Editing Ninja Binge

{{Infobox-Anime
|image= [[File:E24 Scene 23.png|300px]]
|caption= [[Yamikage]] attempts to strike [[Ninja]] [[Kirby (anime character)|Kirby]] down in a duel.
|release= {{Released|Japan|March 16, 2002|NA|November 23, 2002}}
|episode= 24
|4kids=22
|ability= [[Ninja]]
|monster= [[Yamikage]]
|character= [[Kirby (anime character)|Kirby]], [[Benikage]], [[Tuff]], [[King Dedede (anime character)|King Dedede]]
|previousepisode=[[The Empty Nest Mess]]
|nextepisode=[[Escargoon Rules]]
}}
'''Ninja Binge''' is the 24th (22nd in the 4Kids broadcast) episode of the ''[[Kirby: Right Back at Ya!]]'' series. In this episode, a ninja-in-training named [[Benikage]] attempts to recover a scroll containing his bad report card from his school, but fails to retrieve it from [[Professor Curio]]'s shop, who believes it to be an artifact. This attempt causes the people of [[Cappy Town]] to become interested in ninja arts, and a brief ninja fad sweeps the town. [[King Dedede (anime character)|King Dedede]] takes interest as well, and steals the scroll for himself, taking it to his castle. Benikage attempts to recover the scroll again, but is discovered by [[Kirby (anime character)|Kirby]] and is stopped in Cappy Town, where he explains himself to [[Tiff]] and [[Tuff]]. King Dedede sends the former [[Star Warrior]] and traitor ninja [[Yamikage]] to recover the scroll, which he succeeds in doing, but he is also defeated by Kirby after obtaining the [[Ninja]] ability from one of his throwing knives.

This episode marks the only appearance of the [[Ninja]] [[Copy Ability]] in the series.

==Characters==
The following characters appear in this episode:
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1" cellpadding="2"
!colspan=3|Cast of "Ninja Binge" &nbsp;
|-
!Character
!Selected quote
!Notes
|-
!colspan=3|Primary characters
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Kirby.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Kirby (anime character)|Kirby]]'''}}
|''"Poyaaaa?"''
|
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Benikage.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Benikage]]'''}}
|''"What's up with all the fake ninja stuff?"''
|
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Tuff.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Tuff]]'''}}
|''"We'll never become ninjas this way!"''
|
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 King Dedede.png|100px]]<br>'''[[King Dedede (anime character)|King Dedede]]'''}}
|''"Bunch of juvenile delinquencies!"''
|
|-
!colspan=3|Secondary characters
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Cappies.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Cappy (anime)|Cappy villagers]]'''}}
|''"Don't let 'em see us!"''
|
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Chef Kawasaki.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Chef Kawasaki (anime character)|Chef Kawasaki]]'''}}
|(no dialogue)
|
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Chief Bookem.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Chief Bookem]]'''}}
|''"Somebody broke into your shop just to steal this fancy paper towel holder?"''
|
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Escargoon.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Escargoon]]'''}}
|''"I shoulda known I'd take a plunge if I used plungers!"''
|
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Fololo & Falala.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Fololo & Falala]]'''}}
|(Falala) ''"The ninja in the dark armor!"''<br>(Fololo) ''"We found out that he works for Night Mare Enterprises!"''<br>(Falala) ''"Yeah, he betrayed the Star Warriors!"''
|
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Gengu.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Gangu]]'''}}
|''"Welcome to Gangu's ninja supply store, carrying all the hottest ninja gear! Ninja apparel, and genuine imitation scrolls!"''
|
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Gus.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Gus]]'''}}
|(no dialogue)
|
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Hana.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Hana]]'''}}
|(no dialogue)
|
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Honey Iro Spikehead.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Honey]]''', '''[[Iro]]''', & '''[[Spikehead]]'''}}
|(Iro) ''"But what can we do, Tuff?"''<br>(Spikehead) ''"You're supposed to throw at the target!"''
|
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Mayor Len.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Mayor Len Blustergas]]'''}}
|''"I didn't know you two were tap dancers!"''
|
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Melman.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Melman]]'''}}
|''"You're some huffer, your Highness!"''
|
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Meta Knight.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Meta Knight (anime character)|Meta Knight]]'''}}
|''"Ninjas were strong and honorable Star Warriors, not thieves! I battled alongside many of them. Ninjas were renowned throughout the galaxy for their great skill in battle."''
|
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Curio.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Professor Curio]]'''}}
|''"The ninjas were skilled martial artists. They could outrun the wind, leap over buildings...they could even make themselves invisible."''
|
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Samo.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Samo]]'''}}
|(no dialogue)
|
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Star Warriors.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Star Warrior]]s'''}}
|(no dialogue)
|Appear in a flashback.
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Tiff.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Tiff]]'''}}
|''"That's true, but you don't think it was a ninja who tried to steal that scroll?"''
|
|-
|{{center|[[File:E24 Yamikage.png|100px]]<br>'''[[Yamikage]]'''}}
|''"I want that scroll! Do not challenge me, or you will regret it!"''
|
|}

