Collection: Blade of the Immortal – Dark Horse Comics – (1996–2007) – Volume 1 - #1–131

📘 Series Summary

A masterpiece of historical fiction and visceral action, Blade of the Immortal remains one of the most influential manga series ever localized for Western audiences. Created by the legendary Hiroaki Samura and published in a monthly comic format by Dark Horse, the story follows Manji, a masterless samurai cursed with immortality by "sacred bloodworms" that inhabit his body and heal almost any wound. Seeking to atone for his past sins, Manji vows to kill one thousand evil men to regain his mortality.

This epic 131-issue run follows Manji as he becomes the bodyguard for Rin Asano, a young girl seeking vengeance against the Ittō-ryū—a radical sword school that slaughtered her family. Samura’s artwork is world-renowned for its innovative use of pencil shading and cross-hatching, creating a gritty, cinematic atmosphere that set a new standard for the chanbara (sword fighting) genre. Spanning over a decade of publication, the series explores themes of morality, the futility of revenge, and the burden of eternal life in the mid-Tokugawa Shogunate era.

⭐ Why This Series Stands Out

• Features the groundbreaking, pencil-shaded artwork of Hiroaki Samura, a style unique in the world of manga and comics.
• A massive, complete 131-issue journey that stands as one of the longest-running and most successful manga-to-comic translations.
• Renowned for its complex character dynamics, particularly the evolving relationship between the immortal Manji and the vengeful Rin.
• Includes the legendary "Mugai-ryū" and "Immortal's Blood" story arcs, showcasing some of the most creative weapon designs in fiction.
• Highly praised for its meticulous historical detail combined with stylized, modern action sensibilities.
• An essential pillar of 1990s and 2000s comic culture, influencing countless creators across the globe.

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