Despite how Logan Paul screwed up my new year, let's start things off right by diving into Animal Crossing Pocket Camp's New Year event, and how it gives us a window to one of Japan's most important holidays, oshogatsu!

2017 was a great year for video games, especially when it comes to original art styles. Cuphead, Bendy and the Ink Machine, and Night in the Woods are just a few of the gorgeous games released last year, but this is not the first time innovative animation has played a major role in gaming. In fact there's actually a game from 2006 that goes as far as implementing its art style into its gameplay mechanics! In this episode, GG will reveal the history behind the under-appreciated game, OKAMI!

There's always been a debate whether or not DC Comic's Batman is a true ninja or not. With the Ninja Batman movie coming out in 2018 you'd think at this point he would be, but why is he wearing samurai armor? Let's put the debate to an end and see just how real of a ninja Batman really is!

Hanzo's new Kabuki skin from Overwatch's Blizzardworld event might seem like a stereotypical pick for the Japanese archer, but when considering the history and ideology of kabuki, there couldn't have been a better character to give this skin to. Here's why!

You've asked for it for months now, so here's the MANY reasons why Zer0 from Borderlands 2 might just be one of the most historically accurate, OP ninja in gaming!

We've seen a lot of games that involve capturing monsters and having them do your bidding. Pokemon, Yokai Watch, Digimon, there's a LOT! But I bet you didn't know this was done in real life as far back as the 7th century! Come learn how Japan's onmyouji were the very first monster trainers!

So, EVERYONE kept asking me to cover Overwatches Year of the Dog skins, and I gotta admit, this years choices were really cool! But unlike last year, I have to wonder if they're truly accurate to the culture they come from. Did Blizzard nail it, or did they fall flat? LET'S FIND OUT!

Nintendo has always been at the forefront of gaming culture with the invention of the GameBoy, the DS, and most recently the Nintendo Switch - to name a few. But now they expect up to spend our hard earned money on overpriced pieces of cardboard? Nintendo you have gone TOO FAR!! . . . or have they?? What if we told you, loyal Theorists, that the history behind this launch is BIG. In this episode, GG explores why we should have seen the Nintendo Labo coming.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are almost solely responsible for the term "ninja" becoming a household name. But after thirty years of TV shows, movies, and merchandise, how "ninja" are they REALLY? And what will it mean for the new series, "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"?

Nintendo has some famous hats. Mario's and Luigi's. Cappy. And the pink blob with the unending closet - Kirby. Now Kirby's hats are just for fashion - they are a physical representation of his powers. But they also have a rich cultural history! Today Gaijin Goombah is exploring the origins of Kirby's many hats!

With the release of Kirby Star Allies for the Nintendo Switch, a lot of my Patrons and I have been really curious about just how ninja Ninja Kirby is. Does he "suck" pretty hard, or is Kirby's ninjitsu legit?

Nintendo is known for pulling inspiration from cultures all over the world but does it always do a good job? GG is here to investigate! Join us as we explore the cultural history behind Nintendo's "Mexican" Mario and the Sand Kingdom!

Legend of Zelda's Triforce has been a constant topic of Gaijin Goombah over the years, but Breath of the Wild has completely turned those theories on their head! But today, it seems he's FINALLY got the answer to just where in the heck the Triforce comes from in the culture of the real world!

A lot has happened to Hanzo in Overwatch recently. Sonic Arrow nerf, removal of Scatter Arrrow, some new rapid fire ability. But what Blizzard might not realize is the things they are removing is what makes Hanzo such a legit ninja in the first place! That and his dark past with his old clan the Shimada. How legit?

The new God of War is an amazing exploration of Norse Mythology. From the trailer we can see that this new setting is going to bring a ton of new characters and monsters. But, what do we know? Today GG is going to figure out what the game has in store for us all by exploring the history behind the games new setting.

Only old school fans will remember the anime Gegege no Kitaro, but this anime is well aware of the times. This anime has some TEETH when it comes to social commentary. Internet culture, YouTube, not even Logan Paul is safe!

Shantae, Half Genie Hero and her ninja costume DLC pack for Nintendo Switch and Steam might look as stereotypical as you can get, but what truths behind this adorable genie girls visage could their be? Is she 100% kunoichi, or just a crappy cosplayer?

We know everything about Fortnite by now, right? From the lore to the psychoanalysis of it's players, we've covered A LOT. Except, we haven't yet. One of the big lingering questions has been left unanswered, "Where IS Fortnite?" I don't mean the Island. Where in OUR WORLD is Fortnite?

"What are you, some kind of ninja?" Ever since Aizawa "Eraserhead" Shouta strung up Todoroki like a pinata in the hit anime, My Hero Academia, We've been wondering that very question. And after analyzing Aizawa's fighting technique, strategies, strengths, and weaknesses, you'll be AMAZED at how much the joyless and exhausted Aizawa sensei compares to the sneakiest warriors in the world, the shinobi!

Monster Hunter World is chalked full of amazing monster designs from the big nosed, butt winged T-Rex to a literally B-52 bombing dragon. But one monster in particular, the Odogaron, got my attention with it's cultural origins in one of the most terrifying yokai monster West Japan has ever seen!

E3 2018 for a lot of people was pretty average, but to us was a MASSIVE upset! Not one but THREE triple A games based around feudal Japan! Ghosts of Tsushima, Sekiro Shadows Die Twice, and Nioh 2! But is it possible their trailers gave more away than they should have? Breaking down the cultural references, we might have just discovered these games stories!

