One genre in anime that is difficult to purely come across in the anime is one that strictly involves Samurai. Let’s look at some of the best Samurai Anime To Watch. If an anime follows only one specific genre, it will be monotonous and make it boring. In this post, we will be looking best Samurai anime to watch that will leave you looking for more Samurai content throughout different animes.
We have the greatest anime that we have seen in other anime that focuses on different genres at once, and they have left fans asking questions like “who is the best samurai in anime,” and “who is the strongest Samurai in anime?.” So if you were also wondering with more questions like “are there any good Samurai anime?” then this is the place because we will be looking into that.
If you solely focus on Samurai only, this will shorten your anime list, and there isn’t much anime out there where the main character is a Samurai, and the plot revolves around them. We will also look to answer more questions like “who is the strongest Samurai in anime?” So even though we have few anime with a Samurai as the main character. Some anime like One Piece have a mixture of different genres. Now that the anime and the manga are at an arc focusing on a Samurai nation, we will see why it’s important that an anime has other types of power besides sword-wielding.
Samurai Champloo
Being one of the oldest Samurai anime since this genre was not so popular back then. Samurai Champloo is one of the Samurai anime to watch if you want to see how t things usually develop. It has a main character who is very good at swords, and it is not that long, so you can also add it to your binge list. Samurai Champloo anime made its debut in May 2004, ran for 26 episodes until March 2005, and received a reboot series streamed on Funimation in 2011.
The storyline of Samurai Champloo is set in a fictional version of Japan back in the Edo period. It is about the life of Mugen and Jin, who are vagrant swordsmen and are rescued from their execution by Fuu. Fuu is a young and ditzy barmaid, and she recruited them to accompany her on her journey across Japan. She took an adventure to find the Samurai, who smells like sunflowers, so we managed to see how things play out on this quest.
Samurai Harem
Samurai Harem is another one of the anime that focuses on the main character, who is a Samurai. Yoichi Karasuma was raised and trained to become a Samurai Bushi for the past 17 years of his life. Given his age, he started his training early while still a little boy. He was surprised when his father told him that there was nothing more he could teach him as a Samurai. So his father also arranged for him to continue training at a dojo owned by one of his friends.
Yoichi then has to leave the tranquility of his rural momentaneous remote life and move to the city to live with his father’s friend’s family. He also has to learn how to cope with the city life cycle and finds himself living with four ladies as he would then have to endure a training regiment that is more severe than he had imagined. Samurai Harem has 12 episodes and made its debut in January and ran until March 2009.
Hyouge Mono
Hyouge Mono anime takes place during the Sengoku period of Japan when the shadow of Oda Nobunaga looms over the lands. The warlord Futura Sasuke lost his soul during the tea ceremony. War is still ravaging the world around him, and he has to face his conflict as he has to choose between his desire for a promotion and his love for his art.
Suppose you look closely at most anime centered around a Samurai character. You will notice that most of them have a set of an older period as Samurai used to dominate in the past. Modern-day anime has evolved beyond that, and that is one of the reasons you will find that there are very few anime that focus only on Samurai. So when it comes to the best Samurai anime to watch, you will have to look through other genres that also accommodate Samurai. Otherwise, you will be left with not much to look at and will also miss at greatest action that these anime feature.
Ninja Scroll
Make sure not to confuse this anime with the film of the same name that was released back in the 90s. Ninja Scroll anime is different from that one, and it is an anime series with 13 episodes. So it is a good watch as well. Ninja Scroll anime is about Himuro Genma, who defeated the immortal warrior Himuro Genma. He Genma was a shogun of the dark evil plans, and after this, Kibagami Jubei continued to ream all over japan as a swordsman without a master. On his journey, he met Shigure, a priestess who had never been to the outside world.
When the demons destroyed the village and killed everyone, Jubei became a prime target as he acquired the Dragon Jewel. The jewel is a stone of unknown origin and Shigure, together with Dakugan of the monk, traveled to the village of Yagyu. Two demon clans are hunting them, so Shigure and Dakuan need to acquire Junbei’s skills as a swordsman to protect the Priestess from the two clans.
