Yaiba

This article is about the 1988 manga. For the unrelated 2016 manga, see Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. For the 2014 video game, see Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z.
Yaiba
First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Yaiba Kurogane (left) and Sayaka Mine
Manga
Written byGosho Aoyama
Published byShogakukan
English publisher
ImprintShōnen Sunday Comics
MagazineWeekly Shōnen Sunday
DemographicShōnen
Original runSeptember 7, 1988 – December 1, 1993
Volumes24
Anime television series
Kenyū Densetsu Yaiba
Directed by
Produced by
  • Mutsuo Shimizu
  • Noriko Kobayashi
  • Toshihiro Nakazawa
  • Toshiaki Okuno
Written byKenji Terada
Music byKohei Tanaka
StudioPastel
Original networkTXN (TV Tokyo, TVh)
Original run April 9, 1993 – April 1, 1994
Episodes52
Anime television series
Yaiba: Samurai Legend
Directed byTakahiro Hasui
Produced byMaiko Okada
Written byTouko Machida
Music by
StudioWit Studio
Licensed by
  • NA: Viz Media

Yaiba (stylized as Y∀IBA) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Gosho Aoyama. It was serialized in Shogakukan's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday from September 1988 to December 1993, with its chapters collected in 24 tankōbon volumes. The manga has been licensed for English release in North America by Viz Media.

A 52-episode anime television series adaptation by Pastel, titled Kenyū Densetsu Yaiba, aired on TV Tokyo and Television Hokkaido from April 1993 to April 1994. A second anime television series adaptation produced by Wit Studio, titled Yaiba: Samurai Legend, has been announced. The second anime television series adaptation has been licensed by Viz Media.

By May 2024, the manga had over 17 million copies in circulation. In 1993, Yaiba received the 38th Shogakukan Manga Award for the shōnen category.

Story

[edit]
See also: List of Yaiba characters

Yaiba Kurogane is an adventuring boy who knows how to be a samurai and little else. Yaiba lives with his father, Kenjurou, in the forest. One day, while Yaiba was eating, a troop of gorillas came to attack. Yaiba and his father escaped and hid inside a box, but they did not know that the box was full of pineapples and was going to be transported into the city. In the city, Yaiba finds out that he is a legendary warrior and has to fight the evil of a demonic looking high-school student named Takeshi Onimaru.

The people that Yaiba meets along his journey to become a true samurai encourage him, train him, or inspire him to greatness, though at heart he is still a child, and his incredible skill with a sword is matched only by his kindness towards his friends. Though he tends to leap before he looks, and his thick-headedness tends to turn potential allies into enemies, his friends soon clobber him, and salvage the situation. This unlikely group embarks on a host of incredible adventures where they meet legendary figures from Japanese history, and finally overcome impossible odds, and put everything on the line, to save the entire planet from a threat not of this world.

Media

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Manga

[edit]

Written and illustrated by Gosho Aoyama, Yaiba was serialized in Shogakukan's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday from September 7, 1988, to December 1, 1993.[1][2] Shogakukan collected its chapters in twenty-four tankōbon volumes, released between April 18, 1989,[3] and February 18, 1994.[4] Shogakukan republished the series in a 10-volume bunkoban edition from December 14, 2001,[5] to August 10, 2002.[6] Shogakukan launched a second edition of the original 24-volume from July 15, 2004,[7] to April 18, 2005.[8]

In October 2024, Viz Media announced at New York Comic Con that it has licensed the manga for English release in North America, with the first volume set to be released in July 2025.[9]

Volumes

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No. Japanese release date Japanese ISBN
1 April 18, 1989[3]4-09-122271-4
2 June 17, 1989[10]4-09-122272-2
3 August 18, 1989[11]4-09-122273-0
4 October 18, 1989[12]4-09-122274-9
5 December 14, 1989[13]4-09-122275-7
6 March 17, 1990[14]4-09-122276-5
7 May 18, 1990[15]4-09-122277-3
8 July 18, 1990[16]4-09-122278-1
9 October 18, 1990[17]4-09-122279-X
10 February 18, 1991[18]4-09-122280-3
11 May 18, 1991[19]4-09-122561-6
12 July 18, 1991[20]4-09-122562-4
13 September 18, 1991[21]4-09-122563-2
14 November 18, 1991[22]4-09-122564-0
15 January 18, 1992[23]4-09-122565-9
16 April 17, 1992[24]4-09-122566-7
17 June 18, 1992[25]4-09-122567-5
18 August 10, 1992[26]4-09-122568-3
19 November 18, 1992[27]4-09-122569-1
20 February 18, 1993[28]4-09-122570-5
21 May 18, 1993[29]4-09-123231-0
22 July 17, 1993[30]4-09-123232-9
23 October 18, 1993[31]4-09-123233-7
24 February 18, 1994[4]4-09-123234-5

