Though the life of an actual samurai might have lacked glamour, the fantastic stories told in anime allow these icons of old Japanese culture to shine in an entirely new light. With stylish outfits, razor-sharp katanas, and typically possessing a stoic, cool vibe, anime samurai are a staple of the medium, always leaving an impact when they appear on the screen.
With as many samurai-based anime as there are, it’s only natural that some would rise to the top, becoming classics. Among those classics, however, are a select few that demand respect and appreciation.
10 Hakuoki
Originally an otome game with a focus on romance and marketed towards women, Hakuoki has baggage of supernatural samurai action on display. Though the animation may feel “meh” at times, the use of lighting consistently creates the perfect mood for each scene. Fitting music, serene tunes during calmer story beats, and heavy drumbeats during the action further emphasizes that mood.
With a sequel, numerous side stories and prequels, and even alternative movie versions, fans of Hakuoki have no shortage of material to watch, making this anime a great choice to pick up if you’re looking for something you can dive deep into rather than a shorter, more contained story. As one might expect from an adaptation of a game with multiple story routes, the writing does leave something to be desired.
9 Samurai 7
Loosely based on the film Seven Samurai, Samurai 7 ditches the historical-Japan setting in favor of a post-apocalyptic sci-fi setting where bandits have modified their bodies to be more machine than man. The story follows three villagers who make the risky choice to hire a band of seven samurai to defend them.
With an ensemble cast of strange characters and performances by great voice actors, the cast is sure to have something for everyone. The show does have a tendency to use jarring CGI, but it could be seen as an interesting way to make the enemies seem less human than the more traditionally animated characters.
8 Sengoku Basara
Set during the Warring States period of Japan, Sengoku Basara tells a highly dramatized story of Oda Nobunaga’s attempt to unify all of Japan and rule over his new empire, and the samurai warriors Date Masamune and Sanada Yukimura who stand against him.
Though based on actual historical events, Sengoku Basara is anything but historically accurate, with super-powered warriors taking on legions of enemies at a time. Still, a samurai anime doesn’t have to be realistic to be enjoyable, and Sengoku Basara’s over-the-top action can be a great way to pass some time.
7 Dororo
A strange story with a depressing start, Dororo follows the story of Hyakkimaru, a powerful samurai warrior attempting to kill the demons who stole his body parts at birth to reclaim them, and Dororo, the young orphan child who joins him on his journey.
Though a decidedly dark story, set in a world full of vile demons and humans who would sell even their own unborn children’s well-being for power, the story of Hyakkimaru and Dororo’s growing relationship as two outcasts with nowhere to go can be quite touching, and the animation is at times gorgeous. Unfortunately, fans of the original manga might be disappointed by the extreme tone shift this adaptation takes.
6 Gintama
One of the top-rated anime of all time — the only reason Gintama isn’t higher on this list is because its focus on “samurai” isn’t very strong. Instead, it’s a long-running comedy anime with more than a few serious and exciting subplots thrown in along the way.
Following a samurai named Gintoki and his friends in an alternate version of Japan where aliens have taken over and outlawed swords, Gintama is a true powerhouse anime that’s sure to entertain. Just don’t watch it expecting a typical samurai story.
Kibagami Jubei might not technically be a samurai, being instead a masterless wandering swordsman, but he has the perfect style and vibe to match the samurai aesthetic, and in this classic story, he shows off his skill with a sword time and time again. With an art style that perfectly matches the tone of the story and gorgeous animation during the fight scenes, Ninja Scroll is a must-see for anyone who wants a classic, gory samurai story.
It is, unfortunately, a bit light on plot and character development, focusing mainly on action and spectacle. However, each character in the anime embodies a strong-enough archetype to bridge the gaps between each breathtaking action sequence.
4 Afro Samurai
Striking, stylish, and all-around superb, Afro Samurai is a gripping revenge story set in a strange world. Following the eponymous Afro Samurai on his quest to kill Justice, the man who killed his father, the fantastical locales make the setting more focused on style than realism, a choice that works to the show’s benefit.
While Samuel L. Jackson’s performance is a clear centerpiece of the show, the action and music are by no means forgotten, and the emotional journey Afro undergoes just as compelling as his battles with the foes he must face. In the end, this show feels more like a focused thrill ride than a fully fleshed-out story, but it’s so good at what it does that it more than merits its spot on this list.
3 Rurouni Kenshin
Rurouni Kenshin is a classic samurai anime, and the story of Kenshin and his attempts to follow his conviction to never kill again after becoming renowned as the deadliest killer in Japan is one that is just as entertaining today as it was nearly thirty years ago.
Though the story may be a slow burn, and thus some viewers might not be invested enough to stick around until things start to pick up, Rurouni Kenshin’s enduring popularity is a testament to its quality.
2 Sword of the Stranger
Another story set in a historical era of Japan, Sword of the Stranger is a visually stunning masterpiece about a thief boy named Kotarou, his faithful dog Tobimaru, and the wandering ronin warrior who gets hired to protect Kotarou from a deadly Ming Dynasty assassin for reasons the young boy can’t even begin to guess at.
Sword of the Stranger speaks for itself in regard to its position on this list. It boasts gorgeous animation, and though the characters don’t do much in the way of breaking new ground, they are all entertaining and well-written. Any fan of samurai anime owes it to themselves to watch this movie.
1 Samurai Champloo
Samurai Champloo is, without a doubt, one of the most unique samurai anime of all time. Blending a historical Japanese setting with a hip-hop-inspired soundtrack and filling the world with interesting, unique characters would already be enough to make this anime great.
It’s more than that, though. With the legendary Watanabe Shinichiro at the helm, and a dub that—due to the obvious Western influence—suits the characters just as well as, if not better than, the original performances, Samurai Champloo becomes a one-of-a-kind experience that more than earns the top spot on this list.
