As the home of the samurai profession, Japan has an understandable love for the genre and thus many samurai anime and manga series exist. These series transport viewers to feudal Japan or imaginative worlds inspired by its rich culture, where skilled swordsmen uphold justice, navigate intricate political landscapes, and embark on journeys of personal growth.

Although many have faithfully depicted the life of a samurai, there are just as many that take their own route and blend genres while staying true to the spirit of the swordsmen. This makes the samurai genre an extremely diverse and exciting one, and there's bound to be one or two that strike a chord with anime fans.

15 Yasuke

Produced by Mappa Studios

Netflix's Yasuke was a highly anticipated anime that unfortunately didn't live up to its full potential. The 6 episodes it received were not enough to fully flesh out the intriguing historical character of Yasuke, Japan's first African samurai who served Oda Nobunaga in the 16th century. Although a lot is lacking, it is nonetheless an enjoyable series that has amazing visuals and fight scenes courtesy of Mappa Studio.

Retired from his life as a warrior, Yasuke seeks solace as a boatman until he's drawn into conflict protecting a mysterious child with powerful abilities. Together, they confront dark forces and Yasuke must rediscover his warrior spirit amidst betrayal, magic, and the struggle for justice in a fantastical reimagining of history.

14 Samurai Deeper Kyo

Produced by Studio Deen

Based in the Edo period but with mild historical liberties, a trend in popular anime, Samurai Deeper Kyo is a one-season, 26-episode adaptation of the 1999 Kodansha original. The series follows Kyoshiro Mibu, a comionate medicine man who conceals a terrible secret, with the inhabiting spirit of Demon Eyes Kyo, a ruthless samurai and slayer of samurai of the era, including a fictionalized version of Oda Nobunaga.

The series follows Kyoshiro's ties to the Mibu clan and those of Kyo as bounty hunter Shiina Yuya hunts him in this dramatic, anachronistic samurai action anime with light touches of romance.

13 Peacemaker Kurogane

Produced by Gonzo

For history buffs, Peacemaker Kurogane explores the years leading to the Meiji Restoration, a tumultuous period that would soon see samurai lose their former prominence as a ruling class in Japanese society. The series follows Tetsuonosuke "Tetsu" Ichimura as he s the Shinsengumi, a warrior group who resisted the tides of the Meiji Restoration, with Tetsu ing them to avenge his parents.

Peacemaker Kurogane is a well-received anime alternative to other Meiji-era depictions like Rurouni Kenshin, looked upon fondly for its action and depictions of the Shinsengumi, whose ubiquitous presence in samurai references include Record of Ragnarok and Yakuza.

12 Shigurui: Death Frenzy

Produced by Madhouse

With Madhouse's animation, it's surprising that Shigurui is a more obscure samurai anime. However, this comes down to the final product falling short of true greatness due to an incomplete adaptation of Takayuki Yamaguchi's popular manga. However, with exceptional cinematic color palettes and beautiful character designs, it's hard to overlook the flair and beauty of the series, even if it only ran for twelve episodes in total.

The series depicts the Edo-era tournament hosted by Tokugawa Tadanaga, with the anime focusing on the deadly clash between Gennosuke Fujiki and Seigen Irako and their especially bitter connection.

11 Samurai 7

Produced by Gonzo

Samurai 7 is a brilliant reinterpretation that pays homage to the movie Seven Samurai from the legendary director Akira Kurosawa, and maintains the core themes such as honor and sacrifice. This retelling adds a sci-fi twist to the samurai genre and significantly expands on worldbuilding. The anime was visually and aesthetically pleasing and was ahead of its time when it came to art direction, making it a timeless masterpiece.

In a post-apocalyptic world where robotic bandits oppress villages, a brave young woman named Kirara sets out to find samurai who can protect her village. She recruits seven diverse and skilled warriors, each with their own motivations and skills. These samurai, led by the enigmatic Kambei Shimada, face not only mechanical foes but also their internal conflicts and past traumas.

10 Blade of the Immortal

Produced by LIDENFILMS

Blade of the Immortal is a staple in the samurai genre, and the plot is one of the more intriguing ones. The series embraces the bloody nature of the profession, and although the action can get extremely gruesome at times, it is a necessary aspect that makes viewers understand the brutal life of the lead. What sets Blade of the Immortal apart is its deep exploration of morality, vengeance and justice, and gives an introspective look into the minds of the characters.

At its core is Manji, a complex protagonist burdened with immortality after a life of violence. His journey toward redemption intertwines with Rin, a young girl seeking vengeance for her family's murder. Their partnership forms the emotional core of the series, evolving from a reluctant alliance to a deep bond built on shared loss and determination.

9 Brave 10

Produced by TMS Entertainment

Brave 10 isn't just limited to samurai but also focuses on historical events, fantasy elements, and other martial arts such as ninjas and swordsmen. The supernatural aspect makes it even more exciting, giving powers to its characters and enhancing the scale of the fights. The series' political commentary is interesting, examining the brutal life in the Sengoku period that involved allies, betrayals, wars, and war among warlords.

Saizou Kirigakure, a talented ninja, is recruited by Yukimura Sanada, a charismatic warlord, to gather a team of ten powerful warriors called Braves. The anime is set during Japan's Sengoku period and follows Saizou as he enlists these diverse fighters, each with their special skills and backgrounds. Together, they navigate the dangerous world of warring warlords and supernatural threats, forming deep bonds and facing personal challenges along the way.

8 House of Five Leaves

Produced by Manglobe

A common misconception of samurai anime is that they must embody the visual, violent spectacle common among its seinen and shonen manifestations. House of Five Leaves focuses instead on an unusual protagonist, Masanosuke Akitsu, whose skills as a samurai are undermined by his timid personality, affecting his work prospects, yet falling in with the leader of the Five Leaves, a local bandit group.

Looking past the art style, much like with some of the other great and overlooked short anime like Ping Pong: The Animation, one can easily find a subdued atmosphere and wonderful soundtrack in this samurai anime.

7 Rurouni Kenshin

Produced by Studio Deen and Gallop

Rurouni Kenshin was one of the most popular anime of the late 1990s, and it is back for a much-deserved remake. It is one of the most grounded and realistic samurai anime, portraying the life of a ronin (a masterless, wandering warrior) well and making themes of honor a cornerstone of the series. This is why Rurouni Kenshin is one of the most influential in its genre, and other series outside it like Bleach, Fairy Tail, and Hunter X Hunter cited this masterpiece as an inspiration.

Eichiro Oda, creator of One Piece, was an assistant on Rurouni Kenshin.

Rurouni Kenshin stars Kenshin Himura, a former assassin, Battousai, who has vowed never to kill again. Wandering the countryside of Japan during the Meiji era, Kenshin protects the weak and fights against injustice while seeking redemption for his past. Along the way, he befriends Kaoru Kamiya, Sanosuke Sagara, and others, forming deep bonds as he battles foes from his dark past.

6 Afro Samurai Is a Short yet Violent Ride

Produced by Gonzo

Afro Samurai is an ambitious anime in every sense of the word. The plot is both futuristic and historical, the art style is very distinctive, and the choreography and sword fights are fantastic. Produced by Samuel L. Jackson, this anime has an awesome soundtrack composed by the legendary rapper RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan, perfectly complementing the series' that blends hip-hop with traditional Japanese influences.

Afro Samurai follows the story of Afro, a talented swordsman seeking vengeance against Justice, his father's murderer and rival for the title of "Number One." The anime is set in a futuristic yet feudal Japan-inspired world, blending action, philosophy, and supernatural elements as Afro faces off against adversaries and grapples with inner conflict.