Unleashing the Immortal Blade: A Must-Read Manga Guide

The Blade of the Immortal manga is hailed as a masterpiece of fiction, captivating manga enthusiasts with its gripping story and unforgettable characters. Created by Hiroaki Samura, this manga follows the story of Manji, a cursed samurai destined to live forever.

What sets the Blade of the Immortal manga apart is not just the brilliant storytelling, but also the author's impressive artistic talent. With its visually stunning illustrations, this manga has gained a massive following all over the world.

Hiroaki's Blade of the Immortal manga focuses on the immortal samurai, Manji

Where to read

Hiroaki Samura's Blade of the Immortal manga has captivated fans with its intricate storytelling and memorable characters. Manga enthusiasts will be delighted to know that Hiroaki's series is readily available for purchase in both physical and digital formats. You can find it on popular platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Barnes & Noble, Comixology, Apple Books, and more.

In addition to these digital stores, the Blade of the Immortal manga can also be found in local retail bookstores. Given its popularity, interested readers can easily purchase it from various locations. It's worth noting that Hiroaki's manga was serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Afternoon magazine from 1993 to 2012.

Blade of the Immortal consists of 207 individual chapters, which were then compiled into 30 Tankobon volumes. A Kanzenban edition, containing 15 volumes, was subsequently published. The manga's English-language release rights were eventually acquired by the Dark Horse Comics publishing company.

Apart from the English release of the manga's original volumes, Dark Horse Comics also introduced an omnibus edition. Building on its popularity, the company went on to unveil a deluxe edition of the manga. On October 18, 2023, the final deluxe volume of the Blade of the Immortal manga was made available.

What to expect in Blade of the Immortal manga

Blade of the Immortal by Hiroaki Samura transports readers to the mesmerizing era of the mid-Tokugawa Shogunate, immersing them in the compelling narrative of a Samurai named Manji. Renowned for his unparalleled swordsmanship, Manji's name echoes as the "Hundred Man Killer," having tragically snuffed out the lives of a hundred innocent souls.

However, what frightened people the most about him was his immortality. It is said that an 800-year-old nun named Yoabikuni implanted bloodworms with extraordinary healing abilities into his body, granting him the power to never die.

In order to atone for his crimes, Manji makes a solemn vow to eliminate one thousand wicked men. The Yoabikuni, upon hearing his proposal, agrees to grant his wish and remove the curse of immortality. Shortly after, Manji crosses paths with Rin Asano, a young girl who implores him to avenge her parents' murderers.

Eventually, the ageless swordsman compassionately agrees to protect Asano for a span of four years, and together, they embark on a treacherous quest for retribution and personal redemption. As they traverse a path stained with violence and turmoil, both Asano and Manji find themselves presented with the opportunity to uncover their true selves.

Anime adaptation

Hiroaki Samura's Blade of the Immortal manga was beautifully adapted into an anime in 2008. The anime was produced by Bee Train Studios and directed by Koichi Mashimo. Media Blasters later secured the rights for North America and released it on September 29, 2009.

In 2019, a second anime adaptation of Hiroaki's manga was announced. This time, the prestigious animation studio Liden Films brought new vitality to the series. The direction was entrusted to Hiroshi Hamasaki, with series composition handled by Makoto Fukami.

Keep up with more anime news and manga updates as 2023 progresses.