For our ongoing series of articles on the best anime, our attention this time turns to samurai. From supernatural slashers and rhythm-based action, there’s a good choice to whet your appetite. ..
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Samurai Champloo
Samurai Champloo is an anime that takes a more hip hop and groovy approach to the samurai concept. It features well-rounded characters, engaging and well-animated fight scenes, and an exhilarating soundtrack. It’s an anime best known for its fights and one that will keep you on the edge of your seat. ..
Mugen and Jin’s fight leads to the tea shop’s destruction and the local magistrate’s son’s death. They are sentenced to execution and must face it head on. ..
Fuu, a waitress from the tea shop, saves and hires Jin and Mugen as her bodyguards. Despite losing her tea shop, Fuu requests the two to help her find a specific warrior who smells of sunflowers. Although they’re hesitant to assist Fuu, Jin and Mugen accept her offer and tag along. ..
This quest will take you down a fun and action-packed Samurai road. Although Jin and Mugen will constantly argue and fight each other, they’ll eventually learn to appreciate each other’s company. This is an excellent anime that is well worth your time.
Blade of the Immortal
This anime starts slowly but manages to turn into a splendid product by the end. Our tale follows the samurai Manji who must murder 1000 evil perpetrators to reattain his ability to die naturally. Manji is a wise-cracking individual who is sure to get a laugh off of you.
Manji is a likable and flippant character, but he also has a more mentor-like side. He’s paired with 16-year-old Rin Asano, and the chemistry between them is great. They both want revenge for what happened to them, and this unites them. ..
The voice actors and actresses do a great job portraying the characters in this show. Everyone captures a lot of energy and excitement for their roles. The animation is hit-and-miss, though. There are times when action scenes look spectacular. However, there are instances where the animation quality dips, making characters appear off-putting and weird. ..
Despite its flaws, Blade of the Immortal is a well-done samurai anime that delivers on its historical and action elements. If you’re looking for an anime that reaps in history and action, this one is definitely worth watching!
Hyouge Mono
Hyouge Mono is a unique and beautiful samurai anime. This anime focuses more on the beauty of its world and the characters’ intrigue surrounding it. It’s different from most samurai series that shove duels and bouts at the forefront. ..
The anime’s slow pacing is a major issue. It takes time to develop and characterize its characters, and it wants viewers to engage with the ideas it presents. However, this audience is mostly interested in historical and philosophy-driven narratives, so the anime’s slow pace may not be appealing to everyone.
This anime is a story of growth and change. The characters are gradually revealed to be more complex and interesting as the story progresses. The anime wants you to take in all of the new information it presents, and then come up with your own interpretation of it.
This anime is not for samurai fans who prefer stories with less speaking and more action. It is a series that tailors toward a crowd who enjoys anime with more thought-provoking elements.
Ruroni Kenshin
This anime is praised for its handling of samurai, swordsmanship, and mature topics. Ruroni Kenshin offers brutal and exhilarating fights. While some character attacks appear supernatural, most of the combat in this show is grounded in realism.
Hitokiri Battousai, a former murderer, decides to start over by taking on the new alias of Kenshin Himura. Everywhere he goes, people gossip about his past and paint him as an outlaw. Kenshin hopes that by changing his name and appearance, he can start fresh and find some peace. ..
Kenshin, a young man who swore never to kill again and help people instead, runs into Kaoru Kamiya. Kaoru tells Kenshin that someone is using her former name and is terrorizing people. Kenshin agrees to protect everyone from harm and asks Kaoru if he can crash at her place.
This anime follows Ruroni Kenshin’s quest to uphold his promise to Kaoru while trying to find the person responsible for stealing his former alias and hurting others. The show features a great mix of lighthearted comedy and serious action. It’s a great way to break free of the show’s serious tone, while also giving slice-of-life fans something to invest in.
Sword of the Stranger
Sword of the Stranger is an original anime that stands out from its manga and anime adaptation counterparts thanks to its clever writing, art style, and soundtrack. ..
Sword of the Stranger is set during Japan’s Sengoku period and follows an orphan boy named Kotarou and his pet dog Tobimaru. They spend their time stealing from unsuspecting citizens and conversing with each other. However, their peaceful and depressing livelihood is halted when Kotarou finds out that he’s being hunted by assassins for his petty crimes.
Kotarou and Tobimaru meet a ronin named Nanashi who resides in a small temple. Unfortunately, Koutarou has received some battle wounds while Tobimaru suffers poison damage. Although Nanashi doesn’t want to help them further, Kotarou bribes him to become their bodyguard until Tobimaru’s healed from the poison, and they reach their destination.
Nanashi, Kotarou, and Tobimaru are on a perilous journey through a dangerous world in search of a deadly swordsman who is after Kotarou. Koutarou and Nanashi are enjoyable protagonists that are given depth in the film. ..
While some fans may find Koutarou’s mannerisms annoying, the anime does a wonderful job explaining his backstory about how he became the way he is in the film. The same bodes well for Nanashi, who gets a bit more screen time than Koutarou. This anime’s feudal Japanese setting also makes everything feel more grounded in realism, too.
