The best Samurai Manga

[Old Ape Face]

Ok i did this with the anime section but i have a different choice for the Samurai Manga, i couldn't find Samurai Shamploo as a manga so i will only add it in for those who have seen and read it,

[Gerudo Grunt]

Rurouni Kenshin.

[CrossboneGundam]

Mugen no Jyuunin, or "Blade of the Immortal" as it's known in the US.

[Smith]

Blade of the Immortal. Those who have yet to read this series are missing out. BIG.

[Pete2525]

Vagabond for me.

[Dr. Ezra]

Ok i did this with the anime section but i have a different choice for the Samurai Manga, i couldn't find Samurai Shamploo as a manga so i will only add it in for those who have seen and read it,
Volume one of the Samurai Champloo manga comes out November 8th.

Blade of the Immortal is one of the best samurai manga there is.

[White Zombie]

Where's 'Blade of the Immortal'?

[Sora N]

Rurouni Kenshin

[ryushe]

Rurouni Kenshin hands down.

[Manafairy]

I think the only samurai manga I've really read were Samurai Deeper Kyo and Gintama, and well, in terms of likable characters and entertainment value...

Gintama>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Samurai deeper Kyo

I guess SDK has a better story (Sort of), but who cares about a good story if you wish half the characters would be brutally maimed?

[Till]

other.
Lone Wolf and Cub or Blade of the Immortal.

[dreamer]

Another vote to Blade of the Immortal.

[Gerudo Grunt]

Blade of the Immortal. Those who have yet to read this series are missing out. BIG.

Isn't the American released version flipped?

[Smith]

Yes, it is flipped, unfortunately. That's one aspect I don't like about it, but that is nitpicking when you actually get into the manga. I remeber first getting Blood of a Thousand(BotI#1) years ago, manga reading from right to left was uncommon then. I assume Dark Horse did not wish to change it midway, but they could have.

White Zombie, BotI is by Hiroaki Samura and available in bookstores across the nation. Bu I strongly advise getting them online. I'd been looking for the latest volume, "Last Blood" in stores, and found it was MSRP'd at $18, and found it for $12(with my sidekick pager browsing the web, this has come in handy comparing prices in any store) online.

[Shibari]

I cast my vote for Blade of the Immortal as well. Not only is it the best samurai manga I've read, but it's one of the best manga of any genre I've read. Vagabond is very good as well, but it doesn't touch BotI.

[Sumeragi13]

Blade of the Immortal. Followed by Vagabond, which also isn't on the poll, so I voted for Ruroni Kenshin.

[Gerudo Grunt]

Yes, it is flipped, unfortunately. That's one aspect I don't like about it, but that is nitpicking when you actually get into the manga. I remeber first getting Blood of a Thousand(BotI#1) years ago, manga reading from right to left was uncommon then. I assume Dark Horse did not wish to change it midway, but they could have.

I might start buying BotI later on even though I don't like to read manga flipped but I'm already buying too manga and anime right now. Maybe once I complete some series I'll give BotI a try.

[Smith]

I wouldn't be in a rush myself to get BotI right now. That is in part to its once a year release schedule, and it s not even finished with the latest "Last Blood"(rather ironic).
I would wait till the absoulute final volume to come out and start the series. When you start reading it, you will want to finish the series asap. Samura takes his time drawing BotI which explains its "once-a-year" release pattern. Che Chou who reviewed Last Blood for NewtypeUSA mentioned it came every 9 months. I just look at it as one volume a year.
One of these days I'm gonna splurge on the Kyo and Kenshin collections. What I currently collect stretches my budget enough.

[CrossboneGundam]

As Till stated, Lone Wolf and Cub is really the penultimate Samurai manga. BotI and RuroKen aren't really about samurai at all, their protaganists are not and never were samurai proper (they were both assassins, not members of the land-holding Samurai class.) Lone Wolf and Cub, however, is about an extremely high ranking samurai (Ogami Itto) in Tokugawa Japan who's framed by a rival (Yagyu Jubei, of all people) who's jealous of his position and favor with the Shogun. He manages to escape the murder of his family at the hands of the Yagyu clan, and discovers that his young son survived as well, and he goes on a quest for revenge against Yagyu, which primarily entails fighting lots of goons that Jubei sends to kill him, but end up getting killed instead. It's a phenomenal read. I just regret that I failed to mention it myself.

