BEST Manga About Samurai

25+ Samurai Manga Recommendations!

The Samurai trope in the world of anime/manga has always been extremely popular. Personally, I also have a thing for Samurai (wink,wink). Manga creators and animators have brought the history of Samurai to life through their works during the past fifty years and the masses have been greatly influenced by it. So today, we’ll be talking about some of the best manga that tell us about the lives and mannerism of Samurai. Let’s go!

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Table of Content

Japanese Comics About Samurai

26. Kage Gari (Shadow Hunters)

kage gari
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
10/20
5/10
4/10
19/40

 

25. Tsukikage Ran

Tsukikage Ran
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
11/20
5/10
4/10
20/40

We have another manga that is set in the Tokugawa period. In Tsukikage Ran, we’re introduced to a female samurai named Ran and a Chinese martial artist, Meow. Both of them are travelers and face every kind of adversity during their adventures. This manga is really fun to read and I would personally suggest you read this one. You won’t be disappointed!

 

24. Takemitsu Zamurai

Takemitsu Zamurai
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
12/20
5/10
5/10
22/40

Takemitsu Zamurai tells us the story of the ronin Souichirou Senou who moves to his new place in Katagi apartments. He soon realizes that his neighbors are not really fond of him and nor do they trust him. However, he ends up befriending the carpenter’s son, Kankichi. Souichirou decides to stay away from violence and with Kankichi’s help, he exchanges his precious sword, Kunifusa, for a bamboo blade. He starts his new and peaceful life in Edo.

Violence always follows Souichirou as he realizes that he is being followed by an assassin named Shinnosuke Kikuchi. Now, Kikuchi is extremely dangerous and tends to torture his targets. He won’t spare anyone who comes in between him and his target. Souichirou must keep himself and other people around him safe from the deadly assassin and in order to do that, he must become the fearless samurai he once was yet again.

 

23. Adventures of Kotetsu

Adventures of Kotetsu
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
12/20
6/10
5/10
23/40

Linn Suzuki is our MC in this manga. She’s strolling down the streets of Tokyo when she’s attacked by a bunch of thugs. Fortunately, she’s saved by a stranger named Miho Kuon. Now, it appears that Linn has gotten away from her mistress that had been cruel to her and traveled all the way to Edo. She’s there to search for her brother who was apparently working for the Kuon Detective Agency. Miho offers Linn to stay with her. Miho’s life is not easy at all. She had been chased by an agency called the Syndicate and now Linn must suffer from the consequences of staying with her.

 

22. Sengoku Basara

Sengoku Basara
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
12/20
5/10
6/10
23/40

This one has amazing artwork and a great storyline. Sengoku Basara opens in the Sengoku period. There is a war going on amongst warlords in order to create a central government for the country and unify the country under it. Nobunaga Oda considers himself above all of the rulers and also possesses strong military forces. He believes that he can conquer Japan easily.

We’re then introduced to Shingen Takeda and Yukimura Sanada who helped Nobunaga Oda by exterminating the clans that were in Oda’s way. There came a time when Yukimura Sanada and Masamune Date had to fight face to face. Though they were enemies, they admired each other greatly. 

Nobunaga, on the other hand, was getting out of control. Both Sanada and Date had to throw away their rivalry in order to stop Nobunaga and save Japan. 

 

21. Peace Maker Kurogane

Peace Maker Kurogane
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
13/20
6/10
6/10
25/40

Peace Maker Kurogane tells us the story of a boy from the Choushu Domain, Ichimura Tetsunosuke, who had to go through the trauma of his parents getting murdered in front of his eyes. He then decided to contact Shinsengumi to become one of its members. 

However, Ichimura Tetsunosuke lacked the will, power and courage to eliminate whoever threatened the peace of Shinsengumi. He was not alone. He had his brother, Tetsunosuke, with him. He also made a lot of friends in Shinsengumi. But will he be able to handle all the blood that his peers are going to shed while training him to become unstoppable? You guys should definitely check this manga out!

