Hubbry Logo
Bamboo BladeBamboo BladeMain
Open search
Bamboo Blade
Community hub
Bamboo Blade
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Bamboo Blade
Bamboo Blade
Bamboo Blade
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia
Bamboo Blade
Cover of Bamboo Blade, volume 1 as published by Square Enix
Manga
Written byMasahiro Totsuka
Illustrated byAguri Igarashi
Published bySquare Enix
English publisher
MagazineYoung Gangan
English magazine
Original runDecember 3, 2004 – September 3, 2010
Volumes14
Manga
Bamboo Blade B
Written byMasahiro Totsuka
Illustrated byNeko Sutajio
Published bySquare Enix
MagazineMonthly Shōnen Gangan
Original runJanuary 10, 2009 – November 12, 2013
Volumes12
Manga
Bamboo Blade C
Written byMasahiro Totsuka
Illustrated byJingu Takao
Published bySquare Enix
MagazineMonthly Big Gangan
Original runMay 25, 2013 – August 25, 2016
Volumes7
Manga
BB Deformer
Written byMasahiro Totsuka
Illustrated bySaki Azumi
Published bySquare Enix
MagazineMonthly Big Gangan
Original runOctober 25, 2013 – August 25, 2016
Volumes2
Anime television series
Directed byHisashi Saitō
Produced byTsuneo Takechi
Shigeaki Komatsu
Hiroshi Yoshida
Jiyū Ōgi
Masataka Katagiri
Written byHideyuki Kurata
Music byKiyohiko Senba
StudioAIC ASTA
Licensed by
Original networkTV Tokyo
English network
Original run October 2, 2007 – April 2, 2008
Episodes26 (List of episodes)

Bamboo Blade (stylized as BAMBOO BLADE) is a Japanese manga series written by Masahiro Totsuka and illustrated by Aguri Igarashi. It was serialized in Square Enix's Young Gangan magazine from December 2004 to September 2010.[1] The series tells the story of Toraji Ishida, a luckless high school Kendo instructor, who is challenged by his former upperclassman, also a kendo instructor, to a competition between their female students. The bet inspires Toraji to gather and train a team of five girls, where he meets Tamaki Kawazoe, a gifted young female kendo practitioner.

An anime adaptation by AIC A.S.T.A was broadcast in Japan between October 2007 and April 2008 on TV Tokyo. The Bamboo Blade manga has been licensed for distribution in North America by Yen Press.[2] The anime has been licensed for distribution in North America by Funimation and began airing on their Funimation Channel on October 25, 2010.[3]

Characters

[edit]
Main article: List of Bamboo Blade characters

Some of the character's names are based on real professional kendo practitioners. Ishida Toraji is based on the famous kendoka Toshiya Ishida. Miyako Miyazaki is based on Masahiro Miyazaki, and Danjuro Eiga is based on Naoki Eiga, Kirino Chiba is based on Masashi Chiba etc., even though there are not any relations between the Bamboo Blade characters in regards to the real kendoka. Eiga Dan is the only exception, as he seems to be designed to represent Naoki Eiga, who also is not very tall, just like Eiga.

Media

[edit]

Manga

[edit]

Written by Mashiro Totsuka and illustrated by Aguri Igarashi, Bamboo Blade began serialization in Gangan Comic's seinen manga magazine supplement Young Gangan on December 3, 2004. The series finished on September 3, 2010. Its chapters were collected in fourteen tankōbon volumes.

Bamboo Blade was published in English by Yen Press from May 12, 2009, to August 21, 2012, and digitally on April 22, 2014.

