Shinobi Striker Developers' Letter #7 Is Here!

It's time to determine the world's greatest ninja in the Ninja World League!
Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is an online multiplayer game where you go head-to-head with other ninja in fast-paced, acrobatic battles to vie for the honor of being crowned the strongest of them all!!

Greetings to all you ninja out there!
This is the Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker Development Team.
We are so grateful to everyone who has been playing Shinobi Striker.

In our 7th Developers' Letter, we'll be sharing details about the newest character joining the fray, Naruto Uzumaki (Young Ver.), along with information on the latest items!

The newest character joining the lineup is Naruto Uzumaki (Young Ver.)!
Working towards his dream of becoming the Hokage, a young Naruto finally makes his debut!
In Shinobi Striker, he joins our lineup as an attack type character capable of overwhelming foes with tricks and speedy abilities, and turning the tide of battle with his Secret Technique "Nine Tails: Rampage"! Keep reading for an in-depth look at the abilities available to Naruto Uzumaki (Young Ver.)!

Ninjutsu 1 - Rasengan Connection

Unleash a charge attack by swinging a shadow clone at your foe! Enemies hit by the shadow clone charge will be subjected to a barrage of attacks between you and your clone. This ninjutsu ends with a Rasengan performed with the aid of the shadow clone and blows away your enemy. You'll gain Super Armor while attacking with this ninjutsu, which makes you immune to interruption from almost all attacks.

While this ninjutsu has a short range, the charge begins very quickly, allowing you to launch surprise attacks on nearby foes. Once hit, enemies are locked down for the duration of the ninjutsu, making it the perfect set-up for a combo as well! Plus, you can interrupt this ninjutsu during the combo portion to swap into another ninjutsu or attack with a ninja tool. Change up your combo variations to overwhelm your foes!

Ninjutsu 2 - Demon Wind Bomb

Transform into a Demon Wind Shuriken and have your shadow clone throw you to launch a surprise attack!
While in your shuriken form, you'll be able to control your movement and deal damage to enemies you strike. Plus, with additional input, you can break the transformation to unleash a flying kick on your foe. Of all the pursuit abilities introduced in this game so far, this unique one stands out for its degree of freedom in hunting down your foes.
There's no set way to use this ninjutsu—close the gap between yourself and distant enemies in an instant or use it at close range to land multiple hits in your shuriken form. Flex your ability to adapt by applying this ninjutsu in various ways according to the flow of battle!

Secret Technique - Nine Tails: Rampage

Unleash rampaging Nine Tails Chakra to enhance your physical abilities! While the Secret Technique is active, close-range attacks and ninjutsu are changed to special attacks, with further inputs leading to a roar that causes enemies to flinch, followed by a Rasengan. Plus, while this Secret Technique is equipped, every time you or an ally falls in battle, the Secret Technique gauge increases. Due to the nature of this Secret Technique gauge, it fills up especially quickly during Survival Exercises.

Just like how Naruto's rage overflows when he sees his comrades fall in battle, your Secret Technique gauge will fill up every time an ally is defeated, allowing you to turn the tables on your foes! In addition to the increased speed in combat, the additional ninjutsu allow you to strike at foes with chakra arms and unleash attacks that both blow enemies away and draw them closer to you.

Not only that, but with further attack inputs you'll be able to strike enemies in the area around you as well, allowing you to charge into enemy formations and take them out all at once! This Secret Technique is perfect if you want to change the tide of battle and pull off a comeback.

Naruto Uzumaki (Young Ver.) will be available for use in the free update, so look forward to using him on the battlefield! By purchasing the Special Ninjutsu Training, your avatar will be able to use his ninjutsu!

What's more, as part of the Special Ninjutsu Training rewards, we've even got a special ninja tool!
Get your hands on Ichiraku Ramen, a ninja tool that'll allow you to recover a large amount of health by eating it!

Next up, we're going to share some details about the third Summoned Animal joining the battle with the next update: the Ninja Toad!

Hop onto your Ninja Toad to spring into battle at a rapid pace! While moving, the toad attacks enemies that get too close with its tongue, and when it comes down from a jump, it'll attack by crashing down on your enemies from above. While mounted, you'll be immune to knockback from most attacks.

