Claymore

Born beneath the gallows tree from which his dead mother hung, Guts has always existed on the boundary between life and death. After enduring a terrible childhood, he spends his adulthood in brutal combat, pitting his strength against others in order to build his own. Life is simple enough for Guts until he meets Griffith, the inspirational, ambitious, and beautiful leader of the mercenaries, the Band of the Hawk. When Guts loses to Griffith in a duel, he is forced to join the Band of the Hawk, and, despite himself, finds a sense of camaraderie and belonging amongst them. However, as Griffith leads his soldiers from victory to victory, the bloody wars and underhanded politics reveal a side to him that nobody quite expected. Very soon, what seems like a straightforward march for conquest becomes a harrowing struggle for humanity and life itself. Can Guts, a simple warrior, defend those who have come to mean the most to him, all the while struggling not to lose to the darkness he has carried with him his entire life?

Köinzell is a master swordsman who, along with thirteen other heroes, was sent by the Szaalenden Empire to block an invasion of their enemy Wischtech. Along the way three died, four betrayed the others and seven defeated the traitors and returned as heroes. At least, that's what people believe. In reality the ‘Seven Heroes' were the real traitors, defeating the four true champions after the seven had fled the battle in cowardice. Köinzell has bided his time for twenty years, honing his skills and recovering from the brink of death so that he may avenge his fallen comrades. The time for vengeance has finally come and all who stand in his way shall be dismembered without hesitation, but it won't be easy as everyone believes the lies of the traitors. With all the soldiers in the land and the public against them, Köinzell and his ragtag allies may have to sacrifice everything if they are to prevail against the might of the entire nation.