Shinobigoto

Today I'll be reviewing Shinobigoto, a manga currently serialized in Shonen Jump. Shinobigoto blends ninjas with modern school life, creating a unique setting that's proven popular lately. Similar concepts, such as Under Ninja, have found significant success. However, unlike Under Ninja, which features some graphic and mature themes, Shinobigoto—published in Shonen Jump—is designed with a younger audience in mind, giving it a lighter, more accessible tone. The character concepts are particularly refreshing. The protagonist, Yuu Nozuki, is an incredibly skilled ninja but struggles severely with social interactions, making him endearingly awkward. The story follows Yuu and his fellow ninjas from the Public Security Ninja Squad, who infiltrate a high school to protect Aoi, the daughter of a wealthy family. Crucially, Aoi must remain unaware of their true purpose. As expected from a Shonen Jump series, the world-building, story pacing, and character development are well-crafted, making for an enjoyable read without any significant stress points. However, I do have some criticism: the rapid power scaling of enemy characters. Yuu is initially presented as one of the strongest ninjas, yet he already faces considerable difficulties as early as volume three. Introducing increasingly powerful enemies so early can lead to rapid escalation—often breaking the initial story balance and potentially causing readers to lose interest. While it’s understandable that new and powerful enemies keep readers engaged, starting this escalation too early might eventually backfire and become tiresome. Nonetheless, if you enjoy a lighthearted ninja adventure blended with high school drama, Shinobigoto is certainly worth checking out.

June 24, 2025