Shigurui

Set against the backdrop of early Edo-era Japan, this anime unfolds during a pivotal sword fighting tournament orchestrated by Lord Tokugawa Tadanaga. The competition marks a significant shift from traditional wooden sword matches to engagements with lethal steel, raising the stakes for all participants. Central to the narrative is the rivalry between Fujiki Gennosuke, a skilled warrior with a physical disability, and Irako Seigen, who relies on heightened senses to navigate his blindness. Both men are devoted students of the legendary swordsman Iwamoto Kogan, each striving to inherit his legacy. The tournament becomes a crucible where personal ambition clashes with familial obligation, revealing complex relationships and challenging the very definition of mastery within a rapidly changing society. The series explores themes of legacy, perseverance, and the burden of expectation in a time of burgeoning political power.