10 Samurai Anime to Watch if You Like Ghost of Yotei

A little over a year after it was announced during PlayStation’s September 2024 State of Play, Ghost of Yotei is finally here. The game has been met with praise from critics and fans alike, and while some fans were disappointed they wouldn’t be continuing Jin’s journey, Atsu’s revenge story looks to be just as exciting.

Just as Ghost of Tsushima paid homage to the legendary samurai movies that inspired it – particularly those of renowned Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa – with the aptly named “Kurosawa Mode”, Ghost of Yotei will be introducing a new “Watanabe Mode” that will make players feel as though they’re playing through a Shinichiro Watanabe anime. With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the best samurai anime you can check out if you’re enjoying Ghost of Yotei.

Yasuke

MAPPA Brings an Enigmatic Historical Figure to Life

Yasuke in Netflix anime

Though not much is known about him, Yasuke’s story has piqued the interest of many. He’s been featured in various films, books, and video games over the years, including Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and has gone on to inspire various characters throughout pop culture. MAPPA’s epynomous 20021 adaptation of Yasuke’s story mixes in various historical elements with engaging sci-fi, making for an unforgettable and unique experience.

With music by Flying Lotus and a unique visual style, Yasuke perfectly fits the vibe you get from turning Watanabe Mode on in Yotei. If you’re looking for a classic samurai anime with a twist, this is it.

Revenger

A Modern Revenge Tale That Hits All The Marks

If you’re more into Ghost of Yotei’s themes of revenge, then the aptly named Revenger might be the perfect anime to check out. The series follows Raizo Kurima, who, after being fooled into killing his father-in-law, sets out to get revenge on those who wronged him. Shortly after, he is invited to join a group of professional assassins who aid those powerless to help themselves.

Revenger has tons of amazing action that will satisfy any anime fan’s desire for cool samurai fight scenes. But the series also has a great cast of characters who carry it through its more dramatic beats.

Revenger

Release Date

2023 – 2022

Network

Tokyo MX

Directors

Toshiyuki Sone, Akira Kato, Mitsuyo Yokono, Hidekazu Oka

Writers

Renji Oki

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  Jun Kasama

  Kurima Raizo (voice)

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  Yuuichirou Umehara

  Usui Yuen (voice)

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  Shunsuke Takeuchi

  Murakami Teppa (voice)

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  Hisako Kanemoto

  Nio (voice)

The Elusive Samurai

A Fun Spin on the Classic Samurai Formula

Based on the manga by Yusei Matsui, The Elusive Samurai takes all the best things about the Samurai genre and adds a classic shonen spin to it. The series follows real-life historical figure Hojo Tokiyuki, who loses his family and status following a coup. Joined by a priest, he journeys out to use his incredible elusive skills to get revenge on those who tore his family apart.

Matsui’s manga began serialization in 2021 and has been going strong ever since. Hojo’s novel approach to battle leads to some visually stunning action sequences that you won’t get from any other Samurai anime.

The Elusive Samurai

Release Date

July 6, 2024

Network

Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV

Directors

Yasushi Tomoda

Writers

Rino Yamazaki, Dai Katarayama

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  Asaki Yuikawa

  Tokiyuki Hojo

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  Yuichi Nakamura

  Yorishige Suwa

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Blade of the Immortal

A Beautifully Animated Redemption Story With A Dark Twist

There are two anime adaptations of Hiroaki Samura’s Blade of the Immortal out there. While both have their merits, the 2018 series is a much more complete adaptation that does the manga justice. The series follows a Ronin named Manji. Cursed with immortality and haunted by the misdeeds of his past, Manji sets out to kill 1000 evil men in a bid to put an end to his eternal life.

Blade of the Immortal is a beautiful series with a very distinct style that will speak to old-school anime fans. The story and themes are heavy at times, but that’s precisely why it stands out among its contemporaries as one of the best Samurai anime out there.

Drifters

Isekai Tropes With a Historical Hook

The Isekai genre has exploded in popularity over the years. Every new season sees more and more isekai titles added to an already long list of shows, with most of them relying on the same tired tropes. Drifters takes the basic isekai premise and puts a new spin on it.

When real-life historical figure Toyohisa Shimazu is transported from the Battle of Sekigahara to a strange new world, he becomes part of a group called “Drifters”. Toyohis must now fight against an enemy known as the “Ends” alongside a variety of historical figures, trying to protect this new world. If you’re into isekai anime but want something a little different, Drifters ​​​​​​stands out as a one-of-a-kind experience.

