Pirate Attack (Pirates +1)

There's not really anything funny about this story, but it does hint at pirate supriority in reference to the Eternal Battle.  Don't see many stories about ninjas these days, which either means they're all but extinct or they're doing their job really well.

"Pirate attacks worldwide have surged this year and Africa remains the world's top piracy hotspot, with 24 reported attacks in Somalia and 18 in Nigeria this year, according to the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting center."

Scoreboard:

Ninjas: 1

Pirates: 1

The Eternal Battle Part IV: Pirates vs Ninjas

I think today we'll wrap up this series with a few observations and hypotheticals.

Something I've been thinking about are the ways in which pirates and ninjas are similar, specifically in terms of the virtues that they hold in high (or low) regard and their "code of ethics" if you will. First off, courage is overrated. Sure, a pirate won't shy away from a fight and a ninja won't balk at a difficult mission. However, when success is doubtful and capture or death is probable, there's nothing wrong with turning tail or playing dirty. Cheap tricks are standard operating procedure. Second, neither faction is bound by cumbersome ideals like "honor" or "justice." You want to kill someone? Kill'em and be done with it. Someone may ask if they deserved to be killed. Well, if you piss of a pirate or a ninja, you have a killing coming your way. Scruples are for the weak!

I've also been puzzling over how difficult it would be to simulate an actual pirate v ninja battle. There are so many factors to consider!

• Does one combatant have the element of surprise?



• What's the locale?



• Are both parties allowed to prepare beforehand?



• Are there any weapons limitations?
  


• How dismembered is the pirate? (eye patch, wooden leg, hook-hand, all of the above)

Anyhow, I'm afraid this determination is beyond me. Still, I present to you some hypothetical battles, which I thought would be very interesting to watch.

Ryu Hayabusa

vs.

Cervantes de Leon

Here are the vital stats:

Name: Ryu Hayabusa
Faction: Ninja
Strengths: Wise beyond his years, master of Hayabusa ninjitsu, wielder of the Dragon Sword,
can apparently blow up helicopters with shuriken
Weaknesses: Uhhh...oops. Forgot something, Tecmo?


Name: Cervantes de Leon
Faction: Pirate
Strengths: Wielder of the Soul Edge (or alternatively a pistol sword!), has a ghost ship, no longer ages
Weaknesses: Has no soul?

This one is the battle of the titans, in my mind. I tried to think of the most BA represenative of each side. Hey who knows - with all the video game crossovers recently, maybe someday we'll see DOA vs Soul Caliber?

A number of other characters came to mind, but it was too difficult to match them up considering the various media of their portrayal. I'll present them, though, for your consideration:

Ninjas: Shadow (FFVI), Snake-Eyes (GI Joe), Storm Shadow (GI Joe), Azumi (Japanese movie)
Pirates: Dread Pirate Roberts (Princess Bride), Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean), Blackbeard

And so I wrap up my discussion of pirates and ninjas (for now). Please notice the poll that's up on the right hand side of the page. I'll report on it next week if the results are significant enough.

'Til then.

The Eternal Battle Part II: Pirates vs Ninjas

Yesterday we were exploring the first important determinant of dominance between pirates and ninjas - combat ability. I was learning more towards pirates on that one, but will refrain from blanket statements as there are too many variables. Today I thought we'd have a look at the second most important consideration to be made: style.

Ninjas certainly seem to have the edge on this one. They're sleek, graceful, and dark. Although they are the archetype for the ultimate Emo fighter, they still have an undeniable appeal. What looks cooler than a ninja flipping around, scaling walls, blending into the shadows, and then taking out a target? Few things. There's also the ninja's signature weapon of choice: the sword. Ninjas used small, cheap blades, often confused with their cousin, the katana (used by warriors and samurai), which were meant primarily for stabbing as opposed to slicing. Most importantly, they're cool-looking. Ninjas also employed an arsenal of other sweet and deadly weapons, including the tanto, shuriken, kama, and bow and arrow. I should also note that there were female ninjas, as well. Yay equal opportunities for killing!

Annnnd pirates. Let's see...smelly, dirty, probably STD-ridden scoundrels.

Honestly, the puffy shirts don't really do them justice. However, the bandanas and leather vests/boots/belts I can get on board with. Yarr! The big wooden pistols are kinda fun, as well. Then there are the pirate's swords of choice: the cutlass and scimitar. As opposed to the ninja's stabby blades, these swords were meant for slashing, making for some excellent swashbuckling! And of course pirates had an excellent selection of other weapons to use, as well. What pirates lack in grace, they make up for in, uh...ruthlessness? I must also admit, while ninjas can cover up an ugly mug with a mask, pirates just bear it for all the world to see. Does self-confidence count for style?

Hard choice to make, but I think ninjas may have more "style." But then, those who align themselves with pirates don't really care about petty things like image, now do they? Yarr!

'Til next time.

The Eternal Battle Part I: Pirates vs Ninjas

Ah yes, the ongoing struggle of awesomeness: Pirates vs Ninjas. Will a victor ever emerge? Probably not, but that's not a good enough reason not to take sides or speculate. The debate was brought to the forefront several years ago on the internet, although the exact source or sources of the initial conflict are unknown. There is little to no official canon to refer to, but there are many websites where the battle still rages. And there's also a pretty kick-ass movie.

There are many questions one must ask oneself before choosing a side. One of them is not: can't pirates and ninjas team up? If that were to happen, the universe as we know it would implode as two of the deadliest, coolest powers in all of existence were joined together. No, theirs' are two opposing fates - they are destined to fight until only one side remains. Much like Highlander, there can only be one. But that's for the best. If they're busy fighting each other, there's less time for pirates and ninjas to plunder and pillage, spy and assassinate, respectively. Really it's good for everyone.

Now, the first and (hopefully) most obvious consideration to be made is fighting ability. According to the movie, they're pretty evenly matched. Both are usually adept at swordplay and hand-to-hand combat. Pirates can brawl with the best of 'em and ninjas are martial arists. While there are exceptions, pirates are generally more brawny and heartily built and ninjas are smaller and more agile.

One flaw I would like to point out in the short film is that pirates can and would use pistols, as well. It's not a question of honor or compunction - they just would. Likewise, ninjas were usually at least amateur chemists and could assemble primitive smoke bombs and the like. Their darts and shuriken would certainly be employed, as well.

I think I will leave this one open to further debate, as it's not clear-cut. However, I tend to think that without the element of surprise (a ninja's greatest advantage) the pirate would have a huge edge. Perhaps this is why rules and circumstances would need to be in place for such a duel, and why this struggle may ultimately never be resolved. Despite what the video games and movies may have you believe, ninjas were meant to kill without engaging in combat. The majority of their skills and training were focused on infiltration and killing without being detected, and therefore without actually fighting anyone. Pirates, on the other hand, lived and died by steel and flint. They had to be ready to fight at any time. Even while drunk, you might ask? Especially while drunk.


So while I would award Part I, fighting ability, to pirates, I will leave the matter for each to consider in one's own heart of hearts. For now, I will leave it at that.


'Til later then.