Anime episodes

[edit]
No.Official English title
Original Japanese title		Original release date [4]
1"A Bamboo Broom and a Champion of Justice"
"Takebōki to Seigi no Mikata" (Japanese: 竹ぼうきと正義の味方)		October 2, 2007 (2007-10-02)
Toraji "Kojirō" Ishida, the coach of the Muroe High kendo club, makes a bet with his senpai, Kenzaburō Ishibashi, the coach of the Machido High kendo club, on a practice match between both schools, but the fighters must be five girls, no boys. Toraji's victory would mean he could eat all he wants at Ishibashi's father's sushi restaurant for a full year. Toraji desperately needs to find more talented female kendo students because he only has the team captain in his club, Kirino Chiba. With only a month remaining before his team's match with Ishibashi's team, he meets an extremely talented freshman, Tamaki Kawazoe.
2"The Blade Bravers and Boxed Lunch"
"Burēdo Bureibā to Obentō" (Japanese: ブレードブレイバーとお弁当)		October 9, 2007 (2007-10-09)
Tamaki's motivation is presented in the form of her TV superhero, Blade Braver. Miyako Miyazaki, Yūji Nakata, Danjūrō Eiga join the club. Tamaki's relationship with the other club members develop when they start having lunch together and sharing their boxed lunches. Her everyday boxed lunch, however, consisted of a single umeboshi and rice, which she constantly made in honor of her parents, and couldn't share with the others. She start making "shareable" boxed lunches at the end of the episode, even though she feels she's disrespecting her parents a little.
3"Black and Blue"
"Burakku to Burū" (Japanese: ブラックとブルー)		October 16, 2007 (2007-10-16)
The club members go shopping for protective gear. After trying on their protective gear, Kojirō nicknames Tamaki "Red", the leader of the kendo club's female team, Kirino is nicknamed "Yellow", and Miyako is nicknamed "Pink". The fourth female member of the kendo club, Sayako Kuwahara nicknamed "Blue", is revealed, and has a painful first encounter with Miyako's "Black" personality. Kojirō will nickname the last female club member "Green".
4"Pink and Blue"
"Pinku to Burū" (Japanese: ピンクとブルー)		October 23, 2007 (2007-10-23)
Miyako learns that the girl she had thrown in the lake the previous day was actually her senpai in the club, this leads her, in her "Pink" personality (different from her "Black" personality), to awkwardly try to hide her identity from Sayako to avoid any confrontations. She starts to enjoy more of the club's activities, even though being forced to train from early in the morning, because of the opportunities kendo give to harm others legally. She is eventually convinced by Toraji to apologize and befriends Sayako.
5"Muroe High and Machido High"
"Muroe Kō to Machido Kō" (Japanese: 室江高と町戸高)		October 30, 2007 (2007-10-30)
The day of the match arrives, however, due to the unique personalities of its members, the Machido High kendo club is awfully delayed. The real match starts very late in the episode, and the episode ends with the Machido High club members awed by Tamaki's ability, after scoring a point in the first battle.
6"Tamaki Kawazoe and the Tardy Braver"
"Kawazoe Tamaki to Chikoku no Bureiba" (Japanese: 川添珠姫と遅刻の武礼葉)		November 6, 2007 (2007-11-06)
After Tamaki's match, which ended in a victory for her, the other matches take place while she prepares to participate in the last match too. At the end, the Muroe High kendo club ends winning with three wins, one loss, and one tie against the Machido High kendo club. Therefore, Ishibashi challenges Tamaki to a match, impressed of how a girl of her age with such a great talent is in a kendo club like that.
7"Sushi and Mince Meat Cutlets"
"Sushi to Menchikatsu" (Japanese: 寿司とメンチカツ)		November 13, 2007 (2007-11-13)
This episode picks up at the end of the previous one, starting with Ishibashi revealing that he knew the fifth fighter, Bureiba, was actually Tamaki. His challenge to Tamaki is accepted and so their match starts. Ishibashi goes all out on Tamaki, and they both score a point, but in the third round, Ishibashi starts out in upper-level posture, rather than the normal middle-level posture. This forces Tamaki to have a flashback of her mother in the same position. Ishibashi leaves the match as a tie, and then goes out to a sushi dinner with Toraji. However, this is when Toraji finds out that Ishibashi's father has given his restaurant away, making their bet void.
8"Tama and Part-time Work"
"Tama-chan to Arubaito" (Japanese: タマちゃんとアルバイト)		November 20, 2007 (2007-11-20)
Tamaki sees an anime package on TV that she wants, but later finds out that she does not have enough money for it. At the kendo dojo, Tamaki overhears Miyako on the phone talking about how she could not work part-time that day. Tamaki approaches her and inquires about it. Miyako then asks Tamaki to work part time there, to which Tamaki agrees to. Tamaki's father at first disagrees with Tamaki getting a job, mostly because the school does not allow students to work part time jobs, but then accepts because he thinks that Tamaki is growing up, and also thinks she will use the money to buy him a gift for his upcoming birthday.
9"Kojiro and the Crossroads of Fate"
"Kojirō to Unmei no Bunkiten" (Japanese: コジローと運命の分岐点)		November 27, 2007 (2007-11-27)
Tamaki nears the end of her part time-job filling in for Miyako, while the other club member are practicing at the kendo dojo. Tamaki's father still ponders if Tamaki will buy him a gift for his birthday. Toraji has bad luck when he goes shopping for food. He encounters a woman, also shopping for food, who causes him to lose his temper. This leads to him to the possibility of being unemployed at the kendo dojo. The only way to prevent unemployment is to improve the skills of the kendo club members and compete in the upcoming tournament. At Tamaki last time at her part-job, a mysterious customer arrives.
10"Miyako Miyazaki's Melancholy and the First Tournament"
"Miyazaki Miyako no Yūutsu to Hajitaikai" (Japanese: 宮崎都の憂鬱と初大会)		December 4, 2007 (2007-12-04)
