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Supah Ninjas
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| Supah Ninjas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | |
| Created by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Theme music composer | John Debney |
| Composers | Josh Debney Tony Morales |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 39 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Cinematography | Alex Nepomniaschy |
| Editor | Lauren Schaffer |
| Camera setup | Film; Single-camera |
| Running time | 23 minutes |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | Nickelodeon |
| Release | January 17, 2011 – April 27, 2013 |
Supah Ninjas is an American action superhero teen sitcom, created by Leo Chu and Eric Garcia. The series aired on Nickelodeon from January 17, 2011 to April 27, 2013. It ran for two seasons. The series follows three high school friends—Mike, Owen, and Amanda—who lead a double life as crime-fighting ninjas.
The series was originally created as a starring vehicle for YouTube comedian Ryan Higa,[1] who was slated to play the lead role of Mike. According to Higa, the producers wanted him to remove his YouTube videos, but he refused.[1] The lead role was given to Ryan Potter instead, and Ryan Higa was given a one-time role as the titular villain of the episode "DJ Elephant Head".
The first season was filmed in Los Angeles and the second season was filmed at 31st Street Studios in Pittsburgh. On March 15, 2012, it was announced that the series was renewed for a second season that premiered on February 9, 2013.[2] On May 7, 2013, Nickelodeon cancelled the series after two seasons.[3]
Plot
[edit]The series follows Mike Fukanaga and his friends, Owen and Amanda. Following his grandfather's death, Mike receives a mysterious letter that leads him to discover that he comes from a long line of vigilante ninjas. Along with Owen, and later Amanda, they are ushered into the world of crime-fighting, forming the team "Supah Ninjas." They are trained by a hologram of Mike's grandfather, whom Owen refers to as "Hologramps", in Empire City.
Cast
[edit]Main
[edit]
- Michael "Mike" Fukanaga (portrayed by Ryan Potter) is a Japanese-American student, who is quiet, shy, socially awkward, and nerdy. He and his best friend Owen discover a secret underground dojo under his bed, where a hologram of his late grandfather awaits to train him in the ways of the ninja. Mike discovers that he is the latest in a long family line of ninjas, besides his father, and ultimately learns about leadership, friendship, discipline, deception, and romance while saving Empire City from villains. His weapon of choice is a pair of nunchucks and his necklace, or mon in Japanese, is a disguised shuriken. His love interest is his friend and fellow ninja Amanda. In the finale, Mike is kidnapped by Kagema.
- Owen Reynolds (portrayed by Carlos Knight) is Mike's best friend and fellow Supah Ninja. He is of African American descent. Owen is eccentric, has a tendency to overreact and show little discipline, and can be food-loving and lazy at times; despite this, his instincts make him a powerful and fearless warrior. He is the only character to call Grandpa Fukunaga "Hologramps". His signature weapon is a Bō staff. He is always trying to impress girls, sometimes using Amanda or Mike as a "wing-man" of sorts.
- Amanda McKay (portrayed by Gracie Dzienny) is a smart, stylish, talented, and popular cheerleader and scholar. In the first episode, she is kidnapped by The Rhymer before being rescued by Mike and Owen, who are still in basic training. Upon discovering who her rescuers are, she pressures them into letting her in on the action by threatening to tell everyone about the "Supah Ninjas", ultimately leading to her inclusion in the group. Her family is wealthy, as they own the chain of McKay Casinos. Later in the series, she seems to develop romantic feelings for Mike. According to Hologramps, she is distinctive from the rest of the group due to her methodical nature. Her weapons of choice are a pair of tonfa.
- Yamato (portrayed by Travis Wong and Jake Huang and voiced by Matthew Yang King (credited as Matt Yang King)) is a sarcastic and wise-cracking X-39-P Fighting Robot trainer, nicknamed "Yama" by The Ninjas, who serves as a practice opponent at the dojo.
- Hattori "Hologramps" Fukanaga (portrayed by George Takei) is the sensei of the Supah Ninjas and Mike's deceased grandfather. A hologram carrying the family ninja legacy, he guides the Supah Ninjas in an underground high-tech dojo beneath the Fukanaga home. He has Yamato guide them in combat while using other tactics, such as meditation, to round out their skill sets. He is disabled by his twin brother Kagema Fukanaga in "The Ishina Strike Back" before being brought back by Quentin/Kid Q in "The Floating Sword", telling the Supah Ninjas that it is time to start the next phase of their training.
Recurring
[edit]- Martin Fukanaga (portrayed by Randall Park) is Mike's widowed father, who works as a police officer. Unlike Hologramps and Mike, the "ninja trait" skipped his generation. He is gullible and somewhat clueless, but well-intentioned, seeing the ninjas as heroes even when others in law enforcement do not seem to.
- Cameron Vanhauser (portrayed by Jordan Nichols) is the son of the owner of Empire Condominiums. Amanda broke up with him after he told her that he felt she was too boring and straight-laced. In "Detention", Amanda tells him that he will meet the perfect girl, even if she is not the one.
- Kelly (portrayed by Giselle Bonilla, season 1) is Amanda's friend and fellow cheerleader. Despite disliking Owen and Mike, she remains the object of Owen's unwarranted flirting and advances. However, it is revealed in "Detention" that she has a soft and considerate side.
- Julie (portrayed by Victory Van Tuyl) is a kind, smart, and attractive girl. She and Mike share a love of comic books, and she becomes his love interest and eventual girlfriend. In "Flint Forster", she breaks up with Mike through a text after having moved away two weeks prior.
- Paloma Peru (portrayed by Marissa Cuevas) is a school reporter who is introduced in "Shadow Fly". Owen seems to have a crush on her. She is actively pursuing the ninjas.
- Quentin (portrayed by Matthew Gumley) is a science nerd and Owen's friend. In "Enter the Dojo", he is given the knowledge of the ninjas' secret identity and swears to secrecy as Owen gives him the moniker "Kid Q". He is the one to help fix the dojo, repair Yamato, and help re-enable Hologramps at the dojo.
Main villains
[edit]- Ishina: A rival ninja clan to the Fukunaga clan, who seek a weapon known as the Floating Sword. They "kidnap" Connor, but this was a set-up, and Connor is revealed to be their leader, who serves a more powerful master: Grandpa Fukanaga's evil twin brother Kagema. He finds out that Mike, Owen, and Amanda are ninjas in "Quake". They appear again in "Cousin Connor", where Connor tries to get the ninjas to turn on themselves. However, Mike learns that Connor is one of the Ishina and that he tricked them, leading to a battle that ends in Kagema defeating the ninjas and escaping with Connor. Connor manages to get hold of Mike's medallion and uses it to get into the dojo, where he intends to relieve Mike of the Floating Sword.
- Connor (portrayed by Brandon Soo Hoo) is Mike's cousin and the grandson of Mike's grandfather's sister (great-aunt), who is the co-leader of the Ishina. Along with the Ishina, he seeks to take the Floating Sword back from the Fukanaga family to create a powerful weapon to attempt world domination and enact revenge on the members of the Fukanaga family. At the end of the first season, in the episode "Cousin Connor," he stole Mike's mon, which he used to open the secret entrance to the dojo. After his infiltration attempt is thwarted, he tricks the ninjas into thinking that the Ishina were holding his parents hostage to try and take out the trio. However, he is foiled again and sent to Madagascar in a shipping crate.
- Kagema Fukanaga (portrayed by George Takei) is Hologramps' evil twin brother and Mike's great uncle, who is the current leader of the Ishina clan. He was entrusted to protect the Floating Sword, but betrayed his family and attempted to steal it, only to be thwarted by his brother. He manages to take out the ninjas and escapes with Connor. In "Grounded Ninja", it is revealed that he needs the Floating Sword to complete his ultimate weapon, a robotic ninja named "Hakaisha - The One Who Destroys". In the episode "The Floating Sword", he was defeated by Mike and Connor, but Kagema kidnaps Mike and escapes.
- The Rhymer (portrayed by Christopher Reid) is a villain who rhymes when speaking and robbed places whose names rhymed with each other. He was pursued by the Supah Ninjas in the pilot episode; after his minions were defeated by Mike and Owen and arrested, the Rhymer escaped after being furious that nothing rhymes with "orange".
- Katara (portrayed by Sydney Tamiia Poitier) is a knife-throwing cat burglar who stole priceless antiquities. She started dating Mike's father in order to break into a museum he was guarding, and managed to escape before the ninjas could capture her.
