Foot Clan Hierarchy
 

The Foot Clan in the IDW series is probably my favourite depiction of this ninja group in the whole of the TMNT series (like many other things if I may add).

I was wondering how we could categorize the different hierarchies within the clan (during Oroku Saki's reign). This is my take from what we have seen so far:

The Deshi (beginner level ninja)
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...88/genin-1.jpg

Fresh recruits enrolled in the Academy and are trained primarily by a ninja sensei. Not deemed battle-ready, they are officially non-ranked, and only a select few make it to the next level, which brings us to...

The Genin (low level ninja)
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...1468732901.jpg

The common Foot soldier. Dependable for stealth, patrolling and reconnaissance missions, they vary in size and gender.
The more seasoned Genins act as team leaders for small sized platoons. Their weapons of choice vary but the most common one in use is the ninjato.

The Assassins (mid level ninja)
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...68733177_1.jpg

These ninja are purely dedicated to the art of assassination. They are skilled trackers with incredible speed and resilience. And unlike the rest of the ninja ranks, their weapon of choice is limited to one, in the form of long razor-sharp claws.

The Elite (high level ninja)
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...1468661602.jpg

These tengu-masked shinobi are much fewer in number and usually play the role of platoon leaders of the Genin during high class missions. They are assumed to be of the highest calibre in the ranks of the Foot and also act as The Shredder's personal bodyguards (usually those wearing the conical hat).

The Mutants (powerhouses)
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...1468732901.jpg

They would rank somewhere around the elite level of warriors in the Foot clan and thus can be given platoon leadership roles. Koya (hawk) is a master tracker who literally preys on her foes no matter what size they are and Bludgeon (shark) is a brawler type who wields an axe. They both represent air and sea tactical advantage whilst Bebop (boar) and Rocksteady (rhino) represent a massive threat on land as they rely on their amazing physical attributes.

The Mystic (councilor, assistant)
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...88/kitsune.jpg

Kitsune is a shape shifting witch and The Shredder's trusted adviser. Her level of knowledge and mastery in ninjutsu are unknown.

The Chunin (deputy leader)
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...e88/karai2.jpg

This deadly elite kunoichi known as Karai likes to wield the bow and arrow. She is The Shredder's Second in command. Her beauty may be the only thing on par with her tremendous skill. *love-in mode activated*

The Jonin (leader, head of the clan)
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z.../shredder3.jpg

Oroku Saki, AKA The Shredder. 'Nuff said.

What do you all think about this categorization of the Foot clan? Do you agree or disagree with some things I said? Please add your opinions.

Disclaimer: Don't be confused with my ranking system which is based on the Naruto system; I know that in the IDW version, a "chunin" (cue Dark Leo) is apparently considered to be the right hand man of the top boss.

In order to avoid confusion with the ranking terms, in particular regarding the status of the chunin, I have renamed the positions of the Foot shinobi. I took inspiration from the following source: http://konigunninjutsu.com/rankhistory.html

But chunnin means 2nd in command...

Hello Tazi. Please refer to my disclaimer.

Uh you can't really call the lowest ranking cannon fodder "chunin" if it's been established that it's the 2nd in command and highest ranking honor in this series.

Chūnin (中忍; Literally meaning "Middle Ninja") - middle thus intermediate class warrior.
Jōnin (上忍; Literally meaning "High Ninja") - high thus elite/superior class warrior.
These are coined terms popularized by Kishimoto (Naruto) to categorize different ninja ranks. I chose to follow this system.

Edit:
For those who prefer the use of different rank names than the ones I based of of Naruto's ranking system, the terms in brackets are supposed to be synonyms that characterize the class of ninja.

It makes sense. Its nice that someone organized this into a thread.

Thanks corvus. Would you like to point something out that I may have missed or misinterpreted? Some of the things I wrote are mainly my own extrapolation of what may or may not be (i.e. special chunin, jonin).