Kurozuka
Kurozuka is also one of the best Samurai anime to watch, and it follows the life of Kuro. A 12th-century man fled into the mountains after losing to his brother. He meets a strange and beautiful woman named Kuromitsu, who later falls in love with him. Even though Kuro fell in love with her, he realized that Koromitsu had a dark secret that she had been hiding. She has been living as an immortal being and has been around for many years, and has witnessed Japan evolving into a future society.
Kuroozuka anime has 12 episodes and made its debut in October 2008 until December of the same year. This was adapted and was produced by Madhouse Studios from the novel of the same name. It was also announced that Animax would broadcast the anime with the same number of episodes scheduled.
House of Five Leaves
House of Five Leaves anime has 12 episodes and was adapted from the manga of the same name. The anime aired on local Japanese tv channels during its time as it ran from April to July 2010. House of Five Leaves anime is set during the Edo period, and it follows the life of Masanosue Akitsu, a ronin, and a master swordsman. His timid personality led to his employers banishing him.
One day, he encountered Yaichi, a leader of a group of bandits who call themselves the five leaves. He was then offered a job to become Yaichi’s bodyguard, but he was worried about the true intentions of the five leaders. Sanosuke was intrigued by the five leaders and agreed to join their ranks and work with them despite all this.
Samurai 7
We have seen all the anime that focuses on Samurai and how they overcome their challenges. We can say that most of them refer to a past. That is because Samurai is usually seen as a thing of the past rather than the present. Samurai 7 anime has 26 episodes handmade its debut in August 2012 and ran until February 2013. It is the best Samurai anime to watch because it takes things differently, and unlike most anime, it makes many references to the periods in the past.
Samurai 7 story is about the village of Kanna, and every year when the harvest comes, a group of bandits steals almost all of the rice harvested. On top of this, they are becoming more in demand, and they even go as far as taking women and children. After the villagers found several Samurai and talked with the local government. The villagers came up with ways to defend the village, and the Samurai launched an attack on the capital to defeat an overlord who had risen to power as an emperor.
Death Frenzy: Shigurui
Death Frenzy anime has 12 episodes that ran from July 2007 to October of the same year. Also known as Sigurui, Death Frenzy anime is about a story that happened back in 1629 when a daimyo had staged a tournament where the participants had to fight with real steel Japanese swords rather than their wooden ones. We got to see more of the first match, where a one-armed swordsman knew as Fujiki Gennosuke and the blind Samurai Irako Seigen faced off against each other.
The story that led to the two participating in Tokugawa’s tournament was also explored. It came as a short anime and has received only one season. As one of the Samurai anime that focuses on ancient times, it will be understandable because most anime exploring such settings do not produce much content.
Samurai Kings: Sengoku Basara
Sengoku Basara anime has 12 episodes and 1 OVA released, and the anime ran from April 2009 until June of the same year. The anime is about what happened during the Sengoku period of feudal Japan, where many generals had a duel in an endless struggle for national power and unification. One man is known as the Demon King, Oda Nobunaga, proved to be too big for anything that might come his way. Meanwhile, Masamune and Yukimura have become heated rivals as the warlords, but they formed an unlikely alliance.
They have a plan to take down the Demon King, and the series follows the emergence of the protagonists as Masamune and Yukimura have their struggles against Oda Nobunaga. Oda would crush anyone who would get in his way, seek to conquer the world, and not hesitate, even if it was his allies. Things go complicated as their first encounter ends with Masamune and Yukimura’s defeat. So you would not want to miss Sengoku Basara as one of the Samurai anime to watch.
Basilisk Kouga Ninpou Cho: The Kouga Ninja Scrolls
Basilisk Kouga Ninpou Cho comes as one of the unique anime centered around the Samurai and a little bit of Ninja skills. Since Ninjas are so versatile, they can even wield swords as much as Samurai. Their honor code would distinguish them as Samurai at heart, while Ninjas have a different set of personalities. Basilisk Kouga Ninpou Cho anime has 24 episodes, and it ran from April to September 2005.
