In Japanese culture, one of the most critical parts is samurais. They are not only military members. They are much more than that. The sense of honour they have is never seen in Japanese culture or maybe in the world.
I’ll be talking about the best samurai animes out there to save you the trouble to find one in this list.
10. Samurai 7
7.6/10
This samurai anime is based on the film 7 samurai 7. So it is very similar to that.
Samurai 7 tells the story of Kanna, a town in Japan. Dozens of towns are terrorized by Nobuseri bandits in this futuristic world that has just witnessed the end of a colossal battle. The Nobuseri, on the other hand, isn’t your typical robbers. Instead, they were formerly samurai who, during the war, combined their live cells with machinery to create lethal weapons that now resemble machines more than humans.
It is not original. It’s based on something already existing; that’s why I am placing it in 10th place. Although it is a good anime. You should definitely check it out.
9. Brave 10
6.6/10
The story takes place around a year before the Battle of Sekigahara during the Warring States period. Isanami, an Izumo shrine maiden, is attacked by assassins when Kirigakure Saizou, an Iga Ninja in pursuit of his life’s path, comes across her.
Isanami is coming to Shinshuu to seek refuge with Sanada Yukimura after surviving the fire of Izumo Temple by Tokugawa Ieyasu’s soldiers. At the same time, Sanada Yukimura is assembling the Sanada Ten Braves, a group of ten great heroes whose combined strength will allow them to change the course of history.
It is a good mixture of fun-full fantasy and action-packed fights.
8. House of leaves
7.8/10
House of Five Leaves is a Japanese story based during the Edo period that follows Masanosuke Akitsu, a ronin (wandering samurai) and talented swordsman whose timid personality frequently causes him to be fired by his employers. He meets Yaichi, the charismatic leader of a band of robbers known as the Five Leaves, and is offered a job as his bodyguard one day. Masanosuke is intrigued by the gang and decides to cooperate with them, despite his concerns about their objectives.
It is an excellent piece of art. It is in this list of best samurai anime just because it’s artwork alone.
7. Shigurui
7.8/10
The story begins in Shizuoka during the reign of Tokugawa Tadanaga. Despite his vassals’ protests, the daimyo held a tournament in which contestants battled with solid steel Japanese swords rather than bokken (“wooden sword”). The plot centers around the first duel between Fujiki Gennosuke, a one-armed swordsman, and Irako Seigen, a blind samurai, and the events that lead the two to compete in Tokugawa’s tournament.
It is a story of deaths, darkness, and many bloodsheds that happened during the samurai era. Although the anime’s story is really dark, the plot is so fabulous you will definitely like it.
6. Sengoku Basara
7.4/10
Many generals fought in an endless war for dominance throughout feudal Japan’s brutal Sengoku Period, or Warring States Period. Still, one man proved to be too powerful: Oda Nobunaga, the dark lord. So Sanada Yukimura and Date Masamune, two young warriors from opposing territories who have become bitter enemies, forge an odd alliance with the other generals to defeat the Demon King.
This anime manages to combine Japanese samurai skills and superpowers into one. A nice mix of old and modern fashion I really recommend it.
5. Basilisk
7.9/10
The Iga and Kouga ninja clans have fought one other for ages. The two clans are compelled to lay down their arms when the strong warlord Ieyasu Tokugawa orders a ceasefire. Years later, the Kouga clan’s heir Gennosuke Kouga and the Iga clan’s heir, Oboro Iga, fell in love. Both heirs hope to bring harmony to the clans through marriage. However, their expectations are destroyed when feuds between their clans resurface, and they are drawn into yet another war.
If you liked the story of Romeo and Juliet, you would be thrilled after this. It is the story of the prince and princess of riveling families. Extremely underrated anime. For the most part, the pacing is pretty slow, which will put off some viewers, but I found the story consistently engaging.
4. Mushibugyō
7.3/10
Giant insects devastate the soil in feudal Japan, putting the residents of Edo under attack. The people are begging the government to help. As a result, the Insect Magistrate Office is founded, bringing together mighty warriors to fight insects. Jinbee Tsukishima, a young man, aspiring to be a master swordsman like his father.
Jinbee wishes to fill his father’s position as a member of the Insect Magistrate Office to atone for a tragic incident that occurred due to his mistake. On his way there, he meets Haru, a gorgeous young woman who helps run her family’s tea shop and is driven to use his sword to save her from a horrible fate.
3. Afro Samurai
7.7/10
It is stated that the person who wears the Number 1 headband is the world’s best warrior and will have god-like abilities. The Number 1 headband may only be obtained by challenging and defeating the current wearer in a fight.
The wearer of the Number 2 headband, on the other hand, can only challenge the Number 1, whereas anyone can challenge the Number 2. As a result, Number 2 must continually struggle for survival. Justice, the current owner of the Number 2 headband, fights and kills Rokutaro, Afro’s father and the owner of the Number 1 headband. Witnessing the fight, a young Afro swears vengeance on Justice, who instructs him to seek him out when he’s “ready to duel a god.”
2. Rurouni Kenshin
8.5/10
Rurouni Kenshin takes place in Japan during the early Meiji period. It depicts the narrative of Himura Kenshin, a gentle wanderer who was once known as the assassin “Hitokiri Battsai.” As atonement for the killings he committed as an assassin during the Bakumatsu conflict, Kenshin wanders the countryside of Japan, offering safety and aid to people in need.
Despite a few forgettable filler episodes, this was a fun animation with many good qualities and memorable moments. “Rurouni Kenshin” is, in my opinion, on par with other excellent anime series like “Trigun,” “Wolf’s Rain,” and “Samurai Champloo.”… All-Time Classic Anime!
1. Gintama
8.6/10
Gintama is a story about an unemployed samurai named Gintoki, a samurai who has little regard for the invaders’ rules and is willing to take any task to survive. But, on the other hand, he and his gang are among the few who have not forgotten the swordsman’s morale. Everywhere they go, all they do is cause havoc.
It is a hilarious anime, and I highly recommend it. The characters , plot everything makes it the best samurai anime ever. Gintama is in my list of favourite anime. If you haven’t watched it yet just go for it.
