The Ninja
Kinnikuman (Kinkeshi) series
The Ninja is figure #026 of 236 in Mattel's 1985–88 M.U.S.C.L.E. line (Millions of Unusual Small Creatures Lurking Everywhere). Like every figure in the line, the sculpt originates from the Kinnikuman (Kinkeshi) series; the US release kept the Japanese name.
7 KNOWN COLOR VARIANTS · EST. VALUES FOR MINT CONDITION
- Flesh$6
- Salmon$9
- Red$8
- Purple$9
- Dark Blue$10
- Green$8
- Magenta$11
About this figure
Identifying the sculpt is straightforward once you know what to look for: standing, both arms raised palms out, hooded head with mask, star emblems on chest, segmented armor sleeves and boots, wrestling trunks, muscular build. Like every genuine figure in the line, originals carry the “Y/S·N·T” foot stamp — a soft or missing stamp is the quickest way to spot a reproduction.
The Ninja is documented in 7 of the ten production colors (Flesh, Salmon, Red, Purple, Dark Blue, Green, Magenta). The flesh version books around $6 in mint condition, while the magenta run is the toughest to find and trades closer to $11. As a Class C common it turns up regularly in lots and bins, which makes it an easy early checkmark — condition, not scarcity, drives its price.
