At other learning locations, kids level up like martial artists as they learn to code.
Our system builds on that same great idea — but takes it to the next level for older kids, teens, and creative learners.

Here’s why it works so well:

1. Kids Stay Motivated Because They “Level Up” Like in a Game

Instead of getting bored or overwhelmed, students earn badges and titles as they grow — just like leveling up in a video game.

Each rank feels meaningful:

  • Beginner = Ashigaru (starting warrior)

  • Intermediate = Ronin, Gokenin

  • Advanced = Hatamoto, Daimyo

  • Expert = Shogun or Ninja

This keeps kids excited to come back each week.

2. It Builds Real Skills — Not Just Play

Every level teaches actual game design, coding, animation, digital art, or VR skills.
By the time they reach higher levels, students can:

  • Build full video games

  • Create digital artwork

  • Publish projects online

  • Use the same tools professionals use

This isn’t “playing games”—they’re making them.

3. Kids Learn by Teaching (Which Makes Them Confident Leaders)

At each rank, students show they truly understand a skill by teaching it to another student.

This helps them:

  • Learn faster

  • Build confidence

  • Become leaders

  • Make friends

  • Feel proud of their progress

Parents love seeing shy kids open up and take charge.

4. It Works for Teens and Older Students Too

Code Ninjas stops around middle school.
LAZR Dojo keeps going all the way up to adulthood.

This system supports:

  • Middle schoolers

  • High schoolers

  • College students

  • Hobbyists

  • Future game developers

  • Future digital artists

  • Anyone who wants to create

  • Kids who “age out” of other programs

No one gets left behind.

5. It Builds a Path to Real Careers

Every rank connects to real industry training:

  • Unity (Fortnite, Pokémon Go, indie games)

  • Unreal Engine (Fortnite, Hollywood films)

  • Digital Art

  • VR/AR

  • 3D modeling

  • Game publishing

By the upper levels, students can build a college portfolio or even a junior professional resume.

They’re not just learning —
They’re preparing for the future.

6. It Creates a Strong Community

The ranking system makes kids feel like they’re part of something special:

  • Kids cheer for each other

  • Older students mentor younger ones

  • Everyone grows together

  • Parents see a visible journey of progress

This builds confidence and belonging — something many kids need today.

⭐ In Simple Terms:

This system keeps what parents loved about Code Ninjas (fun, levels, progress)
and adds what older kids and teens need:

  • More depth

  • Leadership skills

  • Real-world technology

  • A path to professional work

It’s fun, meaningful, and future-focused.

Is this historically accurate?

In feudal Japan, the hierarchical military and social structure associated with the feudal lords (daimyo) and their warriors (samurai) included distinct ranks and levels. Here's a simplified overview:

Feudal Japanese Military/Social Class Hierarchy:

1. Shogun

  • Supreme military commander.

  • Held actual governing power, often more influential than the Emperor.

2. Daimyo

  • Feudal lords and landowners who governed provinces or regions.

  • Swore allegiance directly to the shogun and managed their own armies of samurai.

3. Samurai

  • Professional warriors and administrators serving daimyo.

  • Had ranks within their own structure:

    • Hatamoto: Elite samurai directly serving the Shogun.

    • Gokenin: Lower-ranking samurai loyal to the Shogun or daimyo.

    • Ronin: Samurai without a master (often due to their master's death or defeat).

4. Ashigaru

  • Foot soldiers and infantrymen, typically commoners recruited or conscripted into military service.

  • Provided support and massed formations during battles.

Other Relevant Classes (Non-Military):

  • Emperor: Spiritual and ceremonial authority but limited practical military influence.

  • Farmers, Artisans, Merchants: Formed the broader population base supporting the military class.

Role of Ninjas (Shinobi):

  • Ninjas existed outside of this formal hierarchical military system.

  • Often hired privately by daimyo or samurai as covert operatives and spies.

  • Operated secretly and independently rather than as part of the structured military hierarchy.


Unified Feudal Progression System

Level 1: Ashigaru (Foot Soldier)

Foundational Skills

  • Unity: Unity Essentials, basic editor use

  • Unreal: Basic Blueprint scripting, simple level setup

  • Outcome: Complete basic interactive scenes, demonstrate understanding by peer-sharing a foundational concept.

Level 2: Ronin (Independent Warrior)

Core Programming and Mechanics

  • Unity: Junior Programmer (C# scripting, mechanics basics)

  • Unreal: Basic gameplay mechanics, character controllers

  • Outcome: Create a simple 2D/3D mini-game, present a mechanic to classmates.

Level 3: Gokenin (Loyal Samurai)

Intermediate Gameplay and AI

  • Unity: Intermediate scripting, physics, and AI behaviors

  • Unreal: AI basics, intermediate animation blueprints

  • Outcome: Design an intermediate-level game with UI and basic enemy AI; teach a group session.

