Following the classical Japanese Warrior code of bushido, Samurai has always been a subject of interest in many facets of Japanese media. Undoubtedly, honing one’s skill to strive for perfection allows mangakas to craft engaging characters to navigate through the tumultuous landscape of the Edo period.
As a result, the genre generally reflects a strong appreciation for history and the warrior spirit, themes that make for timeless series, which sees this list spanning all the way back into the ‘70s, proving the strength of the genre and its ability to appeal to many different fanbases in manga.
Updated by Sage Ashford, March 31st, 2023: As ever, there are constant new additions to the world of manga. Since the samurai era still makes up one of the most popular sub-genres, it’s not surprising that plenty of samurai manga are worth reading. We’ve updated this list to add a few more samurai classics, new and old.
15 Flowers of Keiji
By Tetsuo Hara and Keiichiro Ryu
Flowers of Keiji is a classic manga from Weekly Shonen Jump that originally launched in 1989 and ran until 1993. Set during the reign of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the series follows young Keiji Maeda. At a time when everyone else chooses to live as quietly as possible to avoid danger, Keiji chooses to live as wildly as possible. This includes using his swordsmanship skills to throw down with bandits, or protect people around him.
Wanting to live life boldly, Keiji travels the nation, running into important historical figures like Tokugawa Ieyasu and foreign visitors, learning more about the world around him. While finding this entirely translated can be a challenge, this is one of the best manga without an anime adaptation, plus the series eventually gets a vastly more successful spin-off, Gifuu Doudou, for those interested in the world.
14 Angolmois: Genkou Kassenki
By Nanahiko Takagi
This manga series covers a period often ignored in Japanese history: the Mongol Invasion. Set near the end of the 13th century, the story is built around an exiled samurai named Jinzaburou Kuchii. After years of the Mongolians traveling across the world, conquering and building up their Empire, in 1274, they finally reached Japan, and the island of Tsushima.
Angolmois isn’t terribly long, running for ten volumes and forty chapters, but a sequel manga is still ongoing. For people who love historical storylines, or those who were huge fans of one of the best games on PlayStation 4, this will be a real treat.
13 Peacemaker Kurogane
By Nanae Chrono
Interestingly, Peacemaker Kurogane is actually the sequel to a shorter manga known simply as Peace Maker. The series takes place just before the start of the Meiji Restoration Era, following a teenager named Tetsunosuke Ichimura, who sought to join the Shinsengumi for the sake of revenge against the person responsible for killing his parents.
In Peacemaker Kurogane, though, the anti-shogunate rebellion has been finished off, leaving the Shinsengumi as Kyoto’s primary peacekeepers. This leaves Tetsunosuke and the rest of the Shinsengumi trying to figure out how to survive in a new world. Part of a monthly shonen magazine, Peacemaker Kurogane is actually still going, over twenty years after launch.
12 Mushibugyou
By Hiroshi Fukuda
Published first in Shonen Sunday Super, then later in Weekly Shonen Sunday, Mushibugyou is another long-running shonen series for fans to get into. In the world of Mushibugyou, humanity is threatened by massive insects known as the “Mushi.”
These insects represent such a massive threat that the Shogunate has no choice but to form a group to stand against them, known as the City Patrol. The story focuses on Jinbei Tsukishima, a new member of the City Patrol whose given no choice but to protect Edo after his father loses the ability to fight. Jinbei is the weakest team member, thanks to his youth and inexperience, but he refuses to give up.
11 The Elusive Samurai
By Yusei Matsui
This is one of Weekly Shonen Jump’s new big successful manga, and a new series from the creator of Assassination Classroom. The series is set during the Imperial era of the Kenmu Restoration, placing it back in the 1300s. There, a young boy named Hojo Tokiyuki loses his family empire when the future leader of the Ashikaga Shogunate, Ashikaga Takauji, betrays the family.
Far too young to fight back, Hojo is left with no choice but to run away in the hope that he can reclaim his home and title another day. While tiny, Hojo does have one thing going for him–the ability to easily run and escape any situation, and even fight while running away.
10 Kaze Hikaru
By Taeko Watanabe
During the Bakamatsu revolution, a young girl named Sei disguises herself as a boy to become a samurai and avenge the death of her parents. It is during her training that she meets fellow samurai Okita.
Focusing largely on the history around the time period just before the start of the Meiji era, Kaze Hikaru is given an interesting backdrop to the plights of Sei. However, the series has won over fans not just for its historical approach, but also off the back of strong character development and a mix of action and romanticism. Ultimately, the series embodies many aspects that draw fans into the world of Samurai manga, and is a hidden gem more people should be reading.