Anime

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1993 series

[edit]

An 52-episode anime television series, titled Kenyū Densetsu Yaiba (剣勇伝説YAIBA, lit. 'Brave Sword Legend Yaiba'), produced by Pastel, aired on TV Tokyo from April 9, 1993, to April 1, 1994. The opening and ending theme songs were performed by Kabuki Rocks [ja]; "Yuuki ga Areba" (勇気があれば, lit. 'If You Have Courage') and "Shinjigakunaki Tatakai" (神智学無き戦い, lit. 'Battle Without Theosophy') respectively.[32]

Episodes
[edit]
No.TitleOriginal air date [32]
1"Heisei no Samurai Yaiba Toujou!"
(Japanese: 平成の侍ヤイバ登場!)		April 9, 1993 (1993-04-09)
2"Yomigaeru Fuujin no Ken!"
(Japanese: よみがえる風神の剣!)		April 16, 1993 (1993-04-16)
3"Raijin no Ken! Fuujin no Ken"
(Japanese: 雷神の剣!風神の剣)		April 23, 1993 (1993-04-23)
4"Hachi Oni Kaeru Otoko no Shuugeki"
(Japanese: 八鬼・カエル男の襲撃)		April 30, 1993 (1993-04-30)
5"Hissatsu Waza Senpuu Ken!!"
(Japanese: 必殺技せんぷう剣!!)		May 7, 1993 (1993-05-07)
6"Kyoufu no Namekuji Otoko Sanjou"
(Japanese: 恐怖のナメクジ男参上)		May 14, 1993 (1993-05-14)
7"Hachi Oni Kumo Otoko no Jakuten!?"
(Japanese: 八鬼・クモ男の弱点)		May 21, 1993 (1993-05-21)
8"Kyuuketsuki. Battogai!"
(Japanese: 吸血鬼・バットガイ!)		May 28, 1993 (1993-05-28)
9"Onimaru Manjuu no Himitsu"
(Japanese: 鬼丸まんじゅうの秘密)		June 4, 1993 (1993-06-04)
10"Tensai Kenshi Kojirou Fukkatsu"
(Japanese: 天才剣士小次郎復活!)		June 11, 1993 (1993-06-11)
11"Kengou Nipponichi wa Dare Da!!"
(Japanese: 剣豪日本一はだれだ!!)		June 18, 1993 (1993-06-18)
12"Higi Kaminari Kiri Tanjou!"
(Japanese: 秘技カミナリ斬り誕生!)		June 25, 1993 (1993-06-25)
13"Kyodai Ankou!? Onimaru Shiro Sennyuu"
(Japanese: 巨大アンコウ!?鬼丸城潜入)		July 2, 1993 (1993-07-02)
14"Kieta? Kyouteki Kamereon!"
(Japanese: 消えた?強敵カメレオン!)		July 9, 1993 (1993-07-09)
15"Kojirou ga Uragitta!?"
(Japanese: 小次郎が裏切った!?)		July 16, 1993 (1993-07-16)
16"Shitennou Saikyou Mashin Shuugeki!"
(Japanese: 四天王最強マシン襲撃!)		July 23, 1993 (1993-07-23)
17"Fuu Kaminari Gekitotsu!! Yaiba tai Onimaru"
(Japanese: 風雷激突!!ヤイバ対鬼丸)		July 30, 1993 (1993-07-30)
18"Densetsu no Tama wo Sagase!"
(Japanese: 伝説の玉をさがせっ!)		August 6, 1993 (1993-08-06)
19"Kin no Tama wa Nani no Tama?"
(Japanese: 金の玉は何の玉?)		August 13, 1993 (1993-08-13)
20"Aka Ryuu Densetsu!! Amakusa Shirou Gen Waru!"
(Japanese: 赤龍伝説!!天草四郎現わる!!)		August 20, 1993 (1993-08-20)
21"Netsu Jigoku! Kaen no Tama wo Ubae!!"
(Japanese: 熱地獄!火炎の玉を奪え!!)		August 27, 1993 (1993-08-27)
22"Tenka no Dai Dorobou Goemon"
(Japanese: 天下の大泥棒・ゴエモン)		September 3, 1993 (1993-09-03)
23"Kyodai Kessen! Daibutsu VS Oosaka Onimaru Jou"
(Japanese: 巨大決戦!大仏VS大阪鬼丸城)		September 10, 1993 (1993-09-10)
24"Teki ka Mikata ka? Yagyuu Juubee Fukkatsu!"
(Japanese: 敵か味方か?柳生十兵衛復活!)		September 17, 1993 (1993-09-17)
