10 Essential Manga You Need To Read Before You Die
7. Blade Of The Immortal (Hiroaki Samura)
In many stories, immortality is presented as a goal to aspire to, but the lead character of this saga would beg to differ. Blade of the Immortal not only seeks to attack the prestige of living forever but actively shows as its protagonist seeks to rid himself of the curse, proving that in many ways, death is the best option.
This manga follows a samurai named Manji who is cursed with immortality. In order to find mortality again, he must kill 1000 evil men, and through this mission, he encounters a young girl called Rin, who he promises to seek vengeance for after a master swordsman slaughters her parents.
There's this compelling sense of duality in Blade of the Immortal, as it juggles brutal violence with a feeling of sentiment. You'll get your daily quota of blood, guts and swordfights through Manji's physical actions, but also a worthwhile emotional hook due to the relationship he shares with Rin.
It's a straightforward narrative that fills its world with colour and complex emotions, making it something you can truly sink your teeth into.