9 Samurai Executioner
By Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima
One of the two series in the list published in the 70s, Samurai Executioner, is one of the series that set the groundwork for the genre. Through the ventures of Samurai Kubikiri Asa (beheader and master samurai of the shogun), the reader is thrust into the violent world of the samurai.
The series is without much fluff and focuses on the duties of the Samurai, the strong will and skill required to survive in a world saturated with greed and calls for vengeance. Undeniably, it is a timeless series that will be adored by fans of the genre for generations to come.
8 Oooku
By Fumi Yoshinaga
Set in an alternative Japan where the male population saw a stark decline leading to a dominant matriarchy, Oooku offers an interesting twist on both the harem and samurai genre, so much so that mangaka Fumi Yoshinaga saw loads of accolades and awards for her work.
Perhaps most notable and speaking to the strength of the series was the special prize at The Japanese Association of Feminist Science Fiction and Fantasy’s 5th annual Sense of Gender awards in 2005.
7 Shigurui
By Takayuki Yamaguchi
Shiguri offers a well-framed narrative by introducing two battered and mutilated samurai facing off in the opening. The mere appearance of the two disgust the audience in attendance by the barbaric nature of the match. However, this match marks the end of the journey for the two men, as the series goes back to showcase how they got there, and the many foes that have fallen before each.
Shiguri leads with a solid visual style reminiscent of series like Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Grappler Baki, and Kengan Asura. As a result, there are many muscles on top of muscles and overly animated design choices that ooze machismo and celebration of the human form. Additionally, the series contains enthralling fight sequences, which helped drive the popularity of the manga.
6 House of Five Leaves
By Natsume Ono
Mangaka Natsume Ono is a diverse talent in the world of Manga, dabbling in various genres. However, she has showcased a knack for creating profound emotional work through the many series she has worked on. As a result, it was not surprising that her only foray into Samurai manga in “House of Five Leaves” allowed her strong narrative work to make Samurai Manga fans take note.
The series may not be as bloody or action-heavy as others in this list, but it is a series that has lots of heart off the back of sincere characters. Overall, a nice deviation from the action-heavy series and a deserved entry in the list.
5 Blade of the Immortal
By Hiroaki Samura
Following the story of an immortal samurai, Blade of the Immortal tells the story of Manji, a swordsman famous for killing ‘100 innocent men’. When he is finally about to meet his own death, a 100-year-old nun places ‘bloodworms’ in him that can heal almost any wound. To break the curse of immortality, the warrior is tasked with killing 1,000 evil men.
This stylish tale of revenge boasts some great action sequences, all perfectly famed within the period, making it a modern standout within the genre.
4 Gintama
By Hideaki Sorachi
Gintama has found success as one of the best modern comedy series, with a particular knack for wonderfully parodying other series. Undeniably, the series has charmed many fans with its mix of genres, using the Edo period and samurai genre as a backdrop to its shenanigans.
The comedy series also manages to have a lot of heart, is able to build to some truly tear-jerking moments, and even has some shockingly great fights. Unlike any other series on the list, Gintama created the perfect storm of genres that lands it high on this list.
3 Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story
By Nobuhiro Watsuki
Arguably Rurouni Kenshin has seen more success outside of manga than any other entry on this list, with both a well-received anime series and a live-action film franchise helping the series’ popularity. However, none of that would have been possible if not for the genre-defining manga series from its creator.
The manga stands out for various reasons, but at the core of the fandom, it could be argued that Watsuki was able to create some of the most endearing and timeless characters. Even bit characters became developed, given their aspirations and desires. Ultimately, the world of Rurouni Kenshin is one of great passion for its subjects, making it one of the greatest series in the genre.
2 Lone Wolf & Cub
By Goseki Kajima and Kazuo Koike
The second series from this list which was originally published in the 70s, Lone Wolf and Cub, is likely the most impactful series in this list. The series also inspired a cinematic run, which became iconic to the samurai genre that would make its way to the Criterion Collection. Additionally, the scenario of an aged warrior having to care for a young child became a formula imitated and parodied so many times over.
For those unfamiliar, the manga follows a disgraced samurai, Ittou Ogami, who becomes a samurai for hire who is also tasked to take care of his young son. The two earn the name “Lone Wolf and Cub,” and ‘Wolf’ becomes the most sought-after assassin.
1 Vagabond
By Takehiko Inoue
Vagabond is easily the most adored Samurai series ever to be released; despite not getting an anime adaptation, many have found their way to the series they consider among the best made. Consequently, many consider it not just a must-read for fans of Samurai Manga, but for fans of the medium in general.
Based on the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, the series offers a historically accurate view of Edo Japan and injects drama and stunning art into the ideal package. Undeniably, Vagabond is a deserved title for the top spot and a must-read for manga fans.
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