What is a MALL NINJA?

[@FilmFlam-8008]

Mall ninjas are a myth created by mall ninjas to keep their assassinations secret in modern public.

[@jeffmaesar]

Ninjas don't exist,it s a fairy tale.

[@robertpatter5509]

It's Gecko45 on the forums. It really is that. He started the Mall Ninja

[@seradhe1389]

This reawakened memories. I remember being 15 and feeling so cool owning a 'real' ninjato that had hidden push daggers and the tsuba detached to become a throwing star.

[@galactigo4463]

That unironically sounds awesome tho Especially if it was forged and not just a stainless wallhanger

[@thefakeslimshady8881]

To these people finding out that ninjas were generally in normal clothes is like learning the truth about santa clause

[@lonelystrategos]

Poor Santa... still can't believe the Chinese military shot him down for violating their airspace.

[@MultiSpeedMetal]

It's like learning that Vikings didn't look like Conan the barbarian, mostly wore basic tunics, and were all like 5’7”. Medieval battles don't look like lotr either.

[@thefakeslimshady8881]

@@MultiSpeedMetal the only army I can think of who actually lives up the the historical hype is the Romans

[@lingtongable]

I used to be a mall ninja like everyone else. But then I took a Shad to the knee.

[@Maninawig]

🍺 ah, you went through your right of passage

[@Grandwigg]

BEAUTIFUL response.

[@YouTube.Is.Run.By.Terrorists]

You see those warriors from Hammerfell? They've got curved Shads... *curved* shads...

[@Falmosta]

This video was shad just secretly roasting his entire fanbase, and I'm here for it

[@Zanzoltan]

This is funny. Mall ninja, I knew about this, but not to the point that you studied it... Just like I studied the blade! *Teleports behind you* "Sorry Shad, nothing personal".

[@General_Kenobi_212]

"Sensei, forgive me, but I must go all out, just this once" 😂

[@Hot_Dice]

Ah yes, but you have forgotten the true lesson, the one forged upon the path and learned only by the power of friendship.

[@Benredcat]

I was, a mall ninja. Almost all of us, weapons entusiats, were mall ninjas in te begining... And all of you know it.

[@hashkangaroo]

The hallmark of mall ninja videos is starting it off with tuneless doodling on a Japanese woodwind.

[@Aczie042]

Bro, not the headband.😂

[@samuelteare8160]

The first step is admitting you have a problem.

[@johnedgar7956]

Hail Shad! I love your "mall ninja" theory. We have lots of those here in the USA. You have very much hit this on the nail. 😀

[@galactigo4463]

We not only just have lots of them we practically invented them 😂

[@lonelystrategos]

And then there's the Mall Operators who put all sorts of attachments on their cheap AR.

[@Manco65]

​@@lonelystrategosto include headlights coffee grinder glass breaking wire cutter bayonet that changes into a ninja sword.

[@galactigo4463]

@@Manco65 and in some cases an actual freaking chainsaw

[@tjrooger1092]

Very educational. I didn't know it was related to 'mall cop'. I thought it was just the cheap weapons you would find in a mall kiosk

[@robertsmith4681]

It is, the whole thing started with cops and military personnel sneering at kids doing "mall security" and doing make believe "police work" with all sorts of random crap hanging off their bodies.

[@DreamBigBuildSmall]

Are you a BIG sword enthusiast or a BIG SWORD enthusiast? Great video, Shad. I think we were all a mall ninja at some point.

[@haggy5444]

I really respect what I see from your work, I hope you get to build your castles.

[@Grandwigg]

I, too, bear the scars from my time as a mall ninja (at least one literal scar). I also still have some of my acquisitions from that time stored in a place of warning and memory.

[@howardosden3112]

I once worked as mall security. I was armed with a sports coat, a set of keys, and a two-way radio. For another company, I was provided with a night stick. I never did perfect the club flip that an NYC cop can do. 😂

[@PuppetMaster1791]

Without proper guidance, most blade enthusiasts start in the "mall ninja" phase but once their knowledge and finances grow the move past it.

[@robertsmith4681]

Mall Ninjas are the original cosplayers...

[@ashhawk7489]

I have walked the path of the sword enthusiasts, and I also began my journey in the realm of the mall ninja

[@BradleyPhillipsYT]

I'd love to see a follow-up video discussing the historical differences between the Mall Ninja and the Weeaboo.

[@CreepyMF]

*Looks over shoulder to wall hanger sword* yes i have a constant reminder of those days.

[@erumaaro6060]

I have to confess, my intereset in blades started with the dark elf swords and other "things" from "Sacred" the 2004 RPG.