Also known as The Kouga Ninja Scrolls, Basilisk Kouga Ninpou Cho anime is about the Iga and the Kouga ninja clans who have engaged in a bitter war for centuries. When a ceasefire was ordered by the warlord Ieyasu Tokugawa, the two clans were forced to put down their weapons. After some years, Gennosuke Kouga, the heir of the Kouga cal, and Oboro Iga of the Iga clan fell in love. They ended up marrying and bringing peace to the clans. Their hopes were dashed when their clans’ rivalry was reignited and started another war.
Mushibugyou
Mushibugyou anime is set in an alternate Edo Japan, and giant insects known as Mushi starts to appear and attack people. This happened 100 years before, and ever since then brought terror and death to the country. To counter this threat of the Musi, the Shogunate established the city patrol, which acted under the Mushi Magistrate to assemble warriors who were strong enough to fight the Mushi. Mushibogyou has 26 episodes that ran from April to September 2013.
The story also focuses on Jinbei Tsukishima, a young and cheerful Samurai. It is the newest member of the city patrol who joined under his father’s recommendation since he could not fight anymore. Jinbei then has to carry this burden and protect Edo from the Mushi in his place. Mushi Bogyou showcases a different aspect of the Samura fighting style and would easily make the best Samurai anime to watch.
Afro Samurai
Among the popular Samurai anime, we have Afro Samurai, with only one season of its anime. Afro Samurai anime has only five episodes making it one of the shortest anime series. The anime made its debut in January 2007 and ended in February of the same year. Afro Samurai is about the greatest warrior globally, and it is whoever manages to wear the number 1 headband. It follows the life of Afro as his father was killed in a fight.
The number 1 headband is believed to have the ability to grant immortality, and the only way to obtain it is to challenge and defeat the current holder in combat. Only the wearer of the number 2 headband has the right to challenge the number 1, but anyone else can challenge the number 2. The story revolves more around the number 2, who has fought and killed Rotakuro, Afro’s father, who was the owner of the number 1 headband. Thus a young Afro witnessed the fight and vowed revenge against his father.
Also Read: 13 Saddest Anime Series of All Time
Gintama
Almost every one of us knows about the Gintama anime and its focus on comedy. But its background is that of a Samurai as Gontoki is renowned as one of the best Samurai in the series. Gintama anime has several seasons that it has released throughout the year. It has also inspired live-action films along the way. The anime story is se in the alternate history of the late Edo period. Humanity is attacked by aliens known as Amanto. The series then focuses on an eccentric Gintoki Sakata, a samurai, who works as an odd jobs freelancer.
Gintama easily makes one of the Samurai anime to watch, but this one can be reserved for those who were enjoying watching anime for a while because of a long series like this one. You will have to put a lot of time into it, unlike those you can watch and finish in one day. It is quite a unique anime that focuses mostly on comedy but in serious situations. Gintoki can show you how he is powerful and can be serious when the situation requires it.
Blade of The Immortal
The next Samurai anime to watch is “Blade of The Immortal,” which only has 13 episodes. Blade of The Immortal anime made its debut in July 2008 and ended in December 2008. It looks at the life of Manji, who is a skilled ronin and has a decisive advantage. It is believed that no wound can kill him except for a rare poison. In the past, his criminal actions led to the death of 100 Samurai, including his brother-in-law.
Manji later met a young girl named Rin Asano and promised to help her avenge her parents as they were killed by a cadre of a master swordsmen led by Anotsu. Anotsu wanted to gather all the outcasts and form a very powerful dojo and has started to take over and destroy other dojos. One of the groups that called itself Mugai Ryu emerged as opposition, and its true leadership and motives were initially known. Later on, it would be revealed that they have the same motives as they tried to enlist Manji’s help as they want the same things.
