Ninja Kamui (S01E04) Recap/ Review – When Higan Broke The Code

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Plot Recap

To Inform, Not To Mutually Decide – Joseph, Yamaji, Lil, Big D, Dilly, Aska

As Higan becomes more and more of a potential threat, Yamaji decides to make it clear that the plan currently is to learn what skills or powers Higan may have. After all, each ninja seems to have a unique one and to lose a power is likely a big deal.

In this conversation is Joseph, Lil, Big D, Dilly, and Aska. Joseph doesn’t seem to realize he is a guest, which continues to make this partnership frustrating for Yamaji. Lil, with his mouth, pushes Yamaji to reveal he has powers reminiscent of the force, from “Star Wars.”

As for the others? Big D is just a stereotypical Black guy, but a ninja; Aska is a faceless ninja; and Dilly? They appear to be a ninja who works under Joseph, potentially for his protection.

Breaking The Code – Higan, Mari, Zai

So how did it all start for Higan? Unfortunately, we don’t go all the way to the start of his life, or being part of the Ninja Clan, but we do learn what led to him breaking the code that led to him being exiled.

To make a long story short, ninjas aren’t allowed to have personal lives, such as falling in love, so Higan falling for Mari, who was also a ninja, broke the code. Now, whether Zai, who was part of their group, snitched or not? That’s hard to say.

The Voice On The Phone – Higan, Zai

Who was on the phone in the last episode you may wonder? Well, it might have been Zai. As shown, Zai isn’t allowed to confront Higan and it isn’t clear why. Is it because they officially became part of the Ninja Clan’s elite at the same time? That Zai, to prove himself, has longed to face Higan? It’s hard to say.

However, with Higan’s goal of getting into AUZA City and confronting whoever may have been involved with killing his family, he was willing to trust the voice and just before he gets to enter the city through a underground method, he sees Zai standing right in front of him.

Cast Guide

Character’s Name	Actor’s Name
Joseph	Scott Gibbs
Yamaji	Luis Galindo
Lil	Brandon Hearnsberger
Big D	Joe P
Dilly	Elissa Cuellar
Higan	Jeremy Gee
Mari	Christie Guidry
Zai	James Marler
Aska	To Be Determined

New Character Description(s)

Big D

Big D is a Black ninja who makes sure he always looks good.

Dilly

Joseph’s bodyguard and potential secretary.

Aska

A female ninja.

Review

On The Fence

The Path Forward

With this episode, we got to learn how and why Higan became an exile, who initiated the situation, and learn Mari was far more than Higan’s wife and the mother of his child. However, while we appreciate getting background information, this wasn’t the kind of information which could launch the show forward. It was nice to know, added some context, but none of it created any sort of excitement or build up to what’s next.

It didn’t push strongly that Zai turned in Mari and Higan, thus forcing Higan into exile with his wife. There wasn’t a push, beyond a look, that maybe Yamaji didn’t like Higan, was jealous of him, or worried about his influence. Generally speaking, nothing in the episode made it seem, a quarter of the way through the season, how this season could end or gave us concrete goals.

Yes, Higan wants to get into AUZA city, but who is he going to fight? Another no name ninja? Maybe someone dopey like Big D? The luster is starting to slowly wear off and I’m just looking for something to hang onto here.

Background Information

Network	Cartoon Network, Toonami
Episode Title	Episode 4
Release Date	March 2, 2024
Director(s)	Yui Miura, Sunghoo Park
Writer(s)	Shigeru Murakoshi
Previous Episode	Season 1/ Episode 3
Series Page	Ninja Kamui
Character Guide	Coming Soon

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