[Gerudo Grunt]

I wouldn't be in a rush myself to get BotI right now. That is in part to its once a year release schedule, and it s not even finished with the latest "Last Blood"(rather ironic).
I would wait till the absoulute final volume to come out and start the series. When you start reading it, you will want to finish the series asap. Samura takes his time drawing BotI which explains its "once-a-year" release pattern. Che Chou who reviewed Last Blood for NewtypeUSA mentioned it came every 9 months. I just look at it as one volume a year.
One of these days I'm gonna splurge on the Kyo and Kenshin collections. What I currently collect stretches my budget enough.

Thanks for the info. ^_^ Has the mangaka ever stated how long BotI will be?

[Tinkleheimer]

I am a big fan of RK, but don't have many other "Samurai" Manga so I went with that.

[yangster]

Rurouni Kenshin.

[Hagakure]

Rurouni Kenshin hands down.
This is the only manga you read? Kenshin doesn't even compare to a lot of the stuff out there. Go read some more manga before you put your hands down. Kenshin is definitely overrated since so many read that manga and haven't read much.

Ok i did this with the anime section but i have a different choice for the Samurai Manga, i couldn't find Samurai Shamploo as a manga so i will only add it in for those who have seen and read it,

You manga newbie. There is no samurai 7 manga. And the option are horrible.

The top choices that are release are:

Samurai Deeper Kyo
Vagabond
Rurouni Kenshin
Lone Wolf and Cub
Blade of the Immortal
Peace Maker Kurogane
Samurai Crusade
Samurai Executioner


My vote are following and I have all the samurai manga available
1. Blade of the Immortal
2. Vagabond
3. Samurai Executioner

As Till stated, Lone Wolf and Cub is really the penultimate Samurai manga. BotI and RuroKen aren't really about samurai at all, their protaganists are not and never were samurai proper (they were both assassins, not members of the land-holding Samurai class.) Lone Wolf and Cub, however, is about an extremely high ranking samurai (Ogami Itto) in Tokugawa Japan who's framed by a rival (Yagyu Jubei, of all people) who's jealous of his position and favor with the Shogun. He manages to escape the murder of his family at the hands of the Yagyu clan, and discovers that his young son survived as well, and he goes on a quest for revenge against Yagyu, which primarily entails fighting lots of goons that Jubei sends to kill him, but end up getting killed instead. It's a phenomenal read. I just regret that I failed to mention it myself.

Why are you trying to be all technical? What's a definition of a samurai?

Blade of the immortal is a samurai manga, try reading some of Samura's interview. A samurai is basicallly one that serve his lord that follow the code of Bushido. Mujin is the bodyguard serving Rin. If you try to be technical, than Kyo (SDK), Samurai 7 (anime) aren't really samurai series.

But many people are not technical about the issue, Kenshin is a samurai series even if Kenshin isn't a samurai, so get over it. Samurai Champloo wouldn't even be call "samurai" champloo if people were so technical about it.

Did you even read Lone Wolf and cub? Ogamo Itto is the kaishakuin's executioner rather than a true samurai. The series itself is a samurai series. Ogami wasn't frame by Yagyu Jubei, but the Yagyu clan lead by Retsudo. I don't recall Jubei even in the manga, this was before his time. Resudo is framing Ogamo Itto because his clan would take over all 3 position of the shogunate: O-Ninwaban, Shogun's secret Assassin and Kaishakunin. The Kasishakunin perform the final cut on dishonored lord. Also the story in the manga begin (final chapter of the first volume) as Itto was suppose to perform seppuku with his son for dishoring the shogon. But because he was framed by the Retsudo Yagyu and his family name dishonored, Itto decide to take the path of meifumado, which is the way of the demond. Itto gave his son 2 choice, pick the ball and join his mother in heaven or pick the sword and join him on the path to hell. Of course his son pick the sword and they are on their quest for vengence.
Read the manga first before you get all technical.

