is a video game series created by Kenichiro Takaki, produced by Marvelous and mostly developed by

Tamsoft is a Japanese video game developer, founded on 26 June 1992. Its current president, Toshiaki Ōta, previously worked at Toaplan as one of the six original team members and head of software development.Translationby Gamengai. ).Translationby Shmu ...

. The franchise revolves around groups of female

shinobi A or was a covert agent or mercenary in feudal Japan. The functions of a ninja included reconnaissance, espionage, infiltration, deception, ambush, bodyguarding and their fighting skills in martial arts, including ninjutsu.Kawakami, pp. 21� ...

, and has received manga and anime adaptations. The anime has been licensed by

Funimation Entertainment Crunchyroll, LLC, previously known as Funimation from 1994 to 2022, is an American entertainment company owned by Japanese conglomerate Sony as a joint venture between Sony Pictures and Sony Music Entertainment Japan's Aniplex that specializes ...

in North America. By August 2017, worldwide sales for the games in the series had surpassed over 1.65 million copies.

Video games

''Senran Kagura: Shōjo-tachi no Shin'ei'' and ''Senran Kagura Burst''

The first game in the series, , is a side scrolling action game with playable ninja characters that was released in Japan for the Nintendo 3DS on September 22, 2011. The sequel, , consists of the original game and an extra storyline. It was released in Japan for Nintendo 3DS on August 30, 2012 and was later released digitally on the Nintendo eShop on January 10, 2013.

''Senran Kagura: New Wave''

''Senran Kagura: New Wave'' is a card battling game available on Android and

iOS iOS (formerly iPhone OS) is a mobile operating system created and developed by Apple Inc. exclusively for its hardware. It is the operating system that powers many of the company's mobile devices, including the iPhone; the term also include ...

devices in Japan. The game's popularity resulted in a crossover promotion with ''DrawGirls'', a Korean picture discovery mobile game in which the player draws a cursor across the screen to reveal pieces of a picture.

''Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus''

is the sequel to ''Senran Kagura Burst''. It changes to a on the back view 3D game and features an expanded playable character roster, as well as an online multiplayer mode. The game was released in Japan for the PlayStation Vita on February 28, 2013, in North America on October 14, 2014, and in Europe on October 15, 2014.

''Senran Kagura: Bon Appétit!''

''Senran Kagura: Bon Appétit!'' is a rhythm cooking game available for the PlayStation Vita, in which the goal is to win a cooking competition. The game was released on the PlayStation Store on November 11, 2014 for North America, and on November 12, 2014 for Europe.

''Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson''

''Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson'' is a

2.5D 2.5D (two-and-a-half dimensional) perspective refers to gameplay or movement in a video game or virtual reality environment that is restricted to a two-dimensional (2D) plane with little to no access to a third dimension in a space that other ...

side-scrolling action game made for the 3DS, and was developed by the same team which created ''Senran Kagura Burst''. ''Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson'' was released in Japan on August 7, 2014, for Nintendo 3DS. The game was released in North America, Europe, and Australia via digital and limited physical copies in August through September 2015.2015-03-10
Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson Localization Announcement
Gematsu

Gameplay

New gameplay is included in the form of pair battles, which allows a second character, to which the player can give commands, to fight alongside the player's character. The playable characters in the game are customizable. Outfits, accessory size and position, and hair color can be changed to the player's liking. Augmented reality functionality was also included in the game. The playable characters could be posed against a real-life background in a variety of poses.

Development

The sequel improved on the original, by enhancing breast physics and clothing destruction, introducing the first playable male character, and allowing for pair battles. Daidouji and Rin, two characters that had originally appeared in ''Senran Kagura: Shinovi Versus'' as downloadable content, were part of the regular playable character roster in the game. ''Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson'' was part of a cross-promotion deal with Umaibo ("delicious stick" in Japanese), a Japanese brand of

corn puff Puffcorn or corn puffs are puffed or extruded corn snacks made with corn meal, and baked. Puffcorn is an extruded puffed corn snack which belongs in the snack group products made with corn grits, rice, wheat, or other cereals. Puffcorn is oft ...

snacks, in which the game's playable characters appeared on the brand's product packaging. The limited edition, named the “Nyuu Nyuu DX Pack”, included the following extras: a special collectors box; five figurines of the Homura Crimson Squad, characters in the game; a Drama CD; a soundtrack CD; and limited edition original packaging.

European version

The European version of the game was launched on August 27, 2015. Limited editions include the 'Happy Boobs' edition with two audio CDs, poster and certificate, and the 'Shinobi Edition' which comes with an ''oppai'' mouse pad with 3D breasts, and decorative wall scroll.