- Harland Mauzer / Two-Ton Harley (portrayed by Paul Wight) is an overweight biker who ate a lot of food to gain weight and reunite with his old gang, the Wrecking Crew. He was taken out by the Ninjas and was recaptured at the end of the episode, being the first villain who was actually captured by the ninjas. He returns in "Enter the Dojo", when Quentin releases him from prison thinking that the ninjas wanted to face off against their biggest enemy. He breaks into the Food Rodeo and intends to reunite his crew and break down the city, but is defeated by the ninjas with the aid of Mike's father, Martin.
- Nicholias Spaski / Checkmate (portrayed by Rick D. Wasserman) is an "undefeated" chess prodigy who cheats and uses elaborate traps to gain the advantage and win. He returns in "Eternum", where he escapes from prison.
- Red-Eye (portrayed by Scott Lowell) A former biology teacher at Benjamin Rush High School, Mr. Bradford became a bug-like monster whom Owen calls "Red-Eye" after he experimented on himself to try to find a universal cure for disease. He uses his newly acquired abilities to break into his old workplace and obtain the necessary items to create a cure. After finding the cure, Bradford uses it to cure Amanda's infection rather than his own.
- Jellyface: Frankie Fellows used Plasma 17 to disguise himself as the people who got him arrested and have them suffer as much as he did, before being defeated by Mike. He returns in "Detention", where he kidnaps and impersonates Mike to smash the trophy case so he can get into the school on Saturday, where Martin was going to be during homecoming. He planned to plant a bomb and a tank of poison gas in order to get revenge on Mike and Martin. His plan was foiled when Owen took him out during a battle, with Mike and Amanda defusing the bomb. He is seemingly aware of the ninjas' identities.
- Malleni the Magnificent (portrayed by Vince Corazza) is a skilled magician who faked his own kidnapping to frame both his assistant Veronica, and his rival, Dominic the Magnificent. He was stopped when he was kicked into a magic box by Owen, which split him into three pieces, with him vowing vengeance on the Supah Ninjas.
- Charles White / Quake (portrayed by Esteban Cueto) is a forger of music boxes who uses special metal gloves that allow him to work with hot metal. After his employer died, Charles sought to collect the music boxes that he had made. However, every time he got his hands on one, he accidentally crushed it, causing him to break out into a rage. Amanda helped him take off his gloves and gave him a music box, after which he leaves peacefully.
- Skeleton Crew: A secret society who ties with Benjamin Rush High School. They leave hidden messages by leaving behind a key and a strip of paper which is decoded by being wrapped around the key. They seek a hard drive for an unknown reason, but are defeated by the ninjas and arrested. However, their return is implied when Amanda and Mike find a message wanting revenge from their leader, the Skeleton King.
- Flint Forster (portrayed by Cody Christian) is a villain who steals from the rich and gives to charity, like a modern-day Robin Hood, along with his group. He seems to have an interest in Amanda, and leaves her his necklace before escaping. He returns in "Finding Forster", where he discovers Amanda's identity in a debate at Benjamin Rush High. They are taken hostage by Flint's debate team when he stole a suitcase filled with credit cards. After Mike and Owen show up and defeat the debate team, Flint says goodbye to Amanda before leaving. He returns again in "Spring Fling", where he finds Amanda and asks her to the Spring Fling dance; however, he discovers that Chop Shop seeks revenge on him, and Amanda learns that Flint stole from him. Flint escapes, but Amanda is captured. He soon discovers that Mike and Owen are the other ninjas after they return to the garage and defeat Chop Shop and his crew, and Flint decides to call the police himself. He is the second villain to have a close relationship with a main character.
Minor villains
[edit]- Subsiders: A crew that lived in the shadows of abandoned subway tunnels. Every time a new member joins, they give them a new name. The crew included Subsider (Christopher Kien Dao), Moth (Xin Sarith Wuku), Toad (Victor Lopez), Roach (Gabriel Nunez), Rat (Caine Sinclair), and Viper (Ramses Jimenez), with Owen's friend James (Jonny Weston) once being part of the crew. They wear hoodies and white masks and rob trucks full of valuable items, such as money. They attempted to escape, but were defeated by Mike and Amanda, with Viper being defeated by Owen.
- Komodo (portrayed by Bryan Friday): A former assistant to Cameron's father, Dr. Theodore Anton wanted revenge for being double-crossed by Vanderhaussen. He wears a large dragon helmet and uses an atomic flamethrower to burn down buildings.
- Dollhouse (portrayed by Tyler Poelle) captured people and put mind control devices around their necks so they would act like moving dolls. Towards the climax of the episode, Mike finds that Dollhouse never had any friends and had a lonely childhood, which influenced his evil plan. He is defeated when he attempts to shoot Mike with tranquilizer darts, but is subdued after Mike catches one and throws it at Dollhouse's hand.
- X (portrayed by Christopher Maleki) is a skilled assassin from the mob that sought to kill the person Mike's father was protecting. He was identified by the X-shaped scar on the back of his neck. He was disguised at the train conductor and took control of the train leading to a Sci-Fi convention.
- House of Lords: A British crime group led by Sir Nigel Wickett, whose members wield cricket paddles. They were after Kickbutt (Lucas Cruikshank) after he stole their money, but are defeated by the ninjas and Kickbutt. Two of their members are portrayed by Mark Lindsay Chapman and Ray Park.
- Morningstar Academy: A boarding school where the headmistress, Ms. Morningstar (Paulette P. Williams), turns troubled girls into skilled thieves who rob for her and are wanted in several countries. These thieves included Clarissa (Daniella Monet), Fiona (Allison Caetano), and Bethany (Kiralee Hayashi), who are defeated by Amanda.
- DJ Elephant Head (portrayed by Ryan Higa) - Real name Leslie, he is a former student at Benjamin Rush High School who was seemingly expelled. He used his musical rhythms to make people fall asleep so he could steal a rare diamond called the Eye of India, while also seeking revenge on the school. He battles Owen, but is knocked out with his sleeping disk playing and his minions accidentally knock each other out. DJ Elephant Head, the villain's artist name, is a spoof of the progressive house producer Deadmau5.
- Snakeskin (portrayed by Amy Lucas) is Benjamin Rush's guidance counselor. Her actual name is Susie Scott, who lived a double life as a villainess who was using devil diamond snake venom to make popular kids' skin shed, as she was bullied by popular kids in her childhood. She planned to use toxic poison in Melanie's party, but was defeated by Amanda.
- Dr. Eternum (portrayed by Todd Stashwick) is a demented psychiatrist who believes that he can manipulate human nature using the word "Gemini". He captures Mike and attempts to convert him to evil, but is defeated.
- Mechanov (portrayed by Curt Lowens) is an evil scientist who believes that the only way humankind can evolve is through machines, having saved his children, Optic and Buzzsaw (portrayed by Dennis Keiffer and Danielle Burgio) from an explosion by turning them into cyborgs. During his final battle with Mike's grandfather, his lab exploded and he was assumed dead; however, he is revealed to have survived, but fallen in a coma. When he comes of age and begins to die, his children attempt to steal purple diamonds that can power an exoskeleton in order to save his life, but are defeated by the Fukunagas. Mechanov's exoskeleton, with him in it, was defeated by Owen, before being finished off by Martin.
- Lemuel Lightner / Limelight (portrayed by Danny Masterson) is a villain who went to college and performed drama with three celebrities. Resenting the fact that they became famous when he did not, he kidnapped them and attempted to kill them so that he could become famous. However, he is defeated by Owen, while his henchmen are taken out by Mike and Amanda.
- William Block / Frostbite (portrayed by Steve Monroe) is a villain whose family used to own the Lickety Splits ice cream company. However, they were robbed and locked in a freezer, where they all caught frostbite and Block lost a finger. Seeking vengeance, he kidnapped criminals by freezing them and keeping them prisoner in his old factory instead of handing them over to the police. He tried to freeze Amanda when she found out his secret, but she was able to defeat him when she threw a shuriken at a liquid nitrogen tank, freezing him.
- Shadow Fly (portrayed by Bobb'e J. Thompson) claims that he is one of the ninjas that stops the villains of Empire City. He tricks the ninjas into thinking that he was kidnapped so that he can capture them, but is exposed as being an imposter after the ninjas stick him to a billboard.
- Wesley (portrayed by Kevin M. Horton) is the science assistant of Dr. Warner Krowsa. Tired of listening to Dr. Krowsa's insults and waiting for him to invent something worth stealing, he stole a telekinesis helmet that allows the wearer to move things with his mind. He tries to destroy Quentin, but was stopped by Mike, Owen, and Amanda.
