Ninja Kamui: Season 1/ Episode 3 – Episode Recap & Review

What is Auza and who is involved with it is explored, as well as members of the Elite Ninjas.

Higan (Jeremy Gee) looking over his shoulder

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Plot Recap

It Takes A Village To Kill An Exile – Master Yamaji, Joseph, Lil, Zai

So why is Higan being hunted? Well, because he left, and from what it appears, Higan is one of the most elite ninjas in the history of Japan. Master Yamaji knows this, so when it comes to Lil or even Zai, he doesn’t necessarily want to pull the trigger too soon because he knows what they’ll be up against.

Which is why Master Yamaji also isn’t fond of the head of AUZA, Joseph, using ninjas for testing weapons made. For while they are more than capable of doing so, the ninja and Auza relationship is seemingly intricate and Joseph stepping on Master Yamaji’s toes doesn’t make it easier.

Barely Scratching The Surface – Emma, Mike, Higan

Mike, Emma, and Higan are an unofficial team, and while Higan is the muscle, he is a bit lost as to where to begin and who to go after, but Mike and Emma can provide guidance. Emma especially, due to her massive tech knowledge, which includes outfitting a car into a mobile command center.

In that vehicle, she breaks down what AUZA is and what they are into, and as she drives them about, they get hit by a truck, and Higan has to fight and kill yet another assassin.

Cast Guide & Character Descriptions

Character Guide

Coming Soon

Character’s Name

Actor’s Name

Master Yamaji

Luis Galindo

Joseph

James Marler

Lil

Brandon Hearnsberger

Zai

Scott Gibbs

Emma

Luci Christian

Mike

Shawn Hamilton

Higan

Jeremy Gee

Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.

New Character Description(s)

Master Yamaji

Master Yamaji (Luis Galindo) noting exiles are no longer ninjas and must be killed
“Master Yamaji (Luis Galindo) noting exiles are no longer ninjas and must be killed,” Ninja Kamui: Season 1/ Episode 3, directed by Sunghoo Park, Hiro Ohki, 2024, (Cartoon Network)

Master Yamaji is the head of the Ninja organization.

Joseph

Joseph (James Marler) looking worried
“Joseph (James Marler) looking worried,” Ninja Kamui: Season 1/ Episode 3, directed by Sunghoo Park, Hiro Ohki, 2024, (Cartoon Network)

Joseph is the front-facing representative of the AUZA corporation.

Lil

Lil (Brandon Hearnsberger) laughing
“Lil (Brandon Hearnsberger) laughing,” Ninja Kamui: Season 1/ Episode 3, directed by Sunghoo Park, Hiro Ohki, 2024, (Cartoon Network)

Lil is a ninja with weird proclivities that make going to missions stimulating for him.

Zai

Zai (Scott Gibbs) before killing an exiled ninja
“Zai (Scott Gibbs) before killing an exiled ninja,” Ninja Kamui: Season 1/ Episode 3, directed by Sunghoo Park, Hiro Ohki, 2024, (Cartoon Network)

Zai, also known as “The Reaper,” is a ninja who focuses on taking out exiles and those who have left the ninja order.

Review

Highlights

Looking Into Auza & Presenting A Diverse Set Of Villains

What is of notable interest to us right now is that AUZA is presented as your usual, evil organization, with its hands in everything, and via the Ninja Organization, a means to take out their opposition. Yet, Joseph doesn’t come off as evil, nor does Master Yamaji.

Now, does Lil and Zai present themselves as villains? Potentially, but as black and white as shows like this usually are, something feels off in a good way. There is this feeling of there being far more gray than expected, and as the season goes on, I hope that is realized.

Background Information

Network

Cartoon Network

Release Date

February 24, 2024

Director(s)

Sunghoo Park, Hiro Ohki

Writer(s)

Akira Kindaichi

Previous Episode

Season 1/ Episode 2

Series Page

Ninja Kamui


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