Sekai Ninja Sen Jiraiya (世界忍者戦ジライヤ) is a Japanese television series that aired on TV Asahi and its affiliates from January 24, 1988, to January 22, 1989, lasting 50 episodes. It was the seventh installment in Toei's Metal Hero Series franchise of live-action superhero shows and the last of the Showa era. The series centers around a young ninja master named Toha Yamaji, who must face numerous ninja masters from different parts of the world by donning a special armor to become his alter-ego Jiraiya. The English title given by Toei's international sales department is Ninja Olympiad Jiraiya, a reference to the Seoul Olympics & the Calgary Olympics that was held at the time the series was airing.

Story

Tetsuzan Yamaji is the 34th grandmaster of the Togakure Ryū Ninpō, sworn to guard a stone tablet detailing the location of an artifact of untold power called the Pako which came to Earth. But a fallen disciple of Togakure Ryū Ninpō named Dokusai stole one-half of the tablet years prior and established the Sorcerers Clan to steal the rest. Besides his daughter Kei and her younger brother Manabu, Tetsuzan entrusts their clan's sacred duty to his adopted son Toha while bestowing the Jiraiya Suit that has been in their family for generations. As Jiraiya, Toha faces the Sorcerers Clan along with numerous ninjas gathering from around the world to acquire the Pako for their own agendas.

Characters

Yamaji Family

The Yamaji family (山地族) are the main characters of the series, descendants of Togakure-ryū (戸隠流), an ancient ninja order whose duty is to protect the Inscription, a piece of stone that points the location of Pako, a capsule that fell from space somewhere in Japan over 300 B.C., said to be the most valuable treasure in the world.

International Secret Police

The Yamaji family are assisted by a pair of secret agents from the International Secret Police (国際秘密捜査官), who are assigned to apprehend various criminals from around the world.

Allies

The Sorcerers Clan

The Sorcerers Clan (妖魔一族) are the main antagonists of the series led by the patriarch Dokusai. They possess half of the Inscription which contains the location of Pako (with the other half being with the Yamaji).

Demost

Space Ninja Demost (宇宙忍 デモスト) is an alien who serves as the main antagonist for the series finale, originating from the Dark Star (暗黒星) before being sealed underground at Mount Kongō by Jiraiya's ancestor around the 4th century B.C. But Demost is released due to a change in the Earth's crust caused by Jiraishin's resurrection, plotting to acquire the Pako and use its power to return to his homeworld. Demost later appears in Uchu Sentai Kyuranger vs. Space Squad as a member of the Genmaku cult, using the Neo Kyutamas in an attempt to take over the Kyurangers' universe and offer it to Guru Fumein. But he is defeated by the Kyurangers and the Star Sheriffs, ending up in the latter group's custody. Demost can detach his head from his body and float in the air, as well as be restored after being destroyed once. He can attack and bind his enemies with electric shocks from his hands and his face, as well as read his opponent's mind. He also acquires the Dark Sword (暗黒剣), a laser blade equivalent to Jiraiya's in terms of strength.

World Ninjas

Other Enemies

Items

Equipment

Vehicles

Pako

Episodes

Episode 49 ended up airing on January 15, 1989, because Emperor Shōwa died on January 7, 1989.

Cast

Regulars

Semi-regulars and guest stars

Voice actors

Stunts

Songs

International Broadcasts and Home Video

Adaptations

The suit for Jiraiya was used in Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel in the episode "Sheriff Skyfire" (which uses footage from episode 34 of Ninninger) for the titular character (voiced by Mark Mitchinson) who works as an intergalactic police officer. He crashed the latest episode of "Galaxy Warriors" to arrest Blammo for his illegal demolition activity. Madame Odius appeared where she tricks Sheriff Skyfire into going after the Rangers. Both sides duel until they rescue an elderly woman that nearly got caught in the crossfire. Realizing that he was lied to, Sheriff Skyfire agrees to help the Rangers while being informed of every monster that attacked Earth on Madame Odius' behalf. In addition, he gives a morality lesson to the Rangers on respecting law enforcement like when Hayley Foster got ticketed by Summer Cove High School's security guard Clint. When the bomb that Blammo planted was destroyed, Sheriff Skyfire assisted in fighting Blammo and lent his sword to Brody Romero to defeat Blammo. After Blammo was hit by the Gigantify Ray, Sheriff Skyfire watched the fight. Following Blammo's destruction, Sheriff Skyfire thanked the Rangers and teleported away to receive his next assignment from his superiors.