From the silver screen to the pages of comic books, the ninja has been portrayed as a magical, stealthy assassin in black robes. These secretive spies have captured imaginations worldwide, especially after they appeared in the 1967 James Bond film 'You Only Live Twice.' Since then, ninjas have starred in numerous movies, video games, and even a popular cartoon featuring four reptilian heroes named after Italian Renaissance artists (you got it right: 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'). Some Japanese people even believed that ninjas could control minds and walk on water! These myths, of course, added to their enigmatic reputation, making them appear almost magical.
But how do these depictions stack up against the historical reality of the ninja? Check out the gallery to find out.