Announcement

VIZ Media, a global leader in manga and anime production and distribution, announced today at Emerald City Comic Con that the highly anticipated series YAIBA: Samurai Legend will premiere on April 5, 2025. The series will be available on Netflix in North America, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand, and will also stream on Hulu in the United States.

The exclusive acquisition of the YAIBA: Samurai Legend anime is a landmark deal granting VIZ Media the master license rights, including theatrical, television, digital, home entertainment, ancillary, and merchandise for North America, Latin America (including the Caribbean), Australia, and New Zealand.

Watch the Official Trailer

About the Series

YAIBA: Samurai Legend, based on the manga created by Gosho Aoyama, is a classic shonen series that follows the adventures of young samurai Yaiba Kurogane, who, alongside his friends, embarks on a journey to defeat evil forces threatening his world. Known for its dynamic action scenes, humor, and imaginative storylines, the series has garnered a loyal fanbase in Japan and across the globe.

“We’re excited to bring Yaiba to a wider audience,” said Brian Ige, Sr. Vice President, Animation. “This series has been a fan favorite in Japan for years, and we’re eager to introduce its unique blend of action, adventure, and humor to the global market. This acquisition reinforces VIZ Media’s commitment to delivering the best in manga and anime entertainment.”

Manga Launch and Release Plans

Additionally, VIZ Manga will release chapters 1–23 of the YAIBA: Samurai Legend manga series digitally in English for the first time on March 20, 2025, with Volume 1 set to publish in print on July 8, 2025. This will allow new and returning fans to experience the thrilling saga from the very beginning. The acquisition of YAIBA: Samurai Legend is part of VIZ Media’s ongoing mission to expand its portfolio of iconic anime and manga titles.

Official Synopsis

Yaiba Kurogane has spent his days training in the jungle in order to attain his goal of becoming a real samurai. By a twist of fate, he returns to Japan and starts living with the Mine family, who are connected to his father, Kenjuro. Yaiba constantly baffles the Mines’ daughter Sayaka as she witnesses his wild and reckless ways.

One day, Yaiba tags along with Sayaka to school and has a fateful encounter with Takeshi Onimaru, a kendo expert. Yaiba and Onimaru repeatedly clash, and as if in response to their search for strength, two ancient powers are unleashed: the Fujinken, the Wind God’s Sword, and the Raijinken, the Thunder God’s Sword. Both supernatural blades that have jolted the world since ancient days have reawakened… and the truth behind them is revealed!

About Gosho Aoyama

Gosho Aoyama made his debut in 1986 with Chotto Mattete (Wait a Minute), which won Shogakukan’s prestigious Shinjin Comic Taisho (Newcomer’s Award for Comics) and launched his career as a top-selling manga artist. In addition to Case Closed, which won the Shogakukan Manga Award in 2001, Aoyama created the popular manga Yaiba, which won the same award in 1992.

Aoyama’s manga is heavily influenced by his love for mystery, adventure, and baseball. His inspirations include Arsene Lupin, Sherlock Holmes, and the samurai films of Akira Kurosawa. The Case Closed franchise, including derivative works, has printed a total of 220 million copies in Japan. The animated feature Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram grossed over 15.7 billion yen, becoming the 10th Japanese film to surpass 15 billion yen in history. Meanwhile, the Yaiba manga series has printed more than 17 million copies, including those sold in Japan.

ーOfficial Press Release