And as we know that the very well-known popular genre in Japanese movies, as well as series anime, is the samurai past drama that usually might vary from fantasy to get the most historically correct, there are few very great movies and series options to choose from.

Samurai is one of the most important and highly needed warriors in the Japanese culture as well as history. And as per that, they are also some of the biggest motivational and inspirational sources for Japanese artists. Animators gave the samurai history a life through their anime shows, by making a few of the most spectacular fighting sequences as well as a much better showcase of honor as well as friendship. Samurai are originally part of the military caste, but they are just not that. They have a different code of honor different than everything else viewed in the nation, or anywhere else in the world.

Here are a few best samurai anime movies and series for you, each has a very unique approach towards the story. Some series are more on the comedy side whereas others are way more dramatic as well as tragic. 

14. Mushibugyo:

If you are someone who is searching for a proper show that must be related to samurai then Mushibugyo is undoubtedly for you.

It’s a great show which shows the Edo period of Japan wherein giant bug monsters persisted and ruled the earth and killed people.

It starts as a usual monster show. But then the anime gets very intense and complex the more and more you watch. So ensure not to miss this show as only when you watch this, you’ll know where the story is going.

13. Mugen No Juunin (Blade Of The Immortal):

There are originally 2 anime adaptions of the original show Mugen no Junin manga, and this is especially the new 2019 version.

The protagonist that is present in this show, Manji, is a great swordsman and is badly cursed with immortality. He takes an oath to kill 1000 bad men to compensate for the murder of the good ones he had killed, and then only will he find peace & die. This art is a minimalist style in a certain way that gives the same vibe as much ancient 90s anime, as they have used muted color palates as well as still frames to make the story dark-themed.

12. Dororo:

The main protagonists in this are Hyakkimaru and Dororo. Hyakkimaru was cursed at birth and now has to kill demons to come back in a fully human form. As Hyakkimaru doesn’t have limbs, hence his body is half made of swords. This is a brilliant set up by the makers. 

The fights in the anime are by far the strangest thing about the series as they are extremely raw as well as wild nature and have too much beautiful choreography as well.

11. Saraiya Goyou (House of Five Leaves):

These are a group of ambitious characters who are revealed slowly throughout the show. And are named the five leaves. These are many crimes and many questions that are answered and found out in this show. Also, the art style of the Samurais is very interesting.

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10. Samurai 7:

This show starts in a future world wherein Transformers are very popular and people dress very well. In all ways, the plot revolves around 7 samurais who are given the task to protect a village from the bandits. 

Each samurai has his special strengths as well as weaknesses and slow and steady they learn how to function as a team. It has a very engaging story and the show is worth a watch. 

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9. Shigurui:

The whole point of this show is the fight among the one-armed as well as the blind samurai. They are trained by the same coach and as ordered by their lord, they fight until death. It is explicit and raw and does not romanticize tragedy. If you want to know more about it then you get an entirely new picture of what it is like to be a samurai.

8. Sengoku Basara:

Sengoku Basara is a samurai anime show that portrays Japan while the beginning years of the Sengoku period. It is based on the battles fought in that era and shows various historic facts and figures. This movie is also tweaked a lot to make it fit as an anime and is very interesting to watch.

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7. Afro Samurai:

Afro Samurai is a classic action anime. Afro’s father was murdered by a man. And now Afro seeks to take revenge against him.

The great selling and interesting thing in this movie are the characters, the classic fights, the storyline, and the background sound. Everything is just perfect.

6. Basilis – Kouga Ninpou Chou:

Kouga Ninpou Chou: This is a 20th century written to show that has infused martial arts along with supernatural fantasies plus with a hint of science fiction for the ninja lovers out there. The Kouga Ninja was Futaro Yamada’s version of Romeo and Juliet through a ninja movie in the early 16th century. 

This is a story where star-crossed lovers, have spectacular powers but at the cost of society. This show is stylish and spectacular and also has a heartfelt story that completed the entire anime.

5. Brave 10:

This story is based on two warriors who have great superpowers, also they meet interesting enemies as well as friends throughout their enormous adventures. It’s a perfect blend between fun-loaded fantasy as well as action anime. There is a great balance shown in this anime between the good and the bad, and how everyone has both in them. This show has a perfect balance of fun as well as action in an anime form.

4. Sword of the Stranger:

This is the best samurai anime movie in a great way. There are two characters, an orphan named Kotarou and his animal friend, Tobimaru. Life is not too good for the both of them as they steal to be alive. And on top of that, there are also people following them to kill them for no specific reason. But the turning point of the story is when they run into Nanashi, he decides to help them. 

As this anime is created by studio Bones who has won an international award for his great animations, hence just imagine how outstanding the fighting scenes must be. This movie is less than 2 hours long so give it a watch.

3. Samurai Champloo:

This is your best run-of-the-mill samurai anime. The story at first seems quite messy, as there is comparatively no plot and every episode is self-centered. But it gets interesting eventually when the search for a samurai with a specific scent begins. The story revolves around the three very important main protagonists, namely Mugen, Fuu, and Jin. The three rarely have anything in common. Mugen and Jin both are specialized in a specific skill; one is a street talent along with a sword, and the other one is a well-trained elite. 

2. Gintama:

This is a romantic, samurai; fantasy, parody, and comedy show, and it delivers a great message on all the points. The story starts in Japan after Amanto, the alien race takes over and attacks the samurai, and levels Japan’s technology. Gintama is a great comedy movie and the best movie out there. But it still has some serious sequences here and there. It is a quite long series, but mind you not even a single moment of watch time is wasted. 

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1. Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X):

Rurouni Kenshin is by far a classic at portraying the life of a samurai. The story begins at the very start of the Japanese culture and informs us about what led to the great Japanese war. It’s the story of Hitokiri Battousai, an assassin during the times of revolution who surrenders the blood-covered sword. Throughout the entire show, he makes an effort to be happy and protect his close ones while also hiding the past that was conscious and murderous.