33+ Best Samurai Anime You Can BINGE!

Updated October 2, 2022 by Ernie

There is something special about Samurai anime, something that no other anime has. The intensity, the sense of pride, the moral codes, and well for me, the traditional clothing, oh, and let’s not forget the lit duels to the death.

Deeply engraved in the Japanese culture, noble samurais are the most awesome martial artists we can come across and of course, series based on them just have to be as great as they are.

So here is a list of the best samurai anime ever made till now.

 

SAMURAI ANIME THAT WILL BRING OUT YOUR INNER WARRIOR

 

34. Legendary Brave Swordsman Yaiba

INFORMATION
Title	Legendary Brave Swordsman Yaiba
Author	Gosho Aoyama
Genre	Action, Comedy, Fantasy
Type	Series
Studio	Pastel
Premiered	Apr 9, 1993
Episode Count	52 episodes
Duration	22 min. per ep.

All kids dream big,they all  think that they are something special, something so much cooler than just a mundane human, but not all kids are anime characters that happen to be so much more mature than even your average adult. So, this brat is Kurogane Yaiba. He  decided that he wanted to become a Samurai, a noble swordsman that will become the blade of the weak. 

Well, any dad who will hear that will become super hyped, he now has a mini him that he can mold into a hero.Thus, they started an intensive training that even an MMA champion couldn’t handle. 

The downside was the boy only knew the forest as his home so when he was thrown into modern society, into the modern society of the 90s to be exact, he was completely thrown off his feet, but in a good way, you know… unique adventures kept coming his way one after another.

 

33. Carried by the Wind: Tsukikage Ran

INFORMATION
Title	Carried by the Wind: Tsukikage Ran
Author	Akitaro Daichi
Genre	Adventure, Comedy
Type	Series
Studio	Madhouse
Premiered	Jan 26, 2000
Episode Count	13 episodes
Duration	24 min. per ep.

Ran is a female samurai who adores her sword just as much as her water of life, sake! As a warrior she is one of a kind, the pride of all women even the biggest man can’t get her on her knees, ‘cuz she’s the one wiping the floor with them… during her rare sober times of course.

While she was wandering the land, she encounters Lady Meow of the Iron Cat Fist, a skilled martial artist from China. They just clicked and started traveling together.

This anime is the representation of their crazy adventures. Each episode is independent of one another, you can consider them mini-movies, super entertaining, super fun, you’re gonna love them!

 

32. Time of Shura 

INFORMATION
Title	Time of Shura
Author	Masatoshi Kawahara
Genre	Action
Type	Series
Studio	Studio Comet
Premiered	Apr 6, 2004
Episode Count	26 episodes
Duration	23 min. per ep.

There is a legend going around in the martial arts world, a legend that talks about an invincible technique, a unique style called Mutsu Enmei-Ryu that allows the user to crush an armed army all on his own.

Ridiculous right? However, there are some simpleton muscle heads that are just naïve enough to believe everything they hear and go after the descendants of the Mutsu house, hoping to engage in the fight of their lives.

Will they be disappointed or come back to us or me more specifically to throw an “I told you so” at us?

 

31. Musashi Gundoh

INFORMATION
Title	Musashi Gundoh
Author	Naoyuki Sakai
Genre	Adventure, Fantasy
Type	Series
Studio	ACC Production
Premiered	Apr 9, 2006
Episode Count	26 episodes
Duration	25 min. per ep.

Yeah yeah, I know what you’re going to say, how can a gunman be called a samurai… but he uses a sword, as well so that counts, right?

The thing is he needs it, his gun, he uses it to seal demons, super lit, and his sword is super Kakkoii, it’s an electro sword all sparkly. The problem is him actually, imagining all this cool stuff in the hands of a whiny kid, takes all the magic out of it.

However, he won’t hand them to anyone, in the end, he needs them to make a girl way over his league fall heads over heels for him! You know what, I’m rooting for him, he is the good kid in the end, with some perverted thoughts (cough…like all of you…cough), but a good kid all for all.

 

30. Gifuu Doudou!!: Kanetsugu to Keiji

INFORMATION
Title	Gifuu Doudou!!: Kanetsugu to Keiji
Author	Masato Deguchi
Genre	Action
Type	Series
Studio	Studio Deen
Premiered	Jul 3, 2013
Episode Count	25 episodes
Duration	24 min. per ep.

