The official website for Gekijouban Nintama Rantaro Dokutake Ninja-tai Saikyou no Gunshi (translated as Nintama Rantaro the Movie: The Strongest Strategist of the Dokutake Ninja Squad) has confirmed that the film has surpassed one billion yen (approximately 6.33 million USD) in domestic box office earnings as of January 8, 2025. This achievement marks the film as the highest-grossing entry in the Nintama Rantaro anime franchise, which began in 1993.
Based on Sobe Amako’s long-running slapstick comedy manga series Rakudai Ninja Rantaro, Nintama Rantaro follows the adventures of young ninja trainees at a ninjutsu academy, where they strive to become elite ninjas. The manga, serialized in Asahi Shogakusei Shimbun for 33 years from April 1986 to October 2019, inspired a popular television anime adaptation, which premiered in 1993. The series is currently airing its 32nd season on NHK E-television.
A Long-Awaited Return to the Big Screen
Dokutake Ninja-tai Saikyou no Gunshi is the franchise’s first feature film in 13 years, following the release of Ninjutsu Gakuen Zenin Shutsudou no Dan in 2011. The film is based on a 2013 spin-off novel of the same name by Kazuhisa Sakaguchi.
Opening in Japan on December 20, 2024, the film earned 263 million yen (1.67 million USD) during its opening weekend, securing a strong fourth-place debut with 184,000 admissions. The film has continued to perform well at the box office, maintaining a position in the top 10 for three consecutive weekends—remaining in fourth place during its second week and dropping to sixth in its third week.
A New Clip Released to Celebrate Success
To celebrate the film’s box office success, a new action-packed clip has been released, showcasing an intense battle between Tenki, the strongest strategist of the Dokutake Ninja Squad, and the sixth-year students of the Ninjutsu Academy. This clip also marks the first time the voice of Tenki, voiced by Toshihiko Seki, has been revealed online.
Plot Summary
The film’s story begins with the mysterious disappearance of Doi-sensei, who vanishes after being challenged to a duel by the enigmatic tasogaredoki ninja Moroizumi Sonnamon. While Yamada-sensei and the sixth-year students of the Ninjutsu Academy embark on a search mission to find their missing teacher, a mysterious man dressed in white unexpectedly arrives at the Academy, setting the stage for a thrilling adventure.
With its impressive box office performance and the release of new promotional material, Nintama Rantaro the Movie has cemented its place in the hearts of fans, further solidifying the lasting popularity of the Nintama Rantaro franchise.
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