Sword of the Strange is a great place to learn about Japanese history. ..
Brave 10
Brave 10 is an action-centric samurai anime where words won’t sway the tide of a battle. You can expect numerous gruesome fights between heroes and villains in this adrenaline-pumping show. This may not be the type of anime fans who enjoy characters resolving their issues through words, so it may not be appealing to them. ..
In this anime, a priestess named Isanami is forced to watch menacing ninjas burn her temple to ashes and slaughter her people while fleeing into a forest. She stumbles upon Saizou Kirigakure, a ninja from a neighboring school. They travel to Ueda Castle to ask Yukimura Sanada for assistance, and we learn that Isanami possesses a devastating power, encouraging Sanada to gather ten warriors to her side.
Saizou and Isanami are on a quest to find brave warriors to serve as Yukimura’s bodyguards. This anime does a great job at building tension in its fights and emotionally-driven segments. Fans will find its visuals appealing and our heroes engaging. The anime spends some time giving these characters fleshed-out backgrounds to help you empathize with them. ..
If you’re looking for an anime with a likable cast, Brave 10 is a splendid samurai adventure anime. ..
Demon Slayer
Gintama
Gintama is a samurai-themed anime that is sure to please any viewer. It balances comedy and seriousness well, making it an enjoyable watch for anyone.
Demon Slayer is set in a traditional Japanese setting, allowing fans to immerse themselves in that time period’s culture and landscape. While it offers a more fictional twist with superpowers and samurai fighting demons, Japanese culture enthusiasts will appreciate the realistic nods stored within its environments and swordplay. ..
In this series, Tanjiro Kamado discovers that demons have slaughtered his family. He learns that his sister has become a demonic being despite having survived the attack. Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps to protect his sister and slay every demon that stands in his way.
Demon Slayer is an anime with dark fantasy and Japanese culture that will leave you speechless and excited for more. ..
Gintama is known for its outlandish humor and frequent parodies of real-life events and people. For example, in one episode, the Yorozuya team up with the CIA to take on a Russian threat. Meanwhile, in another episode, they take on a samurai clan that’s trying to overthrow the government. These are just two examples of the series’ wide range of parody topics. In general, Gintama tends to take things that are mundane and make them into something absurd and funny. ..
The story follows Gintoki, a samurai who runs the Yorozuya, a business where he tackles small quests for cash. Along the way, he makes new friends, some with supernatural abilities. Together, they embark on various quests involving aliens, gang members, fugitives, and others.
The show is a mix of hysterical gags and dramatic storytelling that fans will enjoy. ..
Samurai 7
Samurai 7 is a classic Japanese film that follows the story of seven samurai who must fight against an evil group of bandits. The anime features easy-to-follow storylines and likable characters, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a classic samurai movie to watch.
Samurai 7 takes place in a future where a war between samurai and those who mechanized their bodies occurred. The aftermath of this war brought peace, but not entirely. This world’s mechanized bandits (The Nouseri), are still causing a ruckus in nearby villages. Enter Kanna Village, an area known for facing mass starvation and abductions at the hands of the Nobuseri.
The events of Kanna Village have encouraged the residents to hire samurai to protect them. To satisfy their needs, Kirara, her sister Komachi, and Rikichi set off to find samurai willing to support them. Through endless obstacles and problematic encounters, fans can expect a brutal war between these noble samurai and the treacherous bandits. ..
Samurai 7 is a samurai anime that tells the story of a group of samurai who are forced to fight in a war against another country. The samurai in this anime come from all different backgrounds and have different skills, but they all share one common goal: to protect their country and its people. The villains in this anime are just as engaging and brilliantly written as the heroes. The visuals in this show will make you quiver in excitement while it soundtrack will have your heart racing. If you’re looking for a heroic anime, give Samurai 7 a shot.
Dororo
Dororo is a story about an abandoned, limbless boy named Hyakkimaru who receives prosthetic and weapons to survive. We follow him through his journey of growth and bloodlust as he desires to wipe out every demon that stands in his way.
Dororo is a manga series about a man who, after meeting a creature that embodies all the darkness in his heart, embarks on a journey to rid the world of these monsters in order to regain some of his humanity. The series is dark and doesn’t shy away from showing heavy amounts of bloodshed. ..
This series explores Hyakkimaru’s lust for revenge and the feeling of exploration. It does so by engrossing viewers with its beautiful landscapes and stellar action scenes. However, the best aspects of Dororo come from Hyakkimaru’s internal journey, as the series progresses. You’ll notice Hyakkimaru adopt more human-like qualities and mannerisms as the series progresses.
This anime is a great way to spend an evening. The story follows a samurai who must fight off monsters in order to save his village. While the formula is familiar, the anime does an excellent job of incorporating new and unique elements into the story. If you’re looking for an exciting and thrilling adventure, check out Dororo.
- Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon
- Hayao Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises
- Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro
- Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy
Our picks for the best summer reads are just the beginning! Let us know in the comments below what books you’re looking forward to reading this season. ..
