 This article is about a Ranger in Shuriken Sentai Ninninger.
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 This ranger is also known as the temporary monster, Western Yokai Wolf Man
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- "The Colorful Star! StarNinger! (
彩 の星 ！スターニンジャー！ Irodori no hoshi! Sutā Ninjā!)" - ―StarNinger's roll call.[src]
- "We are shinobi, but we party all night! (
忍 びなれどもパーリナイ！ Shinobi nare domo pāri nai!)" - ―StarNinger's pre-battle catchphrase.[src]
- "Say cheese! (セイ・チーズ！ Sei chīzu!)"
- ―Taking a selfie.[src]
Kinji Takigawa (キンジ・タキガワ) is StarNinger (スターニンジャー Sutā Ninjā), the Sixth Ranger of the Ninningers.
Kinji is 21 years old at the beginning of the series.[1] He was the oldest member out of the six Ninningers.
History[]
Past[]
Kinji Takigawa was born in America, to a family of Yokai Hunters, living with his father Junji and older brother Reiji. When he was still young, they were killed by the Western Yokai Wolf Man, and thus he aimed to honor them by becoming a stronger Yokai Hunter. 
TV STORY-Shinobi 17: Good Bye, StarNinger!
Kinji meeting Yoshitaka.
Sometime before the series, he met Yoshitaka Igasaki and was so impressed with his ninja techniques that Takigawa begged to become the latter's pupil to fulfill his goals. Igasaki refused on the grounds that Takigawa lacked Nintality. However, Takigawa was so insistent that Igasaki finally relented, telling him that he would take on Takigawa as an apprentice, but only if the latter could defeat him in battle, in the hopes that Takigawa would give up upon such an impossible task. After Igasaki left for lands unknown, Takigawa began his own training by copying some of Yoshitaka's ninjutsu. TV STORY-Shinobi 10: Yee-haw! The Gold StarNinger
Arrival in Japan[]
As time goes, based on instructions from Yoshitaka's autobiography "I am The LAST NINJA", Kinji commissioned StarNinger's arsenal and OtomoNin Rodeomaru through contacting Tetsunosuke Saika online and arrived in Japan after finishing his own training.
He first appeared on his OtomoNin when witnessing the Ninningers' battle against Yokai Nekomata. Impressed by the Last Ninja's grandchildren, he decides to withdraw. TV STORY-Shinobi 8: The Nekomata Who Leapt Through Time! Originally, he tried to search for the End Shuriken in hopes for its power so that he can defeat Yoshitaka. However, to his disappointment, he learns that the Sealing Shuriken-imbued Yokai does not contain such item, evidenced with one Yokai he kills before. Witnessing the Ninningers' effort against Yokai Ittan-momen to claim what appeared to be the End Shuriken from a distance, with it being revealed to be a fake, StarNinger makes himself known to the Ninningers when he aids them in the battle against the enlarged Yokai magician, taking away the magic staff which Ittan-momen used to turn their OtomoNin to stone before destroying the Yokai. Later at night, he attacked Yoshitaka as promised to become his pupil if he won, however, Yoshitaka escaped. TV STORY-Shinobi 9: Ninjutsu vs. Magic, the Great Battle!
The injured Yoshitaka then appeared at the dojo, leading Takaharu, Yakumo, and Fuka to lure and fight the culprit, Kinji, only to be defeated easily. As time went, the Ninningers learned that Kinji is not evil, and is in fact just a fan of Yoshitaka, much like Takaharu. After defeating Daidarabotchi, Kinji received a new challenge from Yoshitaka: defeat his grandchildren, and the apprenticeship would be his. TV STORY-Shinobi 10: Yee-haw! The Gold StarNinger
Kinji met Yoshitaka again as he was revealed with the fact that there was a student of Yoshitaka before him, Kyuemon Izayoi, who defected into the Kibaoni Corps after betraying his former teacher. Also, Yoshitaka even would try to reject Kinji should his heart is easily swayed like Kyuemon. TV STORY-Shinobi 13: Burning! Ninja Sports Day He was later visited by Kyuemon as he offers Kinji an apprenticeship under his wing if Yoshitaka still rejected Kinji, but nonetheless he rejected Kyuemon's offer. After he failed by missing the deadline by a day due to still being on American time, he sailed away on Surfermaru while the Ninningers bid their goodbyes. TV STORY-Shinobi 17: Good Bye, StarNinger!
