10 Best Samurai Anime: Unleashing the Warrior Within

Samurai anime are a popular genre that appeal to a wide range of viewers. Whether you are a fan of the historical and cultural aspects of feudal Japan, or you enjoy the thrilling and dramatic stories of swordsmanship and honor, there is a samurai anime for you.

In this article, we will introduce you to 10 of the best samurai anime ever made, ranked by their popularity, quality, and impact.

These anime cover different themes, from romance and comedy to action and fantasy, and feature diverse characters, settings, and styles. Let’s get started!

10. Hakuoki

Hakuoki is a historical anime that follows the Shinsengumi, a group of samurai who protect the shogunate during the turbulent Bakumatsu period. The anime also features a female protagonist, Chizuru Yukimura, who disguises herself as a boy and joins the Shinsengumi in search of her missing father.

Hakuoki is a romantic and dramatic anime that appeals to fans of otome games and reverse harem. The anime also depicts the historical events and personalities of the era, as well as the supernatural elements and conflicts that arise.

9. Peace Maker Kurogane

Peace Maker Kurogane is a comedy-drama anime that depicts the life of a young boy who joins the Shinsengumi in order to become a strong samurai and avenge his parents’ death. The anime follows the adventures and misadventures of Tetsunosuke Ichimura, who is often involved in humorous and dangerous situations with his fellow Shinsengumi members.

Peace Maker Kurogane is a fun and exciting anime that appeals to fans of shounen and slice of life. The anime also portrays the hardships and challenges of the Shinsengumi, as well as the bonds and friendships that they form.

8. Afro Samurai

Afro Samurai is a hip-hop anime that features a black samurai who seeks revenge for his father’s death. The anime follows the journey of Afro, who is the second-ranked fighter in the world and the owner of the Number Two headband. He is constantly pursued by other fighters who want to challenge him and claim his headband, which grants the right to challenge the Number One, the one who killed Afro’s father.

Afro Samurai is a cool and stylish anime that appeals to fans of action and music. The anime also showcases the impressive and brutal sword fights of Afro and his enemies, as well as the voice acting and soundtrack by Samuel L. Jackson and RZA.

7. The Ambition of Oda Nobuna

The Ambition of Oda Nobuna is a fantasy anime that reimagines the Sengoku period with female warlords. The anime follows the story of Yoshiharu Sagara, a modern-day high school student who is transported to the past and becomes the right-hand man of Oda Nobuna, a young girl who dreams of unifying Japan.

The Ambition of Oda Nobuna is a cute and entertaining anime that appeals to fans of harem and ecchi. The anime also incorporates the historical facts and figures of the period, as well as the strategic and political aspects of the war.

6. Dororo

Dororo is a dark fantasy anime that tells the story of a cursed samurai and a young thief. The anime follows the journey of Hyakkimaru, who was born without limbs, organs, or senses, as a result of his father’s pact with demons. He regains his body parts by killing the demons, with the help of Dororo, a street urchin who becomes his companion.

Dororo is a gripping and emotional anime that appeals to fans of horror and adventure. The anime also explores the themes of humanity, morality, and identity, as well as the social and environmental issues of the feudal Japan.

5. Samurai Champloo

Samurai Champloo is a stylish anime that blends samurai action with hip-hop culture. The anime follows the adventures of Mugen, a reckless and unconventional swordsman, Jin, a calm and traditional swordsman, and Fuu, a ditzy waitress who hires them as her bodyguards. Together, they travel across Japan in search of the “samurai who smells of sunflowers”.

Samurai Champloo is a unique and captivating anime that appeals to fans of comedy and music. The anime also showcases the stunning and dynamic sword fights of Mugen and Jin, as well as the historical and cultural references of the Edo period.

4. Gintama

Gintama is a hilarious anime that parodies various genres and tropes with a samurai twist. The anime follows the misadventures of Gintoki Sakata, a former samurai who works as an odd-jobs freelancer in a world where aliens have taken over feudal Japan. Along with his friends and allies, he gets involved in all kinds of crazy and hilarious situations, while occasionally fighting against the corrupt government and other enemies.

Gintama is a brilliant and outrageous anime that appeals to fans of humor and satire. The anime also features a large and diverse cast of characters, as well as a serious and epic storyline that unfolds later on.

3. Sword of the Stranger

Sword of the Stranger is a movie anime that showcases a thrilling sword fight between a ronin and a foreign warrior. The movie follows the story of Nanashi, a nameless samurai who saves a young boy named Kotaro from a group of assassins. He agrees to escort him to a Buddhist temple, where he encounters Luo-Lang, a skilled and ruthless fighter who works for a Chinese warlord.

Sword of the Stranger is a breathtaking and intense anime that appeals to fans of action and drama. The movie also depicts the stunning and realistic sword fighting scenes, as well as the themes of loyalty, friendship, and redemption.

2. Ninja Scroll

Ninja Scroll is a classic anime that portrays the brutal and bloody battles of ninjas and samurai. The anime follows the story of Jubei Kibagami, a wandering ninja who is hired by a government spy to stop the Eight Devils of Kimon, a group of demonic warriors who serve the Shogun of the Dark. Along the way, he teams up with Kagero, a female ninja who has a deadly poison in her body.

Ninja Scroll is a thrilling and violent anime that appeals to fans of horror and gore. The anime also showcases the amazing and diverse abilities of Jubei and his enemies, as well as the historical and political background of the Tokugawa era.

1. Rurouni Kenshin

Rurouni Kenshin is a legendary anime that follows a former assassin who becomes a wandering swordsman. The anime follows the story of Kenshin Himura, who was once known as Hitokiri Battousai, the most feared killer of the Bakumatsu period. He decides to atone for his sins by vowing to never kill again and protecting the innocent with his reverse-blade sword. He meets Kaoru Kamiya, a young woman who runs a dojo, and joins her and her friends in fighting against various enemies who threaten the peace of the Meiji era.

Rurouni Kenshin is a masterpiece and a must-watch anime that appeals to fans of romance and action. The anime also depicts the growth and development of Kenshin and his allies, as well as the historical and moral aspects of the samurai code.

Conclusion

Samurai anime are a great way to enjoy the excitement and drama of feudal Japan, as well as the stories and characters that come with them. Whether you prefer historical and realistic, or fantasy and comedic, or action and adventure, there is a samurai anime for you.

We hope that this article has helped you discover some of the best samurai anime ever made, and inspired you to watch them.

If you are looking for more samurai anime recommendations, you can check out our web search results. Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful day!