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Discussion: Fleshing out the Kinkou Ninjas

NeoJusteBelmont·11/22/2014, 11:23:55 PM·14 votes·1,923 views

Much like that other Pantheon thread, I think it's worth noting that there is a group that could use some fleshing out story-wise.

The Kinkou Order ninjas.

At least in we get his feels and drive to be the best that sets him to the dark side. The three above said nothing about their personality, it's mostly about "We are stoic and we must fulfill our mission. Balancebalancebalancebalance." I get that Shen's backstory and training required him to do so, but it's like there's no development once Zed enters the picture, even if he's the one mostly affected. If he was supposed to be the type of 'Mysterious Protector', his quotes also didn't show much, it's mostly about BALANCE and HONOR.

Akali is at least a bit better, but not by much. Her lore just explains how she came to attain her title Fist of Shadow, and that's it. Nothing else. She only sticks out a little because she is dedicated on killing Zed, mostly out of the fact that he's a serious balance disruptor, but there were subtle hints that there's more about it (such as her title, or statements that Zed finds her disappointing for wasting her talents in Kinkou), but again, that didn't show in-game or in-lore.

Kennen is probably the worst offender in this. Yeah, I know he was supposed to be a ninja enforcing balance, but it's said that his personality is extremely jumpy and full of energy. And yet his quotes exudes stoicism for the most part. So is he a stoic yordle ninja or a hyperactive yordle ninja? Heck, if he would emulate Naruto, even if it's unoriginal, I think it'd make him stick out more.

Bottom line, I can see that amongst ninjas, Zed is going to be the fan favorite, because his story and personality is more fleshed out, whereas the Kinkou, not so much, seeing that they are like relics of the old type of League champions, much like Pantheon (added to fill in the niche, Stoic Badass Ninja for Shen (kudos for making him tanky), Non-human Jutsu Ninja for Kennen, Stealthy Assassination Kunoichi for Akali).

I know they're probably FAR from being updated, but let this be a food for thought for awhile.

14 Comments

GenoXx11/23/2014, 4:11:55 AM5 votes

I can see a new ninja coming out. However, I think Ionia Period needs more fleshing out. I mean, we know their history with Noxus. But We really dont know what goes down in Ionia like we do in Noxus Demacia and Freljord.

So Far, We know they have Elders, instead of Kings or Generals. We know that Syndra floats over the Island in her Fortress. And I dont think many knows about what happened at either the Kinku Order or The Celetial Fortress.

The Major points of Ionia that we know so far is its History with Noxus. Like every champ except for Syndra and the Ninja's lore mentions Noxus. How about we have a New ninja that used to be in Zed's clan(Not Akali) who is on a mission to put a stop to Zed's Teachings? Similar mission of Kennen, Shen's, and Akali's, But He could give some more info about it.

Like Sasuke Fighting Madara. The Naruto reference isnt bad lol. Here i am rambling again

Anyway, Not just the ninja's, but Ionia as a whole.

Zephyrei11/25/2014, 5:51:22 AM3 votes

Akali Kennen Shen NINJAS VS PIRATES Gangplank MissFortune

...this is the event that needs to happen! <3

GreenLore11/23/2014, 1:05:54 AM2 votes

Overall I am curious at which direction they will take the ninjas. I mean from what I've read,then akali is the one who wants to punish zed for what he has done,kennen would try to redeem him and shen is the one in between and thats about it.

So yeah their characters need to be fleshed out a bit,for example I could see shen going into the direction of being rather emotionless,I mean he was more or less trained to be like that(and it could be explored how he surpresses his emotions).

However I am also curious about what will be done with their abilities and general archetypes,I mean in the early days riot was more or less just making champs without that much thought about diversity,but nowadays they try to give every champ one or even several unique archetypes that no other champs has(Kalista is a vengeful ghost,Azir is an emporer/sand-mage/ra-guy,Gnar is a caveman/hulk-guy,etc.),so it seems rather odd to have basically 3 characters who are all defined by being ninjas(especially if there is a 4th ninja too,but granted Zed gets more defined by being the master of shadows and being a shredder-like-ninja).

In terms of abilities I think that Kennen is the most unique as he is basically THE electro champ in the game(no other champ specialises in electricity),so I could see riot playing that part of him a bit up. Shen and akali are probably a bit harder,especially if they don't want to actually change their kits. I mean ok you could argue that regular ninja and kunoichi are 2 different things,but that is stretching it a bit.

Placentas11/24/2014, 8:06:25 PM2 votes

I would love to see the ninjas revisited and I don't play a single on of them. I think there's a lot of awesome creative potential with their back stories, how they became qualified to become part of the Kinkou and where the Kinkou is going next.

OuttaControl5611/24/2014, 1:05:20 AM2 votes

I think there warrants some fleshing out with these characters. There is so much more to them than one would expect.

While the entire team is rigidly disciplined, Akali and Kennen are much more emotional than Shen is, who let himself get blinded and tormented without uttering a peep. The inclusion of their personalities into the lore and how they manage to maintain such professionalism would be an interesting addition.

Not much else needs to occur in Ionia AT THE MOMENT. Lots of stuff has occurred there as of late.

AquariusGine11/23/2014, 9:23:33 AM2 votes

What if Shen had a crush on Zed.. when they were younger.

Shen was the superior Ninja according to the master, but he always had feelings for Zed.

He couldn't express his feelings because his master was constantly criticizng Zed and using him as a role model.

And now he's conflicted because Zed murdered his father. He doesn't know whether he wants to avenge his father, or help Zed see the light.

http://th02.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2014/136/2/b/zed_and_shen_wallpaper_by_toemass202-d7ijxzu.png

Zephyrei2/19/2015, 6:21:30 PM1 votes

Since the Noxus vs Ionia event has unfortunately been reconned...

And I am totally down with two more pirate champs.

(Personal note, is it just me, or shouldn't Gragas Gragas have some ties to pirates?)

Technically, Graves Graves and Fizz Fizz are from Bilgewater. Reboot them to be a bit more pirate-y and BOOM! Can you imagine?! :P