25"Machi Ukeru Wana!? Kawanakajima Kessen no Maki"
(Japanese: 待ちうける罠!?川中島決戦)		September 24, 1993 (1993-09-24)
26"Yami no Tama wa Ankoku Sekai e no Iriguchi"
(Japanese: 闇の玉は暗黒世界への入口)		October 1, 1993 (1993-10-01)
27"Yume wo Suteru ka! Tokkun Hissatsu Ken"
(Japanese: 夢をすてるか!特訓必殺剣)		October 8, 1993 (1993-10-08)
28"Goukyuu Shoubu! Benkei wo Uchitore"
(Japanese: 剛球勝負!弁慶を打ちとれ)		October 15, 1993 (1993-10-15)
29"Nanii! Densetsu no Tama ga 10 Man ko?"
(Japanese: なにっ!伝説の玉が10万個?)		October 22, 1993 (1993-10-22)
30"Seki ka no Doku Hari! Monkii Bashou"
(Japanese: 石化の毒針!モンキー芭蕉)		October 29, 1993 (1993-10-29)
31"Mezase! Fujiyama Ryuujin no Tama!"
(Japanese: 目指せ!富士山龍神の玉!)		November 5, 1993 (1993-11-05)
32"Yaiba 7tsu no Tama wo Ushinau!?"
(Japanese: ヤイバ7つの玉を失う!?)		November 12, 1993 (1993-11-12)
33"Hijou Naru Ryuujin no Shiren!"
(Japanese: 非情なる龍神の試練!)		November 19, 1993 (1993-11-19)
34"Kiete Iku Nakama-Tachi"
(Japanese: 消えていく仲間達)		November 26, 1993 (1993-11-26)
35"Shijou Saikyou! Ryuujin Ken!!"
(Japanese: 史上最強!龍神剣!!)		December 3, 1993 (1993-12-03)
36"Tsuki Kara no Shinryaku Sha. Nyotei Kaguya"
(Japanese: 月からの侵略者・女帝かぐや)		December 10, 1993 (1993-12-10)
37"Dai Gekichin! Onimaru Fuyuu Jou!"
(Japanese: 大撃沈!鬼丸浮遊城!)		December 17, 1993 (1993-12-17)
38"Toukyou Mizuzeme Dai Sakusen!!"
(Japanese: 東京水攻め作戦!!)		December 24, 1993 (1993-12-24)
39"Tsuki Boshi Jin, Gasu Tanku to Gattai!?"
(Japanese: 月星人、ガスタンクと合体!?)		December 27, 1993 (1993-12-27)
40"Shin Ryuujin Densetsu Tanjou!!"
(Japanese: 新龍神伝説誕生!!)		January 7, 1994 (1994-01-07)
41"Onago Kyuushutsu Sakusen Kekkou!"
(Japanese: おなご救出作戦決行!)		January 14, 1994 (1994-01-14)
42"Tai wo Ubawareta Juubee!?"
(Japanese: 体を奪われた十兵衛!?)		January 21, 1994 (1994-01-21)
43"Sayaka Pinchi! Isoge Yaiba"
(Japanese: さやかピンチ!急げヤイバ)		January 28, 1994 (1994-01-28)
44"Nerawareta Ryuu no Miko. Sayaka"
(Japanese: 狙われた龍の巫女・さやか)		February 4, 1994 (1994-02-04)
45"Gekkou no Gyakushuu! Maou Ken"
(Japanese: ゲッコーの逆襲!魔王剣)		February 11, 1994 (1994-02-11)
46"Yaiba, Maou Ken ni Yabureru!"
(Japanese: ヤイバ、魔王剣に敗れる!)		February 18, 1994 (1994-02-18)
47"Onimaru Fukkatsu! Sayaka wo Sukue!!"
(Japanese: 鬼丸復活!さやかを救え!!)		February 25, 1994 (1994-02-25)
48"Kurae! Gattai Waza Fuu Kaminari ha"
(Japanese: くらえっ!合体技風雷波)		March 4, 1994 (1994-03-04)
49"Kaguya, Osoroshiki Shin no Sugata!"
(Japanese: かぐや、恐ろしき真の姿!)		March 11, 1994 (1994-03-11)
50"Zettaizetsumei! Yaiba Ken wo Ushinau"
(Japanese: 絶体絶命!ヤイバ剣を失う)		March 18, 1994 (1994-03-18)
51"Shiroki Ryuujin Arawaru!!"
(Japanese: 白き龍神あらわる!!)		March 25, 1994 (1994-03-25)
52"Tetsu Yaiba, Samurai da!"
(Japanese: 鉄ヤイバ、サムライだ!)		April 1, 1994 (1994-04-01)

