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* ChristianityIsCatholic: Played with in that the Jesuit priests such as Father Lucius have convinced the Japanese that this is the case as part of their plot to convert all of Japan to Catholicism, and as such view the presence of Protestants such as Jack as a threat to that goal by exposing that Christianity isn't a unified front. Father Lucius even scornfully dismisses the Protestant interpretation of God as a heretical, heathen deity separate from the Catholic interpretation.
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** Towards the end of ''Way of the Dragon'', while fleeing the enemy army Jack and Akiku are forced to hide underwater. Akiku, who practised ''ama'' pearl diving when she was younger, has the lung capacity to hold out, but Jack doesn't. Noticing him starting to drown, she transfers some of the air in her lungs to him via mouth-to-mouth.
to:
** Towards the end of ''Way of the Dragon'', while fleeing the enemy army Jack and Akiku Akiko are forced to hide underwater. Akiku, Akiko, who practised ''ama'' pearl diving when she was younger, has the lung capacity to hold out, but Jack doesn't. Noticing him starting to drown, she transfers some of the air in her lungs to him via mouth-to-mouth.
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* {{Ninja}}: ''Shinobi'' are presented as antagonistic in the first half of the series, with Dokugan Ryu being the BigBad. This is downplayed in the second half of the series, with Akiko revealed to have undergone ninja training; and in ''Ring of Earth'' Jack comes across a ninja village and learns that they are people just like the samurai, and even undergoes training to become one himself. Miyuki, a ninja girl around Jack's age, becomes one of his traveling companions and a rival to Akiko for his affections.
to:
* {{Ninja}}: ''Shinobi'' are presented as antagonistic in the first half of the series, with Dokugan Ryu being the BigBad. This is downplayed in the second half of the series, with Akiko revealed to have undergone ninja training; and in ''Ring of Earth'' Jack comes across a ninja village and learns that they are people just like the samurai, and even undergoes training to become one himself. Miyuki, a ninja girl ''kunoichi'' (female ninja) around Jack's age, becomes one of his traveling companions and a rival to Akiko for his affections.
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* ''The Return of the Warrior (2019)
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* ''The Return of the Warrior Warrior'' (2019)
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The series consists of seven books:
* ''Way of the Warrior'' (2007)
* ''Way of the Sword'' (2009)
* ''Way of the Dragon'' (2010)
* ''Ring of Earth'' (2010)
* ''Ring of Water'' (2011)
* ''Ring of Fire'' (2011)
* ''Ring of Sky'' (2012)
* ''Way of the Warrior'' (2007)
* ''Way of the Sword'' (2009)
* ''Way of the Dragon'' (2010)
* ''Ring of Earth'' (2010)
* ''Ring of Water'' (2011)
* ''Ring of Fire'' (2011)
* ''Ring of Sky'' (2012)
to:
The series consists of seven nine books:
*''Way ''The Way of the Warrior'' (2007)
*''Way ''The Way of the Sword'' (2009)
*''Way ''The Way of the Dragon'' (2010)
*''Ring ''The Ring of Earth'' (2010)
*''Ring ''The Ring of Water'' (2011)
*''Ring ''The Ring of Fire'' (2011)
*''Ring ''The Ring of Wind'' (2012)
* ''The Ring of Sky'' (2012)
* ''The Return of the Warrior (2019)
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
* ''The Ring of Sky'' (2012)
* ''The Return of the Warrior (2019)
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* SamuraiShinobi:
** Akiko is a samurai and holds ninja in deep contempt, but secretly undertook ninjutsu training and occasionally disguises herself as a ninja.
** In the second arc, Jack -- who in the first arc was trained as a samurai -- comes across a ninja village and receives ninjutsu training there, learning that ninja aren't universally evil like the samurai believe but for the most part just people trying to survive in a society rigged to oppress them.
** Akiko is a samurai and holds ninja in deep contempt, but secretly undertook ninjutsu training and occasionally disguises herself as a ninja.
** In the second arc, Jack -- who in the first arc was trained as a samurai -- comes across a ninja village and receives ninjutsu training there, learning that ninja aren't universally evil like the samurai believe but for the most part just people trying to survive in a society rigged to oppress them.
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%%** In ''Ring of Water'' one of the characters is poisoned by fugu, leading Miyuki to give him assisted respiration.
