electricity was used in very basic capacities, like lighting homes and cities at night. video and radio technology was used exclusivey for ninja missions. no tv shows. no video games, no rdio pop stars, no trains or internal combustion engines. when the anime movies itroduced trains randoly, it really ticked me off. but trains seem like a new invention now and everything else just seems to be a sign of times moving forward. i think it falls into line with Kishimto's feelings about the series moving from being about his own feelings about youth to his own feelings about adulthood and parenthood.
"when i was a kid, we played cards and hiked around the forest for fun, now my young son spends his time playing video games and eating hamburgers"