The Sengoku era wasn’t a normal era that Japan had to pass through. War and political instability engulfed the country and they had given birth to incredible men to get out of it.

The two most important figures at the time were Naoe Kanetsugu, a military prodigy, and Maeda Keiji, an unmatched warrior.

However, the more incredible you are, the more the problems of the world look like games to you. So, thinking more of themselves, what the two legends wanted to make sure their name would enter history.

If they had to bring back peace to do so, so be it, challenges are always more fun to overcome the more difficult they are, it’s just that their concept of difficulty isn’t exactly the same as ours.

Can’t wait to see what mind-blowing shit they are going to pull on the world.

 

29. Asu no Yoichi! – Samurai Harem

INFORMATION
Title	Asu no Yoichi! – Samurai Harem
Author	Yū Minamoto
Genre	Comedy, Romance
Type	Series
Studio	AIC
Premiered	Jan 9, 2009
Episode Count	12 episodes
Duration	24 min. per ep.

Yoichi Karasuma was born to hold a sword. Living alone with his father, the man trained him to be just like the traditional samurais and not just through his way with the sword, but through his speech and the way he dresses as well.

At only 17, the boy had already mastered the technique at the pinnacle of the martial arts world, the Soaring Wind, Divine Wind swordsmanship style.

His father had nothing left to teach him, he was sent to a dojo in the   city without even thinking of training him in the way of common manners.

Now living with three illegally ravishing sisters, the perverted misunderstanding he gets into has no end, but are they really just innocent misunderstandings?

 

28. Amatsuki

INFORMATION
Title	Amatsuki
Author	Shinobu Takayama
Genre	Action, Fantasy, Supernatural
Type	Series
Studio	Studio Deen
Premiered	Apr 5, 2008
Episode Count	13 episodes
Duration	23 min. per ep.

What’s the most hated course you ever took in school? History, right? It’s all memorization, no logic, and no way to swing your way through the exam if you haven’t studied. Well, Tokidoki Rikugou shares our hatred for it.

The boy passes all his classes except this one, and because of it, his school forced him to attend a super not-so-entertaining seminar on the Edo era in the nearby museum to trigger his love for History, as if that will ever work.

He attended and instead of catching interest in history, he actually became history since he is now trapped in the museum simulation and is now in 1600 Japan.

However, as much as he sucks at the course, there is one thing he is sure of, never ever did they talk about man-eating demons living in that era, so why is there one on the bridge, right in front of him?

Watch a lazy teen turn into a powerful samurai, well, because he has no choice if he wanna live, and also become a history buff in no time.

 

27. Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Girls

INFORMATION
Title	Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Girls
Author	Akira Suzuki
Genre	Action, Comedy
Type	Series
Studio	Arms
Premiered	Sep 4, 2010
Episode Count	12 episodes
Duration	24 min. per ep.

Japan is an extraordinary country, not only is it beautiful, but its people are also prosperous and it’s at the peak of modernity.  

However, not everybody is happy about how well it’s doing. As humans are jealous creatures, they intend to bring down those who they think are better than them.

Facing threats from every side, Japan decides to train the new generation to become the wall that will defend the country and opens a special academy to do so.

Muneakira Yagyuu enrolled in that academy and met a lot of peculiar people, however, the most peculiar one was that mysterious girl that just appeared out of nowhere and landed a kiss right on his lips.

Just like Sleeping Beauty , something awakened within him, a unique power, a power that can help him protect his country. But just who is this girl, and most importantly what’s her number?

 

26. Brave 10

INFORMATION
Title	Brave 10
Author	Kairi Shimotsuki
Genre	Action, Adventure
Type	Series
Studio	TMS Entertainment
Premiered	Jan 8, 2012
Episode Count	12 episodes
Duration	24 min. per ep.

Isanami, a miko whose temple was destroyed, was being chased by assassins. Luckily, she encountered a Ronin named Kirigakure Saizou and protected her. Seemingly can’t get rid of her, the Ronin gives in to the girl’s request to escort her to a castle. 

There they met the Lord of the castle, Sanada Yukimura, and he decided to gather ten brave warriors.  

 

25. Samurai Kings

INFORMATION
Title	Samurai Kings
Author	Yasuyuki Mutō
Genre	Action
Type	Series
Studio	Studio I.G
Premiered	Apr 2, 2009
Episode Count	12 episodes
Duration	23 min. per ep.

Three warlords are at each other’s throats. With their OP right hands by their side, they are going all out on the battlefield.