- Kylie Coors (portrayed by Ciara Bravo) once went to go to cheer camp with Amanda, but was sent to juvy after she stole money from the camp and Amanda found out and told the coaches. She later returns, being named the cheerleader captain of another school. During Spirit Week, she comes to Benjamin Rush and plays nice to mess with Amanda and make people not like her and think that she is crazy. She tricks Amanda into coming to the tunnels, putting blue prints in Amanda's locker to frame her for attempting to blow up the gym, but is defeated by Amanda.
- Trip Taylor (portrayed by Glenn McCuen) is a credit card counterfeiter, who kidnapped Flint and Amanda before being defeated by Mike.
- Gina / Wallflower (portrayed by Jillian Rose Reed) had a crush on Owen, which he did not notice due to having a crush on Paloma Peru. She kidnaps him and tries to change her look to get him to be with her. However, she is defeated after accidentally locking herself in a box.
- M@yhem: A group of internet kids led by new student Tyler, who have been cyberbullied because of internet videos of them gone wrong, and attempt to cause riots to get people to cause mayhem before Tyler is defeated by Owen.
- Chop Shop (portrayed by Sam Turich) is a mobster who has a crime ring and uses his garage as a cover. Flint Forster steals from him and wants revenge on him. He kidnapped Amanda to get Flint to come back, but is defeated by the ninjas and Flint.
Production
[edit]On September 30, 2010, Nickelodeon announced that it had ordered 26 episodes of the series, which was slated to begin production in Los Angeles for a 2011 premiere.[4] Initially, the series was planned to star YouTube comedian Ryan Higa as the lead character Mike Fukanaga.[1] In an update video posted to his channel on July 16, 2011, Ryan Higa explained, "The reason why I turned it down is because they wanted me to remove my YouTube videos."[1]
On May 7, 2013, it was announced that the series would not return for a third season.[3] Chris Breakwell, owner of the show's production facility 31st Street Studios, stated "Nickelodeon liked it but they're going in a different direction."[3]
Episodes
[edit]Season 1 (2011–12)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Prod. code | US viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Pilot" | Clark Mathis | Leo Chu & Eric S. Garcia | January 17, 2011 | 101 | 2.5[5] |
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Mike and Owen find a secret lair under Mike's bed and have to become ninjas. The ninjas have to face a villain named The Rhymer (Christopher Reid). He kidnaps Amanda McKay. Owen and Mike have to fight against him to rescue Amanda. At the end of the episode, Amanda joins them as being ninjas after she was saved. Co-stars: Lateef Crowder as Bass, Michelle Lee as Melody, Sam Looc as Treble, Karen Strassman as Various (voice) (uncredited) | |||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Katara" | Lev L. Spiro | Nat Bernstein & Mitchel Katlin | April 16, 2011 | 104 | 3.1[6] |
|
The ninjas must stop a cat burglar named Katara Sharp (Sydney Tamiia Poitier) who just happens to be dating Mike's dad (Randall Park). Mike and Amanda kiss when undercover and Mike is having trouble controlling his feelings for Amanda. Amanda seems upset after hearing Mike saying it was just business, but Mike didn't mean that he just said that because he didn't want Amanda to know that he liked it and he felt it was right because he thought Amanda's kiss was just business. Co-star: Damon Christopher as Security Guard | |||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Two Ton Harley" | Clark Mathis | Leo Chu & Eric S. Garcia | April 23, 2011 | 102 | 2.9[7] |
| 4 | 4 | "Checkmate" | Clark Mathis | Leo Chu & Eric S. Garcia | April 30, 2011 | 103 | 2.1[8] |
|
The ninjas take on a chess prodigy villain named Checkmate (Rick D. Wasserman) who challenges them in chess-related games, putting their lives in danger. Amanda feels she must overachieve at other things after getting her first A−, the worst grade she has ever received in her life, especially when Checkmate captures Mike and Owen threatening to kill them. | |||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Subsiders" | Kevin Fair | Drew Hancock | May 7, 2011 | 106 | 2.9[8] |
|
Owen is having a hard time with the boring discipline of Grandpa's teachings. When he recognizes that an old friend (Jonny Weston) is part of the dangerous Subsiders parkour crew, Owen infiltrates their underground lair to save him. Meanwhile, Mike and Amanda cope with the temporary loss of their partner and friend. Note: At the end, when everybody is arrested the building behind them is the same one that is used as Rocque Records on Big Time Rush.[citation needed] | |||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Mr. Bradford" | Jonathan Judge | Drew Hancock | May 14, 2011 | 108 | 2.9[9] |
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Amanda's favorite teacher, Mr. Bradford (Scott Lowell), who used to work for a major pharmaceutical company, has been experimenting on himself with insect DNA in order to find a universal antidote. He accidentally takes too much and turns into a monster. Meanwhile, Mike's annoying cousin Connor (Brandon Soo Hoo) stays over for a few days. | |||||||
| 7 | 7 | "Komodo" | Paul Shapiro | Lisa Parsons | June 4, 2011 | 107 | TBA |
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A dragon-masked eco-terrorist (Bryan Friday) seeks revenge against Arthur Vanderhausen, a large commercial developer with a shady environmental record. Meanwhile, Amanda falls for Arthur's son Cameron (Jordan Nichols). | |||||||
| 8 | 8 | "Jelly Face" | Alex Winter | Lon Diamond | June 4, 2011 | 110 | TBA |
|
Mike and the gang are suspicious when unlikely suspects turn bad, including one of Mike's own uncles. Meanwhile, Connor is filming everyone doing embarrassing things for his made-up show, "Conn'd." | |||||||
| 9 | 9 | "Dollhouse" | David Jackson | Leo Chu & Eric S. Garcia | June 25, 2011 | 111 | 2.6[10] |
|
Amanda is captured by a villain named "Dollhouse" (Tyler Poelle) who turns people into "living dolls". While Mike and Owen are trying to rescue her, Owen gets turned into a personal doll, too. It is revealed that Dollhouse is the son of the maker of Speelmachers, a famous toy company. He captures others because it is said he had no playmates when he was a kid. | |||||||
| 10 | 10 | "X" | Alex Winter | David Ihlenfeld & Dave Wright | July 23, 2011 | 115 | 2.0[11] |
|
X (Christopher Maleki), an assassin hired by the mob, is trying to kill a boy (Michael Blaiklock) with smart computer skills that Mike's dad is protecting. | |||||||
| 11 | 11 | "Kickbutt" | Jonathan Judge | Ben Acker & Ben Blacker | September 10, 2011 | 114 | 2.4[12] |
|
A computer geek leads a double life as a super hero named Kickbutt (Lucas Cruikshank), but his alter ego gets in trouble when he steals a mob boss' (Mark Lindsay Chapman) money and uses it to renovate the computer lab at school. At the end of the episode he states "Until next time!" hinting a return. | |||||||
| 12 | 12 | "The Magnificent" | Jon Rosenbaum | Lisa Parsons | September 17, 2011 | 116 | 2.3[13] |
|
Mike and Owen revive their old childhood magic act, "The Amazing Owenini and Friend," in order to go undercover at the Magic Castle to uncover the truth about famous magician's (Vince Corazza) disappearance. Meanwhile, Amanda tries to have a proper date with her boyfriend Cameron, but he is thinking she has feelings for Owen. Whenever they attempt to have a date, its always ruined by either Mike or Owen. | |||||||
| 13 | 13 | "Morningstar Academy" | Jonathan Judge | Lisa Parsons | September 24, 2011 | 113 | 2.3[14] |
|
A group of thieves named Clarissa (Daniella Monet), Bethany (Kiralee Hayashi) and Fiona are disguised as prep-school girls who want to become rich by stealing printing plates for $100 bills. And Amanda must put her predictability to the test. Victorious star Daniella Monet guest stars | |||||||
| 14 | 14 | "DJ Elephant Head" | Clark Mathis | David Ihlenfeld & Dave Wright | October 1, 2011 | 121 | 2.3[15] |
| 15 | 15 | "Snakeskin" | Alex Winter | Lisa Parsons | October 10, 2011 | 122 | 1.9[16] |
|
Amanda struggles with popularity after she isn't invited to Melanie's party, but she soon gets invited thanks to Kelly; however, Owen is throwing a party on the same night, so Amanda attends both. Meanwhile, the ninjas fight a villain known as Snakeskin who is really their attractive guidance counselor, Ms. Scott (Amy Lucas), who is stealing Devil Diamond Snakes and plans to use their venom as revenge on the popular kids at Melanie's party. With all the kids locked in with a canister of the venom, it's up to Amanda to save them. | |||||||
| 16 | 16 | "Eternum" | David Barrett | David Ihlenfeld & Dave Wright | October 15, 2011 | 112 | 1.9[17] |
|
A demented psychiatrist (Todd Stashwick) lures the ninjas to an asylum to test his theory that he has the power to turn good into evil. While investigating, Amanda meets Checkmate again, who in the end of the episode escapes with a message to the Supah Ninjas: "Game on, Ninjas!" | |||||||
| 17–18 | 17–18 | "Ishina" | Brian Robbins | Leo Chu & Eric S. Garcia (Part 1) Nat Bernstein & Mitchel Katlin (Part 2) | October 29, 2011 | 117–118 | 1.8[18] |
