History Main / HighlyVisibleNinja

*** Film critic Drew [=McWeeny=] of Hitfix.com in his review of the movie:
-->"Do ninjas typically drop into a location in plain view and then use machine guns and hand grenades? Because if so, I really misunderstood the point of ninjas."

** Film critic Drew [=McWeeny=] of Hitfix.com in his review of the movie:
-->"Do ninjas typically drop into a location in plain view and then use machine guns and hand grenades? Because if so, I really misunderstood the point of ninjas."

-->"Do ninjas typically drop into a location in plain view and then use machine guns and hand grenades? Because if so, I really misunderstood the point of ninjas."
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/motion-captured/james-bond-declassified-file-5-you-only-live-twice-rewrites-fleming-completely#TUXV4FIMTzV8HgJ5.99

** Then there's ''Series/NinjaSentaiKakuranger'' and ''Series/NinpuuSentaiHurricaneger'' and their American counterparts, ''Mighty [=Morphin'=]'' Season 3/''[[Film/MightyMorphinPowerRangers The Movie]]'' and ''Series/PowerRangersNinjaStorm''. The bright, primary colored costumes are bad enough, but riding around in HumongousMecha taller than skyscrapers? It don't get much more visible than that! Season 3 and TheMovie of ''Mighty [=Morphin'=]'' were probably the worst offenders: since ''Kakuranger'' had a ninja theme, they brought that over to the US, and gave the Rangers stereotypical ninja costumes. ''[[http://www.rovang.org/wiki/ninja-rangers.jpg Ranger colored ninja costumes.]]''

* ''Anime/MazingerZ'': Blazas S1 and S2 were two ninja {{MechaMooks}} than BigBad built for a sabotaging mission in episode 46. They were actually pretty stealthy when they infiltrated into the HomeBase... but when they had to chase a target or fight Mazinger they used all kind of flashy movements, jumps and sommersaults, making a pose as they threw shuriken and shot missiles and being incredibly loud. Needless to say, their blue-and yellow colors did not help to camouflage themselves in a woodland.

* In ''ShinaDark'' there's Hajime. Seriously, is [[http://www.mangafox.com/manga/shina_dark/v01/c003/18.html she]] [[http://www.mangafox.com/manga/shina_dark/v01/c004/26.html even]] [[http://www.mangafox.com/manga/shina_dark/v03/c010/38.html trying?]]
* The various Musha-themed SD ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' series usually have at least one. ''SDGundamForce'''s Cobramaru is purple, though it's at least a very subdued shade and the flamboyant cobra headdress he wears is removeable, though the massproduction Cobramaru line that shows up later come in a rainbow of riddiculous colours. Onmitsu Gundam from the classic ''Sengokuden'' OAV shorts also has a very visible paintjob, but he at least makes an effort to stay out of his enemies sight untill he's ready to strike.

* Many of the ninja in the ''GIJoe'' comic book series (and related media) wear bright, primary or even ''neon'' colors (like most of the trained fighters). The most famous ninja, Snake-Eyes, is all in black (some of his costumes even give him drab grays and greens). Weirdly, during the late-series ReTool of the comics where it was retailed as ''GI Joe Starring Snake-Eyes With Ninja Force'', his suit started off with a bright blue vest over the charcoal-gray suit underneath (this was eventuallychanged).

* ''FanFic/{{Time MixUp}}'' plays with this, Kakashi notes the Naruto's skill in stealth: he wears bright orange and ''no'' one is able catch him unless he allows it. That's another very common trait of the ''Naruto'' fic-verse: a good ninja is only visible when he or she wants to be seen, eye-catching getup or not. It's a frequent explanation in stories for Naruto to be an ''exceptional'' stealth master who can give even ANBU the slip, and only gets caught by Iruka (and that is only because Naruto lets him).

* In one of the first major film appearances of ninjas in the popular media, a James Bond film titled ''Film/YouOnlyLiveTwice'', the ninjas actually DO dress in appropriate camoflage. When infiltrating a rocky basin, they are all wearing grey outfits that let them blend in perfectly with the gray rocks. These are more "practical" modern ninjas, though; they use guns, for example.

* ''NinjaCheerleaders'' (not to be confused with ''Cheerleader Ninjas'') has this, up to the point where they get arrested in the end. However, it's HandWaved at the beginning, which shows them getting the title of Ninja (also a handy explanation for why they [[spoiler:suck so badly at swordfighting]]).