[Death's Realm]

This is the only manga you read? Kenshin doesn't even compare to a lot of the stuff out there. Go read some more manga before you put your hands down. Kenshin is definitely overrated since so many read that manga and haven't read much.

That's just his opinion, take it easy ;)

[Hagakure]

That's just his opinion, take it easy ;)

That's a ****** opinion then. Go read some more manga before you put your hands down on something.

[Death's Realm]

That's a ****** opinion then. Go read some more manga before you put your hands down on something.

Wow, youre a prick...

[Hagakure]

Wow, youre a prick...

I'm a prick? But you sound more like a 14 year old brat, so stop crying about it like a baby :crybaby: No need to get offended, ignorant youngster. it's not like your mainstream taste are better than his.

[Imasyon]

SDK is my favourite, though I was surprised not to see Balde of the Imoortal, it's really good, from both story and art!
Kenshin is not bad too, but I like SDK more...

[HitokiriShadow]

Tough call between Rurouni Kenshin and Samurai Deeper Kyo. I'd say Kenshin is slightly better.

[Wind.::.Raven]

Blade of the Immortal, of course. There's nothing about it that I don't like, except the long wait between each new release.

Someone said that BotI is flipped which is not quite right.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I remember reading in an interview/article that said, even though the book reads from left to right like regular western books, the art itself was not flipped. They just cut out each frame then placed them in the left to right format. and this was done at Samura's request.

[Guitar Wolf]

Samurai Executioner hands down on this manga it's the best.

[Smith]

I don't know how many volumes BotI is planned to be. I'm just hoping the Mangaka doesn't die or something before finishing it. :P
BotI is flipped in the sense it doesn't read right to left like the Japanese version but, indeed the drawings\pictures are not. I read abt that in the back pages of one of the earlier BotI volumes.

[Death's Realm]

I'm a prick? But you sound more like a 14 year old brat, so stop crying about it like a baby :crybaby: No need to get offended, ignorant youngster. it's not like your mainstream taste are better than his.

I think your taking this way too seriously

[Mikadzuki Tatsu]

If I'd read Lone Wolf and Cub, I'm sure I'd vote for it, but since I haven't, I have to vote for Rurouni Kenshin.

[White Zombie]

Hagakure, chill out, dude. Just because he made a new guy mistake doesn't warrant you to just jump all over him like that.

[Bernard_Monsha]

Did you even read Lone Wolf and cub? Ogamo Itto is the kaishakuin's executioner rather than a true samurai. The series itself is a samurai series. Ogami wasn't frame by Yagyu Jubei, but the Yagyu clan lead by Retsudo. I don't recall Jubei even in the manga, this was before his time. Resudo is framing Ogamo Itto because his clan would take over all 3 position of the shogunate: O-Ninwaban, Shogun's secret Assassin and Kaishakunin. The Kasishakunin perform the final cut on dishonored lord. Also the story in the manga begin (final chapter of the first volume) as Itto was suppose to perform seppuku with his son for dishoring the shogon. But because he was framed by the Retsudo Yagyu and his family name dishonored, Itto decide to take the path of meifumado, which is the way of the demond. Itto gave his son 2 choice, pick the ball and join his mother in heaven or pick the sword and join him on the path to hell. Of course his son pick the sword and they are on their quest for vengence.
Read the manga first before you get all technical.

IIRC Retsudo is the youngest brother of Jubei. He is also my favourite villan from any manga.

So far as favourites Lone Wolf and Cub by far, namely because it sets the standard from which I judge all other Samurai manga. Blade of the Immortal is second and is is a justifyably great series.

[Guitar Wolf]

Oh! I forgot to mention Samurai Deeper Kyo that's another good manga.

[Death's Realm]

Hagakure, chill out, dude. Just because he made a new guy mistake doesn't warrant you to just jump all over him like that.

.......




Who made a new guy mistake? :huh:

[Hitokiri Shinta]

Rurouni Kenshin no doubt followed closely by Samurai Shamploo if theres a manga for the series. Hey can somebody tell me what Samurai 7 is? I've never heard of this manga before, I take its a series as well.