''Senran Kagura: Estival Versus''

''Senran Kagura: Estival Versus'' was released on March 26, 2015 in Japan. The game was released in North America on March 15, 2016 and Europe on March 18, 2016. ''Estival Versus'' has two special editions, one for the PlayStation 4, and one for the PlayStation Vita. The editions are called the Nyuu Nyuu DX Pack Premium, and contained: a copy of the game; a special collectors box; a product code for ''Senran Kagura: Estival Versus—Eve Full of Swimsuits'', a 30-minute original video animation (OVA) featuring 20 of the game's characters; a Drama CD; a soundtrack CD; and mini figurines. The only difference between the two editions are which set of figurines they contain, and what tracks are on each Drama CD. The Vita special edition contains figurines of characters from the Hebijo Clandestine Girls’ Academy, while the PlayStation 4 edition contains figurines from the Gessen Girls’ Private School. The first-print run of the collectors editions also contained a bonus 2-CD set of the game's soundtrack, and a visual book. The game sold 44,548 physical retail copies on the PlayStation Vita in addition to 30,247 physical copies on the PlayStation 4 within the first week of release in Japan. The game features DLC guest characters, the first of whom was the '' Dead or Alive''/''

Ninja Gaiden is a series of action video games by Tecmo featuring the ninja Ryu Hayabusa as its protagonist. The series was originally known as in Japan. The word "gaiden" in the North American ''Ninja Gaiden'' title means "side story" in Japanese. The o ...

'' series' Ayane. Included in this wave of DLC was Ayane's kimono along with the trademark blue

kunoichi is a Japanese cant term for . In popular culture, it is often used for female shinobi or practitioner of ninjutsu (''ninpo''). The term was largely popularized by novelist Yamada Futaro in his novel ''Ninpō Hakkenden'' (忍法八犬伝) in 1964 ...

costume of

Kasumi Kasumi may refer to: Places * Kasumi, Hyōgo (香住), a former town in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan * Kasumigaseki (霞が関 "Gate of Mist"), a district in downtown Tokyo * Kasumi, Jajce, a village in Bosnia and Herzegovina Other uses * Kasumi (gi ...

in a mash-up collab with Marvelous. In return, '' Dead or Alive 5 Last Round'' featured a costume set where the females are dressed as ''Senran Kagura'' characters and were even breakable on PlayStation 4/Xbox One versions of the game. Ayane in this set is dressed as Yagyū. Besides Ayane, three characters from ''

Ikki Tousen , also known as ''Battle Vixens'' in North America, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yūji Shiozaki. Loosely based on the classic 14th century Chinese novel ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms'', the series revol ...

'', Hakufu Sonsaku, Uncho Kan'u and Housen Ryofu also appeared as the last three guest characters. Due to temporary licensing issues, the Ikki Tousen characters would temporarily not appear in Western versions until the PC port, which was released on March 17, 2017. Ayane character was delisted from online store in March 17, 2021.

''Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash''

''Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash'' is a

water gun A water gun (or water pistol, water blaster, or squirt gun) is a type of toy gun designed to shoot jets of water. Similar to water balloons, the primary purpose of the toy is to soak another person in a recreational game such as water fight. ...

third-person shooter Third-person shooter (TPS) is a subgenre of 3D computer graphics, 3D shooter games in which the gameplay consists primarily of shooting. It is closely related to first-person shooters, but with the player character visible on-screen during play. ...

for the PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows. It features over 30 girls who play on teams. ''Peach Beach Splash'' was released in Japan on March 16, 2017. The game released in North America on September 26, 2017 and in Europe on September 22, 2017 for the PlayStation 4, and later worldwide on March 7, 2018 for the PC. As part of full collaboration with

Tecmo Koei is a Japanese video game, amusement and anime holding company created in 2009 by the merger of Koei and Tecmo. Koei Tecmo Holdings owns several companies, the biggest one of those being its flagship game developer and publisher Koei Tecmo Games ...