==Locations==
*[[Dream Land (anime)|Dream Land]]
**[[Cappy Town]]
**[[Castle Dedede]]

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==Plot synopsis==
[[File:E24 Scene 4.png|thumb|150px|Professor Curio shows the ninja scroll to the gathered crowd.]]
The episode begins late at night in Cappy Town, as a shadowy character is sneaking around the village. He quietly infiltrates Professor Curio's museum and attempts to steal an archaic scroll, but triggers a trap set up by Curio and fails to escape with it. The next day, a crowd of Cappies gathers around the crime scene as Chief Bookem investigates. Professor Curio explains to those present that the object the perpetrator was trying to steal is an ancient scroll containing the secrets of the ninjas. Hearing about ninjas for the first time, Tuff gets excited about the idea and wants to try to be one. Later on, King Dedede and Escargoon drive into town in their [[Armored Vehicle]], investigating due to all the Cappies having reportedly disappeared from the village. As they arrive in town, they are soon "attacked" by some of the Cappy kids, who are dressed up as ninjas. Soon Mayor Len and Melman show up, also dressed as ninjas, and explain the recent fad.

Seeing Gangu's ninja apparel on sale, King Dedede acquires one of his imitation scrolls and drives off. He then arrives at Curio's museum and asks to see the scroll that the town is talking about. Against his better judgement, Curio shows them the scroll, and while Escargoon distracts him, King Dedede swaps the fake scroll for his. This is noticed both by the kids outside and the burglar from the night before, who is still hiding in the shop. The kids pipe up about it, but King Dedede manages to slip away with some confounding remarks. Back at the castle, King Dedede and Escargoon get to work trying out some ninja tricks from the scroll they stole. Watching this, Tiff grows frustrated with the fad, insisting that the ninjas aren't even around anymore, but Meta Knight soon corrects her, explaining that ninjas fought alongside the [[Star Warrior]]s in the war against [[Night Mare Enterprises]], but one in particular turned against them.

[[File:E24 Scene 15.png|thumb|left|150px|Benikage attempts to make off with the scroll.]]
Back in town, Tuff, Kirby, and the Cappy kids are still practicing their ninja skills with little success. They decide they need to get the scroll back from King Dedede to learn how to be proper ninjas. Tuff and Kirby sneak into the castle at night and grab the scroll from a snoozing Escargoon, but Kirby soon notices they are being followed and spots the burglar from before with his flashlight. As everyone wakes from the commotion, Tuff explains they found a real ninja, and Kirby manages to spot him again. The ninja then drops down clumsily, but manages to get the scroll and run. In town, the ninja is soon halted in his tracks in Cappy Town by the Cappies, and falls from his hiding place in the central tree and is caught by Tiff, Tuff, and Kirby. He tries to defend himself, but misses with each of his throwing stars. This causes him to break down in tears over his lack of skill.

[[File:E24 Scene 25.png|thumb|150px|Yamikage is defeated by Kirby.]]
Later on, Benikage explains to the kids that the scroll in question was not anything special; just his report card from ninja school, and he wanted to retrieve it so nobody could see his bad grades. Tuff resolves to help him learn how to improve his skills along with Kirby. The two begin with throwing star practice, which Kirby refuses to take seriously. Meanwhile, at the castle, King Dedede has called in the turncoat ninja Yamikage through his [[Night Mare Enterprises Teleporter]], and ordered him to retrieve the lost ninja scroll. Yamikage soon finds the kids at the target range and engages Benikage in a duel for the scroll. Fololo & Falala arrive to tell the kids who the opposing ninja is. As the battle progresses, Meta Knight attempts to intervene, but Yamikage pins him down. He then knocks the scroll out of Benikage's hand and into King Dedede's, and prepares to finish the young ninja off with a kunai, but Kirby inhales it and transforms into [[Ninja]] Kirby.

