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One of the most interesting anime adaptations of 2025 has to be the reboot of the anime adaptation of Gōshō Aoyama’sKenyū DensetsuYAIBA (Brave Samurai Legend YAIBA). With 17 million copies in circulation, the originalYAIBAmanga was clearly very popular when it ran from 1988 to 1993, but for some reason, this hype train might have completely skipped over the majority of anime fans outside of Japan.VIZ Media announced at New York Comic Conin October last year that it has licensed theYAIBAmanga for release in English for the very first time in the series' history, with the first volume coming out this July, while the anime hitsNetflixand Hulu in April.
Coming from the mind who gave the world one of the longest-running manga series in history withDetective Conan(known in English-speaking countries as “Case Closed”), what can we expect from the upcomingYAIBA: Samurai Legend, over 30 years since its initial adaptation?
What is YAIBA: Samurai Legend About?
A Sparring Match Goes Supernatural
YAIBA: Samurai Legendfollows the titular character, Yaiba Kurogane, a teenager who has spent his days training in the jungle in order to become a bona fide samurai. Circumstances bring him back to Japan, where he lives with the Mine family, who are connected to his father, Kenjuro, baffling the daughter Sayaka with his rambunctiousness and high energy. On their way to school one day, Yaiba has a fated encounter with kendo practitioner Takeshi Onimaru. The two clash, and, as if in response to their energy, two ancient spirits are released into the world once more: Fujinken, the Wind God’s Sword, and the Raijinken, the Thunder God’s Sword,supernatural blades that have come together in conflictsince time immemorial, finding themselves clashing once again. The truth behind the ancient blades will soon be revealed.
YAIBA Background Information
About the Upcoming Anime Series
The originalYAIBAmanga was published in Shogakukan’s Weekly Shōnen Sunday from September 1988 to December 1993, running for 24 volumes. In 1993, the series won the 38th Shogakukan Manga Award for the shōnen category, and by May 2024,YAIBAhad over 17 million copies in circulation. The series was republished in 2001 and again in 2005, with the upcoming July release of YAIBA’s first volume being the series' first-ever official English release. The originalYAIBAanime was produced by the now-defunct Studio Pastel (Initial D), running for 52 episodes from April 1993 to April 1994.
The upcomingYAIBAanime isproduced by WIT Studio, famed for their debut production, the first three seasons ofAttack on Titan; with Bamboo (background art,CHAINSAW MAN) working on the series' backgrounds.The series is directed by Takahiro Hasui, who has directed and created storyboards for several episodes of BONES-producedMob Psycho 100;with series composition by Tōko Machida (series composition,Chaika – The Coffin Princess); character designs byDANDADANalien and yōkai designer Yoshimichi Kameda, who also serves as chief director onYAIBA;with music by Yoshiaki Dewa and Yutaka Yamada. The cast includes:
YAIBA: Samurai Legendis set to premiere on April 5, before the timeslot of the other Gōshō Aoyama anime adaptation,Case Closed; while a theatrical screening ofYAIBAwas shown in Japan on March 13. On March 8, it was revealed thatYAIBAwill stream on Hulu and Netflix when it drops.
Expect a Visual Feast
WIT Studio’s Unmistakable Touch Will Be The Series' Biggest Weapon
Falling into the giant torrent of reboots that have been coming out in the past decade or so,YAIBA’sstrongest weapon going into its April 5 premiere is the fact that it was produced by the studio that did what many fans argue was the more visually striking part of the Attack on Titan anime adaptation. The studio has since gone from strength to strength, withMoonrise, a sci-fi anime by the studio, also coming out this Spring season. Based on the trailers and visuals that have been released forYAIBA, the series promises something highly engrossing and enjoyable to look at, with dynamic camera angles, effects and choreography for fights making for some great visuals that really accentuate Aoyama’s characteristic art style that really makes viewers understand the connection toCase Closedat first glance.
It’s a battle shōnen series of a bygone era, which could turn out to be more of a breath of fresh air, with a more lighthearted approach than some of the major titles of the past few years. The series sets up a straightforward clash between good and evil in which our bright and peppy hero must prevail to save not only the world, but Onimaru as well. Perhaps we can expect a good ol' power of friendship series with the upcomingYAIBA: Samurai Legend, which, after thesuccess of titles likeDragon Ball: DAIMA, the feel of nostalgic anime revamped to suit contemporary aesthetic tastes might just be what the doctor ordered.
YAIBA: Samurai Legend is set to premiere on April 5, and will be available on Netflix and Hulu.
