Real Ultimate Power
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About
The Official Ninja Webpage: Real Ultimate Power is a satire website purported as an adolescent fan tribute to Ninjas, a type of Japanese mercenaries specialized in covert and unorthodox warfare tactics during the feudal era, written in the persona of a 13-year-old boy. Shortly after its launch in 2002, the website garnered a cult following and inspired dozens of parody websites centered around various subjects of popular fandoms.
Origin
The satirical website was created on February 22nd, 2002 by an unknown twenty-something author based in Michigan under the pseudonym Robert Hamburger, mimicking the compositional skills of a teenage boy with an unfathomable obsession for ninjas. Inundated with hyperbolic language praising the masculine prowess of the Japanese warriors, the website gained a lot of attention after rumors began circulating that a fictitious civil lawsuit had been filed against the author by a mother who became concerned that it corrupted her child.
The Three Facts of Ninjas
1. Ninjas are mammals.
2. Ninjas fight ALL the time.
3. The purpose of a ninja is to flip out and kill people.
Spread
Pirates vs. Ninjas
In addition to the "Three Facts of Ninjas," which quickly became an internet meme after inspiring a series of imitative "three facts" jokes dedicated to various subject matter, including Conan O'Brien, liquor store clerks, wizards, and sorority girls, one particular short story comparing the powers of ninjas versus pirates posted on the website's "PumpUp Scripts" section also became a viral subject of parodies and satires. Other notable sections and excerpts from the website includes the list of "Weapons & Gear," Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and a compilation of hate mails supposedly sent to the author.
Book Adaptation
Following the viral success of the website, Hamburger sought to turn his Internet comedy project into a book, the proposal of which was picked up by Kensington for publication after being turned down by 11 other publishing houses. Upon its release on July 1st, 2004, REAL Ultimate Power: The Official Ninja Book became a cult hit and sold 35,000 copies in less than two years, pioneering a new genre of parody literature known as "fratire," a creative non-fiction literature characterized by politically incorrect themes and overtly masculine tone of language. Reflecting the commercial success of REAL Ultimate Power: The Official Ninja Book, Kensington continued to release additional titles by authors like Tucker Max and Maddox under the fratire genre category.
Examples
Dead Sites
In addition to the list of aforementioned parody websites, CityNet Magazine compiled and published a list of other parody sites that have become inactive or defunct.
“Sorority Girls (It was hilarious but now it’s gone! Doh!!), Physicists, Sloths, Accountants, Short Asian Girl, Speaker Hos, Conan O’Brien, Bush (2 of them!), Democratic Candidate, Lumberjacks, Hippies, Tigers, Skeedzor, Raptors, Terrorists, Senators, Wizard, Alan, Mike Solberg, Kylie Minogue, Make your own RUP, Real Ultimate Power Cornell Students, Baldwin Brothers, Vaginas, Brian Brohm, George W. Bush, Used Condoms (gross!), Linus Torvalds, Aircraft Carrier, USA, Khym Forum Poster, Bare Axx, James Madison, Koko, Foos, Jenny, Southern Girl, Taco, Americans, Time Cube, Box of Wine, Dragon, Texas A&M Aggies, Tom chin, Techno, Mahler, Opera the Browser, College Students, Ninja Meatwad Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Kevin Federline (Mr. Britney Spears), Elton John, Dead Philosophers, Squids, Yoopers, Jansson, Sam, Vanilla, Abe, Sean, Dragoon, Hackers, Jackalope, vegetarians, Vintage Motorcycle, Pilgrims, Gay Guy, Real Ultimate Power Computer Science Guy, Ben, Curling, Michael Jackson, Lawyers, Commando (Ah-nold!), Mrs. Uboh, Real Ultimate Power Bums, SARS, Space Robots, Photographers, Hobos, Shaman, Ricer, Mechanics, Square RPGs,Samurai, Blue Party, Yi, Fidel Castro, Gypsy, Geek, Fan Film, Director, Deceiving Demons, Scott Saval, Charver, Newgrounds Spam, Martin Luther, Ravers, Tool, Rednecks, DJ Thief, Kate, Stefanie, Michael Jackson, Furby, Minpin, Lawn Wranglers, Suit, Liberals, Liquor Store Clerk, Real Ultimate Power Huey Lewis, Electrical Engineer, Engineer, Paintballers, Physicists, Librarians, Econ Major, Boa, Zombies, Butchers, Hoes, Kory Smith, Shirts with Balls, Space Elevators, Bobby Sixkiller, Fat Girls, Goth / Emo, Wombat, Saxon, Captain Marvel, Mullet Man, Internet, Black Momma, Zeppelin, Commie, Programmers, Korean Guy, Science Guy, Mathematicians, Shotty, Big Tymers, Kool-Aid Man, Hello Kitty, WoCN, Mecha-Streisand (South Park).”
Search Interest
External References
[1] RealUltimatePower.net – Real Ultimate Power
[3] Wikipedia – Real Ultimate Power
[4] Brown University – Interview with Robert Hamburger
[5] New York Times – "Dude, Here's My Book":
[6] CityNetMagazine – Real Ultimate Power
Top Comment
water bottle
Feb 21, 2016 at 10:04PM EST