On top of that immunity, this Summoned Animal's jumping ability excels in getting you out of sticky situations! Due to its tongue and jump attacks, this animal also does especially well in team fights. In exchange, this Summoned Animal's mobility falls short in comparison to the others. To those of you interested in self-preservation and lasting longer in fights, this Summoned Animal may be perfect for you!

In addition, "Summoning: Ninja Toad" will be added to the Scroll Appraisal lineup, and like previous Summoned Animals, there are 3 kinds of Ninja Toads with different effects. Why don't you try looking for your very own steadfast comrade?

Summoning: Ninja Toad is scheduled to be added to the game after the mid-December maintenance.
Keep an eye on the official X (formerly Twitter) account to get more details on the schedule!
https://twitter.com/Narutovideogame

Next up, we'll be introducing 4 SS+ Items set to be added after the update!

Attack Type Weapon: Shinobi-Ware "Kawaki" Model
A weapon styled after the Scientific Ninja Tool used by Kawaki! By equipping this item, you'll be able to use Kawaki's various powers and weapons. The most powerful aspect is the limited recreation of the "Karma" that allows you to absorb and unleash chakra for devastating attacks!

Defense Type Weapon: Scientific Ninja Tool "Inventive Destruction"
A sword-type Scientific Ninja Tool. Use Strong Attack to change between the separated form that covers both arms in armor—facilitating rush attacks—and the combined form, which transforms the weapon into a powerful greatsword and grants immunity to interruption against almost all attacks while you're swinging the sword. Go on the offensive with quick attacks while using the separated form, and when you need to bolster your defense, take advantage of the immunity to interruption granted by the combined form. Analyze the flow of battle and apply this adaptable weapon to whatever situation you find yourself in!

Attack Type Weapon: Enchanted Sword "Demon Roar"
Capable of absorbing the chakra of its wielder, this enchanted blade arrives as an original SS+ weapon! Use Strong Attack to don the mask and enter a special enhanced state. While in this state, the user will steadily lose health and have lowered defense, but in exchange they'll gain increased attack and every hit inflicted on enemies recovers the user's health!

Defense Type Weapon: Sandspear "Shukaku"
A spear styled after the Fifth Kazekage, Gaara, along with the Tailed Beast sealed within him, Shukaku, has arrived! Make use of sand to deal damage in an area around you and create an impregnable defense, just like the real Gaara. In particular, when using a Strong Attack, you'll be able to strike with Shukaku's arm to land a devastating blow!

The SS+ weapons revealed above are scheduled to be added sequentially to the Scroll Lineup.
Keep an eye on the official X (formerly Twitter) account to get more details on the schedule!
https://twitter.com/Narutovideogame

The Special Ninjutsu set to be added to the game as part 3 of the "Awakened Tailed Beast" theme is the defense type ninjutsu: "Host Transformation: Three Tails"!

Transforms the user by releasing Three Tails Chakra, and unleashes a shockwave that sends surrounding targets flying!

While this might seem like a simple Secret Technique that utilizes ninja tools, the soap bubbles creep towards enemies at a snail's pace, allowing you to lead enemies around and place pressure on them over a long period of time. While enemies might be able to dodge soap bubbles fired directly at them, if you use them in the middle of a team fight, the chances of them finding their mark increase tremendously!

This ninjutsu is set to be added to the game sometime after the next update.
Keep an eye on the official X (formerly Twitter) account to get more details on the schedule!
https://twitter.com/Narutovideogame

Next, we'll be giving a brief explanation on the balance adjustments we're making and what our intentions behind them are. Here are some of the individual changes going into update 2.59.

・Adjustments to Sharingan and Genjutsu: Sharingan Ninjutsu
We've adjusted Sharingan and Genjutsu: Sharingan so that they can no longer dodge Secret Technique Ninjutsu. These ninjutsu boast a powerful ability that allows the user to avoid almost any attack, if only once per use. Because of this, we've decided to tone down the power of the effect. However, in order to balance out the hit in power, we've reduced its cooldown time. Since these ninjutsu have been such popular choices, we felt it was important to specifically mention this change here. We will continue to monitor this change and make additional adjustments should they become necessary.

