[Fish Sandwich]

Ninnin Rewatch! 6 + 7

Episode 6 moves a whole bunch of stuff along at once. It's the first time we see Tsumuji get all angsty about not being a ninja, which naturally comes up a bunch more and has a great payoff. I like Tsumuji a lot. He's a properly dorky dad and his milquetoast mannerisms contrast nicely with how loud a lot of the show is. Gives it some heart. Takaharu's development is also reinforced, getting into a fight with Gabi Raizou (who I haven't mentioned yet so I'll just say he's a simple but effective starter villain) only for the rest of the team to bail him out when things get hairy. Yakumo scolds him for forgetting they work best as a team and Takaharu actually brings up the oden thing from a couple episodes ago before they take him on together. I love direct continuity like that. Ninninger builds on itself really well.

Episode 7 is a nostalgia trip! Or it would be if I've seen Hurricanger and Kakuranger. The show itself doesn't just stop to cater to the crossover though. It's very naturally worked in and a huge plot point is Fuuka trying to swallow her pride and thank Takaharu for saving her last episode. I really can't stress this enough. Ninninger is all about continuity. Even the Hurricanger/Kakuranger shurikens they get at the end keep getting used throughout the show, which is kind of cool. I also really love seeing Akaranger point out that the other ninja Sentai weren't exactly the most stealthy guys around either. At least the Ninningers are upfront about it.