** The point of the outfit was that it was the firing of a ChekhovsGun from earlier in the book, where the young Vetinari had been reading about camouflage in the wild. The facepaint would have been to dull the shine from his skin, whilst the tiger stripes would have been to make him look like a blur from a distance. It's pointed out that members of the Assassin's Guild wear black during missions, despite the fact that it is often more visible than other colors. In fact, the Assassin's Guild, being "gentlemen", adhere to [[HonorBeforeReason a number of rules which are inefficient]]. Commander Vimes mentions that they seem to always try to kill him at his booby-trapped home, refusing to easily shoot him down in the street "like a common criminal". Vetinari is the exception, in that he will wear gray rather than black because it actually blends in better; he cares about results, not image.

** Not a ninja, but ''Hogfather'' featured a safecracker who always got away from crime scenes without being arrested, simply because he A) dressed neatly, B) maintained a businesslike demeanor, and C) always walked a block or two from the place he'd robbed, then turned around and ''walked right past it'' again, as if he'd been approaching from the other direction. Being Highly Visible was the whole point!

** Lampshaded and ridculed by Cohen in [[Interesting Times]], who kills three ninja while they are showing off

** Then there was Matsu Hiroru, a ninja assassin trained by the Kolat to be their secret weapon. His original card artwork showed him in an all-white ninja suit - which would have been this trope or even a [[TechnicolorNinjas Technicolor Ninja]], if it weren't for the fact that he was blending in ''perfectly'' with the white stone wall behind him. Later appearances had him ''always'' wearing pure white and doing rather little sneaking, which would seem to be playing this trope rather straight. [[ZigZaggingTrope But then]] later sourcebooks for the RPG explained that his white gi was actually a special gift from the Kolat that allowed him to ''magically'' blend in with his surroundings like a chameleon.

** It's a man-eater, a mercenary that adopts ways to fight from the culture it fights with and is a highly elite type of unit. You might laugh at the disguise but big things can be stealthy. Otherwise the game averts this as Skaven and Darkelf assasins wear dark clothing and disguises and the opponent won't find them before it's too late.

---> ''Ninja waiter'': That man does not look anything like ninja
---> ''Chef'': Ah, but this is exactly what a ninja should look like.

* The ''WebAnimation/DeathBattle'' between [[VideoGame/NinjaGaiden Ryu Hayabusa]] and [[VideoGame/{{Strider}} Strider Hiryu]] featured two of the most popular HighlyVisibleNinja in video games. Naturally, this was given a LampshadeHanging by [[DeadpanSnarker Wiz]] during the analysis section of both characters.
--> '''Wiz:''' (On Ryu Hayabusa) And despite mastering the ninja art of stealth, he tends to just rush in, sword swinging. [[PunctuatedForEmphasis Every. Single. Time]]\\

'''Wiz:''' (On Strider Hiryu) Hiryu's speed and agility are off the charts; fortunate, since he doesn't seem to ever use his ninja stealth skills.

* The ''WebAnimation/DeathBattle'' between [[VideoGame/NinjaGaiden Ryu Hayabusa]] and [[VideoGame/{{Strider}} Strider Hiryu]] featured two of the most popular HighlyVisibleNinja in video games. Naturally, this was given a LampshadeHanging by Wiz during the analysis section of both characters.

* The two "ninja competitions" seen in the original ''MightyMorphinPowerRangers'' (one which was used as a vehicle to get Jason and Tommy to work together, the other used to introduce the first [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute replacement Rangers]]) seem to be just regular martial arts tournaments, except one or both sides are dressed in stereotypical ninja costumes.
** Then there's ''NinjaSentaiKakuranger'' and ''NinpuuSentaiHurricaneger'' and their American counterparts. The bright, primary colored costumes are bad enough, but riding around in HumongousMecha taller than skyscrapers? It don't get much more visible than that! Season 3 of ''Mighty Morphin''' was probably the worst offender. Since ''Kakuranger'' had a ninja theme, they brought that over to the US, and gave the rangers stereotypical ninja costumes. ''[[http://www.rovang.org/wiki/ninja-rangers.jpg Ranger colored ninja costumes.]]''
** Lampshaded in Series/PowerRangersRPM.

