Henshin Ninja Arashi (1972): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1972, Henshin Ninja Arashi is a drama, action & adventure and sci-fi & fantasy series.

What it’s about. Set in the Edo Period of Japan, the series follows a young ninja named Hayate, who is the son of a man who developed a special technique called the "Transformation Jutsu" capable of granting a superhuman form. However, their Ninja clan, the warmongering Blood Wheel Clan, begins using the Transformation Jutsu to spread fear and terror all throughout Japan as part of their campaign to conquer it, going against the peaceful intentions Hayate's father had when creating it. After the Blood Wheel Clan slaughter a village, Hayate is able to convince his initially reluctant father to perform the transformation procedure on him, enabling him to become a birdman ninja known as "Arashi" to defend people from the Blood Wheel Clan. Hayate's father is later murdered by the Blood Wheel Clan when they discover his betrayal, but Hayate himself escapes and teams up with the Iga Clan to fight and keep the Blood Wheel Clan from taking over Japan.

Who’s in it. Henshin Ninja Arashi stars Tatsuya Nanjo as Hayate / Henshin Ninja Arashi, Fuyukichi Maki as Tatsumi, Hiroko Hayashi as Kasumi and Hirosuke Matsuba as Tsumuji, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 9.7/10, Henshin Ninja Arashi sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Henshin Ninja Arashi page.

If you liked it. Fans of Henshin Ninja Arashi tend to enjoy Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Attack on Titan.