|
In the first two-part episode of the series, The evil Ishina clan tries to find the dojo; Mike learns that he must protect the floating sword from the Ishina. We also find out Connor's secret: he's the leader of the Ishina clan. And the brother of the Hologramps is found. He is the "teacher" of Connor. Co-Star: Power Rangers star Johnny Yong Bosch as Master Shin | |||||||
| 19 | 19 | "Quake" | Dave Payne | Drew Hancock | November 5, 2011 | 119 | TBA |
|
With Owen and Amanda's advice, Mike finally asks Julie out, only to learn right after that Amanda and Cameron have broken up. Meanwhile, Quake, a giant, beast of a man, has been tearing apart Empire City. At the end of the episode hologramps' twin brother and Connor just find out that Mike, Amanda and Owen were the three ninjas not Martin. | |||||||
| 20 | 20 | "Mechanov" | David Jackson | David Ihlenfeld & David Wright | November 12, 2011 | 105 | 2.3[19] |
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Mike goes on a police ride-along with Martin. A villainous brother named Optic (Dennis Keiffer) and his sister Buzzsaw (Danielle Burgio) the duo steal purple diamonds around the city to bring their dying father called Mechanov (Curt Lowens) back to life as a robot. Note: This episode premiered on Nick UK before the US release. The UK release was in September 2011. | |||||||
| 21 | 21 | "Detention" | Dave Payne | David Ihlenfeld & David Wright | November 19, 2011 | 123 | 1.8[20] |
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The ninjas end up in detention and discover Jellyface escaped from prison. Now against one another, they try to figure out who's Jellyface before it's too late. Amanda lies that she got detention to do a report for the school paper, but she really keeps falling asleep in first period because of the gang's late night "Study Group" (AKA Ninja Training), so Mike suggests they move Study Group to lunch, and Owen and Amanda realize who Jellyface is. | |||||||
| 22 | 22 | "Skeleton Crew" | Hiro Koda | Edward J. Bedrosian | December 27, 2011 | 124 | N/A |
|
A string of burglaries have occurred and Mike is convinced the Skeleton Crew, an underground secret society with ties to Benjamin Rush High School, is to blame. Yet Amanda and Owen are doubtful of Mike's accusations since he's a staunch believer of urban myths. Owen desperately tries to woo Isabelle, a new Junior transfer, but has no idea she's actually an undercover detective who's also pursuing the Skeleton Crew. She also believes that the Supah Ninjas are the ones behind the attacks at Benjamin Rush High School. When Isabelle goes to the school with backup, they unmask the ninjas, which actually turns out to be the Skeleton Crew (The Supah Ninjas switched masks with them before Isabelle and Martin arrived). The next day, Mike is now Owen's wingman, for a girl named Greta. Mike and Amanda find a note which meant "This isn't over. S.K. (Skeleton King)" meaning the Skeleton Crew may appear in future episodes. Note: Even though Hologramps didn't appear in this episode, he is voiced when Mike makes a voice reenactment of him while remembering about his goal on defeating an enemy. It is also revealed that Mike can do perfect voice impressions. | |||||||
| 23 | 23 | "Limelight" | Tim Story | Lon Diamond | January 7, 2012 | 109 | 1.5[21] |
|
Limelight (Danny Masterson), a former college actor, kidnaps his former cast mates, who have become famous, and has horrible plans for them. Meanwhile, Owen has trouble hiding his ninja skills and almost exposes his friends and himself twice, once while trying to defend a boy from a shifty-looking senior student who was actually selling cupcakes to raise money for children's hospitals and when Limelight captures his final target. Mike and Amanda scold him afterward but Hologramps takes pity on Owen because he was trying to do the right thing, he also knows how he feels about not receiving enough attention and not getting credit for helping to save Empire City, but he tells him that a ninja's strength comes from within, not the opinion of others. But will Owen's recent idea of trying to stand out help the ninjas defeat Limelight? That '70s Show star Danny Masterson guest stars | |||||||
| 24 | 24 | "Frostbite" | David Jackson | Lon Diamond | January 14, 2012 | 120 | 2.0[22] |
|
A man named Frostbite (Steve Monroe) starts to capture criminals and do the ninjas' work for them. But Amanda gets suspicious of him when she finds out the police still think they're on the loose. Meanwhile, Amanda tries to help Mike get ready for his date with Julie, telling him about the "hand touch" in which if a girl touches your shoulders she likes you, on your arm, her feelings may change, and on the hand is that she like likes you. While Mike practices what he's gonna say to Julie, she doesn't realize he's actually talking about herself, and once he finishes, she touches his hand and says, "Perfect." After Mike looks down at their hands, Amanda removes her hand, says she has to go, then walks out of the door as quickly as possible. Mike goes on his first date with Julie, with Owen giving him advice through an earpiece. But, he does not realize that Amanda is in trouble when she goes to Frostbite's hideout and finds that he is holding the criminals hostage instead of turning them over to the police, but will running away from Frostbite help Amanda stop him when he traps her in the freezer? | |||||||
| 25 | 25 | "Ninja Intervention" | Brian Robbins | Lisa Parsons | January 21, 2012 | 125 | 1.8[23] |
|
Tensions flare after Grandfather traps Mike, Owen and Amanda in the dojo to stage an intervention, realizing they've forgotten the true meaning of being Ninjas. Through flashbacks and clips, the Ninjas work out their dilemma of whether or not to go public after Grandfather tells them they've been captured battling a villain on a security camera. After Amanda and Owen want to go public and Mike doesn't, just because it's two against one, they decide to go public. But when they only can have one, Amanda, Mike, and Owen all think that they should be the one. After it is Mike, Grandfather says that not all the tallys have been counted, they do a breathing exercise to reflect on what all has gone on in their ninja lives. Grandfather says that there is no i in ninja to which Amanda keeps complaining about. They then decide to not go public, after their final decision Mike asks "Grandfather, we weren't really caught on tape, were we?" to which Grandfather doesn't answer but it is implied that the answer is yes. | |||||||
| 26 | 26 | "Cousin Connor" | Jonathan Judge | Leo Chu & Eric S. Garcia | January 28, 2012 | 126 | 2.0[24] |
|
Mike's cousin, Connor, returns to Empire City to obtain the floating sword and set up a trap to the ninjas. Mike discovers Connor's identity as an Ishina. He also discovers that his grandfather's twin brother Kagema, who has betrayed the Fukanagas and has now returned to lead the Ishina. In a fight with Connor, Mike loses his mon to him, and the episode ends with Connor inserting the mon into the Supah Ninjas' dojo entrance in Mike's bedroom and it opens up in front of him with Mike, Amanda, Owen and Hologramps looking in despair. Meanwhile, Mike is upset, thinking that Amanda and Owen have a thing for each other, after Connor tells him they are into each other. Connor tells Owen that Amanda bleaches her hair, and he tells Amanda that Owen likes her. | |||||||
Season 2 (2013)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Prod. code | US viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 1 | "The Con Man" | Alex Winter | Leo Chu & Eric S. Garcia | February 9, 2013 | 201 | N/A |
|
Cousin Connor plans to infiltrate the dojo, and after he fails, the Supah Ninjas must get back Mike's mon. While trying to the first time, Connor tricks them into thinking that the only reason he's trying to take them down is because Kagema Fukanaga is holding his parents hostage. But while fighting the Ishina, and after realizing that Connor was lying since he's fighting them too, they push Connor into a cargo box. It sent him to Madagascar, after getting Mike's mon back of course. | |||||||
| 28 | 2 | "Flint Forster" | David Barrett | Heather Flanders | February 16, 2013 | 205 | 1.2[25] |
|
Amanda falls for a criminal called Flint Forster while on ninja duty. Meanwhile, Julie breaks up with Mike and Owen tries to fix Mike by testing him to see if Amanda likes him. Guest Star: Cody Christian as Flint Forster Note: Flint Forester is a reference to the Marvel Character Hawkeye (Clint Barton), an archer whose real name is Clint Barton. | |||||||
| 29 | 3 | "Shadow Fly" | Clark Mathis | Lanny Horn & Josh Silverstein | February 23, 2013 | 203 | 1.4[26][27] |
|
A photo of Owen in his ninja suit (beating a bad guy) goes viral. But an imposter steps up and pretends to be the Supah Ninjas, takes all the credit, and starts to sell T-shirts, hats, and jack-in-the-boxes. Meanwhile, Mike tries to find a new style to lose the nickname 'Necklace Guy', but in the end Mike figures out that his thing IS 'Necklace Guy'. Guest Star: Bobb'e J. Thompson as Shadow Fly | |||||||
