Today is International Ninja Day. While the holiday itself might be a modern invention, created in 2003 by Ninja Burger to celebrate its delivery speed, the fascination with the shinobi is timeless. Whether you prefer the historical spies of feudal Japan or the fireball-throwing warriors of anime, the ninja archetype remains a staple of geek culture.
For tabletop gamers, this is the perfect excuse to step into the shadows. While Dungeons & Dragons offers a perfectly serviceable Monk class, sometimes you need a system built from the ground up to handle the intrigue, velocity, and honour of the ninja profession. To celebrate, we have scoured DriveThruRPG to find five distinctive titles that capture the spirit of the shinobi (sometimes in alternative ways!).
1. Shinobigami
Publisher: Kotodama Heavy Industries
For those seeking an authentic Japanese gaming experience, Shinobigami offers something truly distinct. Translated from a popular Japanese tabletop RPG, this game steps away from the traditional Western focus on tactical grids and loot. Instead, it prioritises drama, secrets, and a unique “velocity-based” combat system.
The game is structured brilliantly for one-shot sessions. Players take on the role of members from rival clans, often given secret objectives that may align with or directly oppose the goals of the other players at the table. It effectively recreates the tension of a ninja battle anime, where alliances are fragile, and the reveal of a secret technique can instantly shift the narrative.
Check out Shinobigami on DriveThruRPG
2. The Ninja Crusade 2nd Edition
Publisher: Third Eye Games
If your preferred flavour of ninja action leans towards high-flying wuxia and complex political intrigue, The Ninja Crusade is a strong contender. The setting posits a world where ten powerful ninja clans, previously bitter rivals, must form the desperate Lotus Coalition to survive the onslaught of the Izou Empire.
Powered by a robust d10 system, the game excels in character customisation. Players can mix and match clan allegiances with unique jutsu to create highly specialised warriors. It captures the “us against the world” dynamic perfectly, forcing players to balance their loyalty to the coalition with their clans’ ancient grudges.
Check out The Ninja Crusade 2nd Edition on DriveThruRPG
3. Sengoku: Chanbara Roleplaying in Feudal Japan
Publisher: Gold Rush Games
For groups who prefer their campaigns grounded in grit and history, Sengoku remains a gold standard. Widely respected for its meticulous research into 16th-century Japan, this game offers a serious simulation of the Warring States period.
While the system supports samurai and ronin play, its treatment of the shinobi is rooted in historical reality rather than myth. This is the game for players who want to explore the actual tradecraft of the ninja, infiltration, information gathering, and assassination, set against a backdrop of brutal civil war.
Check out Sengoku Revised Edition on DriveThruRPG
4. Feng Shui 2
Publisher: Atlas Games
Sometimes accuracy needs to take a back seat to explosions. If you want your International Ninja Day to feel like a Hong Kong action blockbuster, Robin D. Laws’ Feng Shui 2 is the industry leader. The game spans multiple time periods in a secret war for chi energy, but its “Ninja” archetype is a standout.
The system prioritises fast, fluid action over complex simulation. A player running a Ninja character can vanish into shadows and unleash storms of shuriken while their teammates—perhaps a Cyborg or a Maverick Cop—provide covering fire. It is cinematic, loud, and unashamedly fun.
Check out Feng Shui 2 on DriveThruRPG
5. Ninja Burger
Publisher: 9th Level Games / Aethereal Forge
Finally, we return to the creators of the holiday itself. Ninja Burger is the ideal palate cleanser for groups who want a lighthearted, humorous session. The premise is absurdly simple: ninjas are the elite delivery force for a fast-food franchise.
Players must utilise their legendary skills in stealth, climbing, and combat, not to assassinate warlords, but to deliver burgers to difficult customers—such as vampires or gods—within thirty minutes. Failure brings dishonour, and dishonour means seppuku. It is a rules-light romp that parodies the genre’s seriousness while celebrating it.
Check out Ninja Burger 2nd Edition on DriveThruRPG
Creative Commons credit: GhostRunner by LeoGuti.
