Blade of the Immortal US Series by Hiroaki Samura

Blade of the Immortal,Vol. 1- Blood of a Thousand by Samura,Hiroaki. [2010] Paperback

The curse of the bloodworm is what keeps Manji alive -- slit his throat or stab him in the heart and those mystical worms will force his body to heal. This immortal curse will not be lifted until Manji has killed one thousand evil men. Manji's female companion, Rin, finds the treasured sword of her destroyed Mutenichi-ryu dojo (school of swordsmanship)... moreThe curse of the bloodworm is what keeps Manji alive -- slit his throat or stab him in the heart and those mystical worms will force his body to heal. This immortal curse will not be lifted until Manji has killed one thousand evil men. Manji's female companion, Rin, finds the treasured sword of her destroyed Mutenichi-ryu dojo (school of swordsmanship). The ronin who has it must have been involved in the destruction of the school -- and that means that Manji could be one step closer to ending his curse. If you like ninja action, Hiroaki Samura's Blade of the Immortal will keep you on edge. less

Makie is a natural-born killer bred to be a geisha. Splitting her life between servitude and slaughter could lead to an untimely death, so it's time she chooses a path, but her choice could mean trouble for Manji, the immortal samurai. It's round two for the man who gave up his right to die and the woman who gave up her right to dream. And this time, there'll be no winners.

Manji is one of the most skilled samurai in all of feudal Japan. He is also immortal, condemned to a life of combat until he spills the blood of a thousand evil men. But along with eternal life comes the need to make an eternal living, and so manji works as a bodyguard for Rin, who seeks to personally avenge her father's murder at the hands of one of Japan's deadliest swordsmen, Anotsu Kagehisa... moreManji is one of the most skilled samurai in all of feudal Japan. He is also immortal, condemned to a life of combat until he spills the blood of a thousand evil men. But along with eternal life comes the need to make an eternal living, and so manji works as a bodyguard for Rin, who seeks to personally avenge her father's murder at the hands of one of Japan's deadliest swordsmen, Anotsu Kagehisa. But with Manji's instruction and her own burning thirst for retribution, can Rin ever stand against such a powerful and ruthless adversary? And in her quest to kill Anotsu, does she risk becoming more like him? less

In her quest across feudal Japan to avenge the murder of her parents, Rin has seen too much death and agony. When Rin befriends a young boy, she is horrified to learn that his father is one of her parents' killers. Wery of blood, Rin now wishes only for an apology from the killer, a mask maker whose only desire is to keep his evil past from his son and who will take up the sword again to protect his secret... moreIn her quest across feudal Japan to avenge the murder of her parents, Rin has seen too much death and agony. When Rin befriends a young boy, she is horrified to learn that his father is one of her parents' killers. Wery of blood, Rin now wishes only for an apology from the killer, a mask maker whose only desire is to keep his evil past from his son and who will take up the sword again to protect his secret. Protecting Rin, however, is the immortal samurai, Manji--but if he kills the mask maker, will Rin's young friend be drawn into the same cycle of vengeance that has scarred her own life? less

Manji, a ronin warrior of feudal Japan, has been cursed with immortality and to rid his eternal suffering and lift the curse, he must slay one thousand enemies, and his quest begins with a young girl who seeks revenge on her parents' killers.

It is said that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, but couldn't he just be another enemy? Rin and her bodyguard, the immortal swordsman Manji, need to know the answer when they visit the headquarters of the mysterious Akagi assassins - led by the beautiful and deadly Hyakurin - who are out for vengeance against the Itto-Ryu, the rogue swordschool of Anotsu Kagehisa, the man responsible for the murder of Rin's parents... moreIt is said that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, but couldn't he just be another enemy? Rin and her bodyguard, the immortal swordsman Manji, need to know the answer when they visit the headquarters of the mysterious Akagi assassins - led by the beautiful and deadly Hyakurin - who are out for vengeance against the Itto-Ryu, the rogue swordschool of Anotsu Kagehisa, the man responsible for the murder of Rin's parents. Can Rin and Manji hold to their own course once they've agreed to join forces with the misfit band of killers? Collecting the eight-issue story arc. "Samura's art is the icing which makes this...confection of violence and irreverence rather enticing." - The Comics Journal less

The immortal samurai, Manji, and his charge, Rin have lost their best chance to avenge the death of Rin's parents at the hands of Anotsu Kagehisa's renegade sword school, the deadly Itto-ryu.