After his leave, Kinji went on a vacation in Hawaii. However, this was cut short due to him being accidentally brought back to Japan while onboard Surfermaru during Shurikenjin's battle against Yokai Otoroshi. After the battle, he was about to leave again, but the Ninningers manage to convince him to stay while helping him to convince Yoshitaka to take him in as a disciple. TV STORY-Shinobi 18: The Youkai That Yakumo Loved They eventually succeeded, after obtaining Lion Ha-Oh convinced Yoshitaka to give himself a second chance to have a disciple. TV STORY-Shinobi 20: The Chozetsu! Lion Ha-Oh
During the hottest point in summer, the boys decided to play a prank on the girls after Nagi overheard Kasumi confide in Fuka that she was afraid of ghosts. Luring the two to an abandoned building which they claimed to be haunted possibly due to a Yokai, they proceeded to put on spooky costumes, with Kinji dressing as a zombie. Pulling their prank, they were confused to see only a spooked Fuka run out, especially due to her claiming to see a 'lady ghost' which they did not account for. Takaharu headed back for Kasumi, followed by Yakumo and Kinji. With no word, Nagi and Fuka found they had been frozen by the Yokai Yuki-Onna, with Fuka soon following suit. Left alone, Nagi managed to conjure some heat as Kasumi revealed herself having used a decoy, luring the Yokai into a trap. Kinji and the others were thawed by a Fire technique as the Ninningers proceeded to defeat Yuki-Onna. TV STORY-Shinobi 23: It's Summer! Ninja Courage Test
After bonding with Yakumo Kato/AoNinger, Kinji's partnership with the magic ninja, who learned the art of magic at a school in England, is jokingly referred to by the other Ninningers as the Western Combo (欧米コンビ Ōbei Konbi, Western Combi), coined by Kasumi, referring to the special relationship between the United States of America and the United Kingdom. TV STORY-Shinobi 11: Shinobimaru, Come Back!
Kinji finds out that he has come 4th in the mid-point Last Ninja race.
When Yoshitaka announced the mid-point results of the Last Ninja race, Kinji was disappointed to learn that he had only made third-from-last at 4th. In reality, however, "Last Ninja" was actually Nekomata's doppelganger Yokai Mataneko in disguise, who intended to get revenge against the Ninningers by breaking them up, hosting a lightning quiz round when the initial results failed. After the Ninningers noticed signs that something was amiss, Kasumi fetched a second Yoshitaka, exposing the first as a fake via catnip. The Ninningers then transformed to fight him, with Takaharu as AkaNininger Chozetsu defeating Mataneko with Shinobimaru after being accidentally enlarged alongside the Yokai. Afterward, at the request of his grandchildren, Yoshitaka gave his true mid-point results, stating that they were all still at the starting line. As the Ninningers left to train with their strengthened resolve, Yoshitaka noted that one still remained who wasn't even at the starting point, alluding to Kinji as he remained at the dojo, sensing that the last of the Western Yokai, Wolf Man, was coming. TV STORY-Shinobi 26: It's Summer! Last Ninja Race Intermediate Announcement!
Kinji being infected with the Wolf Man curse.
Sure enough, the Wolf Yokai arrived in Japan and the Ninningers proceeded to fight him but were unable to kill him due to human weapons not being effective. After being knocked out cold and being brought back to the base, Yoshitaka banned him from being a ninja upon learning his drive was revenge. He left sometime the next morning to contemplate things, before encountering Kyuemon again. He told him to defeat the Wolf Yokai, proceeding to use the Goton Yo Shuriken to give him a Yokai's power. He left before the process could be finished and joined up with the other Ninningers to fight off the Wolf Yokai. Kinji managed to win while in StarNinger Chozetsu form, however during the battle, a look at his eyes seems to imply some of the energy Kyuemon put on him remained in his body. The Ninningers defeat the Wolf Yokai in Ha-Oh Shurikenjin and upon returning home, Yoshitaka states that starting the next morning, Kinji will officially be his pupil. TV STORY-Shinobi 27: It's Summer! Chozetsu Star is Born!
