Shinobi no Kuni - Recommendations

• Vol: 37; Ch: 327
• 1998 - 2015

Following a horrific defeat at the battle of Sekigahara, two survivors, Takezo Shinmen and Matahachi Hon’iden, are deflated at having been unable to make a name for themselves and earn glory on the battlefield. But while Matahachi is anxious to go home, Takezo has vowed never to return and intends to become a vagabond, travelling the country polishing and testing his skills as a swordsman. With a beastial mercilessness when it comes to killing and a habit of cutting down all in his path, it doesn’t take long for Takezo to become a wanted fugitive. However, after being captured by a monk named Takuan and given a new lease of life, Takezo begins to live under the name of Musashi Miyamoto. Now, with a new view on life and death, Musashi continues to travel the nation challenging the most infamous fighters to achieve his goal of becoming the strongest samurai ever known.

• Vol: 2; Ch: 11
• 2002 - 2003

In the 16th century, the evil Nobunaga rampages across the land in pursuit of the "Tenka Musou." Owner of the Scroll of the Heavens, Nobunaga must only locate the Scroll of the Earth to unleash the Tenka Musou's limitless power. When his vicious troops arrive at simple village, caught in the middle is Han, teen slacker and assistant to the village baker. Han soon reveals herself as Hattori Hanzo; a sexy skilled 18 year old ninja trapped in a 13 year old's body and sole protector of the Scroll of the Earth. Infuriated at Nobunaga's brutality, Han vows to take the fight to its source, seize the Scroll of the Heavens and send Nobunaga where he belongs!

• Vol: 18; Ch: 167
• 1990 - 1993

During the closing years of the civil war period and uneasy reign of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, when men high and low scramble to follow conventional propriety so that they don't attract undue notice (or death) to themselves, there is one very bizarre individual who is known for his legendarily outlandish and wild personality, physical appearance and behavior. This series traces the dramatic adventures of Maeda Keiji from personal conflicts with his adopted Maeda family, brave combat exploits, travels to the capital, and relationships with famous existing figures such as Tokugawa Iyeyasu, Rikyuu the tea master, and Hideyoshi himself, to experiences with the foreign and Japanese Christian faithful.

• Vol: 17+; Ch: 334+
• 2008 - ?

This 4-koma manga follows Chidori, a little ninja girl in Sengoku Japan (the Warring States Period). One day, Oda Nobunaga himself rescues her from drowning in a river. Since that day, Chidori knew she wanted to serve Nobunaga. 5 years later, she and Sukezou (who likes her) head out from their ninja village, determined to serve Oda Nobunaga.

• Vol: 3
• 1989 - 1991

Those who know their ninjas know Ayame, daughter of Hattori Hanzo of the Iga ninja clan. Even though she is a woman, she has exceptional talent as a ninja. With Oda Nobunaga in the lead, the war consuming Japan is winding down to an end, and Hanzo was planning to have her lead a normal life. That is when a chance for Ayame to become the mistress to Nobuyasu, Tokugawa's heir, arose. Ayame and Nobuyasu had feelings for each other, but that dream never came true. Hanzo dies a sudden death, Ayame succeeds Hattori Hanzo's name, and vows to live as a man!

• Vol: 5; Ch: 26
• 2009 - 2013

The 13th year of the Tenshou Era, young "One-Eyed Dragon" Date Masamune is the head of the powerful Date family. Masamune is very vain, self-centered, and reckless, and has started attacking and conquering all of the regions around his lands. The purpose of his campaign appears to be the acquisition of the treasures these nations possess. Katakura Kojuro, his trusted retainer and friend, does his best to keep Masamune from getting himself killed by his rash and dangerous plans.

• Vol: 6; Ch: 35
• 2015 - 2018

In the Sengoku Period (1579), there is a young woman who has lost everything, and dedicated herself to seeking strength and a death on the battlefield. Reiri once lived happily with her family, until the day soldiers came by after a battle. Her father, mother and brother sacrificed themselves in order for her to survive. She was only saved with the intervention of Okabe Tanpa no Kami, who had been sheltering in the village. In his service, she grew and learned to fight well, chasing her goal of a death in battle. However, her path to death may not be as short and straight as she hopes.

• Vol: 15; Ch: 105
• 2003 - 2007

In the year 1580 in feudal Japan, Fifteen-year-old Usagi is a klutz of a ninja who can't seem to complete her training. As she's unfit to be a ninja her great grandfather sends Usagi to Segachi on a very special mission: to marry the skilled ninja Hanzo Hattori and bear his child! However, there's a problem: Hanzo has no desire to be married. Usagi is allowed to stay with Hanzo for one year in order to complete her training, during which she tries her hardest to catch his eye. But lovely rivals such as Yuri and the Princess Sara, and love triangles with childhood friends and others stand in the way of true romance. Will Usagi ever end up with her beloved Hanzo?

• Vol: 14+; Ch: 84+
• 2013 - ?

The story is set 300 years before Donten ni Warau, during the Tensho Period. At Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, the battle with Orochi ensued.

• Vol: 1
• 2011

The Life of Akechi Mitsuhide — The trials and aspirations of a man who serves in the shadow of a great leader, Oda Nobunaga, like a moon that mirrors a blazing sun. But what happens when an incident at Hongan-ji leads to a change of heart in Mitsuhide? A long-running historical drama portrayed in fine detail.