2x2=Shinobuden
If you read many of my reviews, you'll notice that nearly all of them are basically positive. This is partially due to my outlook: I try to extract as much enjoyment from a show as I can without letting non-fatal flaws bother me. I like to think it's also due to my careful selection of entertainment, as my "to watch" and "to play" lists are always getting longer, and my free time is always getting shorter.
I have no idea why I decided to watch 2x2=Shinobuden (ニニンがシノブ伝, a.k.a. Ninja Nonsense).
It's not just that I didn't enjoy the show; I could not even make it past the second episode. I will almost always give a show the benefit of the doubt, and if I see even a glimmer of hope then I will usually finish at least the first season. This is not only because of optimism, but also because I hate to leave things unfinished. But I could find no redeeming qualities in Shinobuden, and decided to post my impressions despite having seen only the first two episodes.
Shinobu, ninja-in-training.
2x2=Shinobuden is ostensibly about Shinobu, a ninja apprentice in modern-day Japan, and her adventures with her ordinary friend Kaede and her dysfunctional ninja clan. Really it's just a vehicle for comedy and fanservice, though.
Kaede, boring person.
I found Shinobuden's art style unappealing, though naturally that will vary with the viewer. The style fits the show's tone, though, and if it were not for the other flaws I would eventually have gotten used to it.
Onsokumaru, perverted yellow thing.
More importantly, the show's characters are nearly all annoying (or bland, in the case of Kaede). Onsokumaru in particular is just creepy. I don't care if he's supposed to be creepy; I simply did not like watching him. The faceless ninjas are perhaps the most likeable characters in the show, which is saying a lot.
And wacky hijinks ensue.
Shinobuden's most damning flaw, though, is that it simply is not funny. It's not that I don't appreciate absurdism in the right context— I enjoyed Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoiyo! Masaru-san somewhat, for example, though it did get old quickly. But Shinobuden just did not make me laugh at all. Many of the show's over-the-top antics (including the fanservice) are clearly supposed to parody other anime, but they fell flat for me.
That's pretty bad for a show that's supposed to be wall-to-wall comedy. I suppose that at a different time or in a different mood I might have found some parts of it funny, but watching Shinobuden was about as much fun as watching paint dry. I cannot recommend this show to anyone, period.