Anime recommendation, I haven't read the manga. And of course, this recommendation comes from being only 7/42 episodes in.

It's an anime from 1997, so the visuals are a bit outdated. It's very similar in tone to Naruto, but aimed at a (slightly) older crowd. The main character is a ninja who has control over fire, and he meets and swears to protect a girl who has healing powers. Eventually they join more people in a vaguely fantasy/ninja-esque plot.

It sounds generic, but there's a few things that make it stand out to me. It's set in modern day - hospitals, computers, guns all exist. Of course, Recca can pretty much dodge bullets as soon as episode 6, but nonetheless. There's a nice mix of magic and technology. When the group tries to rescue the girl (yeah, yeah), the villain first tries to defeat them with a laser-powered robot, and then sets his magic users on the group.

If anyone else has seen it, go ahead and comment, but I urge everyone to take a look at the first few episodes. I mean, most of you liked how Naruto started, didn't you?

(The complete manga is on OneManga, as I just checked.)

 

I've seen the entire anime and read the entire manga. Don't bother with the anime, it's not complete (and never will be). Just read the manga.

It is great, though, one of my old favorites.

 

Awesome Manga is Awesome. That is all.

 

Agreed with all of the above. I've never seen the anime, but the manga was enjoyable.

 

It's a classic. Also, definitely read the manga instead of watching the anime. Or at least read the manga first.

 

Like mentioned before, it's classic. One of the more enjoyable shounen-ninja-works. It keeps a pretty rapic pace, and the protagonist isn't a complete moron. Never touch the anime, however >_>

 

All I remember is Domon's nose ring of power. Mikagami(?)'s sword was fucking badass though.

 

On all yours' recommendation, I'm reading the Manga instead.

The puppet-master fight gave me strong shades of Deja Vu. Wonder if Kishimoto read this manga...