Sorry, I missed the disclaimer. I have a strong hatred for Naruto, and no intention for being offensive, so I won't comment on that, just saying that it's might not be the best source in this case. ;)

Here's wot I think about the classes:

Genin: These guys:
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...8/spchunin.jpg
The one with lenses being the lower rank, and the one with hoodie being the upper rank.
Foot Assasins also considers as genin.
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z.../assassins.jpg
Alopex, Koya & Karai are on the top level of genins. Karai was a Jonin at a time (before Shredder), then a Chunin, then her rank was taken away from and given to Dark Leo instead. At the end of CityFall she is a chunin again.
Koya is an interesting case. She lead the Foot Assasins, so she was definitely a 'middle-man', hm... dunno.
Alopex had the chance to became a Chunin but she turned against Shredder instead.

The Jonin is Shredder.

This guy:
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...ze88/jonin.jpg
He delivered an invitation. I thought his clothes were some kind of formal wear, and doesn't represent any rank. He is a genin.


Hun, Purple Dragons, Rocksteady, Bebop, the italian maffia, and other street thugs are not Foot Clan, they're not ninjas, but they work closely with the Foot.


What I wonder is if we gonna get Foot Elites in IDW at some point. The assasins are kinda taking the same role as ninjas with more advanced skills, but not quiet the same still, since Foot/Shredder Elite members were also his assistant, and his generals, aka. chunin. I guess we don't have Foot Elite cuz storyline-wise Karai, Alopex and Koya took their role, just as Kitsune took the role of the Foot Mystics.
What do you guys think about that? Will we ever see Elites or Mystics in IDW?

Thanks for your contribution, Tazi!
Here are my remarks:

Apology accepted, no worries. :)

I really like your suggestions here, especially regarding the lower ranked Foot soldiers. I will incorporate some of your suggestions in the OP. For instance, I agree that the common Foot ninja should be considered a genin, and the Academy students should not be given a ninja rank.

But I beg to differ regarding the red cloaked shinobi. They cannot be given the same rank as the common ninja. They clearly represent a different class even if color code and different masks are the only things to go by at this stage.
Furthermore, the Shredder cannot be a lone jonin. In a ninja system, there should be more than 1 or 2 jonins in case the current Head gets killed and thus replaced. I believe the Foot have very capable shinobi that are almost as skilled as Karai and who would be worthy successors (to an extent of course, because following the Shredder will always be a tough act).


I reckon Rocksteady and Bebop are part of the Foot Clan (as even indicated in their micro-series) given that Karai directly recruited them from the Academy owned by the Shredder.

I am willing to bet that the red cloaked ninja will act as the "Foot Elite" in this series. Kitsune is definitely a Mystic. Wonder if she has any martial arts skills... That would be interesting!

I know what you're saying about the titles and I won't complain. I'll point out that foot of the third rank speak and those below do not, if I remember right.

Those of the Genin rank speak as well. See pic below:

http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/z...les022-009.jpg

中忍 translates as "Ninja Commander" but yeah, if you want to go literally, it is 'middle ninja' which is NOT what they are using in this series.

Can you propose an alternative for the ranking terms?

Edit:
In order to avoid confusion with the ranking terms, in particular regarding the status of the chunin, I have renamed the positions of the Foot shinobi in the OP. Please feel free to comment.

I don't think there's enough info to "rank" them. Like the Foot Soldiers seem to be the all black red eyes. Then the Foot Ninjas are the ones with hoodies. Then there's the assassins that are obvious and I don't think the mutants have an actual rank except maybe they do, because of Alopex. Then the Chunin and Jonin stuff and even with that, Hamato and Oroku's rank weren't said in ancient Japan.

I agree with Enscripture.

In the Secret History of the Foot Clan micro series, Hamato Yoshi and Oroku Saki were promoted to chunin level. They were the only 2. So I assume that the level they had previously was what I am calling "Elite Kagebushi" in this thread.

Of course this is mainly my opinion as the writers of the story are yet to confirm official ranks (hope they do in the near future). But the point of this thread is to speculate and I reckon that in 35 main issues and several micro-series that some info has been given to us on the Foot clan to enable at least have an idea of their internal ranking system.

If anything, I hope someone from IDW sees this thread and knows that we're interested in knowing the ranks.