[@EpicJasonX9000]

Now I want to see an 80’s style Chopping Mall Vs Mall Ninja movie. XD

[@lukkaredwolf3534]

Any chance we can get a "mall ninja" weapon redemption video where Tyranth gets a couple of mall ninja weapons and has to redeem them into semi-functional weapons?

[@RevanR]

Wait, I thought Mall Ninja is shopping center for Ninja?!

[@earnestbrown6524]

No that would be a Ninja Mall.

[@moonlitegram]

'The path to HEMA nerdvana runs through the valley of the mall ninja' - Sun Tzu probably

[@EpicJasonX9000]

Oz’s mannerisms sounds a lot like Fringy! XD

[@aleksamrkela831]

Good to hear Oz's voice again!

[@knightingale9833]

When you said "I'm a mall ninja but I'm missing something" I thought yeah, about 200 pounds 😂

[@moops-x2u]

Im a sucker for mall ninja axes ngl but only the "throwing kind"

[@froxcom]

Thanks to you I skipped the Mall Ninja phase

[@Zylo1111]

We were all mall ninja once, some upgraded to mall samurai... and the final level, mall cop.

[@robertpatter5509]

I never went down that path. I just went to the nearest Army recruiter and said " Give me combat and hot sand".. Which was granted although my ASVAB score was pretty high ( military IQ and Skills test) They were surprised I still wanted Infantry when I had other options. I told them " Iron when tempered becomes steel. So is a man's journey and test of resolve. One must slay their own dragon."

[@GuidoMosquito]

The intro to this video was quite good! It got me hooked very well!! Great video guys!!!

[@CamdenZeiler-np2ih]

A smaller knife in the sheath Is historical not for katanas, but some Machetes traditionally do have smaller knives

[@greenhollyknight4846]

I have moved past the mall ninja stage. I just don't have the money to buy real weapons.

[@YouTube.Is.Run.By.Terrorists]

I was under the impression they were called "mall ninjas" because there was a time not too long ago when you could walk into just about any mall and there was at least one shop selling low quality blades with way too many points and serrations. Shad teaches me something new every day. 😂

[@skepticalbadger]

Partly. It comes from posts by Gecko45.

[@konstellashon1364]

​@@skepticalbadger I vaguely recall seeing a copy of the original Gecko45 thread. His insistence was hilarious and amazing.

[@jierdareisa4313]

I love ALL THE SHADLANDS videos!!!! ❤

[@tinyjamaican]

Hahahaha I love your mall ninja segment!!

[@Giosuke_Giogashikata]

I am on the lesser end of Mall Ninja, and it’s thanks to the work of Shad and the crew. I’m not trained in any disciplines, but I’m fairly certain I could carry myself in a fight based things I’ve overheard actual professionals say, Shad being among them. The biggest showing of my mall ninja side is that I think that the whip can still be used as a good weapon. There’s caveats and more explanation required, but the main spirit of the ordeal is very mall ninja of me.

[@galactigo4463]

A whip can be very powerful in the right hands but in a serious fight against modern weapons I think it would have trouble because the whip isn’t designed to kill. (Or at least most of them aren’t)

[@thorsteinnorman7133]

I, sadly, never passed through the halls of Maul Nin-jua, as I always went for things like hunting knives, filet knives, etc. The most Mall Ninja item I have is a key chain shaped like the sword used by knight Artorias from Dark Souls, and it's just meant to be a key chain/letter opener.

[@Sgt_SealCluber]

Never a true Mall Ninja myself, though I did buy one or two Mall Ninja swords when I was in high school. I actually have one of the swords in that medieval Drake meme (third from the right). Being in the US, once you're old enough to have guns the Mall Ninja stuff loses some of it's appeal.😁

[@josevel27]

YOU GOTTA MOVE!

[@birdymcpig]

I'm a medieval enthusiast myself. I fell for certain misconceptions as much as anybody but I didn't really have a mall ninja phase. I didn't buy swords, I made my own out of wood. They were based off my biggest early influence: the LOTR movies and their companion book LOTR weapons and warfare. They have a few fantasy inspired elements of course but they're outstandingly well grounded for a piece of entertainment media. The first exposure to the truth that I can remember is the old Shadiversity realism review of LOTR castles. I've been following you for six wonderful years, here's to another six and hopefully many more besides!

[@jeffmaesar]

Yes! More mall ninjas !

[@Watch_over_us]

The shadlands videos are coming through for me. I'm getting proper notified. Just thought you should know

[@ethanknight3970]

I skipped the mall ninja step straight to weapons enthusiast, cause I wanted actual tools.

