Ninja and an Assassin Under One Roof

Episode 12

I shouldn't be surprised that A Ninja and an Assassin Under One Roof stuck the landing in the end. After all, this series has consistently been enjoyable throughout—whether through its humor, character exploration, or social commentary. Even its worst episode is still above average compared to similar shows. With this final episode, we get the mix of dark humor and genuine emotion that the series does so well.

Around half of the episode is spent on Satako getting the damage to her body fixed. She has the experience of going to the dentist for the first time—and has a little panic attack when they put the towel over her eyes (something that weirded me out the first time it happened to me as well). Then, Marin and her sister use fixing her eye as an excuse to do experiments on her. It's funny to watch their two kinds of mad science (biological and technological) at work—especially Marin's reactions to her sister's (often explosive) eyes.

Yet, beneath all this humor is a sense of looming dread. Since she was ambushed last episode, no one has heard anything from Konoha. And while they're all trying to keep their spirits up, it's obvious Marin and Satoko are getting worried. It's touching how Marin is trying to care for her ninja friend—trying to set a new normal as partners on jobs not for her own benefit but to give Satoko something to hold on to if the worst happens.

Of course, assassin though she may be, Marin is no match for the ninja doppelganger of FLCL's Haruko Haruhara (who is even voiced by Mayumi Shintani). And unlike the other ninja to come after Satoko, she's actually spent some time thinking up countermeasures to Satoko's powers. All this allows for a nice little action climax—as well as the triumphant return of Konoha. But more than that, it reinforces the idea that the two work far better together than they do alone.

As things conclude, Konoha admits to herself and others that she cares deeply for Satoko—that even though she's farther away from her goal of becoming a top assassin, she has no regrets about befriending the ninja girl. She even follows through with her death-flaggy statement and tells Satoko why she is so desperate to climb the assassin ranks. We don't get to hear said reason, but it's not actually important what the reason is. What matters is that she told Satoko—let her in to the deepest part of her heart and found acceptance rather than judgment.

And so the series ends with the two working together as a well-oiled machine. While their experiences together have left scars, both literal and metaphorical, these are simply signs of growth and a testament to their feelings for one another. They may have a long way to go towards Konoha's goal, but they are infinitely happier than they were at the start—and that's a victory in and of itself.

Rating:

Random Thoughts:

• Am I surprised that Yukihiro Miyamoto once again takes the reins personally for this final episode, just as he did the first? No. Is it evident from both the detailed animation and the visual artistry on display? Yes.

• I'll have a good laugh if Aoko does end up being a monitor for the assassins guild.

• All the information seen through Satoko's robotic eye is pretty funny—as is the constant repetition of “Roboko BEAAAAAAAAM!” coming from her eye as it shoots.

• Just for fun, I checked out this episode's story in the manga. What we get here is like 85% or more original, and it is a fantastic example of expanding a manga in creative and emotionally resonant ways.

Ninja and an Assassin Under One Roof is currently streaming on Crunchyroll on Thursdays.

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