Copyright: Animate Ltd.
Starting in April 2025, the brand-new anime "Shin Samurai Legend YAIBA" has begun airing. Created by Gosho Aoyama, the author of "Detective Conan", the story follows the thrilling adventures of a young boy named Yaiba Kurogane who dreams of becoming a samurai, now revived for the modern age.
One of the biggest highlights of the series is how it draws inspiration from real historical swordsmen like Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro, as well as legendary figures from Japanese folklore and mythology such as Princess Kaguya and Yamata no Orochi.
So, who exactly are the characters based on? And what unexpected connections might there be to the world of "Detective Conan"? In this deep dive, we’ll reveal the hidden charms of the series and thoroughly explore the real-life and mythological inspirations behind the characters—essential reading for all fans!
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What is "YAIBA" by Gosho Aoyama?
Copyright: Animate Ltd.
The original manga was serialized in "Weekly Shonen Sunday" from 1988 to 1993. In 1993, it won the 38th Shogakukan Manga Award in the children's category and was adapted into a TV anime titled "Legend of the Swordmaster Yaiba". It also inspired video games for the Super Famicom and Game Boy.
The Story of the Original "YAIBA"
The protagonist is Yaiba Kurogane, a boy training in the jungle with his father, Kenjurou Kurogane, in pursuit of becoming the world’s greatest samurai. One day, after returning to Japan, the story truly begins. Yaiba ends up staying with the Mine family, friends of his father. There, he meets the heroine Sayaka Mine, and begins attending a Japanese middle school. However, having grown up in the jungle, Yaiba has no sense of social norms. His wild and unpredictable behavior causes chaos throughout the school.
Eventually, Yaiba joins the kendo club that Sayaka is also part of. It’s there that he meets Takeshi Onimaru, who becomes his greatest rival. Skilled in kendo and constantly clashing with Yaiba, Onimaru gradually succumbs to the power of "evil". To defeat him, Yaiba sets off on a journey across Japan, battling fierce warriors from all over the country...
Buy the Original "YAIBA" Manga at Animate
👉 [Comic] YAIBA SSC Reprint BOX (1)
👉 [Comic] YAIBA SSC Reprint BOX (2)
👉 [Comic] YAIBA SSC Reprint Box (3)
👉 [Comic] YAIBA SSC Reprint BOX (4)
Where Can You Watch the Anime "Shin Samurai Legend YAIBA"?
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The anime "Shin Samurai Legend YAIBA" is currently airing in Japan every Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on the nationwide Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV networks. It’s also available for early streaming from 6:30 p.m. on Netflix and ABEMA. Starting every Tuesday from midnight, it becomes available on additional platforms like Disney+ and Prime Video.
Outside of Japan, VIZ Media has acquired the licensing rights for English-speaking regions, and as of now, it’s available with English subtitles on Netflix and Hulu in North America. As of April 2025, there is no official streaming information available for other countries, but hopefully more platforms will pick it up in the near future.
Buy "YAIBA" and "Shin Samurai Legend YAIBA" Merchandise at Animate 👉Here
The Historical Figures and Legends Behind the Characters
This series draws inspiration from a variety of historical swordsmen and well-known legends in Japan. Here, we’ll explain the background knowledge that can help deepen your enjoyment of the story.
Miyamoto Musashi
A 400-year-old grandpa who awaits Yaiba and his companions on their journey to find the "Raijin Sword" at Mt. Tengu. Despite his chibi, comical appearance, he turns out to be a surprisingly reliable mentor who trains Yaiba.
He is based on a real figure from the Edo period, known for his two-sword style. Musashi remains one of the most popular swordsmen in Japanese history and frequently appears in various forms of media.
Sasaki Kojiro
Musashi’s rival, who is forcibly resurrected in the modern era due to Onimaru’s scheme. In the story, he’s also referred to as "Zombie Kojiro". While Musashi has aged into an old man, Kojiro, who died long ago, still appears as a tall young man, frozen in time.
The real Sasaki Kojiro is shrouded in mystery, with many details of his birth and life remaining unclear. He is most famous for his duel with Musashi on Ganryujima Island.
Ganryujima (Ganryu Island)
The place where Yaiba and his group first encounter Zombie Kojiro. It's where Kojiro’s grave is located, and Onimaru takes advantage of that for his own schemes. In reality, Ganryujima is located in the Kanmon Straits of Yamaguchi Prefecture, and its official name is "Funashima". As mentioned earlier, it's known as the site of the famous duel between Musashi and Kojiro. The island came to be called "Ganryujima" because Kojiro went by the name "Ganryu".
Jubei Mitsuyoshi Yagyu
A disciple of Musashi and a very straightforward man. Although resurrected by Onimaru, he has forgotten his mission to defeat Yaiba and instead treats Yaiba and his friends in a friendly manner. Historically, Jubei is said to have served Tokugawa Iemitsu as a page. However, there is no record that Musashi and Jubei actually had a master-disciple relationship.
Jubei Yagyu is known as a legendary swordsman, with many anecdotes associated with him. Due to stories about him losing one of his eyes, he's often depicted wearing an eye patch, and he's frequently used as a model for characters in manga, novels, and films in Japan.
Kaguya
An empress who comes from the moon to invade Earth. She has an extremely domineering attitude and possesses even more power than Onimaru. However, she cannot survive without the essence of young women, which leads her to target Sayaka.