[@Squirrelbslayer]

I thought they were called mall ninjas because they got their weapons from a cheap storefront in the mall.

[@konstellashon1364]

It goes back to a forum thread in the early Internet days. A user named Gecko45 was on a gun site spouting nonsense. He claimed to be a security guard and was training in Ninjitsu. Even when people corrected him about gun laws and weapon reviews, he acted like he knew better.

[@billstephens396]

Shad... I want to become a mall ninja... Let me! Please! LOL

[@badgerpa9]

Usually prefer firearms but that sword looked nice. No more malls around here but if that sword comes with it I could find a mall, lol.

[@htkbassplayer6389]

Mall ninja videos are my favorite

[@enforcer0175]

Yup. I passed through the Mall Ninja phase in the 90s. I still have most of my mall ninja stuff. They just... don't ever get touched anymore. Back then it was a lot harder to get information about swords, and what was good. It wasn't until I got a proper sword that I reached enlightenment. Its probably easier to avoid the mall ninja phase now because of the internet and so many more vendors selling functional swords, but I'm sure a lot of people still experience it. I'm glad I went through the phase though because its fun to laugh about now, and it gives me a greater appreciation of something thats properly made.

[@TheStrykerProject]

I was 100% a Mall Ninja. I had a full ninja outfit (a pretty decent one, actually), and a cheap (read 'crappy') replica katana (it was a gift from my dad when I was about 12), and big, shiny, chrome shurikens that usually didn't stick into the plywood targets I set up. I did make it to green belt by my junior year in high school, from the Budokan karate school I joined when I was in 8th grade. Yep, full Mall Ninja, until I decided to become a Rock Star, instead.

[@Roland3ld]

Cheers for the video, here is some full engagement.

[@ClovisChitwood]

just pouring one out for the immortal Gecko45

[@skepticalbadger]

Finally - someone else who knows this. Surprised someone would make a whole video on this term without bothering to do a minute's research online.

[@Shadx27]

Mall weapons. Good for decorations. Good that if during zombie out break and you have people you don't like but need to appease by giving weapons.

[@bwielgus]

Is this an experiment on the algorithm as I remember this from shadiversity years ago? Still very good :)

[@TheHornedKing]

I have never been one. I only had toy swords for children...

[@elYisusdelaNazza]

1:55 excusatio non petita accusatio manifesta, my good Shad

[@Sawtooth44]

i had bypassed mall ninja and went strait to LARPer

[@cory6266]

"Ninja Supplies," when I was 12 that would have blown my mind.

[@justalaborer713]

I remember when this was new.

[@DeanCalaway]

The more spikes, the better the sword, can never have too many spikes, you need spikes on your spikes!

[@yomomz3921]

My shuriken are fractal. 🍻

[@andrewdavidwhyte]

You all mall ninjas

[@robertsmith4681]

I personally never went down the mall ninja rabbit hole but for some time my interest in historical firearms and target shooting led me down the path of the gun equivalent of the mall ninja generally known as the "tactit*rd"

[@Echowhiskeyone]

Back in the 1980s, I loved the fantasy blades. I got a Gil Hibben "Double Shadow". Nice looking, but heavy, thick and unwieldy. The I started studying blades more and got a Gerber Mark 1. Loved that knife, until someone loved it more than me. I have always loved blades, short and long. My first introduction to swords was a Scottish friend who had a basket-hilt back sword, wonderful blade, but not my style. I prefer a nice long sword, light, nimble, 1 or 2 hands. For me, near perfection.

[@cory6266]

I also bought my first sword at 12, I still have it. It's a falchion from Mexico with "we enter and leave this world screaming" in Spanish on the blade.

[@justalaborer713]

Ninjering. Ahhh...that intrusive R.

[@jeremyfeldmann7969]

Mall ninjas are proud of you young one

[@uncledude5671]

I love Aussi accents, but when Shad says mall, I can’t help but think of Darth Maul every time

[@KegAndKrow]

I too started as a mall ninja. I have sold all those weapons long ago.

[@ericbowers5968]

Hilarious. Like you, I remember going into these shoos as a teen and thinking how cool I'd be if I bought something. My brother and I would have taken our quarreling to the next level.

[@_Just_John]

Mall cops are more like hall monitors than cops. Mall-nitors.

[@frostdova]

the treaty blade from FF12 lol that one was crazy

[@jacollins2010]

My parents wouldn't let me buy a mall ninja sword at 12 years old...