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* {{Ninja}}: ''Shinobi'' are presented as antagonistic in the first half of the series, with Dokugan Ryu being the BigBad. This is downplayed in the second half of the series, with Akiko revealed to have undergone ninja training; and in ''Ring of Earth'' Jack comes across a ninja village and learns that they are people just like the samurai, and even undergoes training to become one himself.
to:
* {{Ninja}}: ''Shinobi'' are presented as antagonistic in the first half of the series, with Dokugan Ryu being the BigBad. This is downplayed in the second half of the series, with Akiko revealed to have undergone ninja training; and in ''Ring of Earth'' Jack comes across a ninja village and learns that they are people just like the samurai, and even undergoes training to become one himself. Miyuki, a ninja girl around Jack's age, becomes one of his traveling companions and a rival to Akiko for his affections.
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* LegacyCharacter: In ''Ring of Earth'', [[spoiler:Dokugan Ryu makes a comeback after having seemingly been killed, leading Jack and Akiko to hope that Yamato is still alive... up until it's revealed that the original Dokugan Ryu is dead and the person hunting them is a successor]].
to:
* LegacyCharacter: In ''Ring of Earth'', Wind'', [[spoiler:Dokugan Ryu makes a comeback after having seemingly been killed, leading Jack and Akiko to hope that Yamato is still alive... up until it's revealed that the original Dokugan Ryu is dead and the person hunting them is a successor]].
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* BattleCouple: Jack and Akiko become this over the course of the series, both becoming skilled samurai.
to:
* BattleCouple: Jack and Akiko become this over the course of the series, both becoming skilled samurai.samurai with shinobi training.
%%* BlindWeaponmaster: One of the teachers at Masamoto's school is a blind monk who uses his sense of hearing and other senses to figure out where his opponents are, and takes advantage of them underestimating him.
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* EvilCripple: Kazuki is left with a malformed hand after Akiko puts an arrow through it.
to:
* EvilCripple: EvilCripple:
** Dokugan Ryu is missing an eye, [[HandicappedBadass not that this hinders him in any way]].
** Kazuki is left with a malformed hand after Akiko puts an arrow throughit.it at the end of ''Way of the Dragon''.
* EvilJesuit: Father Lucius, a Portuguese Jesuit priest introduced attempting to convert Japan to Catholicism. He treats Jack with contempt and distaste due to their rival denominations -- Jack being Protestant -- and is ultimately revealed to be the one who hired Dokugan Ryu to steal the ''rutter''.
* EvilTeacher: Hosokawa Yuudai, the kenjutsu instructor, is introduced as a bad-tempered SadistTeacher who [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain singles Jack out because he's European]] and treats Kazuki with favoritism. When Jack and Akiko run into him again after the fall of the Niten Ichi-ryū school, the latter assumes he'll help them out of loyalty to her uncle... only for Hosokawa to [[{{Yubitsume}} mutilate Jack's sword hand]]. [[spoiler:The final novel reveals he was forced to commit seppuku for this.]]
** Dokugan Ryu is missing an eye, [[HandicappedBadass not that this hinders him in any way]].
** Kazuki is left with a malformed hand after Akiko puts an arrow through
* EvilJesuit: Father Lucius, a Portuguese Jesuit priest introduced attempting to convert Japan to Catholicism. He treats Jack with contempt and distaste due to their rival denominations -- Jack being Protestant -- and is ultimately revealed to be the one who hired Dokugan Ryu to steal the ''rutter''.
* EvilTeacher: Hosokawa Yuudai, the kenjutsu instructor, is introduced as a bad-tempered SadistTeacher who [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain singles Jack out because he's European]] and treats Kazuki with favoritism. When Jack and Akiko run into him again after the fall of the Niten Ichi-ryū school, the latter assumes he'll help them out of loyalty to her uncle... only for Hosokawa to [[{{Yubitsume}} mutilate Jack's sword hand]]. [[spoiler:The final novel reveals he was forced to commit seppuku for this.]]
* HandicappedBadass: After Jack's [[{{Yubitsume}} right hand is mutilated]] by Hosokawa, he is left unable to fight properly until he learns a new way to hold his sword from a painter.
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** At the end of the second half of the series, [[spoiler: Miyuki sacrifices herself to hold off an army of samurai aiming to kill Jack and Akiko]].
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** At the end of the second half of the series, [[spoiler: Miyuki [[spoiler:Miyuki sacrifices herself to hold off an army of samurai aiming to kill Jack and Akiko]].
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* LoveTriangle: The second half of the series establishes one between Jack, Akiko, and Miyuki. [[spoiler:It's resolved when Miyuki sacrifices herself to buy the others time to escape.]]
