Ninji
Ninjis are a black, blue, or purple, star-shaped ninja creature that first appeared in Super Mario Bros. 2. In this game, Ninjis served Wart, the tyrannical ruler of the dream world known as Subcon. Apparently, Ninjis come from the dreams of NES players (according to the game's instruction manual). There are two types of Ninji: the first type charges at Mario, suddenly jumping as they approach; the second type remains in one place and jumps up and down. Giant Ninjis also appeared in this adventure.
Ninjis also appear in Super Mario World. In this game, they serve King Bowser during his rule of Dinosaur Land. They make their appearance in only one level - the final level, in fact. These Ninjis are black, making them difficult to see in the darkness of Bowser's Castle (unless the searchlight is activated). The Mario Mania Player's Guide (1991) describes Ninjis as "Mini-Ninjas," stating that they have been driven insane by their long isolation in Bowser's Castle. It is unknown if these Ninjis are still manifested from dreams like their SMB2 counterparts, or if they are a naturally occurring species in Mario's world. They are strangely not seen in the credits, while almost every single other enemy makes an appearance in there.
The Ninjis in Hotel Mario were called Mini-Ninjis, but there is no difference between regular ones and minis, as in Super Mario World. In Paper Mario, the Ninji act as the protectors of the Star Kids in Starborn Valley and are friendly, non-enemy characters. They also come in six different colors: Black, Green, Yellow, Pink, Purple and Blue.
In Mario vs. Donkey Kong, their was a toy version of the Ninji, known as the Mini Ninji.
Appearances In Other Media
Cartoons
Despite appearing prominently in its opening sequence, Ninjis only appeared once in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, in the episode "Karate Koopa", where they aided Karate Koopa in his plan to capture Princess Toadstool and sell her into slavery for a fortune. Here they served as skilled martial artists and spoke in thick Japanese accents.
In Super Mario World animated series, Ninjis, though brown in color, appeared in the episode "The Yoshi Shuffle" as spectators to Yoshi and Mario's football game against Bully, Big Mouth, Cheatsy and several Koopa Football Players in Neon Castle.
Publications
In Nintendo Comics System, Ninjis only made small appearances, with one appearing in the background of the story "The Legend", while several, having been beaten senseless by a sleepwalking Mario, who believed himself to be Dirk Drain-Head, appear in "Bedtime for Drain-Head".
In Super Mario Adventures, Ninjis, depicted as wielding spears, make several appearances; first appearing in the siege of Princess Toadstool's Castle, Ninji also appear when Princess Toadstool attempts to escape her confinement in the Koopaling's Tower, aiding Wendy O. Koopa and a brigade of Koopa Troopas in stopping her escape. Later, a Ninji, apparently buying a camera from Friendly Floyd, appears at Bowser's wedding to Princess Toadstool.