* ''Hilariously'' played with in ''LegendOfTheFiveRings''. The Scorpion Clan employs black-garbed, shuriken-throwing ninjas in assassination attempts... ''as a tool of distraction and confusion''. Guards and investigators are drawn to chase after the stealthy yet obviously up-to-no-good infiltrators in the black pajamas. Meanwhile, as the "ninjas" make a distraction, the ''real'' shinobi on the scene (who has probably spent a month or more posing as a courtesan/guard/farmer/doctor/whatever and positioning themselves perfectly for their objective) accomplishes whatever actual wetwork needs doing while everyone is busy.

* {{Elektra}}, {{Daredevil}} and their (now dead) teachers prefer bright red (or bright white) costumes.

** FrankMiller likes this trope. Miho from SinCity wears a pretty standard kimono which stands out quite a bit in an urban setting. According to the coloration on the covers, she wears red, usually.

* ''FanFic/DreamingOfSunshine'' Plays with this. Shikako notes that wearing clothes that are good for stealth is less important than blending in with a civilian population.
** On that note, a great deal of Manga/{{Naruto}} fanfics have an unfortunate habit of characters in-story - Naruto himself sometimes included - giving a self-righteous speech about how Naruto's "kill-me-orange" outfit is like painting a bulls-eye on oneself... ''without'' ever noting that he's ''not'' the only person who dresses like this, and some of said others are noted for their competence and skill! This makes ''Dreaming of Sunshine'' a refreshing bend from the usual, especially considering it comes off as more sensible than those dozens-of-fics (among which is the famous ''Fanfic/{{Team 8}}'').
* ''FanFic/{{Time MixUp}}'' plays with this, Kakashi notes the Naruto's skill in stealth; Naruto wears bright orange and ''no'' one is able catch him unless he allows it.

[[caption-width-right:300: The masters of invisibility and deception.]]

->''"Word of advice. White isn't a good color for stealth."''
-->-- '''Dragon''', ''AntiheroForHire''

* In ThirtyHs the surf ninjas from Surf Ninja Moon X, silent killers of the night negate their innate advantage by only plying their craft on surf boards. During the day.

* [[SuperSoldier Space Marines]] from ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'' take pride in their chapter colours to HonorBeforeReason levels, with the overwhelming majority of them refusing to wear camouflage, resulting in things like the yellow-clad Imperial Fist marines trying to Infiltrate, The latest scout models [[JustifiedTrope justify]] this by having the bright yellow scouts come with camo cloaks that can cover them.
** The Tau stealthsuit can be painted bright purple without negatively affecting its stealth. It does have a cloaking field...
** And then there's the Blood Axes, an Ork clan. While camouflage is generally considered un-orky, they manage a decidedly orkish approach anyway: Since camouflage is good, more camouflage has obviously got to be better. And since camouflage is based on the enemy seeing the camouflage's colours instead of yours, the effect can be improved by using clashing colours so the enemy can see how well-camouflaged you are from farther away!
** Considering one of the space marines' mottoes is 'camouflage is the color of cowardice' this isn't too surprising.
** Bright purple is also considered to be the stealthiest of all colors by Orks, [[InsaneTrollLogic since when was the last time you saw a purple army]]? [[ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve This being the Orks, it actually works]].
** It seems like the Striking Scorpions (Eldar ninja units) and Harlequins (Other Eldar ninja units) would be very easy to spot with their bright green/checkered uniforms, but the Scorpions are so good at hiding it doesn't really matter and the Harlequins have displacement fields that make them look like they are a few feet away from their actual location.
** The game does contain many aversions, however. Imperial Guard almost always wear camouflage designed for their combat theater (and some other armies do as well, especially Tau), the Imperium's Assassins all are completely dressed in black

** Played straight again in the next title, VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas. The Chinese Stealth Suit returns, but loses its stealth field, leaving just an incredibly obvious latex suit with a modest boost to the Stealth skill. Played even straighter with the American-counterpart Stealth Suit, which has ''reflective white'' strips running all over the body.

* Furry webcomic ''Macropod Madness/Macropodia'' (the name changed during a particular arc) had Tree Ninja, a tree kangaroo with a habit of hiding in barren, leafless trees. This was lampshaded in one episode.

** Played straight in a [[http://drmcninja.com/archives/comic/13p8/ flashback comic to his college days]]. He justifies it via the alt text: "I wore bright colors because I was a young, cocky ninja. And because it was 1989."