 

20. Scarlet Empire

Scarlet Empire
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
14/20
6/10
6/10
26/40

We’re introduced to a high school student, Kotetsu Miyasaka, who along with his brother, Yayoyi, are obsessed with Kendo. They’re also extremely good at it. However, Yayoi lacks a little bit of skill. He decides to enroll in a different school than his brother. There, he comes across a Kendo prodigy, Chihiro Kawase. Now, Chihiro wants Yayoi to mess with his brother’s shinai in order for Chihiro to automatically win without much struggle. 

Yayoi doesn’t want to do such a heinous thing and comes home after getting a good beating from Chihiro. Kotetsu analyzes the situation and challenges Chihiro in a steel-sword fight. During the fight, Kotetsu mysteriously goes back in time to the Edo period.

He is then interrogated by the head of a band of Roushi, Souzou Sagara. He acknowledges Kotetsu’s strength and asks him to join him and he agrees. Strangely enough, Kotetsu comes across many familiar faces but their personalities and identities are completely different in this era. Kotetsu must survive the harsh environment and change the history of Japan.

 

19. Valhallan the Black Iron

Valhallan the Black Iron
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
15/20
6/10
6/10
27/40

The story of this one is just incredible! We’re introduced to a samurai who helped with the Mongol invasion. But he had to face famine and was betrayed by his own people. One day, he woke up and found himself in Valhalla. Now, he must find his way back home to get reunited with his son. However, his journey will be a difficult one.

 

18. Sidooh

Sidooh
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
16/20
6/10
6/10
28/40

We’re taken back to the Tokugawa Shogunate yet again. We all know how bad the situation was by the end of 1855 in Japan. This manga takes us to that very time where there was political war. We are introduced to two orphan brothers, Shoutarou Yukimura and Gentarou Yukimura, who are trying to survive in such harsh circumstances. They have nothing but their father’s sword with them. Will they be able to get through all of this safely?

 

17. Path of Assassin

Path of Assassin
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
16/20
7/10
6/10
29/40

Path of Assassin tells us the story of Hattori Hanzo. He was a famous ninja of the Sengoku era. His duty was to protect Tokugawa Ieyasu. Tokugawa Ieyasu was the hereditary commander in chief of Japan who had to unite Japan. Hattori Hanzo had to take care of Tokugawa Ieyasu at all costs. He’s also quite friendly with him. It is the story of the bond between the two and it also shows us how capable Hattori Hanzo was as a caretaker. 

 

16. Laughing Under The Clouds

Laughing Under The Clouds
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
17/20
7/10
6/10
30/40

Laughing Under the Clouds has a really interesting storyline. The story takes us back to the Meiji period. A prison from which no one can escape, Gokumonjou, has been erected. It was only to combat the soaring crime rate at that period of time. We’re introduced to the Kumou family who are serving as the ferryman. Their job is not an easy one but they still lead happy and peaceful lives in the town of Oumi. 

However, Oumi is full of threats and the biggest of them all is “Orochi”. Orochi is a huge serpent that is said to awaken in the form of a human every three hundred years. It is the duty of the Kumou family to keep the monster sealed. The Kumou brothers are oblivious to this fact and are continuing their peaceful lives. However, the truth will be revealed to them shortly. 

 

15. Katanagatari

Katanagatari
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
17/20
7/10
7/10
31/40

The Edo era was full of samurai and their incredible sword fighting styles. Schichika Yasuri is one such samurai who uses a very fascinating sword-fighting style, Kyotouryuu, in which the whole body of a person acts as a blade. Shichika is in exile with his sister, Nanami. Their lives are disturbed when a strategist named Togame comes into their lives. Togame is in search of twelve swords known as the “Deviant Blades” and she needs Shichika’s help. Shichika agrees to help her and is interested in her. Now, the swords they’re in search of have deadly wielders. The two must work together in order to eliminate the threats waiting for them and to obtain the Deviant Blades.

 

14. Gantz:E

Gantz:E
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
17/20
7/10
8/10
32/40

Another manga set in the Edo period, Gantz:E tells us the story of a peasant named Hanbe who proposed to a girl named O-Haru. O-Haru is not interested and has her eyes on Masakichi from another village. Hanbe goes in search of Masakichi and it is revealed to him that Masakichi, despite being a peasant, is a skilled swordsman. They both confront each other but they have to jump in the river to save a drowning girl. Both of them start getting unconscious and find themselves in a Gantz room after waking up.  