Toraji meets with his parents, and helps his mom working at a store. He receives his paycheck. Tamaki finishes up her job and receives her paycheck as well. The Muroe High kendo club enters the high school tournament. Only Tamaki did well enough to win. Miyako meets her middle school classmate, Reimi Otajima, who has a crush on her. Reimi is the customer that Tamaki met. Miyako as such became troubled and couldn't concentrate on her match. It was revealed that Reimi used to harass Miyako when they were in middle school. The episode ends off with Toraji discussing about a fifth member with Kirino.
11"Animation and Dreams"
"Animēshon to Dorīmu" (Japanese: アニメーションとドリーム)		December 11, 2007 (2007-12-11)
Miyako reveals to the other kendo club members that Reimi has been harassing her because during middle school she refused to go out with the captain of the men's football team, whom Reimi had already been rejected by. Try as she might, Kirino is unable to remember the name of the potential fifth female member who's studying at Muroe High School. Yūji suggests that Kirino should call her friend up and ask for her name again, which she does. Armed with the name Satori Azuma, Kirino and Sayako begin to search for her.
12"Azuma's Circumstances and Mei's Circumstances"
"Azuma no Jijō to Mei no Jijō" (Japanese: 東の事情とメイの事情)		December 18, 2007 (2007-12-18)
This episode dedicates to Satori Azuma from Muroe High School and Mei Ogawa from Seimei High School. Mei joined the Seimei High kendo club to get along with her friends, but many of her friends quit the club as they couldn't take the teacher's strict training. They gear up for the practice match with the Muroe High kendo club. However, she had set her mind to quit after the practice match. Toraji found out that Azuma didn't want to join the kendo club as her results in examinations were bad. Not because she wasn't able to do it, but she made careless mistakes. Nevertheless, Kirino drags her to the practice match. The episode concludes with the Muroe High kendo club training against the Seimei High kendo club.
13"Teachers and Students"
"Senseitachi to Seitotachi" (Japanese: 先生たちと生徒たち)		December 25, 2007 (2007-12-25)
The Muroe High kendo club won all their matches against the Seimei High kendo club in the practice match. Azuma, upon seeing Tamaki's strong kendo skills become motivated and took part in the practice match. Before that, Tamaki had a match with Azuma. Despite Azuma losing, she was impressed and therefore became motivated. Mei, from Seimei High School, who originally wanted to quit, decided to stay on, as she was impressed by Tamaki's skills. The episode end off when Tadaaki Hayashi, the Seimei High kendo club's teacher, competed with Toraji, the Muroe High kendo club's teacher, having Hayashi winning the match.
14"Satorin's Resolve and Nomming"
"Satorin no Ketsui to Mogyumogyu" (Japanese: さとりんの決意ともぎゅもぎゅ)		January 9, 2008 (2008-01-09)
Kirino and Sayako continue their attempts to persuade Azuma to join the kendo club. Their attempts end only in tears. As they run through and around the school, Miyako hears their mobile lamentation and springs into action. She offers an excuse that she has cleaning duties, then sweetly dumps said duties onto her classmates. Alternating between a good friend, salesperson and snake cornering a frog she attempts to win over Azuma. Miyako's tactics eventually convince Azuma (and later her parents) to join the kendo club with the expectation/condition that it will lead to improved grades. With the kendo club set with five girls, while Yūji and Eiga are excluded from participation, a training camp is announced. Due to a lack of funds, this intensive training will take place on the school grounds. Tamaki's father is perturbed especially when Tamaki confirms Yūji will be there.
15"First Training Camp and First Public Bath"
"Hatsugasshuku to Hatsusentō" (Japanese: 初合宿と初銭湯)		January 16, 2008 (2008-01-16)
It's training camp at the Muroe High kendo club, jointly with the Machido High kendo club that they had a practice match with. Tamaki's father sneaks around worried about the boys while the group cleans up the pool, fights over who gets to train with Tamaki, and takes a break at the bathhouse. After that, they have to deal with one of them sneaking away, pillow fights, Sayako's guitar, and even getting freaked out by the sleeping habits of their fellow students. The episode wraps up with Tama and Kirino, the latter who can't help but stay up and hold her bamboo sword a bit longer. Camp ends and everyone returns home, but for Kirino, something more than a warm welcome awaits.
16"Kirino's Absence and the Preliminary Tournament"
"Kirino no Kesseki to Yosen Taikai" (Japanese: キリノの欠席と予選大会)		January 23, 2008 (2008-01-23)
The Muroe High kendo club faces against the Tozyo High kendo club. Kirino is worried by home troubles while the rest of the team worries about her, however. Sayako, sharing a deep connection with Kirino, is prepared to step up for the win and ease Kirino's burden. Despite these troubles, however, Kirino seems even more focused than ever, gaining her a win in her match against her opponent. Meanwhile, Tamaki is pulled into a deceitful web by a few girls from the Tozyo High kendo club.
17"Light and Shadow"
"Hikari to Kage" (Japanese: 光と陰)		January 30, 2008 (2008-01-30)
The tournament continues, with Tamaki seemingly in trouble with the other team's treacherous plots. Konishi, a girl from the Tozyo High kendo club, purposely causes Tamaki to trip over tennis balls, inflicting an injury on her foot. Meanwhile, Azuma encounters a little bit of stomach troubles, ending her match in a tie, and Miyako is continuously haunted by Reimi's face, ending her match in a loss. Sayako does her duty to relieve Kirino's burden, and Kirino does her part as the team's captain. When Tamaki steps up, she has a little payback in store for Konishi.
18"The Tournament and Muroe High After That"
"Taikai to Sonogo no Muroe Kou" (Japanese: 大会とその後の室江高)		February 6, 2008 (2008-02-06)
Toraji and Tamaki have a little talk and wounds are tended to. Since Tamaki and Konishi were both badly injured from their match, Kirino, from the Muroe High kendo club, and Aoki, from the Tozyo High kendo club, participate in a representative match. The tournament ends, with at a loss, due to Kirino's lack of motivation and focus caused by her mother feeling better. The Muroe High kendo club is back at the kendo dojo as usual, with Sayako off somewhere and Tamaki all right.