This is a direct sequel to Volume 8: The Gathering, picking up seconds after Manji ran into the woods. While broken up into several chapters, but really comes in two parts: a battle and an interrogation. Samura conveniently lays them out in blocks, skipping the typical Fantasy and manga conceit of bouncing between multiple stories. We follow Manji until the conclusion of his battle, visit Rin until the conclusion of her drama at the checkpoints.

Anotsu Kagehisa, murderous leader of the rogue Ittö-ryü, has journeyed to the mountains far from Edo to the romote Shingyötö-ryü dojo under invitation to bring the sword school under his wing... moreAnotsu Kagehisa, murderous leader of the rogue Ittö-ryü, has journeyed to the mountains far from Edo to the romote Shingyötö-ryü dojo under invitation to bring the sword school under his wing. But instead of a warm welcome, Anotsu finds a dojo full of angry young men who don't want to take orders from an upstart, unless he can proves he's tougher than the best of them! That sits just fine with Anotsu, who has dedicated his life to putting the killing back into Japan's formalized sword schools, but Anotsu suspects that something more than proof of his worthiness lies beneath the challenge. Meanwhile, the immortal swordsman, Manji, is recovering from a battle that left him literally cut to pieces. His charge, Rin, is till nowhere to be found, bound for vengeance against Anotsu, but soon his troubles may become a bit more immediate, troubles that even an immortal may not survive! Collecting issues #58-#65 of the ongoing series. less

After traveling a long and perilous road together, Rin and her immoral bodyguard, Manji, have become separated, Rin risking life and limb in her pursuit of her family's murderer, the ruthless Anotsu Kagehisa, leader of the outlaw Itto-Ryu sword school. Manji is slowly recovering -- and reassembling -- after being dismembered by Itto-ryu thugs, and has set off to find Rin. Meanwhile, both friends and enemies are also assembling... moreAfter traveling a long and perilous road together, Rin and her immoral bodyguard, Manji, have become separated, Rin risking life and limb in her pursuit of her family's murderer, the ruthless Anotsu Kagehisa, leader of the outlaw Itto-Ryu sword school. Manji is slowly recovering -- and reassembling -- after being dismembered by Itto-ryu thugs, and has set off to find Rin. Meanwhile, both friends and enemies are also assembling. Manji's ally, the beautiful assassin Hyakurin has put a lot of Itto-ryu swordsmen under the dirt, but the tides are turned when she falls under the hands of a group of Itto-ryu killers who will go to any length -- and spare no agonies -- to get her to talk. Collecting issues #66-72 of the ongoing series. less

You'd think that Manji, the immortal swordsman, would have dispatched just about every sinister personality in feudal Japan on his mission to slay a thousand evil men. But instead of thinning out the vicious herd, he's only shaken loose the most vicious and depraved. Now, Manji and his pal Magatsu are on the trail of one of the baddest apples in the barrel, Shira, old enemy of Manji - and a one-handed enemy, courtesy of the immortal's blade... moreYou'd think that Manji, the immortal swordsman, would have dispatched just about every sinister personality in feudal Japan on his mission to slay a thousand evil men. But instead of thinning out the vicious herd, he's only shaken loose the most vicious and depraved. Now, Manji and his pal Magatsu are on the trail of one of the baddest apples in the barrel, Shira, old enemy of Manji - and a one-handed enemy, courtesy of the immortal's blade. But while Manji and Magatsu are hunting Shira, the crafty killer has hired a pack of hunters of his own, and if he can't kill Manji, he's hoping for the next best thing: to cut Manji to pieces on a daily basis. Streetwise and violent and yet possessed with a dark grace and beauty, Hiroaki Samura's award-winning Blade of the Immortal has taken its rightful place among the finest that graphic fiction has to offer, a stunning tour-de-force of story and art like none other. less

Anotsu Kagehisa, master swordsman and leader of the rogue Itto-ryu dojo, has sheathed his blade for the moment to join in marriage with the daughter of yet another dojo soon to be brought under his dark wing. But for a man of action, the formal traditions of feudal Japan can be just as tense and fraught with hidden agendas as the battlefield... moreAnotsu Kagehisa, master swordsman and leader of the rogue Itto-ryu dojo, has sheathed his blade for the moment to join in marriage with the daughter of yet another dojo soon to be brought under his dark wing. But for a man of action, the formal traditions of feudal Japan can be just as tense and fraught with hidden agendas as the battlefield. And while Anotsu may indulge in a moment of peace, his enemies are not at rest, among them Rin, who has stalked him for years to take revenge for the murder of her parents. Anotsu had best make sure that if he stops to smell the flowers, he doesn't end up losing his head! less

