Yeah, it's pretty sad. But before we veer completely off-topic, I'm going to have to admit I like katanas better than giant shurikens. *chuckles*

@luenola: Yep, and I never consider suicide honorable....
Culture impacts your personal opinions though, which is why many Japanese still believe in that....

Well, it could be preferable to certain other causes of death. I think there are still secret agents who carry around stuff like cyanide to commit suicide with in case they get caught in the line of duty, right? Better suicide than leaking secrets to the enemy under torture, I suppose. =3

Ah, the age old debate. I have altered my views on both sides. At first I was for the ninjas who were to protect themselves, but after years of learning, I have to admit, I prefer the samurai now.

Ninjas work best in the night, where they use their stealth to hide themselves and kill from the shadows. How do they hide so well? Well, they must hide at least two of three things, shape, color, movement. If you can mask two, you are 'invisible' to the non searching eye. Also, they have adapted to become brutal killers with no mercy. I have been to a preliminary Nin Jitsu class, and in the one hour, I have learned to kill someone in various ways, as well as literally rip someone's head off to their scalp. Yeah, not very nice.

Samurai on the other hand, are masters of speed, and power, and win against ninjas hands down during the day, or one on one. Their armor, and weapons are of finer quality, and with a few cuts will shatter a ninja's blade. They are not only swordsmen, but use bows as well as Ju Jitsu, which is also taught in and around my city. They are the more honorable, even if they do follow their lords blindly. Honor is the Way of the Samurai. If one is to die, he will die. Their mind set before any battle is 'I am already dead, so I cannot die again, ' and with that they are able to fight without fear, and desperation, and cut down those who oppose them.

Of course, Knights from Europe, and warriors from China, and any other land is the same as Japan when it comes to how they followed their lords. Without question, no matter the cause. For this I say you cannot pick out the fact that they attacked senselessly. They did as all societies have done. Even now, people fight with the same mentality. Ninjas far after they needed to defend themselves did the same, by killing when they did not need to defend themselves.

Thus I end my rant.

Yay for our lengthiest contribution so far! XD I have to admit I've come out of this debate completely impartial. (I only voted ninjas because I'm the current leader of the ninja team running this game, and what self-respecting leader votes against his/her own team, right? XD")

If you allowed me to pick which to become, I'd pick to be a ninja because stealth, agility and swift death suits my style more, since I'm not endowed with the physical strength to have any particular advantage in open battle or one-on-one duels. Plus, I'm not particularly predisposed to blindly obeying orders. XDDD"

But if I were to objectively consider both classes without factoring in which would suit me more, I like to think they're perfectly equal in that they each have they're own advantages and disadvantages. It really depends on the individual. A great ninja can be better than the average samurai just like a great samurai can be better than the average ninja. Or at least that's what I think. =3

Now you make me feel like such a bad member of the team, Xiel. >.>;; I voted for the Samurai. xDD;;

Currently, I cannot seem to type out my opinion in a way that it would make sense. ^^;; But, I voted for the Samurai out of instinct; it's my first impulse. It's probably because I always found them to be more of a warrior class/type as opposed to ninjas. =O Their system of honor confuses me though, but I cannot help but see the logic in it at the same time.

It's also probably because I like the movie The Seven Samurai. xDD;; Well, I never finished that movie, but I also watched Samurai Seven (the anime remake) once. And, I dunno. ^^;;

I shall have to provide a better explanation for my choice in the future, when my brain isn't so clouded and confused. ^^;; I apologize for my empty rant of sorts. >.>;;

I love ninja's >w< fufufu

Samurai Seven is a good series. I watched the first few episodes. So awesome.

And about me having the longest post thus far... It's because I like to reiterate everything I have learned. Haha.

Also, if I were to become one or the other, it'd be a hard choice. I love following code, and honor, but I would be more fit as a ninja, for my flexibility, and stealth abilities. Though I much rather one on one battle. Gah... Such a hard choice.

Mmm.
That would be interesting to see; a ninja and samurai duke it out.
I would root for the ninja, but that's mainly because I've seen tons more ninja anime than samurai anime.
I'm watching Samurai Champloo right now.
:'D
But I still think ninja's own.

Thats hard to say -rattles brain- me not gonna tell -zips lip-

Well, samurai are warriors. They are meant for war (the definition of a warrior) and that sort of honorable fighting.

Ninjas are (I should be saying were for both of these I suppose but whatever) assassins, and not trained in the ways of honorable fighting - or fighting with groups, either of allies or enemies.