Finding Takaharu bringing a girl to the house, Kinji along with Nagi, Yakumo, and Kasumi, discussed this new development while eavesdropping on the two, wondering what Fuka would make of her brother having a girlfriend. Inadvertently revealing themselves when Fuka arrived, it turned out that Takaharu's 'girlfriend', Kikyo Kousaka, was an old friend of his from his days traveling while training as a ninja, having returned due to the opening of a new ninja school by the ninja master Kiroku Ise, where she was to instruct new students. This intrigued the Ninningers, with Kinji sneaking into the school with Yakumo and Kasumi, they learned that Kiroku was involved with the Kibaoni Army following a skirmish with Masakage Tsugomori, warning Takaharu who came to confront him personally. Kinji and the others later helped the students escape from the school before saving Takaharu, Kikyo, and Kiroku from Puppet Ninja Kuroari who had been manipulating Kiroku, with the Ninningers proceeding to defeat the dark ninja. After Takaharu said goodbye to Kikyo, the Ninningers were amused that he misunderstood what Kikyo meant by wondering what they would be when they next met, assuring him that he didn't have to worry about it yet. TV STORY-Shinobi 30: Targeted Ninja School!
Beyond StarNinger, Kinji fought through the Yokai horde alongside Kasumi before reuniting with the others as they backed-up Takaharu against Sakuya Kyuemon. With their unwavering resolve, all six Ninningers were able to restore their Nintality, transforming together and overcoming Sakuya Kyuemon, managing to get through to him before he was absorbed by Gengetsu who, as a giant, would be finally destroyed by the Ninningers in Gekiatsu Dai-Oh with help from Kyuemon, who left behind the End Shuriken before passing away. With the End Shuriken in their grasp, the Ninningers used it to wish for a world without the End Shuriken, finally wiping out the Yokai and restoring the damage that had been done to the world. With the title of Last Ninja passed onto them, the six Ninningers elected to go their separate ways and meet back in two years to recollect what they have each done.
Kinji selling Japanese food in America.
Naming himself the Last Worldwide Ninja, Kinji returned to America where, inheriting Yoshitaka's business, he opened an oden stand. TV STORY-Shinobi Final Chapter: To a Future Without Hiding, Wasshoi!
Zyuohger vs. Ninninger[]
The Ninningers working together with the Zyuohgers.
He and the Ninningers are tasked by "Runrun" to take down the Zyuohgers for killing his kind. He would later be separated from his team after their first encounter with the Zyuohgers, he would later fight the Zyuohgers with the Ninningers resulting in their "death". "Runrun" thought both teams have died but it was all staged by both teams without Takaharu and Yamato's knowledge to trick "Runrun" into exposing himself. 
MOVIE STORY-Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger vs. Ninninger: Message from the Future from Super Sentai
As a memento of their team-up, Misao Mondou made a set of Zyuohger vs. Ninninger menko cards bearing the heroes' likenesses. TV STORY-Ep. 44: Monarch of the Humans
Personality[]
As mentioned by Fuka (and presumably other Ninningers), Kinji bears a likeness to Takaharu, since both are fans of Yoshitaka Igasaki and wishes to follow his path as the Last Ninja. Due to this, he labels himself with the title of Yokai Hunter, hunting Yokai to become stronger. Ever since he learned of Yoshitaka being a Ninja, Kinji displays fanaticism over things related to ninjas and Yokai, even likes to take pictures and footprints of any Yokai he comes across with.
Kinji himself is naive, having following others' orders and quickly apologizes should he had made a mistake. He even tends to leave his opponents alone if they were busy with their situations.
At the end of the Last Ninja Race, Yoshitaka notes how Kinji had started with a weak heart but had surpassed it over the course of his tutelage, enabling him to dazzle others on a global scale.
Disguise[]
.png "Hitokarage (Kinji Takigawa Disguise).png (2.04 MB)")
Forms[]
StarNinger's insert theme is StarNinger ☆ Party Night!! & Shooting Star
StarNinger
- "StarNinger! Wow!"