It would even be neat to see a story done on a person rising through the ranks of the foot. Show that they've fought against the turtles in each step of their training to becoming a feared enemy. While generally it should take years to go from bottom to top, the constant defeats could fuel his ambition to be better and hone his technique allowing him to rise quickly.

That he does. But sseriously. Karai needs to stop looking so much like my ex-girlfriend. I'm gonna take this up with Santolouco.

Agreed. Hopefully Mr. Waltz has spotted this thread and is already whipping up a lil surprise for his fans. *wink wink @ you Tom*


Your ex-gf must have been quite the looker then. Pity you couldn't keep her. I have a love-in with Karai (Santolouco styled mostly, but even in a few other styles such as Smith's in the Karai micro-series).

Just got proof from Bobby Curnow that the Shredder does have a Foot Elite and they look like the one I posted in the OP of this thread. See image below (extract taken from the latest comic release):

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psf00f79b9.jpg

What I wonder is if they're the IDW version of Shredder elite (aka. generals in foot clan), or they're the personal bodyguards of Shredder.
It just seems wierd that Shredder never used them in a battle.

I enjoyed this topic. I wish IDW could get some figures made for their different Foot Ninjas.

I reckon they are a bit of both: bodyguards and the highest ranked shinobi aside the chunin. I am certain Tom Waltz and co will give them more than cameo appearance in a few issues from now.

Yeah, totally! Loving the elites' designs.

So, TMNT#37 Ninja Notes confirms this one, and the ones in the flashbacks of #5 with the oni masks as the elite guard

I updated the original post with new info.
I am not sure if I should include Hun in this list. He works for the Shredder but indirectly, because he is still the leader of an other organization, the Purple Dragons.
Let me know what you think.

I think many of us suspect...

Kitsune is not the leader of the Foot clan in practice either. Her plans extend far beyond that ninja organization. She is mystical, just like the Ratking.
I understand that the Shredder is Kitsune's puppet but to say he isn't in practice the leader of the Foot clan would be quite the stretch.

Hmm, about the Elite... nice hats!

:lol: Love that line!!!!

The Elites from 2k3 are my favorite design of any foot ninja in TMNT.

Awesome thread by the way. Great and accurate description.

This is a great compilation of information, I think you're spot on with your assumptions. I think it would be cool to see a mini-series from the Foot Clan's point of view, see some of their inner workings and all that

First, and foremost, nice list! It works really well for TMNT!

Now, onto a more serious matter.


Just wanted to throw this out there: Konigun Ninjutsu is (was?) a fraudulent Ninjutsu school that was created and ran by the late Bryce Dallas. Dallas had no formal training in any traditional Japanese martial arts (let alone any containing any Ninjutsu techniques), his explanations of Japanese history were lies, and he stole his title (Shidoshi) from the Bujinkan's ranking system.

He was also "a twice-convicted felon (once for counterfeiting, and once for burglary) and lifelong serial criminal. According to many former members, Mr. Dallas used many tactics of manipulation and intimidation, and engaged in acts of mental, emotional and physical abuse." (Source: CultEducation.com)

Longtime member George Jay Green assumed leadership after Dallas died in 2010.

All that having been said, the Foot ranking structure in the opening post isn't a bad one for a comic book Ninja clan. The source that you pulled from probably got his information from pop culture so it works! Just note that the source in the first post shouldn't be trusted for anything other than complete fiction.

This chart has inspired me to do a version with the Nick series Foot. Obviously, Nick's version is more tight-knit and reliant on individual specialists and outside cooperation.

Sorry for the necroposting, but has Splinter changed his Elite Foot Guards?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A9yVSpLdUQ...s640/tmnt3.png

I won't apologize for necroposting this thread. :D
I believe it remains relevant even now. I made minor updates on the OP.

But to answer your question, Raptor86, I don't think it is as much a "change" of Elite Foot Guards as it is the depiction variations depending on the artists. Some of the arts draw the Elites and ordinary Foot soldiers differently. Minor differences but still noticeable for purists.

I'm talking about their apperance not the personnel proper as it is possible Splinter could have hand picked different men for the same position.

Just wondering, have we ever seen female low level foot ninja in the IDW series? So, no assassins or elite (like Yumiko).

But if Shredder is Jonin, who is Asekage?