The San no Maki series premieres on Tokyo MX and streams globally via Hulu and U-Next. This five-minute episode series introduces new cast members, including Show Hayami and Yumika Yano, while veteran director Akifumi Nonaka and writer Toru Hosokawa return.
- New Cast: Show Hayami, Yumika Yano
- Returning Staff: Akifumi Nonaka (Director), Toru Hosokawa (Writer)
The project, already a pioneer in NFT-driven anime, expands its universe with a narrative rooted in the theft of a sacred Crypto Scroll, forcing protagonists Sakuya, Nemu, and Xiaolan into a high-stakes ninja conflict.
Born from a 2021 Collaboration
The Cryptoninja franchise, launched by investor Ikehaya and artist RII2, has grown into a cultural phenomenon. It has amassed over 50,000 followers and 15,000 Ether in its first two seasons.
By merging blockchain innovation with serialized storytelling, this series exemplifies how NFTs are reshaping entertainment’s boundaries, proving that speculative art can fuel enduring, action-packed narratives.
But Wait…
The Shinobanai! Cryptoninja Sakuya third season premieres on —just in time for a siesta—isn’t exactly a grassroots movement. It’s a sugar-coated project, funded by the same investors who once called crypto a “bubble” and now sell it as “the next big thing.”
Let’s Unpack This
The Cryptoninja project was launched in 2021 by Ikehaya and RII2, two names that sound like they’ve been plucked from a manga script. By 2022, they’d already raised 15,000 Ether—enough to buy a small island or a lifetime supply of takeaway.
- First season: 2023, a “sacred parchment” stolen by ninjas.
- Second season: 2024, more ninjas, more chaos.
- Third season: 2025, new cast, same old story.
The director, Akifumi Nonaka, and scriptwriter, Toru Hosokawa, have been with the project since day one. That’s like hiring the same chef for a 10-course meal and expecting a Michelin star. You know what they say about chefs and their signature dishes? They’re always looking for the next gimmick.
Here’s the Irony
The Cryptoninja universe is a digital gold rush, but the real gold is in the hype. These NFTs? They’re not characters. They’re tokens—like a £5000 NFT of a cat that’s 99% water and 1% hope. And yet, they’re being used to fund a 5-minute anime episode, which is the equivalent of a 10-course meal served in a 5-star restaurant.
So Here’s to the Next Season…
And the next crash. Because when the bubble bursts, the ninjas will be left holding the scroll, and the investors will be left holding the empty cup. But until then, they’ll tell you: “It’s not just a show—it’s a movement.”
You know what they don’t tell you? That movements don’t last when the sugar runs out.