19"The Armadillo and the Pangolin"
"Arumajiro to Senzankou" (Japanese: アルマジロとセンザンコウ)		February 13, 2008 (2008-02-13)
Toraji takes Tamaki to the hospital while the other members of the Muroe High kendo club practice matches with each other. However, Miyako's sword breaks, so Miyako and Eiga go shopping for a new bamboo sword at the kendo store. Tamaki meets Ishibashi at the hospital, while Miyako and Eiga meet Carrie Nishikawa, an expatriate living in Japan, who falls in love with Eiga at first sight. Ishibashi, taking Tamaki back to her house, tells her she must understand what it is like to lose a match. At the kendo store, Miyako challenges Carrie to a kendo match at the kendo dojo. Miyako notices that Carrie uses a double-sword technique, giving Carrie an advantage. Miyako loses the match, expectedly. As Carrie departs, she informs Miyako that she will return again.
20"Braver and Shinaider"
"BUREIBAA to SHINAIDAA" (Japanese: ブレイバーとシナイダー)		February 20, 2008 (2008-02-20)
Toraji gives the Muroe High kendo club a vacation, since he has a business trip to schedule. Yūji invites Tamaki to go to an amusement park that's hosting a Blade Braver play. At the venue, She meets a girl called Rin Suzuki, a fan of Braver's rival, Shinaider. They enter a quiz game show to win The Blade Bravers plush dolls. Unfortunately, Rin wins the plush dolls, in a tie-breaker round. However, Rin gives up all the plush dolls, except the Shinaider plush doll, to Tamaki.
21"Tamaki Kawazoe and Rin Suzuki"
"Kawazoe Tamaki to Suzuki Rin" (Japanese: 川 添珠姫と鈴木凛)		February 27, 2008 (2008-02-27)
Tamaki and Rin witness a scene for the Blade Bravers movie. They stay up late comparing whether Blade Braver or Shinaider is the better character. In the morning Tamaki and Rin, along with the production crew, go on location to film the new Blade Bravers movie, where an incident gets both of them the replacement roles in the new film. The rest of the Muroe High kendo club members either practice or take the day off doing what they want. The episode concludes with Toraji returning from his business trip.
22"Winners and Losers"
"Haisha to Shousha" (Japanese: 敗者と勝者)		March 5, 2008 (2008-03-05)
The Muroe High kendo club goes to the Kanto High kendo tournament. Miyako shows her improvement in practice, but fails to defeat Carrie in the tournament. The Muroe High kendo club makes it to the third round, where Tamaki is finally defeated by Rin, and Muroe is pushed out of the tournament. Meanwhile, Toyama and Iwasa, two former members of the Muroe High kendo club, are caught fighting in a video game arcade and destroying two machines.
23"Lie and Silence"
"Uso to Chinmoku" (Japanese: 嘘と沈黙)		March 12, 2008 (2008-03-12)
The principal of the school tells Toraji that the Muroe High kendo club will be disbanded because of club members engaging in suspicious or risky activities. It turns to be Toyama and Iwasa's fault. They, ironically, have stopped attending Muroe High kendo club but have not turned in any resignation forms. Kirino and Sayako are distraught when Toraji reveals the news to them, and they protest the principal's decision, calling it unfair. Meanwhile, Miyako has an emotional breakdown over her failure in the competition and, surprisingly, refuses Eiga's comfort. Tamaki, also unhappy over losing the competition, quits the Muroe High kendo club, much to Kirino's dismay.
24"The Sword and the Way"
"Ken to Michi" (Japanese: 剣と道)		March 19, 2008 (2008-03-19)
Kirino attempts and fails to prevent Tamaki from resigning from the Muroe High kendo club, the latter already having decided to give up. Neither she nor Miyako decide to attend the Muroe High kendo club, and nobody knows of Miyako's whereabouts. Eventually even Kirino decides not to attend, and the only members left are Azuma, Yūji, Eiga, and Sayako. Azuma manages to convince Miyako to keep up with kendo, while Sayako dissuades Kirino from quitting kendo. Yūji comforts Tamaki, telling her that losing is not as bad as she thinks, and Tamaki decides to learn upper-level posture to help improve her kendo skills. Eventually she decides to come back to kendo club, and the members are reunited.
25"Kendo and What it Brings About"
"Kendou to sore ga motarasumono" (Japanese: 剣道とそれがもたらすもの)		March 26, 2008 (2008-03-26)
The Muroe High kendo club goes to a national kendo competition and meets with many of their former opponents. Miyako, having watched footage of her previous kendo match filmed by Reimi in an effort to improve her kendo skills, manages to beat Carrie, the latter of which calls the former out for a match of their own and is beaten again. Tamaki fights Rin again and wins by using the thrust attack. Toraji, on the other hand, has emptied out his apartment, and in the last few minutes of the episode is shown getting on Nobu's motorcycle and going to a different place, presumably his new home.
26""Since Then" and "From Here on Out""
""Sorekara" to "korekara"" (Japanese: "それから"と"これから")		April 2, 2008 (2008-04-02)
It is a new year and several months have passed since the national kendo competition. Rin invites Tamaki to see the Blade Bravers movie in a movie theater. Back at the kendo dojo, two freshmen show up to join the Muroe High kendo club. The members one by one appear trying to convince them to join the club only to perform sideshow tricks leaving the freshmen unimpressed. The Muroe High kendo club later have a sparring match which causes the freshmen to become enthusiastic about joining the kendo club. It is later revealed that these two new kendo club members, Shinobu Toyama and Makoto Iwasa, are the siblings of the previous members that quit. Toraji returns to school having settled the problem with the woman, which he encountered at the store, that forced him to leave. At the very end of the episode Tamaki encounters a long purple haired woman with blue eyes, hinting that Bamboo Blade may have another season to come.