Team Ninja is a Japanese video game developer, and a division of Koei Tecmo, founded in 1995 as a part of Tecmo. It is founded and formerly led by Tomonobu Itagaki, later by Yosuke Hayashi, and is best known for the ''Ninja Gaiden'' action-adventure gam ...

on releasing the DLC costumes in '' Dead or Alive 5: Last Round'' and '' Dead or Alive Xtreme 3'', and adds Ayane as a DLC character in ''Estival Versus'', the ''Dead or Alive'' characters' Marie Rose and Honoka are announced, along with Ayane who appeared as a DLC character in ''Estival Versus'' to be DLC characters in this game. As part of collaboration with

Nitroplus Nitroplus Co., Ltd., currently styled as NITRO PLUS, formerly stylized as nitro+, and formerly known as "OKStyle", is a Japanese visual novel video game developer that has developed a number of visual novels, including eroge. They also have been ...

since the console version of '' Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel'', Super Sonico is added as one of the DLC characters. Three ''

'' characters who appeared as DLC in ''Estival Versus'' return as DLC again, in addition of the fourth ''Ikki Tousen'' DLC character Shimei Ryoumou. It later introduces three new DLC guest characters, the titular protagonist of

Idea Factory is a Japanese video game developer and video game publisher, publisher founded by former Data East employees in October 1994. A division of the company makes otome games under the name of Otomate. An international branch, Idea Factory Internatio ...

’s ''

Hyperdimension Neptunia is a series of role-playing video games created and developed by Compile Heart and Idea Factory. The series debuted in Japan on August 19, 2010, with the video game of the same name for the PlayStation 3, later re-released as an enhanced rem ...

'', and Rinka and Ranka Kagurazaka from ''

Valkyrie Drive is a Japanese media franchise created by Marvelous, which was announced at the AnimeJapan convention in March 2015. The franchise consists of three projects; , an anime television series produced by Arms Corporation, which aired in Japan f ...

''.

''Senran Kagura: Reflexions''

A spin-off title for the Nintendo Switch, an ''

ecchi is a slang term in the Japanese language for playfully sexual actions. As an adjective, it is used with the meaning of "sexy", "dirty" or "naughty"; as a verb, means "to have sex", and as a noun, it is used to describe someone of lascivious ...

'' dating sim game called was released in Japan on November 23, 2017. The game takes advantage of the

Joy-Con Joy-Con are the primary game controllers for the Nintendo Switch video game console. They consist of two individual units, each containing an analog stick and an array of buttons. They can be used while attached to the main Nintendo Switch con ...

's "HD Rumble" feature, allowing players to receive feedback from jiggle physics. It was published by

Xseed Games Xseed Games is an American video game company founded by former members of Square Enix USA. It later became a subsidiary of the Japanese game company Marvelous, providing the localization and publishing services for video games and related mat ...

on the European and North American

eShop The Nintendo eShop is a digital distribution service powered by the Nintendo Network for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, and by a dedicated online infrastructure for the Nintendo Switch. Launched in June 2011 on the Nintendo 3DS, the eShop was ena ...

under the title ''Senran Kagura: Reflexions'' on September 13, 2018.

''Shinobi Master Senran Kagura: New Link''

''Shinobi Master Senran Kagura: New Link'' is a mobile game for iOS and Android smartphones devices in Japan. New Link also guest-starring characters from other series, such as ''Dead or Alive'' (in addition of

and Tamaki), ''Ikki Tousen'' (in addition of Cho’un Shinryu),

SNK is a Japanese video game hardware and software company. It is the successor to the company Shin Nihon Kikaku and presently owns the SNK video game brand and the Neo Geo video game platform. SNK's predecessor Shin Nihon Kikaku was founded in 1978 ...

series (

Mai Shiranui (alternatively written しらぬいまい) is a fictional character in the ''Fatal Fury'' and ''The King of Fighters'' series of fighting games by SNK. She has also appeared in other media of these franchises and in a number of other games since ...

, Athena Asamiya,

Leona Heidern , who is also known as is a fictional character from SNK's ''The King of Fighters'' series of fighting video games. Leona is Heidern's adopted daughter, who is introduced in ''The King of Fighters '96''; she replaces him because he accepts a mo ...

and Kula Diamond), ''

Queen's Blade is a Japanese series of visual combat books published by Hobby Japan inspired by the licensed works from Firelight Game Company's '' Lost Worlds''. The overall plot of the game revolves around a tournament called the Queen's Blad ...

'' (Leina, Airi, Elina, Tomoe and Shizuka), ''

High School DxD is a Japanese light novel series written by Ichiei Ishibumi and illustrated by Miyama-Zero. The story centers on Issei Hyodo, a perverted high school student from Kuoh Academy who desires to be a harem king and is killed by ...

'' (Rias Gremory, Akeno Himejima, Koneko Toujou, Rossweisse and Raynare) and '' Hyakka Ryōran: Samurai Girls'' ( Jūbei Yagyū and Kanetsugu Naoe). It was created by GigaMedia.

''Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal''

''Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal'' is a remake of the first game in the series in the same gameplay style as ''Shinovi Versus'' and ''Estival Versus''.

