The 10 Best Samurai Anime Shows to Watch Right Now

Table of Contents

10 Best Samurai Anime Shows To Watch

Samurai Anime sub-genre, is derived from the old Japanese culture, which is one of the most important parts of their history. Considering that, it is one of the biggest inspirations for Japanese artists.

They adapt the Samurai culture and history into their anime shows, giving some amazing fight sequences and even better discussions on honor and friendship. In adtion they are military members, but they are much more than that. They have a sense of code and honor that no one else in Japanese culture, and maybe even the world, has.

Here are the 10 best samurai anime shows that you should check out now

10| SAMURAI 7

Studios: Gonzo
Genres: Historical, Mecha, Samurai, Sci-Fi
Episodes: 26

Samurai 7, is, you guessed it, based on the film Seven Samurai, so the anime is very similar to the film, It’s set in a futuristic world that has just been through a war that has put it on the brink of extinction.

Villages and cities are being torn apart by bandits who were once samurai soldiers.

However, these samurai have now merged with machines and have become weapons.

It made the last spot on the list because while it may be a good samurai anime show, it just has the same taste of something that has already existed, making it not that original.

9| BRAVE 10

Studios: TMS Entertainment
Genres: Action, Adventure, Historical, Super Power, Samurai,
Episodes: 12

Brave 10 is another samurai anime series that revolves around two warriors who also have superpowers and the interesting rivals and friends they meet throughout their adventures. It’s a perfect mixture between fun-filled fantasy and action-packed anime.

There is a huge theme of balance in the show, on what it means to be good and bad, and how no one is just one or the other. The show manages to balance fun, action, and very real themes in the anime in a great way.

8| SARAIYA GOYOU (HOUSE OF FIVE LEAVES)

Studios: Manglobe
Genres: Mystery, Historical, Drama, Samurai, Seinen
Episodes: 12

This anime series deserves to be on the list of the best samurai tv shows, literally just because of its amazing artwork.

The story is pretty similar to quite a few others; it follows Akitsu who is naive but brave and ends up learning that there is a lot more to being a samurai than just holding a sword and looking cool.

However, the artwork is so wonderfully unique and beautiful that it is worth the watch. Besides, the story might sound repetitive but it’s still excellent nonetheless.

7| SHIGURUI: DEATH FRENZY

Studios: Madhouse
Genres: Action, Historical, Drama, Martial Arts, Samurai
Episodes: 12

If you haven’t guessed from the title, Shigurui anime series depicts a story about darkness, death, and lots and lots of blood-shed during the samurai era.

It’s incredibly violent, and a lot of the characters experience long moments of hopelessness. If all of that sounds good, then you’ll be okay with that anime.

It begins way back in 1629, in a tournament where students fight each other with actual swords. The story is about the first match that involves Fujiki Gennosuke and Irako Seigen, and what happens after the fact, and their pasts and what led them to the place that they are in now.

6| SENGOKU BASARA (SAMURAI KINGS)

Studios: Production I.G
Genres: Action, Historical, Martial Arts, Samurai, Super Power
Episodes: 12

This Japanese anime manages to combine superpowers and samurai swordsmanship all into one neat package.

It’s a nice mix of the modern and the old fashioned, which is what makes it such a good anime.

The show follows the heroes of the show and their constant battles and struggles to battle their rivals, take down someone called the “demon king”, and to take back the land that they feel belongs to them.

Read about: 10 Recommended Zombie Anime You Should Watch Right Now

10 Best Samurai Anime Shows To Watch

5| BASILISK: KOUGA NINPOU CHOU (THE KOUGA NINJA SCROLLS)

Studios: Gonzo
Genres: Action, Adventure, Historical, Supernatural, Samurai,
Episodes: 24

This adventure, samurai anime series is perfect for fans of Romeo and Juliet, It’s a beautiful love story told in the point of view of a prince and a princess from rivaling families who are falling in love.

The rival families are from ninja clans, and the constant blood feud is pushing them over the edge. While they ask for a truce throughout the anime, it, of course, wouldn’t be a true anime if not for the secret battles that happen between the two families.

4| MUSHIBUGYOU

Studios: Seven Arcs Pictures
Genres: Action, Historical, Super Power, Ecchi, Martial Arts, Samurai
Episodes: 26

In an alternate Japan, Mushi, which are giant insects, begin to attack people and essentially bring down the whole country. Because of that, there are warriors that are rounded up and sent to fight them.

The Anime story follows one of the greatest samurai characters in that time, Jinbei Tsukishima.

He’s a member of the City Patrol, and he is the one who takes the place of his father, who cannot fight anymore.

3| AFRO SAMURAI

Studios: Gonzo
Genres: Action, Adventure, Samurai
Episodes: 5

This anime show is set in a future version of Japan, and there is a legend that whoever holds the Number 1 headband will have god-like powers.

It’s all very Thor-like.

Whoever has Number 2 can challenge Number 1, but anyone can challenge Number 2. Enter Afro Samurai.

2| GINTAMA

Studios: Sunrise
Genres: Action, Comedy, Historical, Parody, Samurai, Sci-Fi, Shounen
Episodes: 201

A huge anime, Gintama is an anime series that takes place in the Feudal era of Japan. In this world, Japan has been taken over by aliens and the samurai have lost their powers.

Our Op main character, Gintoki is forced to go from job to job because of it.

There are some amazing themes in the show that has to do with the government, rising up in rebellions, and of course, like every anime, power, friendship, and love–in whatever form it comes in. It’s a truly excellent show.