Video game

[edit]

A video game titled "Bamboo Blade: Sorekara no Chousen" was released for PSP. It is an Action game that was developed and published by Gadget Soft. It was released in Japan in 2009.[5]

Reception

[edit]

"The recent series from anime production house AIC A.S.T.A is a surprise - and yet not really one at all," wrote Andrez Bergen in the June 2008 issue of U.K. magazine, impact. "While Bamboo Blade follows the travails of a bunch of high school girls in one very special kendo team, rather than boys, the producers were previously responsible for Gun Sword, a series in which one very special woman - Carmen 99 - also pretty much stole the show."[6]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Bamboo Blade

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Bamboo Blade is a Japanese manga series written by Masahiro Totsuka and illustrated by Aguri Igarashi, serialized in Square Enix's Young Gangan magazine from December 2004 to September 2010, spanning 14 volumes. The story revolves around Toraji Ishida, a perpetually broke high school instructor nicknamed "Kojirou," who accepts a wager from a rival coach: if his newly assembled all-girls team defeats the rival boys' team in a practice match, he wins a year of free . This setup leads to the formation of the Muroe High School girls' club, featuring talented but quirky members such as the prodigious swordsman Tamaki Kawazoe, the energetic Kirino Chiba, and the novice but determined Satori Azuma, among others. Through training, tournaments, and interpersonal dynamics, the series explores themes of , personal growth, and the of passion for , blending comedy, slice-of-life elements, and sports drama. The was adapted into a 26-episode television series produced by AIC A.S.T.A. and directed by Hisashi Saitō, which aired on from October 1, 2007, to March 31, 2008. The , featuring character designs by Yukichi Namiyanagi and music by Kiyohiko Senba, closely follows the 's early arcs while emphasizing the humorous and heartfelt interactions among the cast. It received an English dub and was licensed for North American release by (now part of ). Bamboo Blade spawned several spin-off manga, including Bamboo Blade B (2009–2013, focusing on practitioner Yū Ōkido) and Bamboo Blade C (2013–2016, centered on a new generation of practitioners), both written by Totsuka. In 2025, to mark the 20th anniversary, Totsuka and Igarashi released a two-part one-shot in Young Gangan. The franchise is noted for its lighthearted portrayal of as a vehicle for character development and its appeal to fans of moe-style .

Synopsis

Plot summary

Toraji Ishida, commonly known as Kojiro, is a perpetually impoverished instructor and teacher at Muroe High School who accepts a bet from his old friend and rival coach, Kenzaburō Ishibashi of Machido High School, to assemble an all-girls team capable of defeating Ishibashi's squad in a practice match, with the prize being a year of free high-end meals. Motivated by his financial desperation, Kojiro begins recruiting promising female students to revive the school's dormant girls' club. The team takes shape with the addition of key members, including the highly skilled first-year prodigy Tamaki Kawazoe, whose exceptional talent and unyielding sense of justice make her the team's ace, alongside second-year captain Kirino Chiba, the tomboyish Sayako Kuwahara, the cheerful , and the laid-back Satori Azuma. Under Kojiro's initially reluctant guidance, the girls undergo rigorous training sessions filled with humor and mishaps, preparing for inter-high school competitions while forging bonds of friendship and discipline through practice. As the storyline progresses, the team participates in practice matches, culminating in their victory over Ishibashi's squad to settle the bet, which boosts their confidence and marks Kojiro's shift from laziness to genuine dedication as a coach. They advance through regional tournaments, encountering internal conflicts such as personal doubts and team rivalries, as well as external challenges from stronger opponents in prefectural and national qualifiers. Key events include intense bouts against rival schools, highlighting the girls' growth and Kojiro's evolving role in inspiring them. The narrative builds to the manga's conclusion in its 14th volume, where the Muroe team competes in the prestigious Gokuryuki national tournament, with Tamaki facing off against elite competitors like Sakaki from Touryuu amid themes of personal discovery and perseverance in . Throughout, Kojiro's transformation underscores the central arc, as the team's successes against formidable rivals solidify their unity and passion for the sport.

Themes and genres

Bamboo Blade blends sports anime and manga conventions with , centering on high school as its core activity. The series is categorized under , , and genres, with a strong emphasis on sports, particularly the martial art of . It also incorporates moe elements, highlighting endearing female protagonists engaged in athletic pursuits. This combination creates a that balances competitive intensity with everyday humor, distinguishing it within the sports by prioritizing character interactions over pure athletic spectacle. Central themes revolve around personal growth achieved through the discipline and meditative aspects of practice, where characters develop resilience and focus amid challenges. emerges as a key motif, illustrated by the collaborative efforts of a girls' kendo club striving toward tournament success, underscoring mutual support and collective achievement. The story contrasts youthful passion for the sport with the professional realities faced by adults, including financial hardships that motivate unconventional coaching decisions, such as bets for material rewards. Additionally, it explores the of athletes in a traditionally male-dominated discipline, portraying women's kendo as a space for self-expression and equality. Stylistically, the work derives humor from exaggerated character quirks and relatable high school scenarios, interspersing comedic interludes with realistic depictions of matches to maintain a light yet grounded tone. Subtle explorations of highlight the role of guidance in fostering and improvement, while the series' character-driven emphasizes emotional bonds within the team, contributing to its coming-of-age undertones.