Upcoming series

[edit]

A second anime adaptation, with supervision from Aoyama, was announced in Weekly Shōnen Sunday on May 8, 2024.[33][34] Titled Yaiba: Samurai Legend (真・侍伝YAIBA, Shin Samurai-den Yaiba, lit. 'True Samurai Legend Yaiba'), the television series is produced by Wit Studio and directed by Takahiro Hasui, with Touko Machida writing series scripts, Yoshimichi Kameda designing the characters and serving as chief animation director, Maiko Okada serving as animation producer, and Yutaka Yamada and Yoshiaki Dewa composing the music. Minami Takayama will reprise her role as the voice of Yaiba Kurogane from the original series.[35][36]

In October 2024, Viz Media announced at New York Comic Con that it has licensed the series.[9]

Reception

[edit]

By May 2024, the manga had over 17 million copies in circulation.[37] In 1993, Yaiba, along Ghost Sweeper Mikami, received the 38th Shogakukan Manga Award for the shōnen category.[38]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 週刊少年サンデー 1988/09/07 表示号数39 (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  2. ^ 週刊少年サンデー 1993/12/01 表示号数50 (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  3. ^ a b YAIBA 1 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on September 11, 2004. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  4. ^ a b YAIBA 24 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on April 17, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  5. ^ YAIBA (小学館文庫) 1 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on December 14, 2005. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  6. ^ YAIBA (小学館文庫) 10 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on December 25, 2005. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  7. ^ YAIBA〔新装版〕 / 1 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on February 17, 2006. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  8. ^ YAIBA〔新装版〕 / 24 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on August 21, 2005. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  9. ^ a b Hodgkins, Crystalyn (October 19, 2024). "Viz Media Licenses Gōshō Aoyama's Yaiba: Samurai Legend Manga, Manga's Upcoming New TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  10. ^ YAIBA 2 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on February 16, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  11. ^ YAIBA 3 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on February 16, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  12. ^ YAIBA 4 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on February 16, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  13. ^ YAIBA 5 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on February 16, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  14. ^ YAIBA 6 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on February 16, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  15. ^ YAIBA 7 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on February 16, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  16. ^ YAIBA 8 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on February 16, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  17. ^ YAIBA 9 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on February 16, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  18. ^ YAIBA 10 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on March 8, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  19. ^ YAIBA 11 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on September 11, 2004. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  20. ^ YAIBA 12 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on February 12, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  21. ^ YAIBA 13 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on February 12, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  22. ^ YAIBA 14 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on March 8, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  23. ^ YAIBA 15 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on March 5, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  24. ^ YAIBA 16 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on February 12, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  25. ^ YAIBA 17 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on March 8, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  26. ^ YAIBA 18 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on February 16, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  27. ^ YAIBA 19 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on April 16, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  28. ^ YAIBA 19 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on February 21, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  29. ^ YAIBA 21 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on April 17, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  30. ^ YAIBA 22 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on April 17, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  31. ^ YAIBA 23 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on April 17, 2005. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  32. ^ a b 剣勇伝説YAIBA (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on March 3, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  33. ^ 青山剛昌「YAIBA」が新たにアニメ化！原作者描き下ろしビジュアル＆特報解禁. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 8, 2024. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  34. ^ Tai, Anita (May 7, 2024). "Detective Conan Author Gōshō Aoyama's Yaiba Manga Gets New Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  35. ^ 「YAIBA」新作アニメ、刃役は高山みなみ！鬼丸役に細谷佳正、制作はWIT STUDIO. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. September 4, 2024. Archived from the original on September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  36. ^ Cayanan, Joanna (September 4, 2024). "New Yaiba Anime Reveals TV Airing, Main Cast, Staff in Promo Video". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  37. ^ 『YAIBA』完全新作で再びアニメ化 30年ぶり制作で青山剛昌「スゲーよ!」 特報映像公開. Oricon News (in Japanese). May 8, 2024. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  38. ^ 小学館漫画賞：歴代受賞者 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
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