In a year overflowing with flashy sequels, headline-making adaptations, and studio powerhouses battling for the crown, Ninja Kamui quietly carved out a place of its own. It did not sweep awards or dominate social media trends. It was not plastered across every “Anime of the Year” list and did not win Anime of the Year awards at Crunchyroll. But for fans who stumbled across it, or followed it closely from the beginning, this gritty, original thriller felt like a secret treasure that did not need the spotlight to validate its impact.