Level 4: Hatamoto (Elite Samurai)

Advanced Gameplay & Immersion

  • Unity: Advanced systems (animations, effects, audio)

  • Unreal: Advanced Blueprint integration, multiplayer basics

  • Outcome: Develop a polished game demonstrating complex interactions; create an advanced gameplay tutorial.

Level 5: Daimyo (Feudal Lord)

Project Management & Optimization

  • Unity: Optimization, platform publishing, debugging

  • Unreal: Level streaming, advanced multiplayer, optimization techniques

  • Outcome: Optimize and publish a full-fledged game on a public platform; mentor peers in project refinement.

Level 6: Shogun (Supreme Commander)

Mastery & Professional Standards

  • Unity: Professional game development, certifications

  • Unreal: Advanced optimization, official Epic certifications, marketplace integration

  • Outcome: Lead a comprehensive indie game project or VR/AR application; organize community showcase or public seminar.

Specialization Path: Ninja (Shinobi – Specialist Track)

Emerging Tech & Stealth Development

  • Unity: AR/VR Development pathways, specialized tech integration

  • Unreal: XR, AR, VR, Holograms, emerging industry tech

  • Outcome: Produce innovative projects involving cutting-edge technology; host specialized skill workshops on immersive technologies.

How we Implement it:

  • Students begin as Ashigaru, learning foundational concepts and steadily progress through higher ranks, gaining increasingly sophisticated skills.

  • Daimyo and Shogun ranks emphasize leadership and professional publication standards, preparing students for real-world opportunities.

  • Ninja track allows advanced students to specialize in immersive and emerging technologies, paralleling the historical ninja’s specialized skillset.

  • Each progression requires demonstrating mastery by teaching concepts, ensuring deep learning, and building community.



🎨 Unified Feudal Art Progression System

This structure aligns traditional visual art education with feudal Japanese hierarchy, emphasizing skill mastery, creativity, and teaching as a tangible demonstration of learning.

Level 1: Ashigaru (Novice Soldier)

Foundational Art Skills

  • Topics: Line drawing, shape fundamentals, value scales, and basic shading

  • Mediums: Pencil, charcoal

  • Outcome: Complete basic observational sketches; teach a peer fundamental shading techniques.

Level 2: Ronin (Independent Artist)

Principles of Design

  • Topics: Composition, balance, perspective drawing, color theory basics

  • Mediums: Pencil, ink, colored pencils

  • Outcome: Produce compositions demonstrating perspective and color theory; lead peer critiques.

Level 3: Gokenin (Practicing Samurai Artist)

Intermediate Art Concepts

  • Topics: Figure drawing, anatomical structures, dynamic poses, advanced shading

  • Mediums: Charcoal, graphite, pen and ink

  • Outcome: Create anatomically accurate figure studies; conduct a drawing session to instruct peers.

Level 4: Hatamoto (Elite Artist)

Advanced Techniques & Styles

  • Topics: Digital illustration fundamentals, stylized character design, digital painting, and introduction to animation principles

  • Mediums: Digital tablets (Photoshop, Procreate), mixed media

  • Outcome: Develop polished digital illustrations; deliver a detailed tutorial or demo on digital painting techniques.

Level 5: Daimyo (Masterful Leader)

Project & Portfolio Development

  • Topics: Concept art creation, environment design, storyboarding, visual storytelling

  • Mediums: Advanced digital tools (Photoshop, Illustrator, Clip Studio Paint)

  • Outcome: Curate a portfolio-ready project or visual narrative; mentor younger students through the design and portfolio creation process.

Level 6: Shogun (Visual Arts Master)

Professional & Career-Level Mastery

  • Topics: Art direction, advanced conceptual illustration, professional portfolio building, publishing, industry standards

  • Mediums: Industry-standard software, VR painting tools, digital/print publishing

  • Outcome: Lead a gallery exhibition or published visual project; organize workshops/seminars sharing insights from professional practice.

🎯 Specialization Path: Ninja (Specialist Artist)

Cutting-edge & Specialized Art Forms

  • Topics: 3D modeling/sculpting, AR/VR art creation, holography, immersive art experiences

  • Mediums: Blender, Maya, ZBrush, Unreal Engine, Unity, Adobe Aero

  • Outcome: Develop immersive art projects or innovative visual experiences; lead specialized workshops or demonstrations for peers.

🖌️ To Implement This Progression:

  • Students start at the Ashigaru level and progressively master core fundamentals, advancing through ranks by demonstrating tangible, teachable outcomes.

  • At each stage, students reinforce their mastery by actively teaching or mentoring, building a strong, collaborative learning community.

  • The higher ranks (Daimyo, Shogun, Ninja) position students for professional readiness, industry connections, and advanced art specializations.