Crazy techniques, awesome moves, elaborated strategies, and lit fights to the death are on the menu.

Battle-craved warriors with unimaginable talent are rewriting history on their masters’ behalf. Only one can be on top, only one can rule Japan. The strongest will win it all and the loser’s only fate is death. 

With so much at stake, why do all of them enter the battlegrounds with a face that says, “I’m having the time of my life”?

 

24. Kurozuka

INFORMATION
Title	Kurozuka
Author	Baku Yumemakura
Genre	Action, Drama, Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi
Type	Series
Studio	Madhouse
Premiered	Oct 7, 2008
Episode Count	12 episodes
Duration	23 min. per ep.

Kuro is an undefeated swordsman, a swordsman that is not seeking fame nor money, he doesn’t wish to become the best on Earth either, all he desires is to spend eternity with the love of his life.

Oh, nothing metaphoric here, the woman he loves is a vampire and he is ready to turn immortal for her.

As he was undergoing his transformation, one of his servants stabbed him in the back. Well, the thing is he was never his servant, to begin with, but a lackey of the Red Army.

He fell unconscious and woke up in a post-apocalyptic Japan he couldn’t recognize. Worse is, the evil Red Army is ruling that disgusting world. That’s it! The trash needs to be taken out. To save the Earth, or more exactly to have his revenge and find his beloved, a lone swordsman is going against the strongest power that exists right now.

A desperate situation fit to test just how far our prodigy MC can go.

 

23. Samurai Deeper Kyou

INFORMATION
Title	Samurai Deeper Kyou
Author	Akimine Kamijyo
Genre	Adventure, Comedy, supernatural
Type	Series
Studio	Studio Deen
Premiered	Jul 2, 2002
Episode Count	26 episodes
Duration	24 min. per ep.

Two famous samurais were having the decisive battle, the battle that was going to seal the fate of the war. They were preparing their final strike when a meteorite struck right where they were standing. When the smoke generated from the clash dissipated, their remains couldn’t be found.

Though dead, imagine the shock of the people when it turns out that one of them survived and is living as a perverted medicine carrier here to heal only the pretty woman.

There definitely should be something more to the story! And you are right, there is. The soul of the man is not his own and it’s not even awakened yet…

 

22. Mushibugyo

INFORMATION
Title	Mushibugyo
Author	Hiroshi Fukuda
Genre	Action, Fantasy
Type	Series
Studio	Seven Arcs Pictures
Premiered	Apr 8, 2013
Episode Count	26 episodes
Duration	24 min. per ep.

If you can’t stand insects, stop right here! Cuz this anime is all about oversized man-eating bugs and they are ugly like you can’t imagine.

Those monsters are destroying Japan and the government had no other choice than to open a special faction to fight them off.

The warriors who joined that faction became the heroes of the land, the protectors of the people, and today they have a new recruit.

A hyper, a bit clumsy, kind of goofy with a pinch of stupidity, personality wise He is a bit like Luffy but less Kakkoii.

With the goal of one day becoming a swordsman as impressive as his father, his pest control journey will be a bundle of hurdles and unbelievable adventures.

 

21. Yasuke

INFORMATION
Title	Yasuke
Author	LeSean Thomas
Genre	Action, Fantasy
Type	ONA
Studio	MAPPA
Premiered	Apr 29, 2021
Episode Count	6 episodes
Duration	29 min. per ep.

The story of the first African  samurai. That on its own made his name enter history, however, that was not all since he has also become famous for his extraordinary skills.

He left his master, became a ronin, and left his sword behind for some unknown reason. But fate did not accept his retirement and brought him back into the world of martial arts by force.

He might not be an official warrior anymore, however; the samurai code is still engraved on his soul and when he saw an entire village being decimated, he couldn’t just do nothing.

He helped and encountered a very mysterious child, a child with strange powers and for some reason, he couldn’t leave him alone.

Follow the adventures of a unique duo while they travel a land of magic and giant robots who are, well, completely out of place here.

 

20. Samurai Flamenco

INFORMATION
Title	Samurai Flamenco
Author	Seiko Takagi
Genre	Action, Comedy
Type	Series
Studio	Manglobe
Premiered	Oct 11, 2013
Episode Count	22 episodes
Duration	23 min. per ep.

Massayashi Hazama’s motto is “A hero will never give up, never hide, never be defeated and never accept evil!”