[Gerudo Grunt]

Rurouni Kenshin no doubt followed closely by Samurai Shamploo if theres a manga for the series. Hey can somebody tell me what Samurai 7 is? I've never heard of this manga before, I take its a series as well.

Samurai 7 (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=3127)

A small village is being persecuted by robbers who return every harvest to seize the village's crops. Faced with starvation, the villagers send out a mission to find and recruit some samurai to defend them. With no pay to offer except rice, and knowing full well that only down-on-their-luck samurai would even consider accepting such an deal, the villagers can only hope that their saviours will appear before the rice is ready for harvest.


Samurai 7 is based off of Akira Kurosawa's movie, The Seven Samurai. There is no manga.

[Hitokiri Shinta]

Okay thanks seems cool I might rent an episode at Blockbusters.

[side_burn]

This poll is a joke with out an option for Lone Wolf and Cub

SDK and Samurai 7 are crap

[DARKHIEI]

BOTI is probally the best choice on the list, but I chose Rurouni Kenshin because the characters are by far the best in the Samurai genre. Normally I would choose BOTI though.

[Orchid Moon]

I'll choose Rurouni Kenshin. I consider it the best out of those listed.

[Red-Vapour]

Rurouni Kenshin ROKS!!!!!

[Nami]

I never read Vagabond, Blade of Immortal or Lone Wolf and Cub, I want to read it. :'(

Well my favorite is not really a samurai manga, it's Hana no Kenji by Hara Tetsuo/Ryuu Keichiro. The main character is aKabuki-mono though, as he claims himself to be. ;) Again I never complete this story....;_; But it's my favorite for serious samurai relate manga so far. ^^;

[Death's Realm]

Samurai 7 (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=3127)




Samurai 7 is based off of Akira Kurosawa's movie, The Seven Samurai. There is no manga.

Finally someone on this forum who's heard of Kurosawa -_-;

[Ahren Volsuden]

Finally someone on this forum who's heard of Kurosawa -_-;

People haven't heard of Kurosawa?! Blashphemy! :P

Anyway...

I'm personally stuck between Blade of the Immortal and Rurouni Kenshin, but I think I'm leaning towards the former.

[FURUBA4EVER]

I like Rurouni Kenshin...It mixes drama with swordfighting, which I love!!! :wub: Plus, the characters are just awesome!!! They really have human personalities. :P

:blink: Samurai 7 has a manga? I didn't know that...Cool, I guess.

How come Peacemaker isn't on the list, though? :'( I mean, Rurouni Kenshin is still my favorite, but...Peacemaker's awesome in its own right, too! :D

[Lady Hellsing]

Rurouni Kenshin. Only one I've read and enjoyed.

Plus, Kenshin's bishie-licious...

[Gerudo Grunt]

:blink: Samurai 7 has a manga? I didn't know that...Cool, I guess.

There is no Samurai 7 manga like Hagakure and I both mentioned. -_-; That was just a mistake of the thread starter. ^_^

[Gammi]

I think the best samurai manga is Dororo, but for best new samurai manga created within the last years, Samurai Deeper Kyo.

[FURUBA4EVER]

There is no Samurai 7 manga like Hagakure and I both mentioned. -_-; That was just a mistake of the thread starter. ^_^

Thanks for the correction. :bow: I didn't think there was one, since I'd never heard about it. I didn't read all the posts on this thread, so that's why I didn't see that correction. :)

[Navean]

Blade of the Immortal was the best. Vagabond is also good. Comes in as my second, I suppose.

[Ariel Tsuki]

There is no Samurai 7 manga like Hagakure and I both mentioned. -_-; That was just a mistake of the thread starter. ^_^

Actually, there IS a Samurai 7 manga. It's just not licensed and it's pretty new. I only saw two volumes of it in Kinokuniya NYC.

But the best is Blade of the Immortal, despite I'm biased with anything with the Shinsengumi in it (the Peacemaker saga, Kaze Hikaru). Vagabond comes as a close second, the Peacemaker saga as third. I loved Kenshin, but I despise how damsel-in-distress they made Kaoru, and she's one of the main characters. Can't stand any scene with her honestly and the ending sucked...