2x2=Shinobuden

2x2=Shinobuden, also known as Ninja Nonsense: The Legend of Shinobu, is an anime series that offers a comical and light-hearted take on the ninja genre. The show is centered around Shinobu, a female trainee at a ninja school who represents the heart of the show’s title, and her unexpected encounter with the ordinary girl Kaede. The anime combines slice-of-life elements with absurd humor and ninja action to create a unique and entertaining experience.

The series is based on Ryoichi Koga's manga, "Ninin ga Shinobuden," which serves as the source material for the anime's quirky narrative. The show primarily follows the curious and sometimes chaotic interactions between the human world and the ninja realm, providing a satirical look at both.

Shinobu is the eager but somewhat inept protagonist studying the ways of the ninja under the supervision of her mentor, Onsokumaru, who is anything but a conventional ninja master. Onsokumaru is typically depicted as a yellow ball with arms, legs, eyes, and an irrepressible lecherous personality. The bizarre nature of her training and the antics of Onsokumaru often lead to humorous situations that form the basis of many of the show's jokes and plotlines.

Our story begins when Shinobu attempts to prove her worth as a ninja by sneaking into Kaede's room and stealing her panties, as per her bizarre and questionable training assignment. However, Shinobu is quickly discovered, revealing her presence to Kaede. Rather than being the stealthy operation she'd imagined, the encounter leads to an unusual friendship between the novice ninja and the regular high school girl.

Kaede is portrayed as a typical Japanese schoolgirl who becomes the anchor to the normal world for the audience. She is the foil to Shinobu, bringing a sense of normality and logic that starkly contrasts with the zaniness of the ninja characters and their antics. Her reactions to the outlandish events that transpire provide a relatable perspective for viewers, as well as a source of comedic frustration when the normal and ninja worlds collide.

The supporting cast consists of other ninjas-in-training, each with their own distinct but equally peculiar personas, including Shinobu's peers and the mystical creatures that occupy the ninja world. The interactions among this diverse group of characters contribute to the show's rich comedy, with the wide array of personalities bouncing off each other to comedic effect.

2x2=Shinobuden is, at its core, an episodic series; with each episode bringing about a new adventure or challenge for Shinobu, Kaede, and the ninja clan. The narrative often spoofs traditional ninja conventions and pop culture, including everything from ninja abilities, exaggerated espionage missions, to even taking playful jabs at societal norms and the concept of anime fandom itself.

The art style of the show is colorful and exaggerates its characters for comedic purposes. It does not aim for the grit or realism associated with many ninja-themed shows but instead opts for simple, expressive designs that complement the light-hearted tone of the series. The animation is sprightly and sufficiently fluid, fulfilling the needs of the slapstick sequences and the varied facial expressions that are key to the show's humor.

Sound in 2x2=Shinobuden emphasizes the comedy, with the voice actors delivering their lines with an energy and timing that bolster the humor. The voice actors' performances convert ordinary dialogue into bursts of laughter. Sound effects and background music further accentuate the comedic beats, highlighting the zany and playful atmosphere present throughout the show.

2x2=Shinobuden doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that's part of its charm. It's a parody at heart, with each episode constructed to deliver laughter and absurdity, often involving fourth-wall breaks that remind the viewers not to expect a traditional narrative. The show's humor can be described as eccentric, with elements of satire, physical comedy, and comedic misunderstandings that are sure to elicit chuckles from its audience.

While the series contains some fan service and innuendo, largely propelled by Onsokumaru’s character, it serves as part of the overarching joke about anime tropes and clichés rather than a central theme of the show.

For those seeking to watch a comedy that blends the everyday with the surreal, 2x2=Shinobuden offers a unique watch experience. It's an anime that revels in the joy of its own absurdity, delivering laughs, and highlighting the silliness of ninja stereotypes while spinning a humorous and heartwarming tale of friendship between the most unlikely of friends – a clumsy ninja apprentice and an ordinary schoolgirl.