* {{Ninja}}: ''Shinobi'' are presented as antagonistic in the first half of the series, with Dokugan Ryu being the BigBad. In ''Ring of Earth'', however, Jack learns that the ninja are people just like the samurai, and even manages to become one himself.
* {{Ninja}}: ''Shinobi'' are presented as antagonistic in the first half of the series, with Dokugan Ryu being the BigBad. In ''Ring of Earth'', however, Jack learns that the ninja are people just like the samurai, and even manages to become one himself.
to:
* KissOfLife:
** Towards the end of ''Way of the Dragon'', while fleeing the enemy army Jack and Akiku are forced to hide underwater. Akiku, who practised ''ama'' pearl diving when she was younger, has the lung capacity to hold out, but Jack doesn't. Noticing him starting to drown, she transfers some of the air in her lungs to him via mouth-to-mouth.
%%** In ''Ring of Water'' one of the characters is poisoned by fugu, leading Miyuki to give him assisted respiration.
* LegacyCharacter: In ''Ring of Earth'', [[spoiler:Dokugan Ryu makes a comeback after having seemingly been killed, leading Jack and Akiko to hope that Yamato is still alive... up until it's revealed that the original Dokugan Ryu is dead and the person hunting them is a successor]].
* LoveTriangle: The second half of the series establishes one between Jack, Akiko, and Miyuki. [[spoiler:It's resolved when Miyuki sacrifices herself to buy the others time toescape.escape from an army of samurai.]]
* MistakenForAliens: Or at least for ''{{yokai}}''. Early in ''Ring of Earth'', Jack comes across an old man and his grandson, the latter of whom assumes he's a ''tengu'' due to his European facial features.
* MistakenForUndead: While in the care of a travelling theatre troupe, Jack sees Miyuki approaching him while dressed as an ''[[StringyHairedGhostGirl onryō]]'' and immediately jumps to the assumption that she's died and her vengeful ghost has come for him.
* {{Ninja}}: ''Shinobi'' are presented as antagonistic in the first half of the series, with Dokugan Ryu being the BigBad.In This is downplayed in the second half of the series, with Akiko revealed to have undergone ninja training; and in ''Ring of Earth'', however, Earth'' Jack comes across a ninja village and learns that the ninja they are people just like the samurai, and even manages undergoes training to become one himself. himself.
%%* PirateGirl: In ''Ring of Water'' the group is captured by wakō pirates, who are led by a woman.
* ScamReligion: Jack's interactions with Father Lucius establish that the Catholics and Protestants see each others' versions of Christianity as such -- if not completely separate religions worshipping completely separate Gods.
* SinisterMinister: Father Lucius is a Portuguese Jesuit priest who seeks to convert Japan to Catholicism, and is the one who hired Dokugan Ryu to obtain the ''rutter''.
** Towards the end of ''Way of the Dragon'', while fleeing the enemy army Jack and Akiku are forced to hide underwater. Akiku, who practised ''ama'' pearl diving when she was younger, has the lung capacity to hold out, but Jack doesn't. Noticing him starting to drown, she transfers some of the air in her lungs to him via mouth-to-mouth.
%%** In ''Ring of Water'' one of the characters is poisoned by fugu, leading Miyuki to give him assisted respiration.
* LegacyCharacter: In ''Ring of Earth'', [[spoiler:Dokugan Ryu makes a comeback after having seemingly been killed, leading Jack and Akiko to hope that Yamato is still alive... up until it's revealed that the original Dokugan Ryu is dead and the person hunting them is a successor]].
* LoveTriangle: The second half of the series establishes one between Jack, Akiko, and Miyuki. [[spoiler:It's resolved when Miyuki sacrifices herself to buy the others time to
* MistakenForAliens: Or at least for ''{{yokai}}''. Early in ''Ring of Earth'', Jack comes across an old man and his grandson, the latter of whom assumes he's a ''tengu'' due to his European facial features.
* MistakenForUndead: While in the care of a travelling theatre troupe, Jack sees Miyuki approaching him while dressed as an ''[[StringyHairedGhostGirl onryō]]'' and immediately jumps to the assumption that she's died and her vengeful ghost has come for him.
* {{Ninja}}: ''Shinobi'' are presented as antagonistic in the first half of the series, with Dokugan Ryu being the BigBad.
%%* PirateGirl: In ''Ring of Water'' the group is captured by wakō pirates, who are led by a woman.
