This week, it’s a bit of a mixed bag on Shinobi no Ittoki, but probably not that shocking, given how I’ve felt about prior episodes.
So from a plotting standpoint, I have no real issue with what happens in the episode. This outright war between the Koga and Iga needs to have casualties (or at least significant consequences) for it to feel meaningful because there’s no putting the toothpaste back in the bottle after we’ve moved into kinetic conflict. Having Yumika slain is appropriate in terms of its narrative importance, so it fits the bill. Plus, the past few episodes have delved into her background and shown how solid of a leader she is for the Iga—both heightening the impact on the audience and ramping up the pressure on Ittoki to fill her shoes now that she’s gone.
The scene where Kousetsu slays her is also full of great tension. The framing and animation are both…
