Y'know, I just realized that one of my leading OCs doesn't even have a bio because his concept art sheet was drawn so early. Back when I was still heavily revamping the character and his surrounding lore, so everything was essentially in limbo. Things have changed so much for him in such little time. For anybody curious, here's a bit more info on the guy.
Ninjiro is one of two protagonists in our story. Something of a ninja prodigy, especially for being only 22 years old, some might wonder what makes him such a skilled warrior. Surely it must be down to the training, right? Not quite, as he received similar training to everyone else in the Moon's Eye Clan. Could it be his great strength? While he is pretty toned, he's not exactly the strongest guy around. If nothing else, it must be due to his heroic fortitude and smarts. He has moments of cleverness for sure, but definitely not.
What really elevates Ninjiro is an ability known as "the Reflex." When he holds his index and middle finger in the air, that causes him to focus on his surroundings. While doing this, he can compulsively dodge and even parry any incoming attacks. The Reflex is a total mystery, even he doesn't know why he has it. The only thing known for sure is that he was born with it. While it does give him a major advantage, he's not completely invincible.
If he's taken by surprise or something throws off his focus, he cannot use the Reflex. If he could just receive more specialized training, then he might have the potential get to the point that he wouldn't even have to focus at all to use it. Unfortunately, this is training he is unlikely to receive anytime soon.
It was a quiet night when Ninjiro fled from his clan. Not only did this make an enemy of his sole friend, a loyal ninja clad in yellow, it also painted a target on his head. The rest of the Moon's Eye is now on the hunt for him, as Ninjiro's innate talent makes him far too valuable of an asset to lose.
He left them because he was troubled by their actions. The Moon's Eye partook in all kinds of criminal activity, from clandestine assassinations to working as bodyguards for some of the worst scum around. He yearned to use his abilities for something greater. The last straw came when he overheard Grandmaster Lunaeus speaking of some greater ambition, although it was nothing like what Ninji was hoping for. He didn't catch every detail, but he heard enough to understand that the master wished to use him as some kind of ultimate weapon.
After he fled from the only home he'd ever known, Ninjiro would be completely alone... If not for a chance encounter with a girl named Jennifer Halton. He just so happened to be taking refuge outside of her apartment window when she spotted him. At first, Jen mistook him for a pervert and attempted to attack him. After a brief altercation, she could see that he was actually badly hurt from his escape. While at first he was only going to stay for just one night, Jenny offered to let him bunk with her for the foreseeable future after she realized he really had nothing else left.
It's unclear why she's has been so accommodating to a stranger who just appeared outside her window one night. It's even something that Ninjiro can't quite figure out. One thing he has noticed as he's stayed with her is that Jen is a solitary girl, not having any friends or contact with her family. She never even mentions said family either. Because of this, it's possible that she just appreciates the company. Or, perhaps, she can relate to the ninja on some level. As absurd as the idea sounds on paper, one thing they both definitely have in common is that they both seem to have secrets they want to hide.
For example: Ninjiro never removes his mask. One thing that was reinforced in the Moon's Eye was a lack of humanity amongst the lower ranks. Masks were to be worn almost at all times and most of the members didn't even have names, Ninjiro included. To further encourage blind devotion and servitude, you could only earn the right to a name by being promoted to a high enough rank. Not helping matters is the scars Ninjiro has running horizontally across the bridge of his nose and vertically across his left eye, something he feels a bit insecure about.
While Ninjiro's heart is usually in the right place, he's not without flaws. Ironically, many of his problems stem from the Reflex, as he is often far too reliant on it. If you asked him, he'd tell you that he's mastered it when he's really only scratched the surface of its potential. Not only that, but being told you're special your whole life tends to give a person a bit of an ego. While not a wholly vain egotist, he has a tendency to showboat and underestimate his foes. He's also impulsive, acting irrationally when his mind is set on something, even when it might not be the best idea.
Despite this, Ninji is still ultimately a good natured person, one that always tries to help the people around him. He is someone who, despite his many troubles, maintains a lighthearted and humorous attitude through it all.
He and Jen share an interesting relationship. Ninjiro not only gives her someone to share her interests with, but someone who's discovering them for the first time. Not only is she helping him adapt to a more average life, but he's helping her rediscover what its like to actually enjoy it. He even encourages her to be more open with others, while she gives him the human connection he was sorely missing before.
Lots to get into there, that's for sure. Maybe stuff I could have cut for brevity, stuff I definitely would have if this were going in an art description, but I wanted to delve further into Ninjiro since he's gone without a bio for so long. Really explain the circumstances that led him to this point and elaborate on his relationship with the other main character, Jen.
I have come to adore the dynamic I've been establishing for these two, if the absolute barrage of content featuring them hasn't made that plenty clear. It's easily my favorite aspect of my OCs. Granted, being able to do simple gag content featuring them probably helps that a fair bit too.
I've really leaned into the comedy aspect with most drawn content so far, because it's what my art "style" lends itself towards best. Posting this on NG definitely helps with that too, as I have consciously gone for that sort of mid-2000s Newgrounds flash content vibe. If this were any other website, who knows how different things might be...
Not worth dwelling on, I think this was the best possible outcome. I've said it before, but if NG ever gets a writing portal, then I might end up tilting things in a more serious direction with the actual written content. I do have plans and ideas for that, as I have hinted at and even shown in those pastebins I wrote awhile back. That's a big what if, though.
As an aside, I recently got 150 fans! Wow! Another milestone I never thought I'd get to, especially so quickly, but here we are. As always, I would like to thank everyone for the support, especially if you took the time to read this. Hope you're having a good day and that I'll see you around more often. Take care!