| 30 | 4 | "Grounded Ninja" | Clark Mathis | Kristofor Brown | March 2, 2013 | 202 | 1.3[28][29] |
|
When Mike is grounded after his father catches him sneaking out, Mike has to find a way to help Owen and Amanda stop the Ishina and Kagema Fukanaga from finding the dojo. | |||||||
| 31 | 5 | "Kid Q" | Dave Payne | Mike Alber & Gabe Snyder | March 9, 2013 | 204 | 1.6[30] |
|
When Amanda and Mike pair up in the science fair, Owen gets stuck with Quentin as a science fair partner. Quentin does all the work and gets his project stolen from an evil scientist's assistant. | |||||||
| 32 | 6 | "Cheer Fever" | Dave Payne | Ray Lancon | March 16, 2013 | 206 | 1.4[31][32] |
|
During Spirit week, a rival cheerleader from Amanda's past named Kylie Coors is released from juvie and visits Benjamin Rush. Amanda doesn't trust her because she knows that she's up to something, so Owen and Mike go undercover as cheerleaders to find out what she's planning. Guest Star: Big Time Rush star Ciara Bravo as Kylie | |||||||
| 33 | 7 | "The Ishina Strike Back" | Alex Winter | Mike Alber & Gabe Snyder | March 30, 2013 | 207 | N/A |
|
Mike throws a last minute birthday party for his dad Martin, but The Ishina strike back to try and steal the floating sword. In the end Grandpa is disabled and Yamato and the dojo are destroyed, and to repair it the ninjas bring in Quentin and expose their identities to him. | |||||||
| 34 | 8 | "Enter the Dojo" | Lev L. Spiro | Heather Flanders | April 6, 2013 | 208 | 1.3[33] |
|
After the dojo is destroyed, the ninjas must expose their identities to Quentin and have him fix the dojo, but he overstates his welcome and lets Two-Ton Harley out of prison. | |||||||
| 35 | 9 | "Finding Forster [34]" | Lev L. Spiro | Heather Flanders | April 13, 2013 | 211 | N/A |
|
Flint Forster returns and learns Amanda's real identity; Mike must rescue Flint and Amanda when they are taken hostage. In the end, Mike realizes he still has feelings for Amanda. Guest Star: Cody Christian as Flint Forster Note: This episode is a reference to Marvel's The Avengers as they have shawarma quietly in the end on the episode. | |||||||
| 36 | 10 | "Wallflower" | Clark Mathis | Edward J. Bedrosian | April 20, 2013 | 209 | 1.5[35] |
|
Owen pursues his crush on Paloma Peru, but gets captured by a girl who likes him; Mike and Amanda bond while filming an audition tape for a game show. Note: Wallflower is a spoof of Poison Ivy from Batman. | |||||||
| 37 | 11 | "M@yhem" | Dave Payne | Josh Silverstein & Lanny Horn | April 20, 2013 | 210 | 1.2[35] |
|
The Ninjas investigate a social media star who uses flash mobs to incite chaos; Paloma grows suspicious of the ninjas. | |||||||
| 38 | 12 | "Spring Fling[34]" | Dave Payne | Unknown | April 27, 2013 | 212 | 1.3[36] |
|
Mike is left broken hearted when he misses his chance to ask Amanda to the dance. Instead she goes with Flint. To make matters worse, Flint reveals that Amanda is going to study abroad in Paris with him for the summer! In the end, Amanda decides to stay there with Mike and finds out that Mike still has feelings for her. Guest Star: Cody Christian as Flint Forster | |||||||
| 39 | 13 | "The Floating Sword[34]" | Hiro Koda | Unknown | April 27, 2013 | 213 | 1.1[36] |
|
Mike's Cousin Connor returns as a spy and learns that the Kata is the key to finding the floating sword. He tries to retrieve it, but Mike defeats him and takes the sword. At the dojo, Quentin manages to fix Grandpa. In the last scene, Owen realizes that Amanda likes Mike. Mike goes to his locker and finds his grandpa's brother, who kidnaps Mike ending the series with Kagema flying off with Mike. | |||||||
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Writers Guild of America | Children's - Episodic & Specials | Episode: Hero of the Shadows | Won | [37] |
| 2013 | 65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or a Variety Program | Hiro Koda | Won | [38] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Higa, Ryan (July 19, 2011). "4,000,000 Subscribers!" (video). youtube.com.
- ^ "Nickelodeon presents 2012 upfront | Radio & Television Business Report". Rbr.com. March 15, 2012. Archived from the original on March 17, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
- ^ a b c "EXCLUSIVE: Nickelodeon cancels Pittsburgh-filmed 'Supah Ninjas". Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
- ^ "Nickelodeon orders 'Supah Ninjas' series". United Press International. September 30, 2010.
- ^ cable Overnight Final TV Nielsen Ratings – Friday January 21, 2011 Archived March 22, 2012, at the Wayback Machine – television-ratings.info
- ^ Seidman, Robert (April 19, 2011). "Nickelodeon's "Supah Ninjas" Premiere Averages 3.1 Million Viewers; New "Victorious" 3.9 Million". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 23, 2011. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
- ^ "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Pawn Stars' Leads Night; Plus NBA, 'WWE RAW,' 'Sanctuary' 'Bethenny,' 'American Chopper' & More – Ratings". Zap2it. April 26, 2011. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ a b "Nickelodeon & Nicktoons Ratings Thread – Page 11". Toonzone.net. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ "Friday Cable Ratings: Thunder/Grizzlies Leads Night + 'American Restoration,' 'Friday Night Smackdown!' and More – Ratings". Zap2it. Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ Nickelodeon's 'Big Time Rush,' 'Supah Ninjas' Win Time Periods Across All TV – TV by the Numbers, June 28, 2011
- ^ "Saturday, July 23, 2011 Broadcast & Cable Final Ratings". Thevoiceoftv.com. July 23, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Saturday, September 10, 2011 Broadcast & Cable Final Ratings". Thevoiceoftv.com. September 10, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Saturday, September 17, 2011 Broadcast & Cable Final Ratings". Thevoiceoftv.com. September 17, 2011. Archived from the original on September 25, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ "Saturday, September 24, 2011 Broadcast & Cable Final Ratings". Thevoiceoftv.com. September 24, 2011. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ "Saturday, October 1, 2011 Broadcast & Cable Final Ratings". Thevoiceoftv.com. October 3, 2011. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ "Monday, October 10, 2011 Cable Final Ratings". Thevoiceoftv.com. October 10, 2011. Archived from the original on November 28, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ "Saturday, October 15, 2011 Cable Final Ratings". Thevoiceoftv.com. October 15, 2011. Archived from the original on January 6, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ "Saturday, October 29, 2011 Cable Final Ratings". Thevoiceoftv.com. October 30, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Saturday, November 12, 2011 Cable Final Ratings". Thevoiceoftv.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ "Saturday, November 19, 2011 Cable Final Ratings". Thevoiceoftv.com. November 19, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Saturday, January 7, 2012 Cable Final Ratings". Thevoiceoftv.com. January 7, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Saturday, January 14, 2012 Cable Final Ratings". Thevoiceoftv.com. January 14, 2012. Archived from the original on January 23, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ "Saturday, January 21, 2012 Cable Final Ratings". Thevoiceoftv.com. January 21, 2012. Archived from the original on January 28, 2012. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
- ^ "Saturday, January 28, 2012 Cable Finals: Big Bang Theory, Victorious, Big Time Rush, NHL, Winter X Games, NCAA". Thevoiceoftv.com. January 28, 2012. Retrieved February 4, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ TV by the Numbers
- ^ "Ratings - Saturday's Cable Ratings: Nickelodeon's "Wendell & Vinnie" …". Retrieved April 1, 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Walking Dead' Wins Night + 'Live From the Red Carpet', 'Ax Men', 'Bar Rescue', 'Shameless' & More". Zap2it. February 25, 2013. Archived from the original on February 28, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
- ^ "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, 'The Bible, 'Vikings', 'Shameless', 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'Pawn Stars' & More". Zap2it. March 5, 2013. Archived from the original on March 12, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
- ^ "Ratings - Saturday's Cable Ratings: ESPN Tops Charts with College Basketball Doubleheader". TheFutonCritic.com. March 2, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
- ^ "Saturday's Cable Ratings: College Basketball, "Wendell & Vinnie" Top Viewers". TheFutonCritic.com. March 12, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Saturday's Cable Ratings: College Basketball, UFC Prelims Top Demos". TheFutonCritic.com. March 19, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
- ^ "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, 'The Bible', 'Vikings', 'The Client List', 'Shameless', 'Army Wives' & More". Zap2it. March 19, 2013. Archived from the original on March 23, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