Abiding by that one phrase he is determined to become a Hero, a real one, that includes the ridiculous costume of course.

Endorsing the name “Samurai Flamenco” he will stop any type of evil doer, even the puny ones who think it’s okay to pee in public places.

That series will make you wonder, what is a true samurai. A man swinging a sword or a man with strong values and morals, a righteous man following the code of a warrior worthy of the name.

 

19. Angolmois: Record of the Mongol Invasion

INFORMATION
Title	Angolmois: Record of the Mongol Invasion
Author	Nanahiko Takagi
Genre	Action, Drama
Type	Series
Studio	NAZ
Premiered	Jul 11, 2018
Episode Count	12 episodes
Duration	23 min. per ep.

The King of kings traveled through the great sea and set foot in medieval Japan. Of course, his intentions weren’t to make buddy-buddy with his kind neighbors, more like to take over the entire place.

His arrival triggered what will come to be known as “Genkou”. As the war was brewing, Japan needed warriors, unlike any others. 

Devoted men who followed strict morals and codes, men that will follow any orders given by their masters as long as they will be following the path of justice.

And this, my friends, is how the first samurais appeared in Japan.

 

18. Onihei

INFORMATION
Title	Onihei
Author	Shōtarō Ikenami
Genre	Action, Drama
Type	Series
Studio	Studio M2
Premiered	Jan 10, 2017
Episode Count	13 episodes
Duration	23 min. per ep.

Our MC is called Heizou Hasegawa, you can consider him the chief of the police in 1783. But you know, they weren’t as civilized as they are today. Any method is acceptable if that means putting criminals behind bars.

Torture, threats, manipulation, you name it, all the things he had to do landed him the nickname “Devil Heizou”.

However, the real man isn’t as terrible as they made him sound. All he wants is to make sure his loved ones are living in an environment free of evil and depravity. A noble goal fit for a noble samurai.

 

17. Hyouge Mono

INFORMATION
Title	Hyouge Mono
Author	Yoshihiro Yamada
Genre	Action, Comedy
Type	Series
Studio	Bee Train
Premiered	Apr 7, 2011
Episode Count	39 episodes
Duration	25 min. per ep.

Let’s travel to the past, to the Era of the Warring Star in Japan. We will be following the adventures of the right hand of the famous Oda Nobunaga, a man called Furuta Sasuke.

The only thing he loves more than his sword is, oddly, tea ceremonies. He is convinced that they are the key to a fortuitous life.

He happened to come across some juicy information coming straight out of the mouth of a Tea Master.

And that moment will mark the beginning of an extraordinary journey of a tea-loving samurai with a very unique, to say the least, personality.

 

16. Hakuoki Demon of the Fleeting Blossom

INFORMATION
Title	Hakuoki Demon of the Fleeting Blossom
Author	Osamu Yamasaki Tsunekiyo Fujisawa
Genre	Action, Drama, Supernatural
Type	Series
Studio	Studio Deen
Premiered	Apr 4, 2010
Episode Count	12 episodes
Duration	23 min. per ep.

Let me start by telling you that this series is a feast for the eyes. The most handsome and beautiful anime characters are depicted in sexy traditional clothing, possessing extraordinary skills mixed with cold, mysterious and brooding personalities.

I know I don’t need to say more to get you to watch this masterpiece, but I’ll give you a small synopsis, nonetheless.

Now we don’t care about the girl who was searching for her father, all we care about is that she ended up in the layer of the Shinsengumi, a special police force that doesn’t deal with any kind of criminals but white-haired monsters with superhuman strength.

Their sole purpose is to protect Japan’s and its population from that supernatural threat, however it’s no walk in the park considering they are normal humans themselves.

She got mixed up in their problems, but she is well compensated since they are also helping her look for her father. She drew the jackpot really since she is now living in a dream where hot guys are doing her job for her. 

I’m sure this is how the entrance to heaven will look like when we arrive up there.

 

15. House of Five Leaves

INFORMATION
Title	House of Five Leaves
Author	Natsume Ono
Genre	Drama, Mystery
Type	Series
Studio	Manglobe
Premiered	Apr 16, 2010
Episode Count	12 episodes
Duration	23 min. per ep.

 

Masanosuke Akitsu is a great samurai I swear, it’s not his fault that he has a timid personality, that’s just how he is. But because of that, his employer always ends up firing him as he isn’t so  reliable.