Pokemon has been around for YEARS! It has kept evolving and trying to keep things fresh. Except, I wonder, where does it get its inspiration? Today GG is going to show us what Pokemon has used in its research to keep its franchises ever growing. Theorists, I choose YOU!

Now more than ever it seems like anime has become more and more of a social commentary mouthpiece with shows like Darling in the Franxx, Golden Kamuy, Aggretsuko, and Gegege no Kitaro. Recently there's an interesting trend when it comes to how these show portray Japan's biggest social problem. Overworking and karoshi. But you may be surprised as to who's to blame!

Legend of Zelda has had some pretty crazy ninja in their game like the Sheikah and the Yiga clans, but how about THE ninja from Legend of Zelda? From Ocarina of Time, to Smash Bros, to Hyrule Warriors, how does Zelda... I mean Sheik stand up to the real life history and culture of true shinobi? You might be surprised!

The idea of "kawaii culture" has been a mainstay in anime and Japan itself for years now. But is the kawaii phenomena really so harmless? The anime yokai classic Gegege no Kitaro has always had a lot of social commentary in its episodes. But this one REALLY hits home...

Team Fortress 2's Spy has been requested for Which Ninja for a LONG time now, and it's easy to see why. A lot of his cosmetics definitely give him a shinobi vibe. But just how ninja is TF2's international man of mystery? And how closely related ARE ninja and our modern take on spies?

God of War 4 has been a monumental game for 2018 with it's deep character building and stunning visuals. But it left us with so many questions at the end. Especially when it comes to the fate of Kratos. However, looking at the cultural clues the game has given us, we may actually know EXACTLY what's going to happen to Kratos and Atreus for the next FIVE GAMES!

As My Hero Academia pushes hard into season three, Gaijin Goombah's been looking hard for an excuse to do another video teaching Japanese through anime/gaming. Much to everyone's surprise, he found it in the the most unexpected place in My Hero... Name puns!

When it comes to all of the ninja Power Rangers and their zords, there's one that people really love to joke about, the Frog Ninjazord. I mean, why have a frog when you could have a wolf, bear, or gorilla? But join Gaijin and special guest, the Black Ranger himself, Johnny Yong Bosch as they explain why when it comes to real ninja, nothing tops the toad!

Taiko no Tatsujin, or Taiko Drum Master here in the West, is making a glorious return on both the Nintendo Switch and Playstation 4. A cute and colorful rhythm game that's developed a cult following. However, I bet you DIDN"T know that not only does Taiko no Tatsujin teach you how to play REAL taiko, but also teaches about some of Japan's most important festivals!

Fortnite Battle Royale is a game Gaijin Goombah never thought he'd really ever talk about, but just a week or so back, Epic Games dropped the samurai Musha skin, and he can't help but wonder if samurai armor could REALLY hold up in an all out battle royale.

Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates have been to some weird places in their travels in One Piece. But while their newest destination, Wano, seems to be just as crazy as every other country they've been, there's actually more "real world" inspiration than meets the eye!

When it comes to indie games, The Messenger seemed to rock EVERYONE'S socks off. Great gameplay, superb writing, but when it comes to the titular hero of the game, how does The Messenger stack up as a REAL ninja?

Mark of the Ninja Remastered is the PERFECT stealth platformer for the Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox, and Steam, and the very reason Gaijin started Which Ninja in the first place! But in retrospect, just how much does the game pull from true ninja culture? Is the Marked Ninja a true shinobi, or a tattooed faker?

We've talked about the anime Gegege no Kitaro a LOT on this channel with it's biting satire of Logan Paul, and the obsession in Japan of beauty and overworking. But with Halloween right around the corner, I want to talk about the five yokai monsters in this show that put "scary" movie monsters like Freddy or Jason to absolute SHAME!

Taki from Soulcalibur VI is one of the most well known ninja in ALL of fighting games. But just how authentic IS this gal when it comes to real life ninja history and culture? I mean with pups that big... Anyway, learn about some cool real life ninja facts though one of the most recognizable fight games in history!

There are SO MANY goblins in anime this fall. Goblin Slayer, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, and Overlord are cramming more greenskins than a D&D session. But seeing this trend made me think... What ARE goblins really? And are they as evil as fantasy makes them out to be? The answer may surprise you...

With the release of Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee AND the announcement of the outrageous Detective Pikachu Movie, Gaijin Goombah decided it was time to break down one of the coolest Pokemon in existence. Charizard! But the origin of our big orange dragon maybe a lot more obscure than you realize!

Mortal Kombat seems plays fast and loose with a LOT of its use of Asian culture in it's games. Especially with Sub Zero's Lin Kuei clan and Scorpions Shirai-ryu clan. But after doing some cultural digging, it may not be as fiction as we thought!

With Super Smash Bros Ultimate right around the corner, everyone seems to be coming up with their own theories on the game. Especially the new big bad Galeem! With it's six angelic wings people have been saying it's a seraph angel. But what the heck really IS a seraph, and could Galeem be something far more evil?

We've done a lot of Culture in Anime videos over Gegege no Kitaro. From all kinds of social commentaries to the yokai themselves. But now, it seems this anime just called out YouTube ITSELF and laid out the hardest social commentary on internet culture I've ever seen...

Genji from Overwatch has been a hot item for Which Ninja for a long time. For months you've been asking us to cover him, and today, IT'S TIME! We're break down the good, the bad, and the unexpected of Genji seeing just how true-to-life of a ninja he is!