Summary
Historical stories are always an interesting aspect of media, as they are stories based on events that have happened in real life. Whether it be highly accurate tales of major historical figures or fictionalized accounts of historical events, these stories give fans an intriguing story wrapped in events of the past.
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Japan is a country with a storied past, and as a result, there are plenty of manga and animethat take place in its many historical periods. The era of feudal Japan is a particularly popular period for writers to use, with plenty of stories set in that particular era. Here are some great historical manga that take place in Japan’s feudal era.
8Shanaou Yoshitsune
Hyouta is a street orphan, performing tricks and acrobatics on the street for money. One day, he is approached to come to a noble’s house to perform. However, the truth soon comes out: Hyouta is completely identical to the noble’s son, Ushiwakamaru, and is being hired to be his substitute.
Shanaou Yoshitsuneis a fictional re-telling of the Minamoto no Yoshitsune legend. While it takes some great liberties with the actual history, it nevertheless has some great insight into the Heian era where this takes place.
7The Elusive Samurai
Despite being the heir to the great Kamakura shogunate, Hojo Tokiyuki lacks talent in any field except for his agility and elusiveness. Despite living a carefree childhood, Tokiyuki’s world is turned upside down when a coup d’etat led by Ashikaga Takauji overthrows the Hojo clan, sending a young Tokiyuki into flight. With only a strange priest and a handful of retainers on his side, Tokiyuki must find a way to restore his family’s pride and defeat Takauji with the art of running away.
The Elusive Samuraiis a relatively new series written by Yusei Matsui ofAssassination Classroomfame. Despite its usage of over-the-top imagery and physical humor,it provides a pretty good picture of feudal-era Japan.
6Path Of The Assassin
Hattori Hanzo is a legendary figure in Japan, and his life is the subject of Path of the Assassin. As a master ninja, Hanzo is tasked with protecting young Tokugawa Ieyasu. The two become friends, and Hanzo protects Ieyasu the best he can while on his path to becoming the future shogun of Japan.
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Path of the Assassinis one of legendary mangaka Kazuo Koike’s many works centered around the feudal era of Japan. Hattori Hanzo himself is a big part of Japanese folktales and historyand appears often in stories that involve ninjas in some way.
5A Chef Of Nobunaga
A man awakens in the feudal era of Japan, with no memories of his past life except that he used to live in modern times as a skilled cook. Naming himself Ken and living with a woman named Natsu, Ken makes a living for himself using his cooking skills, soon attracting the attention of the illustrious Oda Nobunaga.
A Chef of Nobunagais a slightly fantastical story set during the Sengoku Period in Japan. While the events of the story are certainly fictional, there remain aspects of the story that are rooted in real moments in history.
4Hyouge Mono
The Sengoku Period was a time of great strife and war, where warlords vied for control of Japan. Among all these warlords and generals seeking honor on the battlefield is Furuta Sasuke, a strange man who cares only for the world of tea ceremony. As a subordinate of Oda Nobunaga, Furuta wavers between his own desire for status and his love for art.
Hyouge Monois a fictional depiction of the life of Furuta Oribe, a real warlord who served as a retainer to Oda Nobunaga. Despite being set in a chaotic period in Japan, the manga focuses more on personal drama and development.
3Samurai Executioner
Yamada Asaemon is a roninwith an acclaimed skill in swords, so much so that he has been hired by the shogun as a sword-tester. The series focuses on his many encounters with others, some of whom are the people he must execute.
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Samurai Executioneris another story from Kazuo Koike, taking place before his seminal workLone Wolf and Cub. The story is more episodic than his other works but still provides a highly accurate picture of feudal Japan.
2Lone Wolf And Cub
Ogami Itto was a great swordsman, serving as the shogun’s executioner. One day, Ogami returns home to find his wife Azami and his entire household murdered, with only his infant son Daigoro surviving. Framed as a traitor, Ogami and his son go on the run, living as assassins until they can avenge Azami.
Lone Wolf and Cubis an iconic historical manga and Kazuo Koike’s most well-known work.The story has been adapted into a series of live-action filmsand it continues to be a hallmark of samurai stories to this day.
1Vagabond
Shinmen Takezo is an escaped soldier running from the Battle of Sekigahara with nothing to his name but his sword skills. He is known as an unruly man with a proclivity for violence, but a chance meeting with a monk named Takuan makes him rethink his life. Planning to start anew, Takuan gives Takezo a new name: Miyamoto Musashi.
Vagabondisa historical manga that chronicles the life of the legendary swordsmanMiyamoto Musashi. The series is known for its incredible artwork and introspective storytelling, with a reputation for being one of the greatest manga of all time.