Kirby then does battle with Yamikage, going toe-to-toe with him using advanced ninja skills such as teleportation and the [[Air Drop]] technique. Having defeated Yamikage, the ninja swears revenge and vanishes in a puff of smoke as King Dedede gets away with the scroll. As he flees, Yamikage deduces that Kirby and Meta Knight must be the last of the Star Warriors, and that he will be back to finish them off some day. Meta Knight warns Kirby that they will surely cross paths again. That evening, Kirby and the kids bid Benikage farewell, as the young ninja promises to go back to ninja school and try again for better grades. He attempts to exit in a flashy manner, but ends up getting swept away by a river he falls into. The kids wave him good-bye regardless as the episode ends.

==Differences between versions==
*In the Japanese version, a short shot of Tiff getting ninja stars thrown around her by King Dedede and Escargoon is present, which was cut in most international versions. Additional shots of King Dedede throwing ninja stars at Escargoon are also cut.

===Dialogue differences===
*The names of Benikage and Yamikage are derived from the Japanese version of the show, as their names were never given in English.
*In the Japanese version, Professor Curio also mentions that Ninjas could walk on water. This was likely changed in the English dub to remove religious connotations.
*In the Japanese version, Escargoon distracts Curio by asking him about one of his jars, rather than saying the ice cream man is outside. Cappy Town does not appear to have an ice cream man in the show.
*In the English version, Benikage admits his throwing stars are plastic, but there was no such implication in the Japanese version.

==Trivia==
*Throughout the episode, while most of the villagers are still dressed as ninjas, Kirby is intermittently in and out of his costume for no apparent reason.
*During the scene when Kirby is throwing ninja stars with Benikage, Kirby celebrates when one of the stars returns to him like a boomerang, despite having never hit the target. He seems to have thought this to be the real goal of the exercise.
*Despite Yamikage's promise that he would return to exact revenge on Kirby and Meta Knight, he never appears again in the series.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
E24 Scene 1.png|Benikage sneaks around in Cappy Town in the dead of night.
E24 Scene 2.png|Benikage fails to get away with a scroll from Curio's shop.
E24 Scene 3.png|Kirby acts on instinct when he grabs the scroll.
E24 Scene 5.png|King Dedede and Escargoon are bombarded with wooden ninja stars.
E24 Scene 6.png|King Dedede acquires a fake scroll from Gangu.
E24 Scene 7.png|King Dedede gets away with Curio's scroll after switching it with the fake.
E24 Scene 8.png|Benikage nearly blows his cover in Curio's shop.
E24 Scene 9.png|Tiff watches King Dedede and Escargoon playing ninja.
E24 Scene 10.png|Flashback scene of Yamikage with the Star Warriors
E24 Scene 11.png|Flashback scene of Yamikage after betraying the Star Warriors
E24 Scene 12.png|Kirby tries throwing ninja stars.
E24 Scene 13.png|Tuff and Kirby sneak in to the castle to retrieve the stolen scroll.
E24 Scene 14.png|Kirby spots Benikage with his flashlight.
E24 Scene 16.png|Benikage makes his way to Cappy Town after setting the castle on high alert.
E24 Scene 17.png|Benikage hides in the town plaza tree from the ninja villagers.
E24 Scene 18.png|Benikage loses his cool after failing to hit his targets.
E24 Scene 19.png|Benikage reveals to the kids the content of the scroll.
E24 Scene 20.png|King Dedede summons Yamikage through the Night Mare Enterprises Teleporter.
E24 Scene 21.png|Yamikage engages in a duel with Benikage for the scroll.
E24 Scene 22.png|Yamikage knocks the scroll out of Benikage's hand.
E24 Scene 24.png|Kirby performs the Air Drop technique on Yamikage.
E24 Scene 26.png|Benikage botches his exit.
E24 Scene 27.png|The final shot of the episode
</gallery>

==Names in other languages==
{{Names
|ja=ニンジャ、ベニカゲ参上!
|jaR=Ninja, Benikage Sanjō!
|jaM=Visiting Ninja, Benikage!
|de=Ninja-Fieber
|deM=Ninja-Fever
}}

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