Akitsu, now questioning his resolve as a samurai, was suddenly hired by a man named Yaichi. He is to be his bodyguard, an honorable job, except that he is now guarding an infamous gang boss.

Yaichi’s activities go against all his beliefs, however, the “Five Leaves‘ ‘piqued his curiosity, so he is sticking with them right now, not like he has anywhere else to go anyway.

 

14. Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto

INFORMATION
Title	Intrigue in the Bakumatsu: Irohanihoheto
Author	Junichi Miyashita
Genre	Action, Drama
Type	Series
Studio	Sunrise
Premiered	Oct 6, 2006
Episode Count	26 episodes
Duration	24 min. per ep.

 

Yojiro Akizuki is something else with a sword in hand. A true devil that fights in the most unique of ways. His weapon is like an extension of his body and an artifact that is also indispensable to locating the special items that he is looking for.

Everywhere he goes, blood follows. Chaos and destruction are his second half but who would’ve thought that we could find human beings even worse than him?

As he was wandering through the land, he crossed paths with a traveling theater troupe with an agenda as evil as it can get. I bet they are going to become besties real soon.

 

13. Samurai 7

INFORMATION
Title	Samurai 7
Author	Mizutaka Suhou, Akira Kurosawa
Genre	Sci-Fi
Type	Series
Studio	Gonzo
Premiered	Jun 12, 2004
Episode Count	26 episodes
Duration	26 min. per ep.

It’s time to take a leap into the future, a future where samurai traded their bodies for automated limbs to gain superhuman strength.

However, that technology wasn’t exclusively for their use, and of course, evil doers were just delighted to know that they now have an extremely easy way to fill their pockets.

Those criminals decided to target a village, a village that had no way to defend itself. Desperate, the villagers descended to the nearest town, begging wandering samurais for help.

With so little to offer, no wonder they came out empty-handed. But fate smiled at them when battle craze individuals accepted their offer just for the thrill of the battle.

Stay tuned for some epic fights, crazy techniques, and mind-blowing plans and strategies!

 

You might be interested: 17+ Best Cyborg Anime Characters!

 

12. Drifters

INFORMATION
Title	Drifters
Author	Kouta Hirano
Genre	Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Type	Series
Studio	Hoods Drifters Studio
Premiered	Oct 7, 2016
Episode Count	12 episodes
Duration	23 min. per ep.

 

All Tomoyasu ever wanted was to die an epic death worthy of a samurai such as himself. One against an entire battalion, his time had finally arrived, but some higher power decided otherwise.

Suddenly transported into another world, he had a completely new war to deal with now, a war with creatures of darkness. 

Not like he was sad about it though, he wanted the greatest death there could ever be, so of course, supernatural creatures fit the bill way more than mundane humans.

It’s just that the man is kind of unkillable, and his skills are out of this world. Let’s see who will manage to give the “Coup de Grace”.

 

11. Ninja Scroll

INFORMATION
Title	Ninja Scroll
Author	Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Genre	Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Supernatural
Type	Movie
Studio	Madhouse
Premiered	Jun 5, 1993
Episode Count	1 episode
Duration	1h. 31 min.

 

Jubei Kibagami was a samurai; however, he was fed up with the dirtiness of his masters. To get away from his past and the political clashes he had to deal with he decided to turn it into a sword for hire.

Unfortunately, it is easier said than done. When he met a Damsel in distress, he flew to her rescue and is now caught in the middle of the greatest conspiracy Japan ever faced.

Oh, and he doesn’t have to deal with samurais like himself, that would be too easy, he is now up against humans if they can still be considered humans, with supernatural  powers. Who knows how they tweaked their bodies. 

Well, I sure hope he survives this time again, although his chances do look grim.

 

10. Sword of the Stranger

INFORMATION
Title	Sword of the Stranger
Author	Fumihiko Takayama
Genre	Adventure, Adventure
Type	Movie
Studio	Bones
Premiered	Sep 29, 2007
Episode Count	1 episode
Duration	1h. 43 min.

 

Kotarou has no parents. Left alone in difficult times, he is forced to steal in order to survive. However, one day, assassins started coming after his life.

All he did was swindle food, it’s not like his crimes were so grave that people had to send professionals after him!

On the run, he ran into a ronin going by the name Nanashi. He helped them get out of their mess but did not want to get mixed up in his troubles. 

As he was leaving the boy behind, the kid decided to hire him and offered him a gem for his services. Don’t ask me how he managed to put his hands on something so precious, even I don’t know.

