Interest
Twelve More Ninja Rice Balls Revealed
posted on by Eric Stimson
The upcoming card-based smartphone game Yui no Shinobi reimagines popular rice ball flavors as ninja fighting to reclaim their land and serve their lord. While four character designs had been revealed earlier in November, twelve more have been unveiled since then, creating quite the cast of tasty young men.
Masunosuke Sakenobe represents salmon and is described as an overwhelming father figure. "I devote myself day by day to making sure the storied Sakenobe clan won't end with me," he proclaims.
Ryūō Shirasu, who represents young sardines, is considered very... devoted to his brother. He tells us, "I was named after the guardian deity of an area that fishes many young sardines."
The Japanese leafy vegetable nozawana is represented by NOBUYA Nabatake, who comes from the boondocks. He complains about the character 野 ("field") being in his name twice.
Kokinta Sakenobe represents salted salmon roe and is described as a "glasses-wearing Shota" (little boy). "My goal is to become a strong, wise and amazing yuinin (rice ball ninja) like my father!" he vows.
Bonito flakes have been personified as the reclusive Katsuo Iibushi (which sounds like one of the words for bonito flakes). "When I became a yuinin, I vowed to live for my country," he says.
Sueyaki Hoyano is described as an "old preacher" and represents plums. He claims that his "nephew is all I've got in my family."
The following are considered "sub-characters":
Fans of tuna will have to make do with the drunkard Kaiyū Honmaguro. "Think I'll have some more good sake today," he decides.
Kurogane Gomazuru represents sesame and is considered crazy. "Ahahahahaha! It should all be destroyed!!!! Ahahahaha!" he raves.
Those who like their rice balls with luncheon meat (like Spam) should appreciate Aina Pua'a, the muscled foreigner. "Enough talk! I'm gonna build my muscles!" he bellows.
Seaweed is represented by Jinsen Nori, a "reliable bearded guy." He tells us that "the people in this village are all like my family."
Plain old rice is represented by twins: Hikari and Nishiki Inaho (which are two varieties of rice and the rice plant). They are described as self-centered, bluffing tyrants. ”I feel relieved when I think I won't have to look at your face," Hikari says. "You think you won't have to look at me anymore, and you say such foolish things with my same face?" Nishiki retorts.
Voice actors for this motley crew will be revealed in the coming days. Yui no Shinobi is expected to be released in early spring.