* ScamReligion: Jack's interactions with Father Lucius establish that the Catholics and Protestants see each others' versions of Christianity as such -- if not completely separate religions worshipping completely separate Gods.
* SinisterMinister: Father Lucius is a Portuguese Jesuit priest who seeks to convert Japan to Catholicism, and is the one who hired Dokugan Ryu to obtain the ''rutter''.
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[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/young_samurai_ring_of_water.png]]
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* {{Tsundere}}: Miyuki initially distrusts Jack due to him being both a foreigner and a samurai, but slowly warms up to him and develops feelings for him... not that she'd admit it.
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* {{Tsundere}}: Miyuki initially distrusts Jack due to him being both a foreigner and a samurai, but slowly warms up to him and develops feelings for him... not that she'd admit it.it.
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''Young Samurai'' is a series of action-adventure novels set in the early Edo period of Japan, written by Chris Bradford. The series consists of seven books: ''Way of the Warrior'' (2007), ''Way of the Sword'' (2009), ''Way of the Dragon'' (2010), ''Ring of Earth'' (2010), ''Ring of Water'' (2011), ''Ring of Fire'' (2011), and ''Ring of Sky'' (2012).
Jack Fletcher is a twelve-year old English boy and the son of the navigator of the ''Alexandria'', a ship charting a course from England to Japan. When his father is murdered by the ninja Dokugan Ryu, Jack is charged with keeping his father's special navigational chart - the ''rutter'' - out of enemy hands. Washing ashore, he is adopted by master samurai Masamoto Takeshi, who inducts him into his school for samurai, the ''Niten Ichi-ryū''. Despite being regarded as an outsider due to being a foreigner, Jack befriends several of his fellow students, including Masamoto's niece Date Akiko and his son Masamoto Yamato. However, Jack yearns to return home to England in order to look after his sickly little sister Jess, left in the care of a nanny.
Jack Fletcher is a twelve-year old English boy and the son of the navigator of the ''Alexandria'', a ship charting a course from England to Japan. When his father is murdered by the ninja Dokugan Ryu, Jack is charged with keeping his father's special navigational chart - the ''rutter'' - out of enemy hands. Washing ashore, he is adopted by master samurai Masamoto Takeshi, who inducts him into his school for samurai, the ''Niten Ichi-ryū''. Despite being regarded as an outsider due to being a foreigner, Jack befriends several of his fellow students, including Masamoto's niece Date Akiko and his son Masamoto Yamato. However, Jack yearns to return home to England in order to look after his sickly little sister Jess, left in the care of a nanny.
to:
''Young Samurai'' is a series of action-adventure novels set in the early Edo period of Japan, written by Chris Bradford. The series consists of seven books: ''Way of the Warrior'' (2007), ''Way of the Sword'' (2009), ''Way of the Dragon'' (2010), ''Ring of Earth'' (2010), ''Ring of Water'' (2011), ''Ring of Fire'' (2011), and ''Ring of Sky'' (2012).
Jack Fletcher is a twelve-year old English boy and the son of the navigator of the ''Alexandria'', a ship charting a course from England to Japan. When his father is murdered by the ninja Dokugan Ryu, Jack is charged with keeping his father's special navigational chart - the ''rutter'' - out of enemy hands. Washing ashore, he is adopted by master samurai Masamoto Takeshi, who inducts him into his school for samurai, the ''Niten Ichi-ryū''. Despite being regarded as an outsider due to being a foreigner, Jack befriends several of his fellow students, including Masamoto's niece Date Akiko and (eventually) his son Masamoto Yamato. However, Jack yearns to return home to England in order to look after his sickly little sister Jess, left in the care of a nanny. \n
The series consists of seven books:
* ''Way of the Warrior'' (2007)
* ''Way of the Sword'' (2009)
* ''Way of the Dragon'' (2010)
* ''Ring of Earth'' (2010)
* ''Ring of Water'' (2011)
* ''Ring of Fire'' (2011)
* ''Ring of Sky'' (2012)
The series consists of seven books:
* ''Way of the Warrior'' (2007)
* ''Way of the Sword'' (2009)
* ''Way of the Dragon'' (2010)
* ''Ring of Earth'' (2010)
* ''Ring of Water'' (2011)
* ''Ring of Fire'' (2011)
* ''Ring of Sky'' (2012)
!!Tropes found in ''Young Samurai'':
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* FireForgedFriendship: Yamato initially detests Jack, but they become close friends after the first novel.