Rin has spent countless days chasing the murderer of her parents, and now she has Anotsu Kagehisa where she wants him, but the deathly ill Anotsu is too sick for the honor-bound Rin to strike down. But such is not the case for the students of the Shingyvtv-ry], who are out to avenge the death of their sword master, and they have Rin captured and Anotsu cornered... moreRin has spent countless days chasing the murderer of her parents, and now she has Anotsu Kagehisa where she wants him, but the deathly ill Anotsu is too sick for the honor-bound Rin to strike down. But such is not the case for the students of the Shingyvtv-ry], who are out to avenge the death of their sword master, and they have Rin captured and Anotsu cornered. The spirit of revenge is thick in the air - and about to get thicker as Manji, Rin's immortal bodyguard, finally reunites with his charge as this pot of retribution prepares to boil over. And so Manji's faced with a strange irony - to save Rin, he must cut down the men who are out to kill Anotsu, Manji's sworn enemy less

Kidnapped and bound by three Ittoryu warriors, Rin is unable to warn her bodyguard Manji, the immortal swordsman, that he's heading into a trap. To make matters worse, the Itto-ryu possess a large dose of kessen-satsu, the only poison known to damage Manji's blood and severely cripple his regenerative abilities. And is Mugai-ryu assassin Giichi following Manji in order to help rescue Rin … or will he just stick around long enough to finish off any survivors?

As Rin frets over her bodyguard Manji's disappearance, she is surprised by the arrival of two traveling warriors, the feisty, headstrong Doa Yoshino and her huge, brutish companion, Isaku Yasono-okami. Rin quickly regrets her decision to let this strange couple stay with her, but her detective work takes priority when she returns to the stronghold of Habaki Kagamura to search for Manji... moreAs Rin frets over her bodyguard Manji's disappearance, she is surprised by the arrival of two traveling warriors, the feisty, headstrong Doa Yoshino and her huge, brutish companion, Isaku Yasono-okami. Rin quickly regrets her decision to let this strange couple stay with her, but her detective work takes priority when she returns to the stronghold of Habaki Kagamura to search for Manji. Meanwhile, Kagimura's medical examiners begin to test the seemingly immortal Manji, who is imprisoned, chained and a very unwilling toy in their merciless hands! less

Manji, the immortal swordsman, lies imprisoned in the bakufu stronghold of the mysterious Habaki Kagemura. Seeking to impart the life-extending powers of the Manji’s kessen chu bloodworms to other humans, Kagimura orders his medical examiners to discover the secrets of Manji’s amazing regenerative abilities... moreManji, the immortal swordsman, lies imprisoned in the bakufu stronghold of the mysterious Habaki Kagemura. Seeking to impart the life-extending powers of the Manji’s kessen chu bloodworms to other humans, Kagimura orders his medical examiners to discover the secrets of Manji’s amazing regenerative abilities. Using a series of convicts as live subjects in an increasingly grisly series of twisted experiments, Burando, Kagimura’s lead medical examiner, begins to grow more desperate and sickened with each horrifying failure. And through it all, Manji lives, and regenerates, and bides his time for the moment that he can pay back his tormentors... limb by limb! less

The immortality of the captive Manji is being sorely tested, as the horrifying experiments commanded by Habaki Kagimura in the dungeons below Edo castle continue. One of Kagimura’s doctors, Ayame Burando, has already gone half-mad, tormented by the sickening mutilations intended to unlock the secret of passing Manji’s amazing regenerative powers to others, and Burando’s replacements have upped the ante with their utter incompetence... moreThe immortality of the captive Manji is being sorely tested, as the horrifying experiments commanded by Habaki Kagimura in the dungeons below Edo castle continue. One of Kagimura’s doctors, Ayame Burando, has already gone half-mad, tormented by the sickening mutilations intended to unlock the secret of passing Manji’s amazing regenerative powers to others, and Burando’s replacements have upped the ante with their utter incompetence. Meanwhile, Manji’s charge, Rin, is desperately trying to find him, but Edo’s brutal police are on her trail, and the race is on for Rin to free her immortal bodyguard before she joins him behind bars! less