- ―Transformation announcement[src]
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
- Ninjutsu Expertise: Being trained to be a ninja for many years, he is skilled in ninjutsu and Shuriken Ninja Arts.
- Shuriken Ninja Art (シュリケン忍法 Shuriken Ninpō): Thanks to his Nintality, Kinji can perform a wide variety of abilities through ninja techniques in addition to those accessed using the Ninninger arsenal.
Attacks[]
to be added
Abilities[]
to be added
Weaknesses[]
to be added
Arsenal[]
Mecha[]
- BisonKing
- OtomoNin Rodeomaru
- OtomoNin Bison Buggy
- OtomoNin Surfermaru (Given by Yoshitaka as a parting gift after his failed attempt to assassinate the Igasaki cousins)
- OtomoNin Magoimaru
StarNinger! Wow!
The Colorful Star! StarNinger!
Hiding Won't Stop This Party Night!
StarNinger Clothes Change
StarNinger Clothes Change (スターニンジャー衣装一新 Sutā Ninjā Ishō Isshin) is a special form assumed by StarNinger using the Koromogae Shuriken alongside AkaNinger.
In this Clothes Change form, StarNinger dons a cowboy outfit which as he notes sparks his Western spirit. Upon transformation, StarNinger is granted use of a special StarNinger Clothes Change Nin Shuriken which allows him to perform the Dynamic Western Rock Star (ダイナミックウエスタンロックスター Dainamikku Uesutan Rokku Sutā) finisher attack. StarNinger displays incredible power in this form, which is demonstrated while fighting alongside AkaNinger as the two accomplish the feat of destroying a Giant Yokai Gashadokuro without having to summon the OtomoNin.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
to be added
Attacks[]
to be added
Abilities[]
to be added
Weaknesses[]
to be added
Arsenal[]
- Nin Shuriken
- StarNinger Clothes Change Nin Shuriken
- Ninja StarBurger
- Star Sword-Gun
StarNinger Chozetsu
- "The Chozetsu! Chozetsu Ninja!"
- ―Transformation announcement[src]
StarNinger Chozetsu (スターニンジャー超絶 Sutā Ninjā Chōzetsu) is StarNinger's power-up form accessed through the Chozetsu Shuriken and Chozetsu Shoubu Changer with Shishi-Oh's blessing, allowing him to fight with the power of the lion OtomoNin.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
to be added
Attacks[]
to be added
Abilities[]
to be added
Weaknesses[]
to be added
Arsenal[]
- Ninja Ichiban-Shoubu-Tou
- Chozetsu Shoubu Changer
- Ninja Ichibantou (loaned from AoNinger)
- Star Sword-Gun
Mecha[]
This form is exclusive to Episode 27
Super StarNinger
Super StarNinger (スーパスターニンジャー Sūpa Sutā Ninjā) The cursed blade of the Murasame turns the user into a Youkai, however, during the second use of the blade, Kinji was able to overcome his fear and doubt and transformed it into the Gekiatsuto and evolved his StarNinger form into Super StarNinger.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
to be added
Attacks[]
to be added
Abilities[]
to be added
Weaknesses[]
to be added
Arsenal[]
Appearances: Ninninger Episodes 36, 37, 40, 43, 44
OtomoNin Magoimaru (オトモ忍マゴイマル lit. "Companion Ninja Black Carp Circle") is a black carp-based OtomoNin designed by Kinji. It forms the left arm of Gekiatsu Dai-Oh.
