Is the Anime Really Finished?#
If you are looking for a definitive “The End” in the form of a final episode, you might be waiting a while. While the original manga, Rakudai Ninja Rantarō, concluded its serialization in December 2019, the anime adaptation Nintama Rantarō has become a legendary long-runner.
Starting way back in 1993, the anime has spanned dozens of series and parts, extending well into the 2020s. With new movies like Gekijō-ban Nintama Rantaro Dokutake Ninja-tai Saikyо̄ no Gunshi releasing as recently as 2024 and appearing in rankings as late as 2026, the franchise remains very much alive. If you watch only the anime, you will find a vast world of episodic comedy, but because it is so extensive, it functions more as a continuing journey than a story with a traditional, closed conclusion.
For those who want to see the complete narrative arc of the source material, you can buy the manga to see how the original author wrapped things up in 2019.
What is the Appeal of Rakudai Ninja Rantarō?#
Rakudai Ninja Rantarō is a comedy series centered around the theme of ninjas. Unlike gritty, high-stakes shinobi dramas, this series focuses on the humorous side of ninja training and the mishaps of its characters. It is best suited for viewers who enjoy lighthearted, episodic content and a whimsical take on the ninja lifestyle.
Whether you are a fan of classic animation or looking for something relaxing, the enduring popularity of the series—evident in its constant presence in Japanese animation rankings—makes it a safe bet for comedy lovers. If you’re feeling the vibe, you can check out some official merchandise to bring some ninja charm into your home.
Recommended Watch Order#
Because of the sheer volume of content, the watch order depends entirely on how much of a completionist you are. For a detailed breakdown of how the series, movies, and side stories connect, we highly recommend referring to the relationship tree provided below this article.
The Release Order (The Standard Path)#
For most viewers, the best way to experience the show is in the order it was released. Start with the first series from 1993 and move through the subsequent parts chronologically. This allows you to experience the evolution of the animation and the long-term growth of the characters.
The Completionist Order (The Full Experience)#
If you want every single piece of content, you must integrate the side stories and films into the main series run based on their release dates:
- The Main Series: Follow the parts from the 1993 start through to the most recent 2023 entries.
- The Movies/Specials: Insert Eiga Nintama Rantarō (1996), Gekijō-ban Anime Nintama Rantaro Ninjutsu Gakuen Zenin Shutsudō! no Dan (2011), and Nintama Rantarō no Uchū Daibōken with Cosmic Front☆Next (2016) where they fit chronologically.
- The Modern Era: Don’t miss the recent related works like 100% Yūki! Dokutake Dejiro wo Yattsukero no Dan (2022) and the 2024 film Gekijō-ban Nintama Rantaro Dokutake Ninja-tai Saikyо̄ no Gunshi.
The Manga-Integrated Order#
For those who don’t mind switching mediums, you can read the manga starting from 1986 to get a head start on the story before diving into the 1993 anime. This is the best path for those who want to know the “official” end of the manga’s run while still enjoying the expanded world of the anime.
You can watch the anime on Prime Video to start your journey today!
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Rakudai Ninja Rantarō • manga • 1986-01-07 to 2019-12-28 (serialized in Asahi Shōgakusei Shimbun)
└─(adaptation)→ Nintama Rantarō • anime • 1993-04-10
└─(side story)→ Eiga Nintama Rantarō • anime • 1996-06-29
└─(side story)→ Gekijō-ban Anime Nintama Rantaro Ninjutsu Gakuen Zenin Shutsudō! no Dan • anime • 2011-03-12
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 1993-04-10 to 1994-03-19 (1st Series, 47 eps)
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 1994-10-03 to 1995-03-24 (2nd Series, 120 eps)
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 1995-10-02 to 1996-03-20 (3rd Series, 120 eps)
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 1996-04-01 to 1996-09-13 (4th Series, 120 eps)
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 1997-10-06 to 1998-02-25 (5th Series, 100 eps)
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 1998-04-06 to 1998-06-26 (6th Series, 60 eps)
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 1999-04-05 to 1999-07-30 (7th Series, 80 eps)
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2000-04-03 to 2000-07-21 (8th Series, 80 eps)
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2001-04-02 to 2001-07-20 (9th Series, 80 eps)
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2002-04-01 to 2002-07-19 (10th Series, 80 eps)
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2003-04-07 to 2003-07-25 (11th Series, 80 eps)
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2012-04-02 to 2012-11-14
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2004-04-05 to 2004-07-23 (12th Series, 80 eps)
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2005-04-04 to 2005-06-20 (13th Series, 56 eps)
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2006-04-03 to 2006-06-09 (14th Series, 50 eps)
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2007-04-02 to 2007-06-12 (15th Series, 50 eps)
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2008-03-31 to 2008-08-29 (16th Series, 100 eps)
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2009-03-30 to 2009-07-31 (17th Series, 90 eps)
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2010-03-29 to 2010-09-16 (18th Series, 90 eps)
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2011-03-28 to 2011-09-12
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2013-04-01 to 2013-07-12
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2014-04-01 to 2015-03-20
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2015-03-30 to 2016-01-03
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2016-04-04 to 2016-11-11
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2017-04-03 to 2017-10-27
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2018-04-02 to 2018-12-25
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2019-04-01 to 2019-12-09
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2020-03-30 to 2021-01-13
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2021-03-30
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantarō no Uchū Daibōken with Cosmic Front☆Next • anime • 2016-02-11
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2022-04-04
└─(related)→ 100% Yūki! Dokutake Dejiro wo Yattsukero no Dan • anime • 2022-05-04
└─(part)→ Nintama Rantaro • anime • 2023-04
└─(related)→ Gekijо̄-ban Nintama Rantaro Dokutake Ninja-tai Saikyо̄ no Gunshi • anime • 2024-12-20
└─(related)→ Nintama Rantarō • manga • 1993-03 to 1994-02 (serialized in Princess, Apr 1993 – Mar 1994)
