapacitating threats. They were assassins, their targets often high-profile members of society that either posed a threat to the clan, [[JustLikeRobinHood to the people]] or were unfortunate enough to have a bounty put on their heads, often ''by'' samurai.

* The ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'' episodes [[Recap/BatmanTheAnimatedSeriesE35NightOfTheNinja "Night of the Ninja"]] and [[Recap/BatmanTheAnimatedSeriesE44DayOfTheSamurai "Day of the Samurai"]] spotlight the line that Batman walks between following in the footsteps of his samurai master, Yoru, and his [[APupilOfMineUntilHeTurnedToEvil fellow pupil Kyodai Ken]], who embraces the path of ninjutsu. At one point, Kyodai attempts to persuade Batman to embrace the same path, as the Caped Crusader's methods are very ninja-like, only for Batman to reject it and identify himself as a samurai. When Kyodai is defeated and seemingly dies, Bruce Wayne and Yoru further discuss the differences.

* [[RealityIsUnrealistic Surprisingly, there is actually a grain of truth for this trope]]. There were samurais that were trained in the art of ninjutsu ''and'' upheld the code of bushido. The most famous example is UsefulNotes/HattoriHanzo who was a samurai for the Tokugawa clan during the UsefulNotes/SengokuPeriod of Feudal Japan. He was also a ninja who saved Tokugawa Ieyasu from the Imagawa clan during the Siege of Kaminogo Castle and frequently wore samurai armor as a frontline soldier who would ride into battle with a spear despite his occupation.

{{Samurai}} are like the Eastern equivalent of Knights; nobles from noble families trained to be warriors for their lords and Shoguns. They are carefully trained in ancient techniques that emphasize a sense of honor, preferring close combat in open venue. The Samurai follow the code known as ''Bushido'' ("the way of the warrior"), a moral code that emphasizes chivalry and loyalty to a master, even if it cost them their lives or freedom. Exceptions to this one rule are called {{Ronin}}, who still adhere to bushido but have no master to speak of.

{{Ninja}} follow the code of ''Ninjitsu''; a set of tenants and rules that emphasized survival and results. Popular belief state that the ninja sprang from peasant classes, utilizing weapons and techniques born from MundaneUtility with [[CombatPragmatism quick and decisive]] means of incapacitating threats. They were assassins, their targets often high-profile members of society that either posed a threat to the clan, [[JustLikeRobinHood to the people]] or were unfortunate enough to have a bounty put on their heads, often ''by'' samurai.

While historically ninja and samurai have a long and complicated relationship with one another, fiction likes to paint Ninja and Samurai as mortal enemies, [[ChevalierVsRogue one that represented the ruling class and the other undermined it]]. Both are warriors born from the same region (though definitions vary between provinces), so a lot of pop culture outside of Japan (and even sometimes within it) tend to [[{{Orientalism}} confuse the two in a variety of ways]]. This is often done because combining the two looks cool. More justified examples have InUniverse reasons, born of desperate situations or one defecting to the other.