- ^ "Saturday's Cable Ratings: "Marvin Marvin," "Wendell & Vinnie" Top Viewers for Nickelodeon". TheFutonCritic.com. April 9, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Production Code". Retrieved April 1, 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ a b "Saturday's Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs Tripleheader Puts ESPN on Top". TheFutonCritic.com. April 23, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ a b "Saturday's Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs, "Marvin Marvin" Top Charts". TheFutonCritic.com. April 30, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Fernandez, Jay A. "Writers Guild Awards: Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 30, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
- ^ "65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Winners" (PDF). Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 65th annual Primetime Emmy Awards. National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. p. 18. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 9, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
External links
[edit]
- Supah Ninjas at IMDb
Supah Ninjas
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Premise and characters
Premise
Supah Ninjas is a live-action action-comedy series centered on three high school friends—Mike Fukanaga, Owen Reynolds, and Amanda McKay—who inherit a secret ninja legacy following the death of Mike's grandfather, prompting them to train as crime-fighting ninjas while navigating the challenges of teenage life.[5] The core plot revolves around Mike receiving a mysterious letter from his grandfather that reveals a hidden dojo and ancient ninja scrolls, leading the trio to embark on missions to protect their community from various threats.[7] This setup establishes the protagonists as reluctant heroes who must balance school, friendships, and covert operations.[8] The series is set in a modern-day suburban environment, primarily at a secret underground dojo beneath the Fukanaga home, which serves as the training ground for their ninja skills. This blending of everyday teen drama—such as crushes, homework, and social dynamics—with high-stakes ninja action-adventure creates a dynamic backdrop for the narrative.[9] Thematically, the premise emphasizes the maintenance of secret identities, rigorous martial arts training, and the application of ninja techniques to combat local dangers like street gangs or emerging supervillains, all while promoting themes of personal growth and teamwork.[5] As a superhero series targeted at children and preteens, it features self-contained episodes that resolve individual missions, often tying ninja exploits to the characters' emotional and social development.[7]Main characters
Mike Fukanaga, portrayed by Ryan Potter, is the protagonist and leader of the Supah Ninjas team. A Japanese-American high school student, Mike is characterized as shy, intelligent, and socially awkward, often struggling with self-confidence and interactions, particularly with girls. Upon the death of his grandfather, a legendary ninja master, Mike inherits the family dojo and a hidden legacy of ninja skills, transforming him into the reluctant hero and strategic mind of the group. His role involves devising plans and using clever tactics to guide the team through challenges, drawing on his analytical abilities to balance their missions.[10] Owen Reynolds, played by Carlos Knight, serves as Mike's loyal best friend and the team's powerhouse. Athletic and outgoing, Owen brings humor and energy to the group, acting as the comic relief while excelling in hand-to-hand combat and physical feats. His spontaneous and fearless nature makes him the ideal frontline fighter, providing unwavering support and boosting team morale during high-stakes encounters. Owen's bond with Mike, forged since childhood, underscores his role as the dependable muscle who jumps into action without hesitation. Amanda McKay, enacted by Gracie Dzienny, is the intelligent and resourceful addition to the trio, whom Mike harbors a crush on. As a popular straight-A cheerleader, Amanda is level-headed and tech-oriented, contributing gadgets and innovative solutions derived from her affinity for science and engineering. She represents the team's innovator, using her quick thinking and resourcefulness to create tools and strategies that complement the others' strengths, evolving from an outsider to a core member through shared adventures. The Supah Ninjas' dynamic revolves around the evolving friendship among Mike, Owen, and Amanda, forged in the crucible of ninja training and crime-fighting. Mike's cautious leadership tempers Owen's bravado and Amanda's ingenuity, creating a balanced unit where their diverse traits—strategy, strength, and innovation—interlock to overcome obstacles. This interplay highlights themes of growth, with Mike emerging from shyness, Owen channeling his energy productively, and Amanda embracing action beyond academics. Their mentor, Grandpa Fukanaga (voiced by George Takei), influences them posthumously through holographic appearances and recorded guidance, imparting ninja wisdom and reinforcing family ties that bind the team.[11]Antagonists
The antagonists in Supah Ninjas primarily consist of the recurring Ishina Clan and a series of episodic villains who pose immediate threats to the protagonists' ninja training and missions. The Ishina Clan serves as the central antagonistic force, representing a rival ninja lineage with deep historical enmity toward the Fukanaga Clan. Led by Kagema Fukanaga, the evil twin brother of the heroes' grandfather Hologramps, the clan seeks to seize the powerful Floating Sword artifact to empower their ultimate weapon, a robotic ninja called Hakaisha, designed for widespread destruction.[12][4] This pursuit drives multi-episode arcs, forcing the Supah Ninjas to defend their dojo and heritage while uncovering family betrayals, as Kagema's defection from the Fukanaga Clan stems from his ambition to dominate through forbidden ninja arts.[13] Kagema Fukanaga, portrayed as a shadowy figure in black robes contrasting his brother's white attire, embodies the series' theme of corrupted legacy, using psychokinetic blasts and clan warriors to infiltrate Empire City and target Mike Fukanaga directly, including abducting him to exploit his lineage.[12] His motivations extend beyond artifact theft to personal vendetta, escalating conflicts from stealthy dojo invasions to city-wide conspiracies that test the young ninjas' loyalty and skills.[14] Another key Ishina affiliate is Cousin Connor, Mike's scheming relative who aids in acquiring the Floating Sword, blending familial ties with treachery to heighten emotional stakes during clan confrontations.[15] In contrast, minor antagonists are typically one-off villains introduced to challenge specific ninja abilities, often rooted in personal grudges or criminal enterprises that exploit urban vulnerabilities. Examples include Two-Ton Harley, a brute-force leader of the Wrecking Crew motorcycle gang who escapes prison to reclaim his territory through high-speed chases and demolitions, emphasizing the heroes' need for agility and teamwork.[16] Checkmate, a disgraced chess prodigy, orchestrates deadly games to cover his kidnapping of a detective, symbolizing intellectual threats that require strategic counterplay.[17] Other notable foes like Dollhouse, who transforms victims into obedient "living dolls" via psychological manipulation, or Komodo, an eco-terrorist in a dragon mask seeking revenge on developers, introduce supernatural or thematic elements that drive standalone action sequences while reinforcing moral lessons on justice and resilience. These antagonists collectively propel the narrative by evolving from street-level crimes, such as No Face's high-tech jewel heists, to broader conspiracies involving clan warfare, compelling the Supah Ninjas to grow from novice fighters into guardians of their city's balance.[18] Their schemes often intersect with the protagonists' personal lives, like Dr. Eternum's mind-control experiments targeting "good" individuals, thereby amplifying the impact on the heroes' missions without resolving into permanent alliances or defeats for recurring threats.Production
Development
Supah Ninjas was created by Leo Chu and Eric Garcia, who served as co-creators and executive producers, with Chu also acting as showrunner. The series originated from their desire to blend traditional ninja lore and action elements with teen comedy, drawing on their prior experience with the animated series Afro Samurai on Spike TV.[19][20] The concept was pitched to Nickelodeon in 2010 and greenlit on September 30 of that year for an initial order of 26 episodes, valued for its high-energy action, humor, and appeal to young audiences through diverse lead characters. This decision aligned with Nickelodeon's push to expand its live-action slate, emphasizing stories that incorporated cultural heritage and empowerment themes.[10][21] The pilot episode, titled "Hero of the Shadows," was developed as a special preview and aired on January 17, 2011, marking the series' debut. Creatively, the show evolved to prioritize positive representation of Asian-American heritage, particularly through the protagonist Mike Fukanaga, by centering ninja traditions as a source of strength and identity rather than stereotypes. This focus stemmed from the creators' frustration with portrayals of people of color as passive victims, leading to a narrative where diverse teens actively become heroes.[10][21] Ryan Potter was cast in the lead role of Mike Fukanaga, bringing martial arts skills to the character at age 15.[5]Filming and crew