[@BubbaBearsFriend]

Wasn't one, but sure wanted to be one, but my mom wouldn't let me own a weapon. 😮

[@tompatterson1548]

Mall ninjas are people who buy triple bladed knives.

[@Hot_Dice]

Let’s be honest.. there’s a little mall ninja still in us all.

[@bellator2391]

Thankfully, I was completely broke during my Mall Ninja phase. By the time I had money, I knew enough about what to buy.

[@firstsecond3624]

What’s up my mall ninja😂

[@DarkLordAzagthoth]

I went from mall ninja to martial arts practitioner to mall cop.😂

[@elib9002]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 The struggle is REAL.

[@Hamond1989]

Guilty as charged, been there, done that^^' thankfully before the times of smartphones cameras everywhere and social media :D

[@yofu3048]

I don’t know if it’s different in Australia, but in the US we called them “ mall ninjas “ because those cringe weapons are all sold at kiosks in the mall

[@bartsanders1553]

I am a true ninja, as no one has ever suspected I may be a ninja.

[@Nathan-vt1jz]

This is hilarious 😂

[@NicholasNappi]

I was a mall ninja for a very short period of time when I was a teenager because I was unfortunately not allowed to do martial arts and reenacting or else I would be abused for it. So I at the time had no choice but to find ways to enjoy my passion for weapons and medieval life in any way I could at that time. But right after I moved out I then did multiple different kinds of martial arts and I then got into medieval reenactments and renn fares and I worked very hard and spent a lot of time and money on the garb I have today. Currently I am a member of the sca and my persona is a medieval executioner and since I am long out of the mall ninja stages my executioner garb is historically very accurate I even made a hooded mask that’s looks very similar to one in the dungeons in Europe that is on display in the museum there. I also have a German executioner sword and a executioner axe and thumbscrews and many other devices I use for reenactment obviously because in history not all executioners wore the hoods and they did not wear them all the time only when either executing a individual who was liked by the crowd or a noble person to hide themselves from retribution. And not all areas of Europe did that. Besides to get to the point I have not been a mall ninja for a long long time I am 28 years old and do real historical reenactments and hema and I am definitely someone who studies weapons and different devices and is long out of the mall ninja phase. I am happy to live in USA so i can also enjoy any kind of weapons I want. I don’t have to worry about a country banning and completely outlawing weapons in USA i am aloud to bare arms in my home and that means I am allowed to own any weapon I want and learn about and how to use pretty much any type of weapon from bladed weapons to poll weapons to throwing weapons to firearms to bows and arrows and more. And as a weapon enthusiasts I am happy to be able to do so. I think I would be missable if I could not and someone else could control what I do unjustly.

[@--Sama-]

True ninjas have a bandana with the word NINJA.

[@whydingus2379]

"Dont go a Judy Chopping and Kang Fu kicking at the same time, You might hit yourself and be a one legged ninjer." ::: Diamond Dallas Pages Ninja teaching school.

[@GenStallion]

440 sword? Put an edge on that, and you could get a couple of good swings.

[@TeaBurn]

If you look up the infamous infomercial on YT for stainless steel swords: "QVC Man Stabs himself with Katana Sword - Live" ...bang-bang-snap.

[@JuaneDosesII-wj6dd]

Westfield would be proud.

[@markkodryk829]

I’ve never been a mall ninja, but I used to be a “mole”.

[@Sammo909]

Hello, my name is Sammo and this is my first time at mall ninjas anonymous. My first weapon was a stainless steel katana with 'Made in Taiwan' stamped on the blade.

[@christianraymond9966]

Only reason I wasn't truly a mall ninja is that I was too shy to dress up and pose, swords and SLO being illegal and being too poor to go abroad to buy them in spite of mentioned law...it would have been so cool though

[@michaelb465]

Waiting for next book Shad.

[@Manco65]

I haven't had to worry about the underlying or is it "under laying' qualification for a very long time.

[@draven86]

Dear Shad have you ever had the idea to modify your mall katana by 1. replacing the blade with a high quality steel blade and 2. modify the tsuba and add seppa's?

[@JCOwens-zq6fd]

As much as i love them i must say that Lynn Thompson & Cold Steel played a big part. Many of the mall ninja goods were trying to copy them. Lol

[@suzakuxero6162]

I believe in Japan they refer to these types of people as Chūnibyō.

[@emom358]

Mall ninjas and mall pagans are so close.

[@darcraven01]

5:14 i mean, we talk about how horrible mall ninja weapons like that one are but.. lantern shields exist... (no im not defending mall ninja weapons, im just making a joke)