Characters

Main characters

Toraji Ishida, commonly known as Kojiro, serves as the kendo instructor and / teacher at Muroe High . Perpetually broke and living paycheck to paycheck, he often relies on student handouts for meals while his parents run a local . Initially unmotivated and opportunistic—driven primarily by a wager for a year's supply of against his former senpai Kenzaburō Ishibashi, whom he defeated in a high school tournament—Kojiro begins assembling and training a girls' team to revive the club's fortunes. His past victory over Ishibashi, which he initially attributes to luck but later recognizes as a mark of his skill, fuels a gradual evolution into a dedicated mentor, as the team's successes help him confront his financial woes and reignite his passion for . Tamaki Kawazoe, a first-year student and kendo prodigy nicknamed "Tama-chan," acts as a cornerstone of the team with her exceptional skills honed since childhood in her family's dojo. Coming from a kendo lineage—her father runs the dojo, and her late mother Tsubaki was a skilled practitioner—Tamaki views kendo not as a hobby but a daily chore, yet her aggressive style, strong kiai, and proficiency in strikes like men and tsuki make her the team's unmatched talent. Cheerful and unwaveringly positive despite her initial shyness, she is notably obsessed with rice, particularly onigiri, which reflects her simple, justice-driven worldview inspired by tokusatsu shows like Blade Braver. As team captain, her competitive drive intersects with group dynamics through her role in key matches, such as her first loss to rival Rin Suzuki in the Kanto Tournament, which exposes emotional vulnerabilities tied to her mother's memory and fosters deeper team bonds as she grows more sociable via part-time work and peer support. Kirino Chiba, the energetic second-year , provides strategic leadership to the club while hailing from a family that owns the "Chiba Deli." Intelligent and ranked in the top 20 of her class, she dreams of guiding the team to nationals and excels as fukusho () in competitions, balancing enthusiasm with responsibility by tidying equipment and motivating teammates. Her tomboyish loyalty hides a subtle crush on Kojiro, evident in her joy at his increased training efforts and later developments in the story, which adds personal tension to her role in upholding team morale. Kirino's arc involves maturing as a leader amid hidden family stresses, like her mother's hospitalization, intersecting with team dynamics through her "big sister" treatment of Tamaki and efforts to maintain optimism during setbacks. Sayako Kuwahara, a tall second-year at 170 cm often mistaken for a boy, brings powerhouse strength to the team as chūken (center) in matches, her improved footwork after Tamaki's guidance making her a reliable force despite inconsistent attendance. Serious in execution but spontaneous and pessimistic in personality—prone to dramatic storytelling and quitting hobbies upon failure—she joined the club in her first year alongside childhood friend Kirino, motivated by a search for purpose amid frequent discouragement. Her contributions shine in team practices, where her bold support and bike rides for coping with losses enhance group resilience, though her arc of sticking with despite setbacks highlights personal growth intertwined with the club's evolving unity. Miyako Miyazaki, a first-year student nicknamed "Miya-miya," possesses a beautiful appearance and outgoing personality but reveals a sadistic streak during kendo, taking particular pleasure in delivering strikes to opponents. Joining as jihō (second vanguard), she initially struggles with technique but steadily improves through dedicated practice, adding layers of humor and intensity to team interactions with her contrasting traits. Satori Azuma, the shy first-year beginner who joins as the fifth member after quitting kendo under parental pressure to focus on studies. Clumsy and easily flustered with poor concentration leading to mistakes, she lacks initial confidence despite high skill—defeatable only by top members like Tamaki and Yūji Nakata—and her naïve intimidation hampers early participation. Motivated by declining grades post-quitting, Satori's arc centers on gaining boldness through team support and tutoring, culminating in standing up to peers like Miyako, thereby boosting her contributions to matches and integrating her personal challenges into the group's motivational dynamics.

Supporting characters

Kenzaburō Ishibashi serves as the primary rival kendo instructor to Toraji Ishida (Kojiro), acting as his former upperclassman from high school where they were club members together. As the coach at Machido High School, Ishibashi initiates the central bet that drives the competition, wagering a year's supply of against Ishida's in exchange for a practice match between their teams. His backstory includes losing to Ishida in a tournament during their youth, which fueled a friendly yet competitive rivalry without lingering grudges; Ishibashi's professional dedication as a teacher contrasts with Ishida's more amateurish approach, highlighting themes of personal growth through rivalry. Ishibashi's insightful assessments of techniques often push Ishida's team to improve, though his bets stem from a desire for spirited competition rather than malice. Members of rival teams, such as those from Tozyo High School, contribute to the narrative's conflicts by embodying disciplined opposition. Konishi, the captain of Tozyo High's team, initially presents as calm and mysterious but reveals a win-at-all-costs mentality, supported by teammates who employ underhanded tactics like injuring opponents or sabotaging equipment. Her role escalates during matches, where she deliberately harms Tamaki Kawazoe's ankle to gain an advantage, driving subplots around fair play and resilience; however, her loss to Tamaki prompts a subtle reform, as she later reprimands her cheating classmates. This interaction underscores family-like pressures on athletes to uphold honor amid competitive temptations. Tamaki Kawazoe's unnamed father heads the Kawazoe family , serving as a key family figure who instills discipline from a young age alongside his late wife, Tsubaki. A kind yet reserved parent, he balances affection with emotional distance to foster independence, often appearing stern while quietly supporting Tamaki's school activities and emotional growth, such as after her defeats in matches. His overprotectiveness emerges in subplots involving potential suitors like Yūji Nakata, reflecting broader family expectations on young athletes to prioritize training over personal relationships. Among school figures, Danjūrō Eiga stands out as a perceptive at Muroe High who aids club training despite starting as a kendo beginner. Ranking second in regional exams, Eiga's intelligence and quick learning allow him to rapidly improve, eventually becoming club captain and providing emotional support to teammates like during intense sessions. His calm demeanor helps navigate school bureaucracy, such as coordinating practice schedules, while his hinted darker side adds depth to group dynamics without derailing the main training arcs. Minor students like Toyama occasionally assist in training drills, offering comic relief through delinquent antics that highlight the club's inclusive environment.

Media adaptations

Original manga

Bamboo Blade is a Japanese series written by Masahiro Totsuka and illustrated by Aguri Igarashi. The concept originated from Totsuka's story idea, with Igarashi handling the artwork to bring the kendo-themed narrative to life through detailed character designs and dynamic action sequences. The series was serialized in Square Enix's Young Gangan magazine, debuting in the December 3, 2004, issue and concluding in the September 3, 2010, issue after approximately 100 chapters. It was compiled into 14 volumes by , with the first volume released on September 24, 2005, and the final volume on November 25, 2010. In 2008, acquired the license for English-language publication in , releasing the first volume on May 12, 2009, and completing the series with the 14th volume on August 21, 2012. The English editions were later made available digitally starting April 22, 2014.