So samurai are better warriors. As for who is a better fighter, I don't know. :D

Yay for support! XDDD

I haven't actually watched Samurai Seven; I probably should. Champloo is hilarious, I hear. I need to get down to watching it soon. XD"

Oh, don't worry about it, Rice Cakes. If you have an opinion, you're free to have it. I'm just not on either side, so of course I vote to support my team. XD"

I think I'd make a better assassin though. :lol:

I think I prefer the Samurais more... They fight in a good way and they are really conscious of they're honor... There are smart and fair people of the past eras of Japan
They will do anything to serve there daimyos even if it costs they're life. They prefer to kill themselves rather than be captured. Isn't that what a real fighter must do?

Well, it's hard to generalize and say they were always smart and fair. And whether that is what a real fighter must do, I think it really depends on the times and the context. I think honour could become a problem when it keeps you from doing what is best in a situation. Like say...if the daimyo you serve is going to do something horrible and won't see reason, your honour won't let you disobey him, but should you really do as he says if it's going to have a terrible result? =3

A samurai will win a fair fight at any level. They are masters of the bow and the sword. The swords they used had greater reach that would give them their own power. They also had much better armor than ninja so even if they got a strike in the chance of death was much lower to the samurai than the ninja.

In an unfair fight though is the ninja's game. They often would use special things. Iron shavings, running away to hide then give a better shot, costumes of deception, ect. Fear tactics like shooting flame out of oni masks. Advanced climbing utensils in order to get better ground. Performance enhancing drugs(I'm serious) and so on.

Oh, I believe you about the performance-enhancing drugs, although I doubt there were as many back then as there are today. XD"

I am glad to see that the votes for samurai are starting to catch up. I don't think they will surpass the ninjas, though. Ninjas have been overrated thanks to animes like Naruto.

Samurai Champloo on the other hand. Wow... so much laughter. Another good anime that is a champloo Gin-Tama. I only got to watch the first few episodes, but I hope to finish the series when I can. Lastly, Rurouni Kenshin, and Samurai X is a couple of animes we have all forgotten here. Those ones are some of the most renoun.

Then again, for all you retro people, don't you remember Samuri Pizza Cats? xD

Rurouni Kenshin and Samurai X are the same series. Naruto itself is overrated, imho, but ah well.

I'll add a few more samurai series to the list: Peacemaker Kurogane, Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohaneto, Otogizoshi, Yaiba, Yoshimune. XD"

I actually don't remember Samurai Pizza Cats. Do tell. XDDD

well, ninjas are really good assassins, and samurai are warriors with honor who are connected to their swords, etc, etc.
I'd have to go with Samurai.
but i'm wondering, do ninjas travel and fight in groups or by themselves? 'cuz i don't know.

I think it really depends? Sometimes one person is enough to get a mission done, but some missions require more than one person? Hmm...

Originally Posted by Luenola Marxiel

I think it really depends? Sometimes one person is enough to get a mission done, but some missions require more than one person? Hmm...

i suppose that makes sense. My mental image of ninjas is, like, ninjas dropping in from the roof and slitting someone's throat before climbing back up with a rope, while my image of samurai is a huge swordfight between 2 samurai, and then the victor gets up onto his horse and rides off, or if he doesn't have a horse, he walkes away and goes to eat some soup or something.

Ug! Ninjas are losers that are overrated. D<
Samurai are better. 8D

Well, there ARE plus points to being a ninja, I think.

Ninjas all the way! Come on!

I give kudos to Kenshin Samurai Jack, but come on. NINJAS! I have a ninja poster on my dorm wall listing "Ninja Tips for Healthy Living". It involves attacking people from the bushes and accidentally killing people and accepting it anyway. You can't beat that!

...Now I really want to watch Rurouni Kenshin...

Now it should be understood ninjas did have quite a lot on their side. They had advanced knowledge of drugs, cradle to the office training, an advanced group of techniques on completing a mission including stealthy uniforms, costumes, and even superstition, and moreover in an assassination they were willing to do whatever it took and any advanced method to finish it.

Example, one ninja played on the samurai's belief in bushido in order to win when he asked that he be allowed to take his own life after he had been captured then killed the samurai that had spared him. Or when a damiyo had actually hired a rival ninja agency to protect his life he was stunned when he found that though he had beaten the main threat of tall normal ninjas he was speared up the ass by a midget ninja that had been hiding in his toilet for a few days.

As I said if we play fair and face to face often the ninja is the winner...but do not underestimate their skill.