The first season of Supah Ninjas was primarily filmed in Los Angeles, California, at the Paramount Studios lot in Hollywood, where interior sets including the dojo were constructed on soundstages.[22] Exterior scenes, such as those at the high school, were shot in suburban Los Angeles areas to capture a relatable teenage environment.[23] For the second season, production relocated to 31st Street Studios in Pittsburgh's Strip District, with sets from the first season dismantled and transported from Los Angeles to maintain continuity.[22][24] Key directors included Clark Mathis, who helmed seven episodes across both seasons, and Alex Winter, who directed five episodes, with Brian Robbins contributing to two episodes in the first season.[25] Hiro Koda served as both series director and stunt coordinator, overseeing the martial arts sequences and earning a 2013 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or Variety Program.[25] Other notable crew included cinematographer Alex Nepomniaschy and production designer John D. Kretschmer, who focused on building immersive ninja training environments.[25] The show's action sequences emphasized practical effects and martial arts choreography, with Koda coordinating stunts that incorporated real training for the young cast in disciplines like karate and tricking to ensure authentic movement.[26][27] Props such as foam weapons, rubber breakaways, and safety gear were custom-fabricated by Tolin FX to support safe, dynamic fight scenes suitable for a family audience.[28] While some enhanced sequences utilized wire work for aerial maneuvers and limited CGI for environmental effects, the production prioritized tangible choreography to blend kid-friendly excitement with believable ninja combat.[29] Filming the second season in Pittsburgh presented logistical challenges, including transporting the cast and crew away from their Los Angeles base, which required accommodations for family separations and adapting to a non-traditional production hub.[22] Season 1 focused on establishing core sets like the dojo and high school interiors, while Season 2 expanded to more elaborate villain lairs and increased stunt complexity, ramping up the action volume significantly from the inaugural run.[30][31]Broadcast and distribution
U.S. broadcast
Supah Ninjas premiered in the United States with a special preview of its pilot episode, "Hero of the Shadows," on Nickelodeon on January 17, 2011, at 9:00 PM ET.[32] The series began its regular weekly broadcast on April 16, 2011, with the episode "Katara," airing Saturdays at 8:30 PM ET/PT.[33][9] Season 1 consisted of 26 episodes, which aired from April 16, 2011, to January 28, 2012, concluding with "Cousin Connor."[34] After a production hiatus, Season 2 premiered on February 9, 2013, with "The Con Man," and ran for 13 episodes until the series finale "The Floating Sword," which aired on April 27, 2013.[35][34] Over its two seasons, the show produced a total of 39 episodes, primarily in the network's Saturday evening time slot targeted at young audiences.[2] Nickelodeon canceled Supah Ninjas on May 7, 2013, after the second season, citing declining viewership.[36] The concluding episode was designed to serve as a series finale, wrapping up major story arcs without resolution for a potential third season.[36]International releases and home media
Following its U.S. premiere, Supah Ninjas was distributed internationally through Nickelodeon channels in numerous countries, reaching audiences in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and beyond. The series premiered in Germany on September 26, 2011, and aired in Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Croatia, and other markets during 2011–2013.[37] In Asia, it debuted on Nickelodeon Asia on November 14, 2011, with episodes continuing into 2012.[38] The show was adapted for local audiences with dubs in languages including Spanish (for Latin America and Spain), French, and German, while some regions aired subtitled versions. No Hindi dub was produced for official release.[39] No official physical home media releases, such as DVDs, were produced. Home media releases were primarily digital, with episodes available for purchase or rental on platforms like iTunes and Amazon Video since 2011.[40] For streaming, Supah Ninjas was added to Netflix in select regions from 2014 to 2018 but has since rotated availability. As of November 2025, it is available on Paramount+ in select regions including Australia, parts of Europe, and Latin America, with both seasons offered on-demand. In the United States, episodes are available for purchase or rental on digital platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Video, and iTunes.[3][40]Episodes
Season 1 (2011–12)
The first season of Supah Ninjas consists of 26 episodes and introduces the central dojo setting, where protagonist Mike Fukanaga discovers his ninja heritage following his grandfather's death, leading to the formation of a team with friends Owen Reynolds and Amanda McKay.[41] The narrative arc emphasizes initial training sequences, skill development through comedic mishaps and action set pieces, and encounters with introductory villains that test the team's unity and resourcefulness.[34] This foundational season builds the origin story, highlighting the transition from ordinary high school life to secret ninja duties while establishing recurring elements like the holographic grandfather guidance system.[42] Production for the 26 episodes occurred back-to-back in Los Angeles, California, allowing for consistent character arcs and escalating action choreography focused on origin elements such as weapon mastery and team bonding.[43] Directors including Clark Mathis (seven episodes), Alex Winter (five episodes), and Hiro Koda contributed to the season's blend of martial arts and teen humor.[25]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Original air date | Brief summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Pilot | Brian Robbins | January 17, 2011 | Mike discovers his ninja lineage and recruits Owen and Amanda to form the Supah Ninjas after thwarting an initial threat.[44] |
| 2 | 2 | Katara | Alex Winter | April 16, 2011 | The team pursues Katara, a knife-throwing thief obsessed with antiquities, testing their stealth skills.[44] |
| 3 | 3 | Two Ton Harley | Clark Mathis | April 23, 2011 | A escaped convict reunites with his biker gang, forcing the ninjas into a high-speed chase.[44] |
| 4 | 4 | Checkmate | Jonathan Judge | April 30, 2011 | Investigating a chess prodigy villain linked to a missing detective, the team faces strategic traps.[44] |
| 5 | 5 | Subsiders | Hiro Koda | May 7, 2011 | Owen joins a parkour group to rescue a friend, applying Grandpa's lessons in agility.[44] |
| 6 | 6 | Mr. Bradford | Dave Payne | May 14, 2011 | Amanda's teacher runs secret experiments, drawing the ninjas into a science-based conspiracy.[44] |
| 7 | 7 | Komodo | Lev L. Spiro | June 4, 2011 | An eco-terrorist targets a developer, introducing environmental themes to the team's fights.[44] |
| 8 | 8 | Jelly Face | David Jackson | June 4, 2011 | A shapeshifting prisoner infiltrates the school, leading to identity confusion and chases.[44] |
| 9 | 9 | Dollhouse | Kevin Fair | June 25, 2011 | The ninjas crash a nightclub to stop a doll-making criminal who captures victims.[44] |
| 10 | 10 | X | Brian Robbins | July 23, 2011 | On a train, the team thwarts an assassin targeting a witness with insect gadgets.[44] |
| 11 | 11 | Kickbutt | Alex Winter | September 10, 2011 | A mystical artifact causes body swaps among the team, complicating a villain takedown.[15] |
| 12 | 12 | The Magnificent | Clark Mathis | September 17, 2011 | Undercover at a magic show, Mike and Owen solve a performer's disappearance.[44] |
| 13 | 13 | Morningstar Academy | Hiro Koda | September 24, 2011 | Prep school thieves strike during a field trip, challenging the ninjas' secrecy.[44] |
| 14 | 14 | DJ Elephant Head | Dave Payne | October 1, 2011 | A holiday concert hides a DJ villain plotting city chaos.[44] |
| 15 | 15 | Snakeskin | Jonathan Judge | October 10, 2011 | Owen's party overlaps with a secret society burglary at school.[44] |
| 16 | 16 | Eternum | Lev L. Spiro | October 15, 2011 | A mad scientist tests evil serums on the team in an asylum.[44] |
| 17 | 17 | Ishina (1) | David Jackson | October 29, 2011 | The Ishina clan targets the dojo, forcing the team to defend their secrets.[44] |
| 18 | 18 | Ishina (2) | Kevin Fair | October 29, 2011 | The Ishina assault continues, revealing Mike's destiny with the Floating Sword.[44] |
| 19 | 19 | Quake | Brian Robbins | November 5, 2011 | Mike's date is interrupted by a beastly criminal's rampage.[44] |
| 20 | 20 | Mechanov | Alex Winter | November 12, 2011 | Cyborg villains Buzzsaw and Optic attack, revealing tech threats.[44] |