 

13. Samurai Deeper Kyo

Samurai Deeper Kyo
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
17/20
8/10
8/10
33/40

Samurai Deeper Kyo takes us back to the civil wars in the 17th century. Two skilled swordsmen are fighting head on, one of them being Kyoushirou Mibo and the other “Demon Eyes” Kyou. Both of them are busy fighting and just then, a meteor falls upon them, making them vanish. 

Fast forward four years, we see Kyoushirou working as a medicine man but has a huge debt to pay. He’s hunted down by Yuya Shiina, a bounty hunter. Just when Yuya Shiina is about to attack 

Kyoushirou, a monster attacks them and wants to consume Kyoushirou. This encounter awakens “Demon Eyes’’ who was trapped inside of Kyoushirou’s mind. And that’s how the two swordsmen in one body begin their adventure.

 

12. The Yagyu Ninja Scrolls

The Yagyu Ninja Scrolls FINAL
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
17/20
8/10
8/10
33/40

Jubei Kibagami is a swordsman for hire as he was betrayed by his previous master. One day, he happens to come across a female ninja named Kagero who was being attacked by a man who could make his body hard as a stone. Jubei saved Kagero from that man. Kagero reveals to him that she had been investigating a mysterious plague that destroyed a whole village. But that stone-like man along with his allies is in her way. Jubei decides to help her and the two set out on a journey.

 

11. House of Five Leaves

House of Five Leaves
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
18/20
8/10
8/10
34/40

House of Five Leaves takes us back to the Edo period. Masanosuke Akitsu is a ronin, who despite being a gifted swordsman, is not very reliable because of his personality. His employers are also not very fond of him. Luckily, Masanosuke Akitsu is hired by a strange man named Yaichi as his bodyguard. However, his job is not as simple as it seems. He has to get involved in some illicit activities and meets with a gang named “Five Leaves”. Masanosuke is not liking where he’s going but he’s still curious about this group that knows no laws.

 

10. Samurai Executioner

Samurai Executioner
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
18/20
8/10
8/10
34/50

This manga tells us the story of Yamada Asaemon who was a deadly samurai. He’s responsible for testing new swords for the shogun. We’re told the most disturbing stories involving a lot of blood and gore. Yamada Asaemon was definitely a fearless and ruthless samurai with god-gifted sword skills.

 

9. Shigurui: Death Frenzy

Shigurui
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
18/20
9/10
8/10
35/40

The Edo period’s start was the only time when people lived peacefully. At that time, Lord Tokugawa Tadanaga decided to hold a fighting tournament. Though wooden swords were mostly used in such fights. However, this time, everyone will have to use steel swords. The first match commences and two swordsmen named Fujiki Gennosuke and Irako Seigen will fight each other. Iwamoto Kogan, who is considered Japan’s best swordsman, is the teacher of both of them. Both of them want to prove themselves in front of their master and be his successor. However, there can be only one winner. Who will it be? You gotta read this one guys!

 

8. Lone Wolf and Cub

lone wolf and cub
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
18/20
9/10
8/10
35/40

Lone Wolf and Cub is extremely popular amongst the anime fans. Its storyline is really interesting and the artwork is gorgeous. The story is about Shogunate’s chief executioner named Ittou Ogami who himself is going to be executed. He was wrongfully accused of treason by the Yagyuu Clan. He’s also left alone because his family gets murdered except for his son, Daigorou. Ittou decides to become an assassin. There’s only one thing on his mind: Revenge. He’s wandering alone with his son in search of those who destroyed his life. He also started getting hired to assassinate people. That’s how the father and son got famous as the “Lone Wolf and Cub”

 

7. Samurai Champloo

Samurai Champloo
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
18/20
8/10
9/10
35/40

Samurai Champloo tells us the story of Mugen and Jin. Mugen is a deadly mercenary and Jin is a reserved but lethal samurai. After saving a waitress, Fuu, from a group of thugs, the three embark on a journey. They’re looking for a mysterious samurai. Their journey is not an easy one. It is full of threats. Will the three be able to find the samurai they’re looking for?