Ooku: The Inner Chambers

Alternate Reality Drama & Societal Change

Ooku: The Inner Chambers takes place in an alternate reality Edo period where a mysterious disease known as “redface pox” destroys all but a quarter of the male population. With the male population so low, women begin assuming traditional male roles, leading to massive societal change.

While Ooku’s premise is based on fiction, much of it plays on historical fact. It’s not the most traditional samurai series out there, but the gender role reversal hook allows for some interesting storytelling you won’t see anywhere else.

Ooku: The Inner Chambers

Release Date

June 29, 2023

Network

Netflix

Directors

Yuta Suzuki

Cast

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  Mamoru Miyano

  Madenokōji Arikoto (voice)

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  Eriko Matsui

  Tokugawa Iemitsu (voice)

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  Yuki Kaji

  Gyokuei (voice)

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  Kikuko Inoue

  Lady Kasuga (voice)

Dororo

One of Tezuka’s Greatest Series Adapted Beautifully

When samurai lord Daigo Kagemitsu makes a deal with 12 demons, he is granted power and prosperity. This comes at the cost of his newborn son, who is born without limbs, a nose, eyes, ears, or skin. The child is then abandoned by his father, leaving him to die. The boy, Hyakkimaru, is saved by a doctor and given artificial limbs. As he grows older, he sets out to find the demons that took his body from him and reclaim what he lost. Along the way, a young orphan named Dororo joins Hyakkimaru on his journey while learning to fight demons alongside him.

Based on the manga by the Godfather of manga, Osamu Tezuka, Dororo is a beautiful series that stands out among its peers. The manga was originally adapted in 1969, and while that series is great in its own right, MAPPA’s 2019 reboot is a compelling take on what many consider to be a classic samurai tale.

Dororo

Release Date

2019 – 2019

Directors

Kazuhiro Furuhashi

Writers

Yasuko Kobayashi

Franchise(s)

Dororo

Afro Samurai

Ultra Violent Samurai Action That Never Gets Old

Filled with non-stop action, a great atmosphere, and not shy about showing some absolute carnage on-screen, Afro Samurai is a must-watch for fans of Samurai anime, movies, and everything else. The series takes place in a futuristic version of Japan that still uses the feudal system. In this world, the Number 1 headband is said to give its wearer god-like powers. The holder of the Number 1 headband can only be challenged by whoever has the Number 2 headband. When young Afro witnesses his father, Rokutaro, the holder of the Number 1 headband, die at the hands of an outlaw and holder of the Number 2 headband named Justice, he sets out on a long journey to avenge his father’s death and reclaim the Number 1 headband from his killer.

Afro Samurai is filled with amazing fights that benefit greatly from an amazing soundtrack courtesy of RZA, which helps give the series a distinct vibe. You won’t find much out there like it. If you’re looking for a unique samurai anime, this is it.

Afro Samurai

Release Date

2007 – 2007

Network

Spike

Showrunner

Takashi Okazaki, Fuminori Kizaki

Directors

Fuminori Kizaki

The Cult Classic That Paved The Way

Ninja Scroll ​​​​​​was a gateway into the world of anime for a whole generation of fans. The 1993 film follows wandering swordsman Jubei Kibagami as he is drawn into a conflict against a team of ninjas known as the “Eight Devils of Kimon” after rescuing a ninja named Kagero.

Decades after its release, Ninja Scroll still oozes style. Be it the fluidity of the fight scenes or the beautiful animation, the film stands the test of time.

Ninja Scroll

Release Date

June 5, 1993

Runtime

94 Minutes

Director

Yoshiaki Kawajiri

Writers

Yoshiaki Kawajiri

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  Koichi Yamadera

  Jubei Kibagami

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  Daisuke Gôri

  Genma Himuro

Samurai Champloo

Shinichiro Watanabe’s Iconic Samurai Mashup

If you’re playing through Ghost of Yotei with the Watanabe Mode enabled, why not check out the series that inspired the devs in the first place? Samurai Champloo is a sleek and beautiful anime with a versatile trio of main characters who carry the series on their shoulders. The series follows a young woman named Fuu, who, in search of a samurai who smells like flowers, encounters outlaw Mugen and Ronin Jin. The two join Fuu on her journey despite their stark differences, protecting her as she searches for the elusive samurai.

Aside from its incredible animation, Samurai Champloo also stands out for its amazing soundtrack produced by Fat Jon and the legendary Nujabes. Turning on Watanabe Mode in Yotei will perfectly recreate the feel of watching the anime, with the instrumental lo-fi serving as an homage to Watanabe and Nujabes’ work.

Samurai Champloo

Release Date

2004 – 2005

Directors

Shinichirô Watanabe

Writers

Masaru Gotsubo

Franchise(s)

Samurai Champloo

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