A woman of the same name appears in "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" ("Taketori Monogatari"), where she also comes from the moon. In the tale, Princess Kaguya is found inside a bamboo stalk and raised lovingly by an elderly couple, but the story ends in sadness as she eventually returns to the moon.
Otohime
A key figure in the "Kaguya" arc, referred to as the "Dragon Priestess". It’s revealed that one of the main characters is a descendant of hers, which causes Kaguya to relentlessly pursue them. In the story, the Dragon Priestess is portrayed as Otohime from the folktale "Urashima Taro".
In the tale, Urashima Taro saves a turtle on the beach and is invited to the Dragon Palace beneath the sea, where he meets Otohime. This beautiful legend has been passed down in many parts of Japan.
Read the article on Japanese folktales and legends like "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" and "Urashima Taro" 👉 Here
Yamata no Orochi
The most powerful demon dragon resurrected in the modern day after Onimaru breaks its seal, becoming increasingly ruthless as the story progresses. It has eight heads and breathes destructive beams from each of its mouths. Yaiba struggles to get close to it, but is there still a chance for victory...?
Yamata no Orochi is depicted as one of the most terrifying monsters in Japanese mythology. Despite this, there are folk beliefs that actually worship it.
Read more about the legend of Yamata no Orochi 👉 here
Fujin and Raijin
In his pursuit of power, Onimaru obtains the "Fujinken" (Wind God Sword), but is eventually consumed by the spirit of the wind god, becoming a true demon. To counter this, Yaiba wields the "Raijinken" (Thunder God Sword). These two opposing forces—wind and thunder—clash in the story. Fujin and Raijin are deities that have been part of Japanese tradition since ancient times. Fujin releases wind and rain from his wind bag, while Raijin strikes drums to create thunder.
Miyoshi Seikai Nyūdō
A giant who confronts Yaiba and his group at Lake Biwa. With superhuman strength, he's powerful enough to send Yaiba flying with a single swing.
He's based on one of the Ten Braves of Sanada (Sanada Jūyūshi), warriors who served Sanada Yukimura and fought against Tokugawa Ieyasu. Miyoshi is known as a brawny character, often depicted with a shaved head and a goofy side, swinging a club weighing over 60kg with ease.
Fūma Kotarō
A ninja working under Onimaru who appears before Yaiba and his allies. While Yaiba fights with swordsmanship, Kotarō uses various ninja techniques to bewilder him. Despite his name, he’s self-conscious about his large build.
Historically, Fūma Kotarō is said to be a legendary ninja, his character shaped by stories like the "Hōjō Godaiki" and the "Kenmonshū".
Amakusa Shirō Tokisada
A sorcerer who awaits Yaiba and his companions in Kyushu. He battles them with mysterious powers, transforming into other people and summoning various gods of Japan. In real history, Amakusa Shirō was a Christian who led the Shimabara Rebellion during the Edo period. He’s often portrayed as a charismatic and magnetic figure in fiction.
Ishikawa Goemon
Said to have lived during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, Goemon is a legendary thief who often appears in fictional works as the most famous burglar in Japan. In YAIBA, he’s depicted as a clumsy middle-aged man who approaches Yaiba’s group and steals a map from Musashi. His agile movements rival that of a ninja.
Musashibō Benkei
Tasked by Onimaru with finding the "Legendary Orb", he’s at a loss until he runs into Musashi and Sayaka. He has a friendly and laid-back demeanor, though he speaks with a slight regional accent.
Historically, Benkei is believed to have been a warrior monk in the Heian period. He’s said to have fought Minamoto no Yoshitsune on Kyoto’s Gojo Bridge. Due to the lack of historical records, many of his stories are considered folklore. Benkei is a popular figure who appears frequently in various fictional works.
Matsuo Bashō
Aims to take over the country in place of Onimaru. Though an old man, he moves with astonishing agility and confuses Yaiba and the others.
Historically, Bashō was a renowned haiku poet who traveled across Japan and left behind many exceptional poems. His travel journal The Narrow Road to the Deep North (Oku no Hosomichi) is one of the most famous works in Japanese literature.
Okita Sōji (also read as Sōshi)
In the "Oda Nobunaga Tournament" arc, he faces Yaiba in the semifinals. In the story, he goes by "The Sixth Okita Sōji". Although he claims he has no real interest in swordsmanship and entered the tournament to quit the art, he proves to be a formidable opponent.
The real Okita Sōji was a famous member of the Shinsengumi during the end of the Edo period. He was said to be a prodigy in swordsmanship from a very young age.
Read more about the Shinsengumi 👉 here
Did you know characters from Detective Conan also appear in YAIBA?
Gosho Aoyama often features crossovers between his own works. Several characters, including Yaiba himself, also appear in the Detective Conan universe. We won’t spoil exactly when or where they show up, but keeping an eye out for them could be a fun way to enjoy reading both series.
By the way, the beloved character Kaito Kid from Detective Conan originally comes from Aoyama’s earlier work Magic Kaito. If you’re curious why Kid steals, that story will reveal his true motives.
Enjoy Shin Samurai Legend YAIBA even more by exploring its references and inspirations!
As you’ve seen, many characters and story arcs in the original YAIBA manga are inspired by figures from Japanese history, mythology, and folklore.
In Shin Samurai Legend YAIBA, the story is now set in the modern era and differs a bit from the original. That’s why discovering how each character appears and how the narrative diverges from the original can be an exciting part of the experience.
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