 

6. Afro Samurai

Afro Samurai
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
18/20
9/10
9/10
36/40

Afro Samurai is one of the most popular manga about samurai. We’re introduced to Afro who saw his father getting killed in a duel by a man named Justice before his eyes. Justice then wears the number one band and is promoted from number two. Many years pass and we see Afro with a number 2 band. Now, he has the right to challenge the one with the number 1 band. He then embarks on a journey to hunt down his father’s murderer, the number 1. Though he can only challenge number 1, everyone else can challenge him. There are endless hurdles in his way to reach the number 1. He must get rid of anyone who gets in his way of revenge. 

 

5. Drifters

Drifters
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
19/20
9/10
8/10
36/40

Drifters takes us back to the 17th century where we witness the battle of Sekigahara. Toyohisa Shimuzu is critically wounded. He suddenly finds himself in a huge hall with loads of doors. There, he is pulled in one of the doors and finds himself in a world alien to him. The world is full of strange creatures and also a few people from Toyohisa’s world. Toyohisa comes across Nobunaga Oda and Yoichi Suketeka Nasu and befriends them. Toyohisa and his allies are named the “Drifters” and are responsible to fight off the “Ends”. Now, it’s Toyohisa’s group’s responsibility to save the brand new empire from the threats. 

 

4. Dororo

Dororo
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
19/20
9/10
9/10
37/40

Dororo has undoubtedly one of the best storylines ever. The story is about a boy named Hyakkimaru who was sacrificed to the demons by his father, Lord Daigo. Lord Daigo was trying to save his dying land by sacrificing his son. Hyakkimaru was left limbless as soon as he was born. He was then told to be discarded. But the servant couldn’t kill the poor child and left him to survive.

Hyakkimaru is then found by a monk who gave him some prosthetics. He then decides to get back his limbs by fighting each demon who took them. One by one, he started defeating the demons and getting his body parts back. One day, he comes across a little boy named Dororo. Dororo accompanies him on his mission and the two wander alone.

 

3. Gintama

Gintama
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
19/20
9/10
10/10
38/40

Gintama’s way of portraying the samurai is very different. The manga is just hilarious. Gintama takes us to the Edo period where the country is invaded by some creatures named “Amanto”. The Shogunate are helpless before them and they decide to surrender. That leads to the disappearance of all the samurai from the country. 

We’re introduced to Gintoki Sakata who is a samurai but instead of acting as a samurai, he does all sorts of odd jobs for people. He has his group of very strange individuals who do the work with him. Their everyday life is shown to us in this manga and trust me, it’s worth reading.

 

2. Blades of the Immortal

Blades Of The Immortal
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
19/20
10/10
10/10
30/50

Manji, the hundred man killer, has a secret: he’s immortal. The reason behind him being immortal is that an eight hundred-year-old nun placed bloodworms inside his body that can heal any wound. Manji wants to atone for his sin of killing one hundred innocent men. He wishes to kill one thousand evil men in order to do that. The nun agrees and tells him that she will make him mortal once he’s done with his goal of killing one thousand evil men. Soon, Manji meets a girl named Rin who needed Manji’s help in hunting down those who killed her parents. Manji was reluctant at first but then agreed upon protecting Rin for four years. The two embark on a long and strenuous journey full of blood and pain.

 

1. Vagabond

Vagabond
Samurai Aspect Plot Art Total
20/20
10/10
10/10
40/40

Vagabond deserves all the praise it’s getting. It’s undoubtedly the best manga with the best artwork about the samurai. It takes us to 16th century Japan where we’re introduced to Shinmen Takezo, a rough and aggressive man. He along with his friend, Matahachi Honiden, decide to enlist in the Toyotomi army. However, they barely come back alive after the Tokugawa Clan crushes their army in the battle of Sekigahara. 

Shinmen decides to return back home and is shocked to find himself as a wanted criminal there. He realized that he was framed for something he didn’t do. Will he be able to get out of this sticky situation? This one is a highly recommended manga. You won’t regret reading it!

 

What's Your Favorite Samurai Manga?

vagabond

So, this was our list of some of the best manga that let us learn about the lives of samurais. Are we missing any manga that deserves to be in this list? Comment and let us know. Thanks for reading the blog guys!

 

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