Appearances: Ninninger Episodes 32-39, 41, 42, 45, 47, Ninnin Girls vs. Boys FINAL WARS
Western Yokai Wolf Man
During the events of Shinobi 27, Kyuemon used the power of the Goton Yo Shuriken to infuse Kinji with the power of a Yokai (Yo-Power) so he could stop Wolf Man. While Kinji left before the process was finished, some of the Yo-Power still remained in this body. After being scratched by Wolf Man, more Yo-Power was added due to the Yokai's ability. This began to turn Kinji into another Wolf Man during Shinobi 35, and this power was amplified through demon sword Murasame's ability.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
to be added
Abilities[]
to be added
Weaknesses[]
to be added
Arsenal[]
to be added
Appearances: Ninninger Episodes 35, 36Relationships[]
Allies[]
Rangers[]
to be added
Family[]
to be added
Others[]
to be added
Enemies[]
Generals[]
to be added
Family[]
to be added
Others[]
to be added
Behind the Scenes[]
Portrayal[]
- Kinji Takigawa is portrayed by Hideya Tawada (多和田 秀弥 Tawada Hideya), who will later play Rentaro Kagura
/Kamen Rider Shinobi/Another Shinobi in Kamen Rider Zi-O. As a child, Kinji is portrayed by Shion Ishizuka (石塚 獅桜 Ishizuka Shion). As StarNinger, his suit actor is Masashi Takada (高田 将司 Takada Masashi), who is also the suit actor for Dragomaru.
/Kamen Rider Shinobi/Another Shinobi in Design[]
- StarNinger's design is based on a mix of a ninja and a cowboy his visor shape is based on a 5 point star which is the common shape used for sheriff badges.
Etymology[]
- Kinji's name had the word "Kin" (金 lit. "Gold"), signifying his Ninninger color.
- Kinji shares a portion of his given name ンジ ( nji) with his father Junji and the ジ ( ji) ending with both his father and his older brother Reiji.
Legend Sentai Devices[]
StarNinger Ranger Key
StarNinger Avataro Gear
- "Donbura Ōgi! Shuriken Tsuki! (electric guitar riffs)"
- ―Finisher announcement in the Ryuko no Geki in Spear Mode[src]
- "Donbura Ōgi! Shuriken Giri! (electric guitar riffs)"
- ―Finisher announcement in the Ryuko no Geki in Axe Mode[src]
- "Yo! Don! Don! Don! Donburako! Ninninger!"
- ―Equipping announcement while spinning the gear[src]
- "Aka Ja! Ao Ja! Ki Ja! Shiro Ja! Momo Ja! Ninja! Hey yo! Shuriken Sentai! (アカジャー！アオジャー！キージャー！シロジャー！モモジャー！ニンジャー！ へいよっ！ 手裏剣戦隊！ Akajā! Aojā! Kījā! Shirojā! Momojā! Ninjā! Hei Yo! Shuriken Sentai!)"
- ―Activation announcement in the Donblaster[src]
- "Party Time! (air horns) Ninninger!"
- ―Finisher activation announcement[src]
- "Ninja Issen!"
- ―Zanglassword finisher announcement[src]
- StarNinger Avataro Gear (スターニンジャーアバタロウギア Sutā Ninjā Abatarō Gia) - Allows a Donbrother to assume the form of StarNinger.[2]
Notes[]
- StarNinger is the first Sentai Ranger to be based on a cowboy.
- Kinji is currently tied with Zocks Goldtsuiker for the earliest debut of any Sixth Ranger, beating the previous record-holder Utsusemimaru by one episode.
- Despite coming from America, Kinji speaks fluent Japanese and broken English instead of the other way around.
- Unlike other fully-named Japanese Rangers, Kinji's name neither follows the normal surname-given name structure (instead following the Western given name-surname order), nor is it written in kanji, but in katakana. Both of these choices are made to highlight Kinji's foreign influences; in Japanese, his surname would be written as 滝川 (Takigawa).
Appearances[]
- Shuriken Sentai Ninninger
- Shinobi 8: The Nekomata Who Leapt Through Time!
- Shinobi 9: Ninjutsu vs. Magic, the Great Battle!
- Shinobi 10: Yee-haw! The Gold StarNinger
- Shinobi 11: Shinobimaru, Come Back!
- Shinobi 12: Ultimate Battle! Miracle Combination
- Shinobi 13: Burning! Ninja Sports Day
- Shinobi 14: Beware of the 'Help-Me' Scam!
- Shuriken Sentai Ninninger: AkaNinger vs. StarNinger Hundred Nin Battle!
- Shinobi 15: Youkai, I Never Failed
- Shinobi 16: The Father Tsumuji Is a Super Ninja!?
- Shinobi 17: Good Bye, StarNinger!