Spin-off manga

Several spin-off manga series have expanded the Bamboo Blade universe, introducing new characters and storylines centered on while occasionally featuring cameos or references to the original cast. These works were published by in various Gangan magazines, maintaining the series' focus on high school and middle school clubs without retelling the main narrative. The first spin-off, Bamboo Blade B, written by Masahiro Totsuka and illustrated by Studio Neko, follows Yuu Ookido, a tall and self-conscious girl who rejoins after a hiatus, navigating recruitment pressures and club dynamics with new teammates including the short but powerful captain Danba. Serialized in Square Enix's Monthly Shōnen Gangan from January 2009 to November 2013, it comprises 12 volumes and explores standalone stories in a setting, with occasional ties to rival teams from the original series. Bamboo Blade C, also written by Totsuka but illustrated by Jingu Takao, shifts to Hisashinomiya High School, where protagonist Suzuharu Sakudō, a perennial loser in dubbed the "zero-win emperor," is motivated by his childhood friend Chiko to continue practicing; after an upset victory over regional top player Kiki Asahina, she becomes his coach in pursuit of excellence. It ran in Monthly Big Gangan from May 2013 to August 2016, collecting into 7 volumes, and builds on the original's themes by depicting post-high school era challenges for emerging talents, including brief appearances by familiar figures. In parallel, BB Deformer, written by Totsuka and illustrated by Saki Azumi, offers a chibi-style comedic take featuring deformed versions of characters from the original Bamboo Blade, Bamboo Blade B, and Bamboo Blade C in lighthearted, slice-of-life scenarios centered on club antics. Serialized in Monthly Big Gangan from October 2013 to August 2016 alongside Bamboo Blade C, it spans 2 volumes and serves as a humorous companion, emphasizing ensemble interactions without advancing major plots. Marking the franchise's 20th anniversary, a two-part one-shot by Totsuka and original illustrator Aguri Igarashi was published in Young Gangan on June 6 and June 20, 2025. Titled "Muroe Kōkō Kendō-bu to ○-nen Ato" (Part 1) and "Honki Kojirō to Gachi Tama" (Part 2), it provides a brief revisiting the Muroe High School Club years after the original events, focusing on instructor Kojiro Ishida and Tamaki Kawazoe in a celebratory, reflective narrative.

Anime series

The Bamboo Blade anime adaptation was produced by AIC A.S.T.A. and directed by Hisashi Saitō. It aired on and affiliated networks from October 1, 2007, to March 31, 2008, spanning 26 episodes divided into two cours of 13 episodes each, allowing for a balanced pacing that alternated between character-driven slice-of-life segments and match developments. In addition to the television run, two unaired chibi-style specials, each approximately 3 minutes long, were released as extras on the fourth and sixth DVD volumes in 2008, providing lighthearted filler content focused on the main cast's daily antics. Series composition was handled by Hideyuki Kurata, with music composed primarily by Kiyohiko Semba and featuring performances by artists such as Otohiko Fujita on horn and Yu Manabe on violin, produced by Yoshimoto Ishikawa. The voice cast included as Toraji Ishida, as Tamaki Kawazoe, as Kirino Chiba, as Miyako Miyazaki, Sachiko Kojima as Sayako Kuwahara, as Satori Azuma, as Yūji Nakata, and as Danjūrō Eiga. The series adapts the early volumes of the by Masahiro Totsuka and Aguri Igarashi, covering material up to approximately the first seven volumes while incorporating original filler arcs to extend the runtime and emphasize comedic elements. These additions include expanded humorous scenes in club activities and training sessions, alongside shortened depictions of tournaments to fit the television format and maintain a brisk pace without exhaustive match details. After 13, the storyline diverges more significantly from the source material, introducing anime-original developments in the latter cour to conclude the season independently of the manga's ongoing narrative. Funimation Entertainment licensed the series for North American distribution, releasing it on DVD starting November 24, 2009, with English dubs featuring voice actors such as as Toraji Ishida and as Tamaki Kawazoe. As of 2025, no additional seasons have been produced, but the series remains available for streaming on platforms including , where both subbed and dubbed versions are offered.

Video game

Bamboo Blade: Sorekara no Chousen is a adaptation of the Bamboo Blade series, developed and published by Gadget Soft for the (PSP). Released exclusively in on May 28, 2009, the game serves as a side story continuing after the events of the , featuring new scenarios centered on the Muroe High School club members. The gameplay combines elements with simulation , primarily through branching story routes that allow players to interact with and develop relationships with the main cast, including the five core female club members as playable characters. matches are depicted as turn-based card battles, where players select cards representing strikes, defenses, and techniques to simulate swordfights and tournaments, alongside simulations to improve character stats. The emphasizes post-series challenges, with approximately 20-21 hours of playtime depending on route completion and exploration. The game reprises the anime's cast for full , with the exception of partial voicing for the character Kojirou, enhancing immersion through familiar performances. New computer-generated artwork and plots were created by the anime staff, focusing on character growth and club activities without an international release or subsequent ports as of 2025.

Reception and legacy

Critical reception

The manga Bamboo Blade was praised for its strong character dynamics and authentic depiction of , with reviewers highlighting the interplay between writer Totsuka and artist Aguri Igarashi in developing relatable high school personalities alongside realistic swordplay sequences. Anime UK News commended the first volume for its "excellent character development and great fights," recommending it to fans of the genre for balancing humor and technical detail. Critics of the series noted its effective blend of and elements, particularly in animation quality and voice performances that enhanced the matches and team interactions. awarded the first DVD volume a B+ overall, praising the light-hearted story of assembling a girls' team, quirky endearing characters like Tamaki Kawazoe and Miyako Ueji, and well-animated action sequences with dramatic strikes and minimal fanservice, though it critiqued a shaky start in pacing that improves by the second episode. THEM Anime Reviews gave it a 4 out of 5, lauding the character-based in a context and the focus on high school drama during matches, while pointing to occasional filler episodes as a pacing weakness. As of November 2025, the holds an average user score of 7.29 out of 10 on , based on over 42,000 ratings, reflecting solid reception for its humor and empowerment themes. Reception for the PSP video game Bamboo Blade: Sorekara no Chousen was limited but positive among niche audiences, emphasizing its appeal to series fans through strategy-based simulations and voiced character interactions.