・Buffs to the Shadow Possession Jutsu and Shadow Stitching Jutsu
In this update, we're increasing the speed and range of the Shadow Possession Jutsu along with the range of the Shadow Stitching Jutsu. While these ninjutsu are able to have a huge effect on the battle when they manage to connect, they can only be used while on the ground, and essentially could not hit enemies who are not touching the ground, making them hard to use during actual combat. With this change, we hope to improve quality of life for these ninjutsu. And while they maintain their limitations on who they can hit, we've added a greater window of opportunity to catch out the enemies you can. Now that these ninjutsu have become easier to use, we hope you give them a chance after the update goes through!

In addition to these adjustments, we've enhanced the tracking of Fire Style: Flame Bombs, reduced the cooldown time of Fire Style: Dragon Flame Bomb and increased its damage output, and made other adjustments to various ninjutsu. Those other changes will be posted in a notice and included in the in-game patch notes on a later date, so make sure to check them out!

We plan to continue making additional changes to the types and ninjutsu mentioned in this letter as we monitor the impact of these adjustments on the battle environment and user data.
We hope you continue to enjoy fighting in the Ninja World League!

Here we'll introduce some of the items that'll make their debut in the new Scroll Appraisal!

SS Costume: Ichiraku Outfit

A costume that recreates the Ichiraku Ramen uniform is here!
This outfit with the two Japanese characters "一楽 ( Ichiraku)" written on the apron calls to mind the restauranteur's unique sense of style. The perfect attire for you ramen lovers!

Ranged Type Weapon: Deidara's Detonating Clay

A new weapon based on Akatsuki member Deidara's Detonating Clay arrives!
Although only a replica, its shape and explosive power are just as good as the original.
This is a special weapon that lets you be one with Deidara's art.

Attack Type Weapon: Scientific Ninja Tool "Fleetfoot"

New boots that double as a Scientific Ninja Tool step in!
They enhance your physical strength, so ninja with skillful footwork should try these on! The series of elegant yet brilliant Strong Attacks make them a powerful weapon.

Defense Type Weapon: Sword Set "Whirlwind"

The equipment Naruto carries as seen on the front cover of Naruto Omnibus Uzumaki Daikan Vol. 7 is here! In addition to the continuous attacks you can perform with the sword, you can also use the scrolls fastened to your back to summon toads and ninja tools for a wide range of attacks! Being able to use multiple pieces of equipment makes this weapon unique and a must-have!

Ninja Tool: Tayuya's Demon Flute: Demon Realm

A ninja tool based on the Demon Flute, used by Tayuya of the Sound Four to control spirits, debuts!
This tool can be equipped by any type, and uses the sounds of the flute to control and launch three spirits at your opponent, inflicting damage while also reducing their defense and movement speed. This powerful ninja tool allows the spirits to pass through terrain and enemies just like in Naruto, allowing you to attack from blind spots!

We have other new items scheduled for release with the update in addition to the ones mentioned above, so make sure to check the official X (formerly Twitter) account for more information!
https://twitter.com/Narutovideogame

We've brought this up in a previous Developers' Letter, but we'll be updating Shinobi Striker with some extra features not included in the patch list to improve the user experience. Here is a quick intro to one of those improvements!

In the next update, we're making it so that you can see how much time is left for effects that have a time limit, such as self-enhancing Secret Techniques or Secret Techniques that allow additional inputs. With this change, users will be able to strategically time their Secret Technique and get the most out of its effects.

In a previous Developers' Letter, we talked about how we planned to optimize the game.
In accordance with this plan, with update 2.58 that went live in October, we managed to optimize how data loads at the start of battles as you play. We've confirmed an increase in stability when comparing pre and post update data.

We will continue to focus on optimization in order to create a more stable and fun play environment.

Thank you for reading until the end!
The next update with the balance adjustments is set to be implemented on 11/21 (JST), and the DLC with Naruto Uzumaki (Young Ver.) that'll give us a taste of Naruto's Ninja Handbook is set to release on 11/22 (JST), so please wait just a little longer!

With that, we bid you farewell. Let us meet again in the next Developers' Letter!