- Shinobi 18: The Youkai That Yakumo Loved
- Shinobi 19: Search For It! The OtomoNin of the Sky
- Shinobi 20: The Chozetsu! Lion Ha-Oh
- Shinobi 21: Burn! Ninja Baseball of Dreams
- Shinobi 22: Super Combination! Ha-Oh Shurikenjin
- Shinobi 23: It's Summer! Ninja Courage Test
- Shuriken Sentai Ninninger The Movie: The Dinosaur Lord's Splendid Ninja Scroll!
- Shinobi 24: It's Summer! The Chilling Arrival of Western Yokai!
- Shinobi 25: It's Summer! Beware of Dracula
- Shinobi 26: It's Summer! Last Ninja Race Intermediate Announcement!
- Shinobi 27: It's Summer! Chozetsu Star is Born!
- Shinobi 28: Race to It! The Kibaoni Ninja Squad
- Shinobi 29: Definitive Edition Ninja Sugoroku!
- Shinobi 30: Targeted Ninja School!
- Shinobi 31: The Runaway Ninja!
- Shinobi 32: Extremely Hot Ninja! Acha!
- Shinobi 33: The Kunoichi That Loved Yakumo
- Shinobi 34: Enter Jiraiya, Legendary World Ninja!
- Shinobi 35: Kinji Enters the Yokai Labyrinth!
- Shinobi 36: Kinji, the Glorious Super Star
- Shinobi 37: Shuriken Legend ~The Road to Last Ninja~
- Shinobi 38: The Witch Girl Loves Yakumo?
- Shinobi 39: Kibaoni's Son, Mangetsu Appears!
- Shinobi 40: Look Out For Santa Claus!
- Shinobi 41: The Five Games of the Kibaoni Party!
- Shinobi 42: OtomoNin Wars! Nekomata Strikes Back
- Shinobi 43: The Legendary Ninja! Yokai Karuta Tactics
- Shuriken Sentai Ninninger vs. ToQger The Movie: Ninjas in Wonderland
- Shinobi 44: The Final Battle! The Ordeals of the Last Ninja
- Shinobi 45: Three Generations of Fathers and Sons! All Ninjas Gathered
- Shinobi 46: The Last Shuriken Appears!
- Shinobi Final Chapter: To a Future Without Hiding, Wasshoi!
- Come Back! Shuriken Sentai Ninninger: Ninnin Girls vs. Boys FINAL WARS
- Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger
- Ninja Sentai Kakuranger: Act Three - Middle-Aged Struggles
Super Sentai Battle Base[]
StarNinger is among the vast pantheon of Rangers which are available in the mobile game Super Sentai Battle Base, with his Chozetsu and Super forms also being available.
Shuriken Sentai Ninninger: Game de Wasshoi!![]
StarNinger appears with his team in Shuriken Sentai Ninninger: Game de Wasshoi!!, where they are controlled by the player to fight the Yokai as on the show.
Super Sentai Legend Wars[]
Ninninger as seen in Super Sentai Legend Wars.
See Also[]
- Levi Weston - Power Rangers counterpart in Ninja Steel. See comparison page. & Super Ninja Steel.
References[]
Footnotes[]
| Gold Rangers |
|---|
| Identities |
| Main Series |
| Hikaru • Hiroto Suto • Genta Umemori • Masato Jin • Utsusemimaru • Kinji Takigawa • Balance • Noël Takao • Canalo • Zocks Goldtsuiker • Jiro Momotani • Gira Husty |
| Spin-Offs |
| Juhyeok Kwon |
| Secondary Rangers |
| Zeek • Kyoko Hayase • Mary Gold • Kai Ozu • Great Sword Man Zubaan • Rcules Husty |
| Misc. Rangers |
| Enter • Masato Jin • Uppy • Flint Goldtsuiker |
| Power Sets |
| Main Series |
| DekaGold • MagiShine • KaiShine • Go-On Gold • Shinken Gold • Beet Buster • Gold Beetle • Kyoryu Gold • StarNinger • Tenbin Gold • Patren X • Ryusoul Gold • Twokaizer • Don Doragoku • King Kuwagata Ohger • King Ohkuwagata Ohger |
| Spin-Offs |
| Brave Gold Dino |
| View • Edit |