Typically the justification for visible assassins are that if you can actually see the ninja, then you're either [[RedShirtArmy going to die soon]], or you are a WorthyOpponent. There is also TruthInTelevision at work here, since, historically, ninja rarely ever wore black garb when [[BeneathNotice looking like a commoner or somebody else more uninteresting]] would be easier. After all, if you're caught doing something suspicious as a commoner, you can probably [[AssPull pull a satisfactory explanation out of your ass]] or blend into a crowd if a chase starts. If you're caught wearing stereotypical ninja garb while doing something suspicious, the enemy isn't going to wait for an explanation.

** Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow were still luckier than the other "Ninja Force" characters, as shown [[http://gamer04.fateback.com/ninjaforce.html here]]. Yes, that's a ''ninja'' wearing lavender and bright blue... Scarlet doesn't even bother dressing like a "highly visible" one.

** Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow were still luckier than the other "Ninja Force" characters, as shown [[http://gamer04.fateback.com/ninjaforce.html here]]. Yes, that's a ''ninja'' wearing lavender and bright blue...

* The ''MortalKombat'' series has only one ninja, Scorpion. In the early 2D games when all the "ninjas" were simply [[PaletteSwap palette swaps]] of each other this was easier a mistake to make. Sub-Zero is an assassin of the Chinese Lin Kuei and as such takes offense to being labeled ninja in ''VideoGame/MortalKombatMythologiesSubZero''. The cyborgs Cyrax, Smoke and Sektor are all also Lin Kuei. All of them are highly visible though, having brightly colored costumes. Others are not native to Earth at all (and in some cases, like Mileena, are [[HumanoidAbomination Humanoid Abominations]]; in fact, in the case of the females, their clothing becomes [[{{Stripperific}} less and less ninja-like]] as the franchise progresses. These "ninja clones" have since [[DivergentCharacterEvolution evolved]] into increasingly diverse, but no less visible, looks after the series went 3D. Amusingly despite being the only real ninja Scorpion is also the most visible of all these warriors wearing a bright yellow outfit, and occasionally being ''on fire''. In early installments Scorpion's bright yellow outfit was justified as Scorpion wearing a Lin Kuei outfit and mocking their cowardice with its yellow color, but this seems to have fallen by the wayside in later games.

* The ''MortalKombat'' series has only one ninja, Scorpion. In the early 2D games when all the "ninjas" were simply [[PaletteSwap palette swaps]] of each other this was easier a mistake to make. Sub-Zero is an assassin of the Chinese Lin Kuei and as such takes offense to being labeled ninja in ''VideoGame/MortalKombatMythologiesSubZero''. The cyborgs Cyrax, Smoke and Sektor are all also Lin Kuei. All of them are highly visible though, having brightly colored costumes. Others are not native to Earth at all (and in some cases, like Mileena, are [[HumanoidAbomination Humanoid Abominations]]; in fact, in the case of the females, their clothing becomes [[{{Stripperific}} less and less ninja-like]] as the franchise progresses.]] These "ninja clones" have since [[DivergentCharacterEvolution evolved]] into increasingly diverse, but no less visible, looks after the series went 3D. Amusingly despite being the only real ninja Scorpion is also the most visible of all these warriors wearing a bright yellow outfit, and occasionally being ''on fire''. In early installments Scorpion's bright yellow outfit was justified as Scorpion wearing a Lin Kuei outfit and mocking their cowardice with its yellow color, but this seems to have fallen by the wayside in later games.

* The ''MortalKombat'' series has only one ninja, Scorpion. In the early 2D games when all the "ninjas" were simply [[PaletteSwap palette swaps]] of each other this was easier a mistake to make. Sub-Zero is an assassin of the Chinese Lin Kuei and as such takes offense to being labeled ninja in ''VideoGame/MortalKombatMythologiesSubZero''. The cyborgs Cyrax, Smoke and Sektor are all also Lin Kuei. All of them are highly visible though, having brightly colored costumes. These "ninja clones" have since [[DivergentCharacterEvolution evolved]] into increasingly diverse, but no less visible, looks after the series went 3D. Amusingly despite being the only real ninja Scorpion is also the most visible of all these warriors wearing a bright yellow outfit, and occasionally being ''on fire''. In early installments Scorpion's bright yellow outfit was justified as Scorpion wearing a Lin Kuei outfit and mocking their cowardice with its yellow color, but this seems to have fallen by the wayside in later games.