NINJA WORLD JPN:2 #4, from Enmaku on December 1, 2021, enlists Gabriella into the world of the Harugasumi as assassins invade her grandmother’s home on behalf of the General Crop Corporation.
The Details
- Written By: Gattaca Saito
- Art By: Tommy Inoue
- Translation By: Frank Dowd
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: December 1, 2021
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Was It Good?
It’s no secret we’re big fans of Manga, so when Enmaku reached out to us to review their series, we jumped at the chance. Despite the avalanche of Manga available to the world, very little of it is created with Western audiences in mind (colorized, written and drawn left-to-right, etc.), so we’re encouraged by and hope to see more creators take the principal Manga concept into as many formats as possible for wider adoption. Well, that’s enough of the soapbox speech. Let’s get on with the review.
NINJA WORLD JPN:2 #4 picks up from the last issue’s cliffhanger with an issue (chapter?) entirely focused on Gabriella learning about her family’s big secret (some spoilers in the next section if you want to know more) as the home compound is invaded by black ops killers. What makes this story unique is the blend of ancient ninja mythology and modern tech in a way that doesn’t seem at all familiar. The power, knowledge, and tools Gabriella accesses are all completely science-based but the way those elements are manifested and managed through her clan adheres to rules of tradition and legacy. Imagine a ninja clan leadership position passed down through family bloodlines but enacted through an algorithm and a secure biometric key code.
The blend of old and new is intriguing (again, it’s not a modern take on something old but the old and the new linked together in a unique way), but it’s the punch of emotion Saito adds to the story that makes it work. This issue has a ticking clock as converging events force Gabriella to react quickly, however, the issue doesn’t feel rushed. You learn a lot in this issue about the Natsugame clan, Grandmother’s role in the clan, the root of Gabriella’s uncanny ninja skills, and how the attack forces Gabriella to evolve. The issue (chapter?) reads quickly, you get plenty of plot development, there’s a fair bit of emotion to motivate Gabriella moving forward, and this issue establishes the danger of the main villain. It’s a lot, so you get your money’s worth.
One of the key components that set this series apart from a typical Manga offering is the full colorization. Inoue does an excellent job capturing the tried and true Manga art style (large, expressive eyes, dramatic facial expressions, bold sound lettering, etc.), so the coloring is the unique factor, and it’s quite good here. The color choices are visually pleasing, and the use of color shading to enhance light sources is excellent. That said, the color shading on the characters’ faces and clothes could use a little refinement.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
If you’re unfamiliar with Gabriella’s skills and why the GCO is attacking, first read our NINJA WORLD JPN:2 #3 review.
We begin with Gabriella packing a few things to get away from her clan’s HQ when an intruder alert goes off. Black Ops killers sent by the GCO are invading the compound. The building’s automated defense systems kick in long enough to buy her some time, but Gabriella doesn’t have an escape plan. Suddenly, a blue, digital butterfly appears and leads her to a secret passage underground where she finds a server room.
The butterfly directs Gabriella to play an electronic koto that rises out of a floor panel. When Gabriella plays, the music she instinctively performs connects her cybernetic brain to the building’s computer systems. Gabriella transforms into a full-fledged ninja of the Natsugame clan, and she uses her connections to the clan’s network to stop the killers in their tracks.
We conclude the issue with a passing of the crown, an education in the scope of the clan’s power, and an evil message.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
NINJA WORLD JPN:2 #4 is a fast-paced issue with tons of plot development presented with a unique mix of modern tech and ancient customs. The writing gives readers plenty of information, emotion, and character development for Gabriella, and the art is excellent.
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