Sword of The Stranger
Sword of the strange is an anime movie released back in 2007. This reveals a boy Kotaro as he escapes unknown pursuers with his dog and was directed by the young monk Shouan to seek help from Master Zekkai with is found at the Mangku Temple in the Akaike province. In the meantime, a group of Ming Chinese warriors is on the county by soldiers of Lord Akkaige, who has allowed the Mign to build a large altar on his land in exchange for gold.
Bandits ambushed his group, but the Ming’s expert Western swordsman slaughtered them. Kotaro tries to shelter in an abandoned castle, where he encounters Nanashi, a wandering swordsman. They are found by a search party of two warriors with Akaike soldiers, and a Ming warrior ends p attaching them. Nanashi managed to kill him, while a poisoned dagger wounded Timaru. Kotaro hired Nanashi as a bodyguard and took Tobimaru to a doctor, where his dog was treated.
Berserk
Berserk is one of the classic anime that most fans know about because it managed to create a huge fan base. This anime is about Guts, a lone warrior born from a hanged corpse and raised as a mercenary by his adoptive father Gambino, whom he was forced to kill in self-defense. This earned him a fearsome reputation and caught the attention of Griffith, who is the leader of the hawk band and is known as the most deadly mercenary.
After defeating him in battle, Griffith forced Guts to join the group, and Gut became his best fighter and quickly rose through the ranks. Guts later learned that Griffith desires to rule the kingdom of his own and that he has a mysterious pendant known as Behelit. The pendant was instrumental when they were spared by Nosferatu Zoss, who is a monstrous immortal, and left Guts with a cryptic warning about him becoming Griffith’s friend.
Rurouni Kenshin
Sometimes known as Samurai X, Rurouni Kenshi anime has 95 episodes that ran from January 1996 to January 1998, so it is one of the anime classics, which would explain why it is centered around Samurai and how they live. It is also one of the interesting Samurai anime to watch, but as it is long, it would require a lot of time, unlike most of the anime here that only runs for 12 or 24 episodes. Rurouni Kenshin anime takes place in the 11th year of the Meiji Era, and the former Himura Kenshin wanders around japan.
When Kenshin reaches Tokyo, he is attacked by a young woman Kaoru and believes that he is Hitokri Battosai. When the real Battosai arrives, Kenshin decides to defeat him and reveals that Battosai is the actual manslayer who has become a pacifist. Kaoru invited Kenshin to her dojo, but he ended up getting more fame than attracting other warriors who wished him dead. He managed to make new friends and those who wished to become strong like him.
Brave 10
Brave 10 story tasks place in the warring states period just before a year the /battle of Sekigahara. Firigakure Saizo, an Iga Ninjasearches for the path of his life and comes across Isanami, a shrine maiden under attack by assassins. Isanami survived the burning of the Tempe by Ieyasu’s forces and is traveling to Shinshuu looking for sanctuary alongside Snada Yujimura. Meanwhile, Sanada Yukimura was getting 10 fighters of extraordinary bravery.
Brave 10 anime has 12 episodes, so it is one of the binge-worthy anime about Samurai, so it can short period to finish the anime and see for yourself how it would rank compared to other anime. The brave 10 are also known as Sanada Ten Braves, and their combined strength will allow them to change the course of history.
Anime With The Greatest Samuaurai Characters
You will find out that most anime have different power systems, and Samurai only make a part of that cocktail to produce one good anime. Look at the likes of One Piece and Naruto. This kind of thing is treated as a part of one big generic power system instead of focusing only on the Samurai. So we will also look at more anime with the greatest Samurai or sword users out there.
We all know that in other anime like Naruto and One Piece, we also managed to see how great Samurai can be. So it looks like most samurai characters have greater character development when the anime combines Samurai power dynamics with something else. This would come as a huge challenge for those who rely on swords as Samurai and are forced to become their best selves. There are is also more Best Samurai Anime To Watch that one can enjoy.
Also Read: Top 10 Anime With Aesthetic Vibes That You Should Watch To Escape Reality!