| 21 | 21 | Detention | Clark Mathis | November 19, 2011 | A shapeshifter in detention leads to identity confusion among students.[44] |
| 22 | 22 | Skeleton Crew | Hiro Koda | December 27, 2011 | Mike suspects a secret society of school burglaries.[44] |
| 23 | 23 | Limelight | Tim Story | January 7, 2012 | A faded celebrity kidnaps stars to regain fame.[44] |
| 24 | 24 | Frostbite | Dave Payne | January 14, 2012 | Mike balances romance with fighting a shadow-manipulating foe.[44] |
| 25 | 25 | Ninja Intervention | Jonathan Judge | January 21, 2012 | Grandpa intervenes when the team neglects training for personal drama.[44] |
| 26 | 26 | Cousin Connor | Lev L. Spiro | January 28, 2012 | Mike's cousin from the Ishina clan attempts to steal the Floating Sword.[45] |
Season 2 (2013)
The second season of Supah Ninjas premiered on February 9, 2013, on Nickelodeon and consisted of 13 episodes, airing weekly on Saturdays until the series finale on April 27, 2013.[46] Building on the foundational training from the first season, this season delved deeper into ninja lore through the introduction of the legendary Floating Sword, a powerful artifact sought by various antagonists, while developing romantic subplots—particularly Amanda's involvement with charming thief Flint Forster—and examining the team's evolving maturity amid escalating threats from the Ishina clan. The narrative arc progressed toward a climactic battle against major villains like Kagema, exploring themes of legacy, loyalty, and potential disbandment as the ninjas confronted personal and group challenges that tested their resolve.[34] The season's episodes emphasized plot progression through interconnected storylines involving infiltration attempts, rival ninjas, and high-stakes rescues, culminating in unresolved tensions around the dojo's future. Episodes were primarily written by series creators Leo Chu and Eric Garcia, with contributions from staff writers like Dan Seretny and Jenna Glazier.[47]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Original air date | Brief summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 1 | The Con Man | Clark Mathis | February 9, 2013 | The ninjas discover that newcomer Connor, Mike's cousin, is attempting to infiltrate the dojo to steal the Floating Sword; after a confrontation, they imprison him but remain wary of his motives.[48] |
| 28 | 2 | Flint Forster | Alex Winter | February 16, 2013 | Amanda develops a crush on suave thief Flint Forster, leading to jealousy from Owen and complications when the ninjas must stop Flint's latest heist.[49] |
| 29 | 3 | Shadow Fly | Hiro Koda | February 23, 2013 | A photo of Owen in his ninja suit goes viral, drawing the attention of an impostor "Shadow Master" who exploits the fame for criminal gain, forcing the team to expose the fraud.[47] |
| 30 | 4 | Grounded Ninja | Dave Payne | March 2, 2013 | With Mike grounded by his parents, he sneaks out to aid the team in thwarting Evil Grandpa and the Ishina clan's attempt to locate and destroy the dojo.[50] |
| 31 | 5 | Kid Q | Jonathan Judge | March 9, 2013 | Owen partners with eccentric genius Kid Q for a science fair project, only to uncover that Kid Q is a rival inventor plotting revenge against a former mentor, pulling the ninjas into a tech-based skirmish.[51] |
| 32 | 6 | Cheer Fever | Lev L. Spiro | March 16, 2013 | A vengeful rival cheerleader from Amanda's past targets her squad; Mike and Owen disguise themselves as cheerleaders to infiltrate and neutralize the threat.[49] |
| 33 | 7 | The Ishina Strike Back | David Jackson | March 30, 2013 | The Ishina clan launches a direct assault on the ninjas, forcing the team to defend their secrets and allies while grappling with internal doubts about their readiness.[52] |
| 34 | 8 | Enter the Dojo | Kevin Fair | April 6, 2013 | After the dojo is damaged in an attack, the ninjas enlist Kid Q to repair it and revive Hologramps, but his prolonged stay leads to unexpected chaos and revelations about ninja history.[53] |
| 35 | 9 | Finding Forster | Brian Robbins | April 13, 2013 | The team tracks Flint Forster after he discovers Amanda's secret, leading to a confrontation over loyalties and the Floating Sword.[47] |
| 36 | 10 | Wallflower | Clark Mathis | April 20, 2013 | Romantic tensions rise at a school dance as the ninjas face a villain using social isolation tactics.[47] |
| 37 | 11 | M@yhem | Alex Winter | April 20, 2013 | The team investigates "Mayhem," a social media influencer using flash mobs to sow chaos with robotic accomplices; Owen advances his romance with Paloma amid the mission.[54] |
| 38 | 12 | Spring Fling | Hiro Koda | April 27, 2013 | As spring break arrives, the ninjas secure the Floating Sword but face a final showdown with Kagema.[47] |
| 39 | 13 | The Floating Sword | Lev L. Spiro | April 27, 2013 | In the series finale, Mike is abducted by Kagema, leaving the team's legacy in peril as they confront the ultimate threat to the dojo.[47] |
Reception
Critical response
Supah Ninjas received mixed reviews from critics and audiences, with praise centered on its action sequences and diverse representation, while criticisms often focused on its predictable storytelling and occasionally uneven execution. On IMDb, the series holds an average rating of 5.8 out of 10 based on over 1,800 user reviews, reflecting a generally positive reception among younger viewers who appreciated the show's energetic martial arts and themes of empowerment.[5] Critics highlighted the program's strengths in providing positive role models and engaging stunts, though some noted its limitations for older audiences. Common Sense Media commended the fast-paced martial arts action that minimizes violence through choreographed sequences and emphasizes no lasting harm to characters, while also praising the well-rounded female lead, Amanda, who prioritizes friendship over popularity. The review further noted the show's inspirational message about discovering inner strength and using personal talents to help others, making it suitable for kids aged 6 and up. However, it critiqued the cheesy acting and suggested it might not resonate with more sophisticated tweens due to its straightforward narrative.[55] Audience feedback echoed these sentiments, with many young viewers and parents lauding the diverse cast—including lead Ryan Potter as the Asian-American protagonist Mike Fukanaga—and the fun, action-packed episodes that promote loyalty and courage among ordinary teens turned heroes. User reviews on IMDb frequently praised the humor, interesting characters, and fresh take on the villain-of-the-week format, despite its inherent repetition. Criticisms included formulaic plots, corny jokes, and stilted dialogue that occasionally undermined the writing's consistency. The series built a strong initial fanbase among children for its empowerment themes, though engagement appeared to wane over time following its cancellation after two seasons.[56] Culturally, Supah Ninjas was appreciated for featuring an Asian-American lead in Ryan Potter, marking his breakout role and contributing to greater visibility for biracial Japanese-American youth in media. This representation was seen as a step forward, where he later voiced a similarly diverse character as Hiro Hamada in Disney's Big Hero 6 and advocated for more inclusive roles.[57] Some early critiques, however, pointed to stereotypical ninja tropes and racially insensitive elements in the portrayal of Asian heritage, as noted in a 2011 review describing the pilot as a "racially insensitive disaster." Retrospective views in the 2020s have increasingly highlighted the show's role in early diverse casting on Nickelodeon, positioning it as an underrated entry in children's programming despite its flaws.[58]Awards and nominations
Supah Ninjas earned recognition for its writing and stunt work, receiving two major awards as well as three nominations from the Young Artist Awards.[59] The series won the Writers Guild of America Award in 2012 for Outstanding Achievement in Writing for Children's Episodic & Specials for the episode "Hero of the Shadows," written by Leo Chu and Eric S. Garcia.[60][61] In 2013, it received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or Variety Program, awarded to stunt coordinator Hiro Koda.[62] The show also garnered nominations at the Young Artist Awards for performances by cast member Brandon Soo Hoo in the category of Best Performance in a TV Series – Recurring Young Actor in 2012, 2013, and 2014.[59]| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Writers Guild of America Awards | Children's Episodic & Specials | Leo Chu, Eric S. Garcia ("Hero of the Shadows") | Won[60] |
| 2012 | Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a TV Series – Recurring Young Actor | Brandon Soo Hoo | Nominated |
| 2013 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or Variety Program | Hiro Koda | Won[62] |
| 2013 | Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a TV Series – Recurring Young Actor | Brandon Soo Hoo | Nominated |
| 2014 | Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a TV Series – Recurring Young Actor | Brandon Soo Hoo | Nominated |