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* FireForgedFriendship: Yamato initially detests Jack, Jack out of jealousy, but they become close friends after the first novel.
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* JidaiGeki: The series is set during the dawn of the Edo period.
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* TheStarscream: Dokugan Ryu kills Father Lucius, the Portuguese Jesuit priest who hired him to obtain the ''rutter'', and decides to take it for himself.
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* TheBully: Kazuki starts off as one, but graduates to a more serious antagonist.
to:
* TheBully: Kazuki starts off as one, but graduates to a more serious antagonist.antagonist in the second half of the series.
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* {{Expy}}: Many of the characters are based off [[HistoricalDomainCharacter real-life people:
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* {{Expy}}: Many of the characters are based off [[HistoricalDomainCharacter real-life people:people]]:
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* HeroicSacrifice:
** At the end of the first half of the series, [[spoiler:Yamato sacrifices himself to kill Dokugan Ryu]].
** At the end of the second half of the series, [[spoiler: Miyuki sacrifices herself to hold off an army of samurai aiming to kill Jack and Akiko]].
** At the end of the first half of the series, [[spoiler:Yamato sacrifices himself to kill Dokugan Ryu]].
** At the end of the second half of the series, [[spoiler: Miyuki sacrifices herself to hold off an army of samurai aiming to kill Jack and Akiko]].
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* EarnYourHappyEnding: For much of the series Jack's attempts to find a way back to England [[YouCantGoHomeAgain are kiboshed]] to the extent he considers StartingANewLife in Japan. However, growing persecution against foreigners and Christians makes that impossible. [[spoiler:After much loss and suffering, he is able to return to England, with Akiko at his side.]]
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* {{Expy}}: Masamoto Takeshi is directly based of Miyamoto Musashi [[HistoricalDomainCharacter real-life samurai]] and founder of the Niten Ichi-ryū school.
to:
* {{Expy}}: Masamoto Takeshi is directly Many of the characters are based of Miyamoto Musashi off [[HistoricalDomainCharacter real-life samurai]] people:
** Jack Fletcher is based off real-life English samurai William Adams.
** Masamoto Takeshi is based off Miyamoto Musashi, real-life samurai and founder of the Niten Ichi-ryū school.
** Jack Fletcher is based off real-life English samurai William Adams.
** Masamoto Takeshi is based off Miyamoto Musashi, real-life samurai and founder of the Niten Ichi-ryū school.
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* {{Ninja}}: ''Shinobi'' are presented as antagonistic in the first half of the novel, with Dokugan Ryu being the BigBad. In ''Ring of Earth'', however, Jack learns that the ninja are people just like the samurai, and even manages to become one himself.
to:
* {{Ninja}}: ''Shinobi'' are presented as antagonistic in the first half of the novel, series, with Dokugan Ryu being the BigBad. In ''Ring of Earth'', however, Jack learns that the ninja are people just like the samurai, and even manages to become one himself.
* TokenWhite: Jack is the only living Englishman in Japan, which at the time had exclusive trade relations with Catholic Portugal. As such, he is discriminated against as a ''gaijin''.
* TokenWhite: Jack is the only living Englishman in Japan, which at the time had exclusive trade relations with Catholic Portugal. As such, he is discriminated against as a ''gaijin''.
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''Young Samurai'' is a series of action-adventure novels set in the early Edo period of Japan, written by Chris Bradford. The series consists of seven books: ''Way of the Warrior'' (2007), ''Way of the Sword'' (2009), ''Way of the Dragon'' (2010), ''Ring of Earth'' (2010), ''Ring of Water'' (2011), ''Ring of Fire'' (2011), and ''Ring of Sky'' (2012).
Jack Fletcher is a twelve-year old English boy and the son of the navigator of the ''Alexandria'', a ship charting a course from England to Japan. When his father is murdered by the ninja Dokugan Ryu, Jack is charged with keeping his father's special navigational chart - the ''rutter'' - out of enemy hands. Washing ashore, he is adopted by master samurai Masamoto Takeshi, who inducts him into his school for samurai, the ''Niten Ichi-ryū''. Despite being regarded as an outsider due to being a foreigner, Jack befriends several of his fellow students, including Masamoto's niece Date Akiko and his son Masamoto Yamato. However, Jack yearns to return home to England in order to look after his sickly little sister Jess, left in the care of a nanny.
