Most iconic ninja characters in fighting games

Summary

• Ninjas in Fighting Games has unique features such as stealth and Shuriken's, adaptable to all struggle.

• Major Fighting Game Series has remarkable ninjas like Kage-Maru and Bang Shishigami.

• From TAKI in Soulcalibur to Ryu Hayabusa in the dead or alive, iconic ninjas stands out.

One of the most common character's archetypes in Fighting Games is Ninja. These mysterious Japanese murderers have many unique tricks in the sleeve to make them stand out. From hiding from enemies to avoid discovery, to attack when their opponents least expect it, to signature weapons like Shuriken and Kunai, Ninja's movements that can be easily adapted to all types of combat games.

It is no surprise that every major fighting game has at least one remarkable Ninja on its list. These characters range from names that have become staples in their series, to more odd choices that have only appeared once, to relatively new faces for their games. But only a few have become such fan favorites that they are considered among the biggest ninja, not only in battle games, but in all entertainment.

10

Kage-Maru

Virtua fighter

As the first 3D fighting game ever, Virtua Fighter lays the foundation for all 3D ninja when introduced Kage-Maru as one of its eight original fighters. Compared to other characters who came after him, he is much less flashy, only with a focus on hand-to-hand battle rather than using weapons, magic formulas and teleportation. Given Virtua Fighter focus on more realistic battle, it limited his potential, but nevertheless he remains a fan favorite among Virtua Fighter enthusiasts.

In particular, he is one of the most important characters in the series' story, as his mother was kidnapped and transformed into a cyborg, and her away driver would later continue to murder his father. Kage entered the game's tournament for revenge and would discover that his mother was now Dural, the series' antagonist and last manager.

9

Bang Shishigami

Blazblue

Blazblue's Bang Shishigami is a ninja fighting for a sense of justice. He was first motivated to join the call when Jin Kisaragi, the prescriptions of the series led Ragna The Bloodedge, attacked his village and killed many people, including his champion, Tenjo. Debuted in the first game he would become a staple character throughout the series.

Bang, as his name suggests, can best be described as an over-the-top parody of ninja characters. His signature weapon, rather than any traditional ninja equipment, is a giant nail that causes enormous injuries when he hits opponents with it. He also regularly makes dramatic entrances and poses in The Ven of the Power Rangers and other Tusquatsu heroes and loves to shout things in a bombastic way.

8

TAKI

Soul's piston

TAKI has been a fan favorite in the Soulcalibur series ever since her debut in the original Soul Edge game in 1996. A member of the FU-ma-clan later becomes a lone wolf when her master wanted an evil sword that she found for herself. She does not want it to fall into the wrong hands and tries to destroy the sword.

Taki shows up in almost every soulcalibur game afterwards, which often acts as a rival to the series' residents Samurai Mitsurugi. In Soulcalibur 5, she was replaced by her apprentice Natsu, whose happy personality was not well received by fans by her no-nonsense attitude. Thankfully, she was brought back for the next match, which served as a restart of the series.

7

Galford

Samurai Shodown

Most ninjas in battle games are surprisingly Japanese, but Samurai Shodown added a twist when it introduced one of its few non-Japanese fighters. Galford, a former American sailor, decided to become a ninja when he met Hanzo Hattori, another series of staples. He is looking for Ninja training in Japan and then begins to revenge the death of his father, who was shot by a criminal when Galford was a young boy.

Galford plays the same way as Samurai Shodown's second recurring Ninja character, Hanzo Hattori, but his biggest difference outside his appearance is his dog Poppie, who is always by his side and helps him in some of his attacks. The fifth and sixth games in the series even allow you to fight as his loyal companion as a solo character.

6

Chip Zanuff

Obliged

Chipp Zanuff became a ninja after he was rescued from an attack by the mafia by a ninja named Tsuyoshi, who would become his teacher; But after Mafia ordered the murder of Tsuyoshi, he would continue to avenge his fallen mentor. Chipp has so far appeared in every guilty gear game and is still one of the most popular characters in the series.

His signature weapon is his gigantic bracelet, which he, despite his size, can use in fast and flexible melee attacks. He can also use powerful energy spins, such as Hans Resshou, and throw Shurikens at his opponents. For his various super movements, he makes clones of himself that helps him attack enemies from all directions.

5

Mai Shiranui

Fatal Fury & The King of Fighters

Probably SNK's most popular female character, Mai Shiranui was introduced in Fatal Fury 2 as a ninja who trained with Andy Bogard, one of the most important heroes from the original game. She became a series of staples not only for deadly rage, but also the king of fighters. In the KOF games she is usually a member of Team Women Fighters. The original line-up put Mai with Art of Fighting's Yuri Sakazaki and King, and while characters would replace and out of the team, Mai has remained a constant in the team.

Mai's martial style, personality and appearance have made her a fan favorite in the fighting game community, and it is no surprise that she is one of SNK's choices for Crossovers. She has appeared in every Capcom vs. SNK title, in both Dead or Alive 5 and 6, and in Street Fighter 6 together with colleague SNO Hero Terry, and is excluded only from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate due to concern about the game's rating.

4

Ibuki

Street Tighter

One of the most popular newcomers from Street Fighter 3 is Teenage Ninja Ibuki. A member of a famous Ninja clan, she is sent to steal documents belonging to Gill, the game's head shed. Her movement consists of a wide range of palm strikes, flexible kicks and signature Ninja capabilities such as teleportation and knife throwing.

After her debut, she returns to the fourth and fifth game in the series, as well as crossover games like Street Fighter X Tekken and Puzzle Fighter. Her jump into the third dimension also gave her an English voice actor for the first time, as well as suits outside her traditional Ninja garment.

3

Ryu Hayabusa

Death or alive

When death or alive were introduced, many fans were surprised to see the Ninja Gaiden headman Ryu Hayabusa make the cut. And there was no one-time comedy. Ryu not only appeared in every game in the series, but it paved the way for a Ninja Gaiden -start that was put in the dead or living universe, with DOA elements and characters that made Canon performances in Ninja Gaiden Games, and other characters introduced in the restart that went with the battle.

While his movement is limited compared to what he can do in Ninja Gaiden, Ryu is still a very versatile character, which can attack with impressive flight combinations and take opponents with his devastating Izuna drop. Both Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden fans agree that he is one of the most iconic characters in video game history for good reasons.

2

Yoshimitsu

Tekken

Tekken has a diverse program list, and the one that stands out from the package is the most Yoshimitsu. This armored Ninja Samurai has usually been the only sword fencer in the game, and he can attack from various positions, perform acrobatic maneuvers and harm himself in battle. In each game he also receives an elaborate redesign, each more Outlandic than last.

His popularity eventually inspired Namco to add his ancestor to their second hit series, Soulcalibur. That version of Yoshimitsu is faithful to its Tekken equivalent in several ways, but has his own set of tricks exclusive for soulcalibur, so he is more than just a copy pass of the original.

1

Scorpio

Deadly Kombat

Mortal Kombat is known for its many color-coded ninja fighters, and the most iconic of them all is scorpion, the yellow-clad fire nine. He, together with his rival, Ice Ninja Sub-Zero, has served as a series mask for Mortal Kombat since the 1992 series.

Scorpions Moveset has become a thing of legend in fighting games. His signature attack is his spear, where he throws at his opponent to pull them closer while shouting his catch phrase, “Come here!” His many horrible fatal accidents include “Toasty!”, Where he burns his opponent with his head head hidden under his mask.