REVIEW: ‘Shinobi no Ittoki,’ Episode 6 – “Shadow and Warmth”

Shinobi no Ittoki is an action anime produced by Troyca. With their end-of-term practical exam behind them, the students look to enjoy a fun summer break. With Kirei and Ryouko joining Ittoki and Kousetsu in Iga village, the friends hope to enjoy their vacation. But with the anniversary of the former Iga Clan chief approaching this break may be a more somber affair in Shinobi no Ittoki Episode 6.

This episode provides a deep dive into several characters that help build up the supporting cast that surrounds Ittoki. Kirei, Tokisada, and Yumika each get the spotlight shined on them as we learn about their pasts, and in the cases of the latter two, we receive more hints about their roles in the crucial events that have led clans Iga and Koga to their current crossroad.

With how the last episode ended, it’s no surprise that a solid portion of this episode’s time focuses on Kirei. What we learn about the girl, her family, and its teachings make for some rough viewing and puts into light just how lucky Ittoki is when it comes to the people who surround him, even if some of his classmates want to kill him.

While Kirei’s time in the spotlight is the most heartbreaking, Yumika is the one who steals the show in Shinobi no Ittoki Episode 6. The respect that has been shown her by her clan from the start of the series, despite her not being a trained ninja, has always spoken volumes about her personality. This episode’s exploration of her character brings to light the key moments that brought that reverence into the world. I must say, it is well-earned.

While much of this episode carries the weight of past tragedies on its shoulder, it isn’t without its lighter moments as well. The core group of friends gets to spend some time in the sun, enjoying their break. These moments of levity are woven in nicely with the heavier content of the narrative. They balance out the episode’s energy in a way that ultimately enhances the story’s tone, rather than working against it.

The visuals in Shinobi no Ittoki Episode 6 do a great job of enriching the episode’s emotional elements. The pain, determination, and rage that inhabit several of these key scenes are greatly improved thanks to the animation’s capturing of these moments. There is also some striking color work in a key moment in this episode that grabs the viewer’s attention expertly. While the choices made are not new ones, they are implemented beautifully and showcase why some visual choices never go out of style.

Shinobi no Ittoki Episode 6 delivers a lot of setup and background for the narrative as it moves forward. While such episodes often weigh down the viewing experience, this one is able to skillfully leverage its emotional moments to keep the viewer engaged as it prepares to move forward. It is an excellent example of how a setup story should be handled.

Shinobi no Ittoki Episode 6 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.