''Senran Kagura: Peach Ball''

A second spin-off game for the Nintendo Switch, an ''

pinball Pinball games are a family of games in which a ball is propelled into a specially designed table where it bounces off various obstacles, scoring points either en route or when it comes to rest. Historically the board was studded with nails call ...

game called was announced in 2017. The game was released in Japan on December 13, 2018, and scheduled for release in North America, Europe, and Australia on July 9, 2019. It features a mode similar to ''Senran Kagura Reflexions'' that takes advantage of the

's "HD Rumble" feature.

''Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars''

Originally titled Senran Nin Nin Ninja Taisen Neptune: Shoujo-tachi no Kyouen,, ''Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars'' is a crossover game with the

series, released on September 16, 2021 in Japan and October 26, 2021 in North America for the PlayStation 4.

Controversy

In 2014, ''

Official Nintendo Magazine ''Official Nintendo Magazine'', or ''ONM'', was a British video game magazine that ran from 2006 to 2014 that covered the Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Wii, and Wii U video game consoles released by Nintendo. Originally published by EMAP as '' ...

'' wrote a preview about ''Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson'' (misnaming it as ''Senran Kagura Burst 2''), labeling the game as "filth" and describing it as sexual objectification with breasts and buttocks. This elicited a response from Hatsuu, the Production Coordinator at Xseed Games, to unofficially reply, criticizing the writer's views as superficial and ignorant to the game's characters, story and actual gameplay. She also mentioned that a writer for ''Official Nintendo Magazine'' unsuccessfully attempted to boycott the game without having any knowledge, and that the writer made inappropriate jokes such as describing large breasts as "smuggling fleshy watermelons".

Other media

Manga

There are various manga series based on the franchise. The main adaptation, written by Kenichirō Takaki and illustrated by Amami Takatsume, began serialization in

Media Factory , formerly is a Japanese publisher and brand company of Kadokawa Future Publishing. History It was founded on December 1, 1986, and its headquarters are situated in Shibuya, Tokyo. It is a subsidiary of Recruit Co., Ltd. Media Factory was possi ...

's ''

Monthly Comic Alive is a Japanese seinen manga magazine published by Media Factory. The first issue was released on June 27, 2006. Serialized titles *'' Absolute Duo'' *'' Alice or Alice'' (until 2015, part of the supplement magazine '' Comic Cune'') *'' Ano Ko ni ...

'' magazine from August 27, 2011.

Seven Seas Entertainment Seven Seas Entertainment is an American publishing company located in Los Angeles, California. It was originally dedicated to the publication of original English-language manga, but now publishes licensed manga and light novels from Japan, as w ...

began releasing the series in North America in November 2013 as ''Senran Kagura: Skirting Shadows''. ''Senran Kagura: Guren no Uroboros'', illustrated by Manabu Aoi, began serialization in

Ichijinsha is a Japanese publishing company focused on manga-related publication, including magazines and books. The company was first established in August 1992 as a limited company under the name Studio DNA whose main purpose was to edit shōnen manga. ...

's ''

Comic Rex is a Japanese shōnen manga magazine published by Ichijinsha. The first issue was sold on December 9, 2005, and is sold monthly on the ninth. Manga collected into bound volumes which were serialized in this magazine are published under Ichijins ...

'' magazine from September 27, 2011. ''Senran Kagura Spark!'' was published in Enterbrain's ''Famitsu Comic Clear'' between August 19, 2011 and February 17, 2012, followed by ''Senran Kagura: Senshi Bankō no Haruka'' and ''Senran Enji Kyonyū-gumi'', both published between September 7, 2012 and February 1, 2013.

Anime

anime is hand-drawn and computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japanese, (a term derived from a shortening of ...

television adaptation animated by Artland aired in Japan between January 6, 2013 and March 24, 2013. The series is directed by

Takashi Watanabe is a Japanese animator, storyboard artist, and director. He is best known for directing the anime series ''Slayers'', '' Boogiepop Phantom'', and '' Shakugan no Shana''. Filmography Director *''Aria the Scarlet Ammo'' *'' Boogiepop Phantom'' *' ...

with scripts by

Takao Yoshioka is a Japanese anime screenwriter. After leaving Shin-Ei Animation, he debuted as a screenwriter with '' Happy Lesson''. Since ''Happy Lesson'', he has been in charge of screenwriting for many series, some of which are '' Elfen Lied'', '' Your Lie ...

and character designs by Takashi Torii. The opening theme, "Break Your World", was performed by

Sayaka Sasaki (born June 19, 1982) is a Japanese musician from Akita Prefecture signed to Lantis. She started her music career after winning the All-Japan Anison Grand Prix singing contest in 2009. Since then, Sasaki has performed theme songs for various ani ...

