History Manga / KamuiDen

* AcceptableBreaksFromReality: While the original series generally eshcews supernatural elements, some of the ninja techniques require suspension of disbelief. This is partly justified in that historical ninja encouraged people to belief they possessed mystical or even magical powers.

* AnyoneCanDie: The majority of named characters introduced in the first series don't live to see the end of it. Seriously, even ASongOfIceAndFire and BloodMeridian can barely compete.

* HandicappedBadass: Minazuki Ukon, who loses his foot in the very first issue, but remains a formidable fighter.

* DespairEventHorizon: Inverted to an extent with Mine, whose death galvanizes both Shosuke and Ryunoshin to action. Played very straight with [[spolier: Atena, after Sasa Ikkaku's death and Minazuki Ukon after Atena's death.]]

* BadAssBoast: After enduring a DespairEventHorizon, Matsubayashi Kenpu reminds his commrades that they "have a rendevous with the god of death."

* DecoyProtagonist: Kamui himself. He's well represented in the first 3000 or so pages of the first series, but pretty much disappears toward the end. Even in the early books it's obvious that the peasant leader Shosuke and the outcast samurai, Ryunoshin are going to be characters on par with the titular lead.

* SelectivelyLethalWeapon: Many characters use a technique called "mine-uchi" (striking an oponent with the blunt side of the blade) to knock out their foes: [[spolier: Nishiki Tanba does it to Ryunoshin; Ryunoshin in turn uses it on a whole mob of wayward samurai. Conversely, Atena's failure to perform a non-lethal mine-uchi on an unruly peasant gets her killed by an angry mob.]]
* ShownTheirWork: Surely, one of the crowning examples in modern media. The detail in which Shirato describes everything from mountain fauna to 17th century taxation can be overwhelming. And their are long sections of expository text that resemble textbook entries.

Kamui-den was the very first iteration of Shirato Sampei's long-running series of manga set in 17th century Japan. Though ostensibly the story of the low-born ninja Kamui, it presents its setting in broad terms,

!! [KamuiDen] contains examples of:

* AdaptationDecay: In fairness, the 2009 film version of Kamui Gaiden was based on the watered-down second part of Kamui's follow up series.

depicting characters of various social backgrounds and the challenges they face. The first series also included a heady dose of Marxist ideology which was present to a lesser extent (or simply not included) in later iterations. This leads to some confusion about the relation of the first series with later ones, such the better known spin-off/sequel KamuiGaiden. First appearing in the underground magazine Garo in 1964, Kamui-den is also a good example of the {{Gekiga}} style of manga devised by Tatsumi Yoshihiro in the late 50s.

* ActionGirl: These are common enough with all the female ninja appearing in the various series. Naginata master Atena, in the first series, and TomboyPrincess Nishiki Sayaka in the second are notable recurring action girls.

* WomenInRefrigerators: Played depressingly straight.

* MissFanservice: Noone in particular, though female characters have a way of winding up topless.

* TakeThat: Again, numerous but [[spoiler: the death of Atena at the grimy hands of a mob of peasants really hurts.]]

depicting characters of various social backgrounds and the challenges they face. The first series also included a heady dose of Marxist ideology which was present to a lesser extent (or simply not included) in later iterations. This leads to some confusion about the relation of the first series with later ones, such the better known spin-off/sequel KamuiGaiden. First appearing in the underground magazine Garo in 1964, Kamui-den is also a good example of the "gekiga" style of manga devised by Tatsumi Yoshihiro in the late 50s.

* DarkerAndEdgier: One of the characterstics of the developing gekiga movement was more adult subject matter. Kamui was one of the first widely-read manga to feature graphic depictions of sex and violence.

* IaijutsuPractitioner: Matsubayashi Kenpu. Kamui himself also counts: his signature "kasumi-kiri" technique involves some unorthodox sword drawing.

* MissFanservice: Noone in particular, though female characters have a wait of winding up topless.

Kamui-den was the very first iteration of Shirato Sampei's long-running series of manga set in 17th century Japan. Though notionally the story of the low-born ninja Kamui, it presents its setting in broad terms,
depicting characters of various social backgrounds and the challenges they face. The first series also included a heady dose of Marxist ideology which was present to a lesser extent (or simply not included) in later iterations. This leads to some confusion about the relation of the first series with later ones. First appearing in the underground magazine Garo in 1964, Kamui-den is also a good example of the "gekiga" style of manga devised by Tatsumi Yoshihiro in the late 50s.

* AnyoneCanDie: The majority of named characters introduced in the first series don't live to see the end of the series. Seriously, even ASongOfIceAndFire and BloodMeridian can barely compete.

* HandicappedBadass: Minazuki Ukon, who loses his leg in the very first issue, but remains a force to be reckoned with.

* IaijutsuPractitioner: Matsubayashi Kenpu.

Kamui-den was the very first iteration of Shirato Sampei's long-running series of manga set in 17th century Japan. Though notionally the story of the low-born ninja, Kamui, it views its setting in broad terms,
depicting characters of various social backgrounds and the challenges they face. The first series also included a heady blend of Marxist ideology which was present to a lesser extent (or simply not included) in later iterations. This leads to some confusion about the relation of the first series with later ones. First appearing in the underground magazine Garo in 1964, Kamui-den is also a good example of the "gekiga" style of manga devised by Tatsumi Yoshihiro in the late 50s.

[[caption-width-right:259:some caption text]]

depicting characters of various social backgrounds and the challenges they face. The first series also included a heady blend of Marxist ideology which was present to a lesser extent (or simply not included) in later iterations. This leads to some confusion about the relation of the first series with later ones.
First appearing in the underground magazine Garo in 1964, Kamui-den is also a good example of the "gekiga" style of manga devised by Tatsumi Yoshihiro in the late 50s.

* AnyoneCanDie: The majority of named characters introduced in the first series don't live to see the end of the series.

* DrivenToSuicide: [[spolier: Mine. After being brutally raped by the Hioki Clan's lord, she throws herself into the castle moat to drown in despair.

* DrivenToSuicide: [[spolier: Mine. After being brutally raped by the Hioki Clan's lord, she throws herself into the castle moat to drown in despair. AndThenItGotWorse

* DrivenToSuicide: [[Mine: after being brutally raped by the Hioki Clan's lord, she throws herself into the castle moat to drown in despair. AndThenItGotWorse

* DrivenToSuicide: [[Mine: after being brutally raped by the Hioki Clan's lord, she throws herself into the castle moat to drown in despair. And ThenItGotWorse

* KarmicDeath: [[spolier: the despised feudal lord who raped Mine and hacked up her body out of spite is ambushed by Sasa Ikkaku while his retainers are carrying his litter across a stream. Long story short: he takes a katana up the rectum.]]

* HandicappedBadass: Minazuke Ukon, who loses his leg in the very first issue, but remains a force to be reckoned with.

depicting characters of various social backgrounds and the challenges they face. The first series also included a heady blend of Marxist ideology which was present to a lesser extent (or simply not included) from later iterations. This leads to some confusion about the relation of the first series with later ones.

* AnachronismStew: For such a rigorously researched historical piece, it's not above having a character wield a revolver in 17th century Japan.

* AnachronismStew: For such a rigorously researched historical piece, it's not above having a character wield a revolver in 17th century Japan.
* CompleteMonster: Many of the anatgonists qualify, but the local governor in the first series is the best example of this trope (see also: KarmicDeath ).

!! Kamui-den