The time for reconnaissance, planning, and waiting is over! Rin and Doa, desperate to be reunited with their friends (or even reassured that they're alive), take their first bold steps in penetrating Edo Castle's defenses and foiling Kagimura's foul "immortality" experiments! A trip to an old doctor, a chance encounter with a high-strung peasant, and an appearance by a strange, all-new Itto-ryu warrior combine to make this volume an important series of encounters in persistent Rin's quest to... moreThe time for reconnaissance, planning, and waiting is over! Rin and Doa, desperate to be reunited with their friends (or even reassured that they're alive), take their first bold steps in penetrating Edo Castle's defenses and foiling Kagimura's foul "immortality" experiments! A trip to an old doctor, a chance encounter with a high-strung peasant, and an appearance by a strange, all-new Itto-ryu warrior combine to make this volume an important series of encounters in persistent Rin's quest to find Manji and Isaku--and in her own growth as a warrior! The "Badger Hole" is a dank passageway that leads to an underground tunnel system beneath Edo Castle. With some new skills and tricks, these two young ladies brave darkness and the promise of death to run headlong towards Kagimura's cruel prisons, where Manji hangs drugged and helpless! less

A massive, 280-page volume brings readers back into the "Badger Hole" with Rin and Doa, as they make some shocking discoveries and finally find their missing companions! When Rin bumps into Toraemon, the unfortunate assistant to crazy Doc Burando and witness to his disgusting "immortality experiments," it seems that breaking Manji free will be a breeze. Not so... moreA massive, 280-page volume brings readers back into the "Badger Hole" with Rin and Doa, as they make some shocking discoveries and finally find their missing companions! When Rin bumps into Toraemon, the unfortunate assistant to crazy Doc Burando and witness to his disgusting "immortality experiments," it seems that breaking Manji free will be a breeze. Not so. Getting Manji out of Edo's nightmarish underground cells and dank tunnel systems will be just as arduous as the ordeal of locating him was! less

A prisoner subjected to Habaki Kagimura and crazy Doc Burando's twisted experiments for far too long, Manji finds himself closer to freedom than ever before -- but several colorful villains block his way! While the shogun's executioner matches Manji and Doa's skills, the reborn, powerful Isaku struggles with Asaemon and Kagimura's henchmen... moreA prisoner subjected to Habaki Kagimura and crazy Doc Burando's twisted experiments for far too long, Manji finds himself closer to freedom than ever before -- but several colorful villains block his way! While the shogun's executioner matches Manji and Doa's skills, the reborn, powerful Isaku struggles with Asaemon and Kagimura's henchmen. The breakout battle in the tunnels beneath Edo Castle continues! With plenty of mortal enemies to go around, Manji and company are surprised by the appearance of Burando's most horrific kessen-chu success story, just as the already treacherous tunnels begin to flood. Rin tries to remain hopeful, Burando faces the reality of his "immortality experiments" on Manji, and a monstrous villain makes a return appearance! less

Hiroaki Samura's latest Blade of the Immortal volume finds Manji and Rin recovering from their harrowing escape out of Edo's underground prisons and finally confronting their odd relationship. Döa and Isaku have something important to announce when Anotsu and the Itto-ryu reunite with their missing members, and Habaki Kagimura faces a death sentence! To atone for his failures and sins, Kagimura has one month to destroy Anotsu and his crew — or Kagimura must commit suicide... moreHiroaki Samura's latest Blade of the Immortal volume finds Manji and Rin recovering from their harrowing escape out of Edo's underground prisons and finally confronting their odd relationship. Döa and Isaku have something important to announce when Anotsu and the Itto-ryu reunite with their missing members, and Habaki Kagimura faces a death sentence! To atone for his failures and sins, Kagimura has one month to destroy Anotsu and his crew — or Kagimura must commit suicide. With his Mugai-ryu assassins disbanded, Kagimura enlists even stranger felons than before, creating the frightening, new Rokki-dan gang. With his colorful cast expanding, Samura's knack for creating memorable characters and his masterful ability to dovetail multiple plotlines into each other are evident in this new volume, which also packs a powerful surprise ending! less

There's going to be a massacre at Edo Castle! While the bitter Kagimura believes that he's sending his forces chasing after Anotsu and the entire Itto-ryu crew, Anotsu fakes them all out and risks his life in one mad dash back to Edo Castle grounds! What is his strange mission?Hiroaki Samura's widely acclaimed Blade of the Immortal manga series has won awards across the globe, including the Eisner Award in America, the prestigious Media Arts Award of Japan, and multiple British Eagle Awards.