; the ending themes include "Fighting Dreamer" (episode 1–3 and 8) by

Hitomi Harada is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Ube, Yamaguchi. Career She was scouted as a singer and began singing in the TWOFIVE production company. After that, she joined the talent agency Production Baobab to work as a voice actress. After ...

Asami Imai is a Japanese voice actress and singer affiliated with Early Wing. She debuted as a voice actress in 1999 and as singer in 2009 by releasing her first single "Day by Day / Shining Blue Rain" under the 5pb. Records label. She is also well known f ...

Yū Kobayashi is a Japanese voice actress and singer affiliated with Holy Peak. Some of her most prominent roles include that of Tadamichi Aoba in ''Dan Doh!!'', Setsuna Sakurazaki in ''Negima! Magister Negi Magi'', Dan Kuso in '' Bakugan Battle Brawlers'', ...

Kaori Mizuhashi is a Japanese voice actress who is employed by Arts Vision. Her major voice roles include Mami Tomoe in '' Puella Magi Madoka Magica'', Kuki Shinobu in ''Genshin Impact'', Lava and May in ''Arknights'', Vivio Takamachi in '' Magical Girl Lyri ...

and

Yuka Iguchi is a Japanese voice actress and singer. Biography She auditioned for Broccoli Broccoli (''Brassica oleracea'' var. ''italica'') is an edible green plant in the cabbage family (family Brassicaceae, genus ''Brassica'') whose large flowering ...

, (episode 4-6 and 9) by Eri Kitamura,

Ai Kayano is a Japanese voice actress. She was represented by the Pro-Fit talent agency until 2014. She has been represented by Office Osawa since 2015. She played leading roles in several anime series, including Meiko "Menma" Honma in '' Anohana: The Fl ...

Ryōko Shiraishi is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Kashiba, Nara. She is affiliated with Aoni Production. Possessing a husky voice, Shiraishi voices young to teenage men as well as young girls and teenage women. However, in a break from tradition, one ...

Saori Gotō is a Japanese voice actress and singer. Filmography Anime Video games Dubbing References External links * Official agency profile(archive) Saori Gotōat Seiyuu InfoSaori Gotōat GamePlaza-Haruka Voice Acting Database Saori Gotōa ...

and

Megumi Toyoguchi is a Japanese voice actress affiliated by 81 Produce. Some of her starring roles are Yao Sakurakouji in '' Miami Guns'', Ran Kotobuki in '' Super Gals!'', Winry Rockbell in '' Fullmetal Alchemist'' (first anime), Sei Sato in '' Maria-sama ga ...

, and (episode 7 and 10-12) by Hitomi Harada. The anime is licensed in North America by

, who streamed it as it aired and released it on home video in 2014. A second season of the anime series was announced in August 2017. The season, titled ''Senran Kagura Shinovi Master -Tokyo Yōma-hen-'', is directed by

Tetsuya Yanagisawa is a Japanese animator, storyboard artist, and director. Works (as director) *'' Kannazuki no Miko'' - (TV series, 2004) *'' Shattered Angels'' - (TV series, 2007) *'' Heaven's Lost Property the Movie: The Angeloid of Clockwork'' - (Film, 2011) * ...

and animated by TNK, with scripts written by Yukinori Kitajima and character designs handled by Junji Goto. The season premiered from October 12 to December 28, 2018 on AT-X,

Tokyo MX JOMX-DTV, branded as Tokyo MX (officially stylized as TOKYO MX), is an independent television station in Tokyo, Japan, owned by the . It is the only television station that exclusively serves the city. It competes with Nippon TV, TV Asahi, NH ...

, and BS11. The opening theme, "Scarlet Master" is performed by

, while the ending theme, "Junsei Erotic" is performed by

Mia Regina Mia Regina (stylized as Mia REGINA) is a Japanese idol group from Tokyo signed to Lantis and affiliated with Dear Stage. Consisting of Waka Kirishima, Fūri Uebana, and Risuko Sasakama, the group began its activities in 2016, and has released 10 ...

. Crunchyroll streams the series with

Funimation Crunchyroll, LLC, previously known as Funimation from 1994 to 2022, is an American entertainment company owned by Japanese conglomerate Sony as a joint venture between Sony Pictures and Sony Music Entertainment Japan's Aniplex that specializes ...

streaming the simuldub.

References

External links

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