The swordsman accepted his deal and let me tell you one thing, he is going to regret it really fast. He is not nearly paid enough for all the craziness he is now going to go through.

 

9. Peace Maker Kurogane

INFORMATION
Title	Peace Maker Kurogane
Author	Nanae Chrono
Genre	Action, Comedy
Type	Series
Studio	Gonzo
Premiered	Oct 8, 2003
Episode Count	24 episodes
Duration	24 min. per ep.

Ichimura Tetsunosuke was left traumatized that might never heal after seeing with his own eyes his parents being cut down by the Choushuu.

Although scarred and bearing a deep aberration for blood, his desire for revenge pushed him to join the Shinsengumi.

However, it was obvious that it was not the place where he should be. He lacked the necessary skills but first and foremost he lacked the mental fortitude to slash any enemy of the state.

Unwilling to give up on retribution, he perseveres ignorant of the pain that he will soon have to face on the road to becoming a true samurai.

 

8. Shigurui: Death Frenzy

INFORMATION
Title	Shigurui: Death Frenzy
Author	Takayuki Yamaguchi
Genre	Action, Drama
Type	Series
Studio	Madhouse
Premiered	Jul 19, 2007
Episode Count	12 episodes
Duration	23 min. per ep.

We are back in the Edo Era, one of the rare times of peace Japan could enjoy. But you know that the Lord’s kind of finds great pleasure and satisfaction in battle so they might have been a bit bored during those uneventful times.

Tokugawa Tadanaga was organizing the annual sword tournament, a tournament that was usually held with wooden swords, however, he thought that it might be a good idea to spice things up a little and make the contestant participate with real weapons.

I think it was a good call since the two main participants were the students of the greatest samurai in Japan.

One lost an arm, the other was blind, however, their skill surpassed any other human being on Earth.

While we will be enjoying one of the most intense fights of the anime universe, the characters will be putting their lives on the line to see who is more worthy of succeeding to their master.

 

7. Blade of the Immortal

INFORMATION
Title	Blade of the Immortal
Author	Hiroaki Samura
Genre	Action, Adventure, Supernatural
Type	Series
Studio	Bee Train
Premiered	Jul 14, 2008
Episode Count	13 episodes
Duration	24 min. per ep.

He was known as the “Hundred Man Killer“, a monster in human flesh. Innocent, women, children, he didn’t hold his sword back against anyone. If evil was a person, that man might be it.

Disgusted by his cruelty, a nun decided to put a curse on the murderer. She injected leaches into his blood, a special kind of insect that can heal all wounds.

How is that a punishment? See, the insects don’t just heal his body, they also turned him into an immortal. And let me tell you one thing, some people with a low IQ think that’s the greatest of gifts, but immortality is in fact the worst kind of torture.

Wanting death desperately, the monster asked the nun how he could atone for his sins. To be honest, there is no way to pay for what he did, but at least he can do some good by killing a thousand evil people in exchange for the innocent lives he took from the world.

 

6. The Kouga Ninja Scrolls

INFORMATION
Title	The Kouga Ninja Scrolls
Author	Masaki Segawa
Genre	Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural
Type	Series
Studio	Gonzo
Premiered	Apr 13, 2005
Episode Count	24 episodes
Duration	24 min. per ep.

Two prominent families have been at each other’s throats for years now and their skirmish is affecting all of Japan.

Nobody ever thought that they could one day bury the hatchet of war until the two successors fell deeply in love with each other.

To force the families to unite, they decided to get married, however, not everyone was happy about that, or should I say, no one was happy about that.

So of course, they destroyed the couple’s only chance for happiness by ruining the greatest day of their lives in the most gruesome of ways.

 

5. Afro Samurai

INFORMATION
Title	Afro Samurai
Author	Takashi Okazaki
Genre	Action, Adventure
Type	Series
Studio	Gonzo
Premiered	May 3, 2007
Episode Count	5 episodes
Duration	27 min. per ep.

In a world that is ruled by power, the strongest man becomes the law. Samurais are granted headbands carved with numbers which is the mark of the power that they hold in the deprived Earth.

The current number 1 is Afro’s father. Yes, the title comes with great benefits, however, his life is constantly in danger since all of the people below him are seeking what he has.

After holding on to his position for a long time, the number 2 finally got the best of him. He cut him down right in front of his son, with a smile on his face and that was the biggest mistake he ever made.

