Samurai Deeper Kyo

Samurai Deeper Kyo is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akimine Kamijyo. It was serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine from May 1999 to May 2006, with 333 chapters collected into 38 tankōbon volumes. Set during the Edo period, the story begins after the Battle of Sekigahara (1600), where the legendary samurai Demon Eyes Kyo is defeated by his rival Kyoshiro Mibu. In a mysterious event, Kyo's soul becomes sealed inside Kyoshiro's body, leaving Kyoshiro in control but with Kyo occasionally emerging. Four years later, bounty hunter Yuya Shiina encounters Kyoshiro, now a traveling medicine seller, and discovers the dual-soul secret. Joined by Tokugawa heir Benitora and the rebellious Yukimura Sanada, they search for a way to restore Kyo's original body. The narrative explores Kyo's quest for revenge, his past, and the truth behind the Mibu clan, a powerful bloodline with mystical abilities.

The manga was licensed in North America by Tokyopop (volumes 1–34, 2004–2009) and later by Del Rey Manga (volumes 35–38, released in two omnibus editions in 2010). A 26-episode anime television series produced by Studio Deen aired on TV Tokyo from July to December 2002, adapting the first 11 volumes with an original ending. The anime was licensed by Media Blasters and released on DVD in North America in 2003–2004. Two fighting video games were released in Japan: a Game Boy Advance title in 2002 and a PlayStation 2 game in 2003. A live-action stage play was performed in Tokyo in January 2005. The series has sold over 20 million copies worldwide as of 2020.[edit]