Blinded by a desire for revenge or answers, Mike and Higan walk into traps.
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Plot Recap
Gain A Ally Lose A Ally Part 1 – Jason, Mike
Thanks to Emma, Mike meets Jason Cardenas. He is a disgruntled ex-employee of Auza who wants to take them down, expose them, and get revenge. Mike is all for working with him since they need someone on the inside, and Jason’s ability to get access to AUZA files could be useful.
However, as he goes through Auza’s files via hacking, he discovers Emma’s name amongst the potential fake IDs, or agents, that are part of Auza. Of course, this is worrisome, but before Mike can fully process this, Jason’s hideout is attacked, and he and Jason are fighting for their lives with Mike, once again, knocking on death’s door for sticking his nose into Auza’s business.
An Invitation To Many Funerals – Higan, Joseph, Yamaji, Lil, Zai
While Zai stops Higan from entering Auza City underground, the idea of letting Higan in as a trap isn’t disapproved. Joseph, as always, sees this as an opportunity to gain data; Lil wants to play with Higan and Yamaji? He’s at the point of allowing anyone but Zai to handle the situation.
So, Higan’s mystery contact lets him know he’ll be let in; it’s a trap, but with Higan believing Yamaji ordered the hit on him, he wants to kill him. So, he mows through many low-level ninjas to get within eyesight of Yamaji, and then he finds himself facing Lil and his robots.
Gain A Ally Lose A Ally Part 2 – Higan, Zai, Lil, Big D
Is Higan a skillful ninja capable of great things? Yes. However, between Lil’s robots, of which one is either modeled after Big D or was Big D, Higan seemingly was on his deathbed. Zai was posed to finish him off, but then the female ninja, whom we don’t have a name for, saved him and decided to become an exile.
Leaving us to wonder who this woman is and what is her connection to Higan to betray the code and end up on the run.
Cast Guide
| Character’s Name | Actor’s Name |
| Jason | Joe Daniels |
| Mike | Shawn Hamilton |
| Higan | Jeremy Gee |
| Joseph | Scott Gibbs |
| Yamaji | Luis Galindo |
| Lil | Brendan Hearnsberger |
| Zai | James Marler |
| Big D | Joe P |
New Character Description(s)
Jason
Jason is a former employee of Auza, noted to be a researcher, who was let go. Because of his firing, he has vowed to destroy the company.
Review
On The Fence
A Potential Shakeup That Could Lead To Interesting Results?
It isn’t clear who saved Higan, but we do know they are part of what could be considered a high council regarding the Ninja Clan and their partnership with AUZA. So, with this in mind, maybe we could get a much-needed shakeup for the show? One that feels more and more necessary as the question of what the long game is needs to be asked.
It’s understood that Higan’s aim is to kill Yamaji, who likely ordered him to be targeted. However, this doesn’t feel like an epic journey to Higan facing the head of the snake. There is no mystique or real threat here. Look at what Mike has survived and may continue to survive on this show. From what we’re shown, it’s hard to take the show seriously when someone who isn’t a ninja, just an old FBI agent, keeps surviving their attacks.
Background Information
| Episode Title | Episode 5 |
| Release Date | March 9, 2024 |
| Network | Cartoon Network |
| Director(s) | Yui Miura, Sunghoo Park |
| Writer(s) | Shigeru Murakoshi, Ko Yoneyama |
| Previous Episode | Season 1/ Episode 4 |
| Series Page | Ninja Kamui |
| Character Guide |
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Ninja Kamui (S01E05) Recap/ Review
Summary
The luster continues fading on “Ninja Kamui,” and it is hard to say what we’re left with. Higan’s mission for vengeance lacks the emotion it needs to feel compelling, and Mike’s search for answers feels secondary in the worst way.
Overall
-
A Potential Shakeup That Could Lead To Interesting Results? - 75%
75%
Highlight(s)
Disputable
- A Potential Shakeup That Could Lead To Interesting Results?