The boy grew up to become a samurai like no other. Now in possession of the number 2 headband himself, he now has the right to challenge the one on top.

His revenge will be a dish he will savor as slowly as possible.

 

4. Samurai Champloo

INFORMATION
Title	Samurai Champloo
Author	Masaru Gotsubo
Genre	Action, Adventure, Comedy
Type	Series
Studio	Manglobe
Premiered	May 20, 2004
Episode Count	26 episodes
Duration	24 min. per ep.

I don’t know how this girl managed to land a waitressing job considering how clumsy she is. Surrounded every day by hotheaded samurais, it’s no surprise that she would one day get into deep trouble.

However, when that day came, there were two good Samaritans in the shop who came to her rescue.

Trying to impress the girl kind of went sideways since they ended up accidentally killing the magistrate’s son and were immediately thrown into prison with a death sentence.

Now, it’s the girls’ turn to return the favor, she broke them out and even hired them as her bodyguards asking them to help her locate a man that smells like sunflowers.

 

Also check out: Complete Samurai Champloo Filler List (OFFICIAL)

 

3. Dororo

INFORMATION
Title	Dororo
Author	Osamu Tezuka
Genre	Action, Adventure, Supernatural
Type	Series
Studio	Tezuka Productions, MAPPA
Premiered	Jan 7, 2019
Episode Count	24 episodes
Duration	24 min. per ep.

The land of Daimyo was dying, and its Lord was powerless to save it. He one day thought that if the Gods weren’t willing to lend him their assistance, then he would gladly pay Demons to do his bidding.

Sounds righteous and all, however, the deprived man was only thinking about retaining his power and influence and went as far as offering his newborn son to the monsters.

They ate everything, his limbs, flesh, eyes, nose, the only thing they couldn’t devour was his will to live.

Miraculously, the baby survived, however, the father only saw him as a curse and asked the servants to dispose of him.

Thrown into the river, a prosthetic maker found him and took him in. He built him a body and raised him with care and love.

The boy grew up to be a formidable warrior, more powerful than any man, faster than any animal, and more skilled than any master swordsman.

Well, he needed all that considering that all the demons of the land were still coming after him to finish what they started.

However, the hunters became the hunted when the samurai realized that if he killed the demon who was in possession of his body parts, he could have it back!

 

2.  Rurouni Kenshin

INFORMATION
Title	Rurouni Kenshin
Author	Nobuhiro Watsuki
Genre	Action, Adventure, Comedy, Romance
Type	Series
Studio	Gallop, Studio Deen
Premiered	Jan 10, 1996
Episode Count	94 episodes
Duration	24 min. per ep.

A legendary assassin, an undefeated swordsman had a wake-up call in the middle of the great war.

Disgusted by all the blood that he spilled, he decided to leave the battlefield and become the blade that will defend the weak.

Swearing to himself that he will never take another life again, he wanders the vast land of Japan helping on his way all those who are in need.

But is that really enough to make up for all the crimes that he committed or is it just meant to make him feel better about himself?

 

1. Gintama

INFORMATION
Title	Gintama
Author	Hideaki Sorachi
Genre	Action, Sci-Fi, Comedy
Type	Series
Studio	Sunrise
Premiered	Apr 4, 2006
Episode Count	201 episodes
Duration	24 min. per ep.

Aliens came from outer space to claim the Earth as their own. Way stronger than we were, way more advanced than we were, it was a piece of cake for them to conquer the Blue Planet.

However, there were some warriors that could make them shiver and those warriors are the great samurais of the land of Japan.

To exterminate the threat for good and bring them peace of mind, they decided to prohibit the use of Katanas.

Forced to let go of their faithful partner, the legendary samurai became only a shell of  what they used to be.

Only one of them refused to abide by that order and kept his pride as a martial artist. Now you are imagining a Kakkoii and cold fighter with a fierce gaze, right? Picture that image in your mind, now, imagine the complete opposite and here you have the MC of the series.

 

Conclusion

So, what do you think about that awesome anime compilation? Now the only thing I’m scared about is the fact that you might have already watched most of them just like me.

However, if you look closely enough, you are going to find the rare pearl that you have been searching for.

Some of the anime on the list are kind of criminally underrated while others have older versions that you can also watch.  While modern animation is undeniably better, there is something magical that draws you to the original versions, so why not give them a chance as well?

 

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