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* BattleCouple: Jack and Akiko become this over the course of the series, both becoming skilled samurai.
* BigBad: The evil ninja Dokugan Ryu serves as the main antagonist of the first half of the series, though Kazuki takes over that role in the second half.
* TheBully: Kazuki starts off as one, but graduates to a more serious antagonist.
* DualWielding: The SecretArt of Masamoto Takeshi's Niten Ichi-ryū school consists of wielding both the ''katana'' and the ''wakizashi'' at the same time.
* EvilCripple: Kazuki is left with a malformed hand after Akiko puts an arrow through it.
* {{Expy}}: Masamoto Takeshi is directly based of Miyamoto Musashi [[HistoricalDomainCharacter real-life samurai]] and founder of the Niten Ichi-ryū school.
* FinGore: Hosokawa Yuudai cuts off part of the fingers of Jack's hand, crippling his ability to fight until he's able to adjust his fighting style.
* FireForgedFriendship: Yamato initially detests Jack, but they become close friends after the first novel.
* HopelessSuitor: For most of the second half of the series, Jack is oblivious to the fact that Miyuki has developed feelings for him, and only has eyes for Akiko.
* KidSamurai: In the first half of the series, the main characters are samurai-in-training at Masamoto Takeshi's Niten Ichi-ryū school.
* LoveTriangle: The second half of the series establishes one between Jack, Akiko, and Miyuki. [[spoiler:It's resolved when Miyuki sacrifices herself to buy the others time to escape.]]
* {{Ninja}}: ''Shinobi'' are presented as antagonistic in the first half of the novel, with Dokugan Ryu being the BigBad. In ''Ring of Earth'', however, Jack learns that the ninja are people just like the samurai, and even manages to become one himself.
* {{Tsundere}}: Miyuki initially distrusts Jack due to him being both a foreigner and a samurai, but slowly warms up to him and develops feelings for him... not that she'd admit it.
Jack Fletcher is a twelve-year old English boy and the son of the navigator of the ''Alexandria'', a ship charting a course from England to Japan. When his father is murdered by the ninja Dokugan Ryu, Jack is charged with keeping his father's special navigational chart - the ''rutter'' - out of enemy hands. Washing ashore, he is adopted by master samurai Masamoto Takeshi, who inducts him into his school for samurai, the ''Niten Ichi-ryū''. Despite being regarded as an outsider due to being a foreigner, Jack befriends several of his fellow students, including Masamoto's niece Date Akiko and his son Masamoto Yamato. However, Jack yearns to return home to England in order to look after his sickly little sister Jess, left in the care of a nanny.
----
* BattleCouple: Jack and Akiko become this over the course of the series, both becoming skilled samurai.
* BigBad: The evil ninja Dokugan Ryu serves as the main antagonist of the first half of the series, though Kazuki takes over that role in the second half.
* TheBully: Kazuki starts off as one, but graduates to a more serious antagonist.
* DualWielding: The SecretArt of Masamoto Takeshi's Niten Ichi-ryū school consists of wielding both the ''katana'' and the ''wakizashi'' at the same time.
* EvilCripple: Kazuki is left with a malformed hand after Akiko puts an arrow through it.
* {{Expy}}: Masamoto Takeshi is directly based of Miyamoto Musashi [[HistoricalDomainCharacter real-life samurai]] and founder of the Niten Ichi-ryū school.
* FinGore: Hosokawa Yuudai cuts off part of the fingers of Jack's hand, crippling his ability to fight until he's able to adjust his fighting style.
* FireForgedFriendship: Yamato initially detests Jack, but they become close friends after the first novel.
* HopelessSuitor: For most of the second half of the series, Jack is oblivious to the fact that Miyuki has developed feelings for him, and only has eyes for Akiko.
* KidSamurai: In the first half of the series, the main characters are samurai-in-training at Masamoto Takeshi's Niten Ichi-ryū school.
* LoveTriangle: The second half of the series establishes one between Jack, Akiko, and Miyuki. [[spoiler:It's resolved when Miyuki sacrifices herself to buy the others time to escape.]]
* {{Ninja}}: ''Shinobi'' are presented as antagonistic in the first half of the novel, with Dokugan Ryu being the BigBad. In ''Ring of Earth'', however, Jack learns that the ninja are people just like the samurai, and even manages to become one himself.
* {{Tsundere}}: Miyuki initially distrusts Jack due to him being both a foreigner and a samurai, but slowly warms up to him and develops feelings for him... not that she'd admit it.