The showdown that fans have been waiting for begins here, as Manji and Shira finally cross swords! Although he's missing an arm, Manji's mystical healing powers still ensure that he's a formidable opponent — but his greatest foe, the masochistic Shira, has a few depraved tricks up his own sleeves! With Shira deadlier than ever, having had plenty of time to plot twisted revenge schemes, will Manji be able to protect Rin from his deranged nemesis? Plus — an Ittö-ryü warrior dies, in typically... moreThe showdown that fans have been waiting for begins here, as Manji and Shira finally cross swords! Although he's missing an arm, Manji's mystical healing powers still ensure that he's a formidable opponent — but his greatest foe, the masochistic Shira, has a few depraved tricks up his own sleeves! With Shira deadlier than ever, having had plenty of time to plot twisted revenge schemes, will Manji be able to protect Rin from his deranged nemesis? Plus — an Ittö-ryü warrior dies, in typically dramatic Hiroaki Samura fashion. Samura's widely acclaimed Blade of the Immortal manga series has won awards across the globe, including the Eisner Award in America, the prestigious Media Arts Award of Japan, and multiple British Eagle Awards. less

Last volume's vicious battle continues -- and a popular, key character meets a grisly end! With the help of some new allies, Manji and Rin may have a fighting chance, but can a wounded and road-weary Magatsu hold his own against an invigorated, freshly armed foe? Hiroaki Samura's spellbinding masterpiece finds several major story lines finally beginning to dovetail... moreLast volume's vicious battle continues -- and a popular, key character meets a grisly end! With the help of some new allies, Manji and Rin may have a fighting chance, but can a wounded and road-weary Magatsu hold his own against an invigorated, freshly armed foe? Hiroaki Samura's spellbinding masterpiece finds several major story lines finally beginning to dovetail. As some characters' strange paths are beginning to converge, is Samura's epic study on revenge and survival beginning to wind its way toward a massive, final confrontation? less

Another group of suicidal soldiers face off! Heads and limbs fly as the vicious grudge match between desperate rogue Anotsu and disgraced officer Habaki continues! Three weird Rokki-dan thugs catch up to the fleeing Itto-Ryu crew — with unexpected results! Hiroaki Samura's epic manga series nears its final volume, so now's the time to catch up with Manji, Rin, and your favorite battling groups of anachronistic, freakish warriors! Blade of the Immortal has won many awards across the globe,... moreAnother group of suicidal soldiers face off! Heads and limbs fly as the vicious grudge match between desperate rogue Anotsu and disgraced officer Habaki continues! Three weird Rokki-dan thugs catch up to the fleeing Itto-Ryu crew — with unexpected results! Hiroaki Samura's epic manga series nears its final volume, so now's the time to catch up with Manji, Rin, and your favorite battling groups of anachronistic, freakish warriors! Blade of the Immortal has won many awards across the globe, including the Eisner Award in America, the prestigious Media Arts Award of Japan, and multiple British Eagle Awards. less

Disgraced Edo officer Habaki and his strange group of Rokki-dan thugs turn a seemingly innocent harbour into a port of death - killing everyone who's docked there just in case they're working with Anotsu's fleeing warriors! And when will Manji, revenge-seeking Rin, desperate Anotsu, and possibly the most powerful soldier arrive?

The penultimate volume in the long-running series! A sleepy port town becomes the scene of slaughter and frantic, final battles, as disgraced Edo officer Habaki faces the man he's vowed to take down--the rascally Anotsu... moreThe penultimate volume in the long-running series! A sleepy port town becomes the scene of slaughter and frantic, final battles, as disgraced Edo officer Habaki faces the man he's vowed to take down--the rascally Anotsu. While Manga and Rin are forced to battle Habaki's most tenacious Rokki-dan thug, the enigmatic Makie has to fend off several Edo Castle henchmen at once! Blade's grotesque, vicious final battle rages on! Blade of the Immortal has won many awards across the globe, including the Eisner Award in America, the prestigious Media Arts Award of Japan, and multiple British Eagle Awards less

The harrowing, bone-crunching finale! Hiroaki Samura's long-running manga series ends with a massive, 280-page volume filled with action and suspense. Who will survive? Disgraced Edo officer Habaki faces the devious Anotsu in a decisive showdown, while Manga, Rin, and only a few others witness the end of an era... moreThe harrowing, bone-crunching finale! Hiroaki Samura's long-running manga series ends with a massive, 280-page volume filled with action and suspense. Who will survive? Disgraced Edo officer Habaki faces the devious Anotsu in a decisive showdown, while Manga, Rin, and only a few others witness the end of an era. Rin's quest concludes with a violent bang--then things get weirder! Hiroaki Samura's final volume overflows with heartbreak and bloodshed! Blade has won many awards across the globe, including the Eisner Award in America, the prestigious Media Arts Award of Japan, and multiple British Eagle Awards. less