first set containing the initial 28 episodes was released on February 25, 2005 and the second set containing the remaining 27 episodes was released on March 21, 2005. In 2015, Bandai Visual re-released the series on two Blu-ray box sets, the first one on May 21 and the second on July 15. Ninku was also broadcast in other parts of Asia on Animax Asia. Episode list Video games A number of video games based on the series have been released. Two video games were launched for the Game Boy, three video games for the Game Gear, a video game for the PlayStation, and a video game for the Sega Saturn. Fūsuke is also featured as a selectable character in the Weekly Shōnen Jump crossover fighting game Jump Ultimate Stars, launched for the Nintendo DS in November 2006. Characters from the series also appeared in another Weekly Shōnen Jump crossover smartphone game Jumputi Heroes, released for iOS and Android in 2018. Reception and legacy As of September 2011, the manga had over 9 million copies in circulation. In a fan poll posted by BIGLOBE in 2012 about favorite Weekly Shōnen Jump anime adaptations, Ninku ranked 45th out of 50 anime adaptations, and 40th out of 60 series in a 2019 poll conducted by Goo Ranking of "’90s Anime That Deserve Remakes". John Oppliger of AnimeNation attributed the low popularity of the Ninku anime series to its lack of compelling narrative development and the sequential lengthy story arc structure that make other shōnen action series like Naruto, One Piece and Bleach popular. He praised the characters and animation of the fight sequences, but considered them repetitive and he stated that the show does not encourage much viewer loyalty. In a review for the Ninku/YuYu Hakusho Double Feature DVD release, Chris Beveridge from Mania.com praised Ninku: The Movie for its fight sequences and animation, but recommended this release only to fans of either series. Mike Toole of Anime Jump in his Ninku: The Movie review stated: "Aside from the engaging story and great fight scenes, there are a few other good points about Ninku." Ninku has inspired artists such as Masashi Kishimoto of Naruto fame, who used to copy Kiriyama's drawings in his studying to become a manga artist. References External links Anime official profile at Studio Pierrot Ninku: The Movie at Rotten Tomatoes 1993 manga 1995 anime television series debuts 1995 anime