Ninja to Gokudou [Season 1 Episode 12]

Ninja to Gokudou Episode 12: When Bromance Breaks Centuries of Hate

Let’s cut to the chase—Ninja to Gokudou Episode 12 is the kind of finale that makes you lean back, go “WHOA,” and immediately text your friend, “Did you SEE that?!” After 11 episodes of sneaking around, bickering like an old married couple, and low-key saving each other’s lives, Shinoha (the deadpan ninja who forgot how to laugh) and Kiwami (the yakuza with a soft spot for anime marathons) finally face the biggest test of their “unlikely bromance”: their clans’ 300-year blood feud. And let’s just say, Studio Deen did NOT hold back.

First off, let’s get the basics straight (thanks to the tea from MyAnimeList and Simkl): this show’s been a wild ride from the start. Ninjas vs. yakuza—ancient enemies, right? But Shinoha and Kiwami met by accident (Shinoha was on a mission, Kiwami was… probably skipping a gang meeting to buy limited-edition One Piece merch) and bonded over their shared love of—wait for it—anime. Yeah, you read that. A ninja and a gangster geeking out over Attack on Titan? That’s the kind of chaotic energy we signed up for.

But Episode 12 isn’t just fan service (though there’s a little of that—shoutout to the Naruto reference when Shinoha uses a smoke bomb and Kiwami yells, “DON’T STEAL SASUKE’S VIBE!”). It’s about choices. The clan leaders—Shinoha’s strict sensei and Kiwami’s ruthless boss—force them to pick: loyalty to their people, or loyalty to each other. And the way they choose? Chef’s kiss.

Let’s talk about the fight scenes first. Studio Deen cranked up the animation here—think fast-paced sword clashing, ninja stars flying like confetti, and Kiwami using his yakuza “negotiation skills” (read: punching a guy so hard he flies into a vending machine) to cover Shinoha’s back. But the real “fight” isn’t with fists—it’s with words. When Shinoha says, “I don’t care about the feud. He’s my friend,” you can feel the weight of that line. This isn’t some cheesy “let’s all hug” moment—this is two guys who’ve spent their whole lives being told “enemies are enemies” realizing: Wait, no. People are people.

Now, let’s dive into the fan chaos (because what’s an anime without Twitter blowing up?). Over on MyAnimeList, one user summed it up perfectly: “This looks very gay. I bet you’ll like it then.” And yeah—there’s definitely tension between Shinoha and Kiwami. Not the “hold my hand under the cherry blossoms” kind (though there’s a scene where they high-five after winning a fight and it’s weirdly cute), but the “I’d take a bullet for you” kind. Another fan called it “a typical edgy crime action seinen,” but let’s be real—edgy crime shows don’t have characters crying over a spilled bowl of ramen together. That’s the magic of this show: it’s tough, but it’s soft where it counts.

But let’s not ignore the haters. Some fans were salty about the lack of female characters (“I have a STRONG FEELING there’s only gonna be like 1 or 2 girls in this :/”). Fair—most of the side characters are guys in suits or guys in black hoodies. But here’s the thing: Ninja to Gokudou isn’t trying to be a “girl power” show. It’s a show about two guys breaking a cycle of hate, and sometimes that means focusing on their bond. Plus, the one female character we do get—Kanae, the ninja tech whiz who rolls her eyes at Shinoha’s “no fun allowed” attitude—steals every scene she’s in. When she hacks the clan’s security system and says, “You’re welcome, losers,” I cheered.

The ending? Chef’s kiss. The clan leaders don’t suddenly become besties (let’s be real, 300 years of hate doesn’t vanish over a pizza), but they call a truce—because of Shinoha and Kiwami. The final shot? The two of them sitting on a rooftop, eating convenience store onigiri, watching the sunset. Shinoha cracks a tiny smile (YES, A SMILE!) and Kiwami says, “Told you anime would save the world.” It’s cheesy, it’s sweet, and it’s exactly what we needed.

Is Ninja to Gokudou perfect? No. Some of the fight scenes feel rushed, and the side characters could use more depth. But does it matter? Nope. Because this show gets one thing so right: friendship doesn’t care about your job, your past, or whether your ancestors tried to kill each other. Shinoha’s a ninja who forgot how to laugh—until Kiwami made him snort at a dumb Gintama joke. Kiwami’s a yakuza who felt like an outcast—until Shinoha stood up for him in front of his gang. That’s the stuff that sticks with you.

So, if you’re into action that makes your heart race, bromance that makes you go “aww,” and anime references that make you high-five your screen, Episode 12 is a must-watch. It’s not just a finale—it’s a love letter to anyone who’s ever had a friend that changed their life.

Final verdict? 9/10. Deducting one point because we didn’t get to see them cosplay at Comiket (next season, please?). But let’s be real—this show’s gonna be talked about for months. As one fan put it: “I went in for the ninjas vs. yakuza. I stayed for the bromance and the anime memes.” Same, friend. Same.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna rewatch that rooftop scene. And maybe order some onigiri.

— A very satisfied anime nerd

P.S. If you haven’t watched the whole season yet? Binge it. Trust me. The payoff is so worth it.