Popularity and cultural impact

Bamboo Blade garnered substantial commercial success in during its initial run, with multiple manga volumes achieving prominent positions on the weekly comic rankings. For instance, volume 13 reached #4 in May 2010, reflecting strong sales performance amid competition from major titles like and Vagabond. The series' 14th volume also charted at number 13 in late 2010, underscoring its consistent appeal to seinen audiences. The anime adaptation further expanded its reach internationally through Funimation's acquisition of North American distribution rights in early 2009, positioning it among the studio's key early licenses for slice-of-life sports titles. Funimation released the complete series on DVD in 2010, followed by a budget S.A.V.E. edition in 2011, which helped sustain accessibility for Western viewers. The series has since transitioned to streaming platforms like , where it holds a 4.4 out of 5 user rating based on over 450 reviews, indicating enduring fan engagement. Within enthusiast communities, Bamboo Blade is appreciated for its detailed portrayal of the sport's techniques, rules, and equipment, serving as an accessible introduction that aligns closely with real-world practices. This authenticity has contributed to its role in popularizing among fans, bridging traditions with contemporary pop culture narratives. The series' emphasis on a female-led team has also left a mark on the sports genre, paving the way for later works that explore gender dynamics in athletic settings. Marking its 20th anniversary in 2025, the original creators Totsuka and Aguri Igarashi released a two-part one-shot in Square Enix's Young Gangan magazine, with the first installment on June 6 and the second on June 20. Titled "Muroe Kōkō Kendō-bu to ○-nen Ato" and "Honki Kojirō to Gachi Tama," this has sparked renewed discussions and interest, reinforcing the franchise's lasting legacy in the slice-of-life sports category.

References

  1. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-06-16/bamboo-blade-manga-gets-20th-anniversary-1-shot/.225607
  2. https://bigcartoon.org/wiki/Bamboo_Blade
  3. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=8455
  4. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-10-08/bamboo-blade-b-manga-to-end-in-november
  5. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-04-25/bamboo-blade-c-manga-about-high-school-kendo-girls-to-launch-in-may
  6. https://manga.fandom.com/wiki/Bamboo_Blade
  7. https://yenpress.com/titles/9780759530058-bamboo-blade-vol-1
  8. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Manga/BambooBlade
  9. https://yenpress.com/titles/9780316241014-bamboo-blade-vol-14
  10. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=8454
  11. https://bambooblade.fandom.com/wiki/Toraji_Ishida
  12. https://myanimelist.net/character/5385/Toraji_Ishida
  13. https://bambooblade.fandom.com/wiki/Tamaki_Kawazoe
  14. https://myanimelist.net/character/5378/Tamaki_Kawazoe
  15. https://bambooblade.fandom.com/wiki/Kirino_Chiba
  16. https://myanimelist.net/character/5381/Kirino_Chiba
  17. https://bambooblade.fandom.com/wiki/Sayako_Kuwahara
  18. https://myanimelist.net/character/5387/Sayako_Kuwahara
  19. https://bambooblade.fandom.com/wiki/Miyako_Miyazaki
  20. https://myanimelist.net/character/5384/Miyako_Miyazaki
  21. https://bambooblade.fandom.com/wiki/Satori_Azuma
  22. https://myanimelist.net/character/5386/Satori_Azuma
  23. https://bambooblade.fandom.com/wiki/Kenzabur%C5%8D_Ishibashi
  24. https://bambooblade.fandom.com/wiki/Konishi
  25. https://bambooblade.fandom.com/wiki/Tamaki%27s_Father
  26. https://bambooblade.fandom.com/wiki/Danj%C5%ABr%C5%8D_Eiga
  27. https://bambooblade.fandom.com/wiki/Toyama
  28. https://yenpress.com/series/bamboo-blade
  29. https://www.mangaupdates.com/series/ddrj91w/bamboo-blade
  30. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6406019-bamboo-blade-vol-1
  31. https://myanimelist.net/manga/12216/Bamboo_Blade_B
  32. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Manga/BambooBladeB
  33. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-08-24/bamboo-blade-c-and-bb-deformer-manga-end/.105698
  34. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=18661
  35. https://myanimelist.net/manga/54477/Bamboo_Blade_C
  36. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Manga/BambooBladeC
  37. https://www.anime-planet.com/manga/bb-deformer
  38. https://vgmdb.net/album/26870
  39. https://bignanime.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/bamboo-blade-manga-v1/
  40. https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/2000121-anime-and-manga-other-titles/80408756
  41. https://phoenixtalkspopculturejapan.wordpress.com/2018/06/03/phoenix-talks-anime-bamboo-blade/
  42. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Bamboo-Blade/
  43. https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/G3KHEVQ44/bamboo-blade
  44. https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/psp/955154-bamboo-blade-sorekara-no-chousen
  45. https://www.play-asia.com/bamboo-blade-sorekara-no-chousen/13/703919
  46. https://www.giantbomb.com/bamboo-blade-sorekara-no-chousen/3030-28220/user-reviews/
  47. https://www.twitch.tv/directory/category/bamboo-blade-sorekara-no-chousen
  48. https://forums.animeuknews.net/threads/review-of-bamboo-blade-1.10080/
  49. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/bamboo-blade/dvd-part-1
  50. https://themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=1061
  51. https://myanimelist.net/anime/2986/Bamboo_Blade
  52. http://paulgalenetwork.com/home/2010/08/07/famitsus-truly-massive-top-1000-games-of-japan-in-2009-list/
  53. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-06-02/japanese-comic-ranking-may-24-30
  54. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-12-01/japanese-comic-ranking-november-22-28
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.